Coverage, Cost & Benefits

Plan Enhancements Include

• A new $0 copay benefit is available for Limited Service Clinics (LTC) like Minute Clinic. To find an LTC, use the provider search on the left and type in Clinics, Limited Services.
• If you take certain high-cost specialty medications subject to 30% co-insurance, you may be eligible for PillarRx. PillarRx uses manufacturer coupons to cover some or all of the member out-of-pocket costs. To view the list of eligible medications, log in to your MyBlue account, under My Medications, select Cost-Share Assistance, and then choose See Eligible Medications

Waiving Health Insurance

International Students

The Massachusetts student insurance regulation does not consider insurance carriers outside of the United States or coverage by foreign National Health Service programs comparable to a qualifying student health insurance program.

International students may waive the Emerson College Student Health Insurance Plan if they have alternate health insurance with a U.S.-based carrier that meets Commonwealth of Massachusetts SHIP standards (Please read all waiver requirements listed below). If you are already covered by a U.S.-based insurance carrier, and you have ascertained that your coverage is comparable, you have the right to request to waive the required student insurance by submitting a waiver by the deadline.  Please contact University Health Plans at info@univhealthplans.com to receive the paper waiver form. A review of your waiver and insurance coverage will be completed before your waiver is approved/denied.

Please review insurance plans carefully before purchasing a plan and waiving the Student Health Insurance Plan.

Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Domestic undergraduate and graduate students may waive the Student Health Insurance Plan and charge by submitting an online waiver form confirming comparable coverage by the designated deadline. An insurance waiver must be completed for continued exemption at the start of each academic year.

• Health Insurance Waiver: Online Form accessible in the navigation menu on the left-hand side of this page.
• Check your account online to see if your insurance has been waived.

Contact University Health Plans at 833-251-1726 if you have trouble accessing the waiver.

Students who use their Emerson-provided health insurance at any point are not eligible to waive it afterward.

Waiver Requirements

The following are guidelines you should review before submitting a health insurance waiver:

• U.S. students with comparable coverage under another major medical insurance plan may submit a waiver.
• Veterans’ benefits that provide access to Veterans’ Administration healthcare facilities, TRICARE, and the U.S. Family Health Plan, a military coverage, are all acceptable to submit a waiver.
• Students with out-of-area HMOs (for example, Kaiser Permanente, Empire of NY, and others) may not have comparable coverage as these types of plans only provide coverage for emergency care or when provided by a network of clinicians unavailable in the Emerson campus area.
• Mental health and substance abuse must be covered as any other illness or injury. Injuries or illnesses resulting from alcohol, illegal drugs, or self-harm must be covered as any other illness or injury.
• A student can waive the insurance charge if enrolled in a subsidized health plan through the Health Connector or MassHealth, excluding MassHealth Limited, the Health Safety Net, or the Children's Medical Security Plan. 
• International students are required to have U.S.-based health insurance. Foreign carriers with U.S.-based satellites are still considered foreign insurance and do not qualify for the health insurance waiver. International students who believe they have U.S.-based health insurance that is filed and approved in the U.S. and compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) may submit a paper waiver form with a copy of their insurance card and plan documents. Please email University Health Plans at info@univhealthplans.com to request the paper waiver form. A review of your waiver and insurance coverage will be completed before your waiver is approved/denied.

Full information about the insurance requirement can be found on the Massachusetts Student Health Insurance website and by viewing the Massachusetts Student Health Insurance Plan Regulations.

Loss of Coverage Regulations

Because Massachusetts state law requires any student participating in at least 75% of the full-time curriculum to have continuous medical insurance, Emerson is responsible for ensuring its students have continuous medical coverage.

If a student waives insurance at the beginning of an academic year, then loses coverage, he or she must complete the qualifying event enrollment form on the left side of this page within 60 days of losing other coverage. Prorated plans are available, and supporting documentation is required. 

Premium Refund Policy

If you withdraw from school within the first 45 days of a coverage period, you will not be covered under the Student Health Insurance Plan, and the full premium will be refunded, less any claims paid. (This refund policy will not apply if you withdraw due to a covered Accident or Sickness.)  After 45 days, you will be covered for the full period, and no refund will be allowed.

Exception: A Covered Person entering the armed forces of any country will not be covered under the Policy as of the date of such entry. In this case, a pro-rata premium refund will be made for any such person upon written request received by University Health Plans within 90 days of withdrawal from school.