MGH INSTITUTE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS
Student Health Insurance Plan

2025-2026 Policy Year

Please see below for changes to this year's benefits

Insurance Requirements

Massachusetts law (C.15A, s.18) requires all students enrolled in at least three-quarters of a full-time course load at a Massachusetts institution to have health insurance that meets state-mandated guidelines. MGHIHP extends this requirement to all students, regardless of course load, ensuring continuous health coverage while attending the Institute.

To comply with this requirement:

• All students are automatically billed for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).
• Students must submit either the Online Waiver Form (if covered by another comparable plan) or the Enrollment Form before the deadline each academic year.
• Failure to submit a waiver or enrollment form will result in a hold on your student record, preventing future course registration and access to grades and transcripts. You will be automatically enrolled after the deadline and responsible for the insurance cost.

For more details on Massachusetts health insurance requirements, click HERE.

Insurance Cost & Coverage Periods

The MGHIHP Student Health Insurance Plan is provided by Wellfleet Insurance Company and includes Cigna’s National PPO network. The enrollment and waiver process is administered by University Health Plans.

	Summer	Fall	Spring
Coverage Dates	05/01/25-08/31/25	09/01/2025- 12/31/25	01/01/26-04/30/26
Cost	$2,966	$2,966	$2,966
Waiver/Enrollment Deadline	May 1, 2025	September 1, 2025	January 1, 2026

The current policy is under review by the department of Insurance, and the rates and/or coverage are subject to change.

Plan Highlights

MGHIHP partners with University Health Plans to evaluate multiple plan options each year. While the plan required many benefit changes this year, key benefits include:

• Comprehensive coverage with low deductibles, copays, and co-insurance.
• Access to a national network of providers through Cigna’s PPO
• Ease of use with no primary care physician or referrals required

• Deductible: $250 in-network | $500 out-of-network
• Co-Insurance: 20% in-network | 40% out-of-network
• Out-of-Pocket Maximum: $9,200 in-network | $18,400 out-of-network
• Physician Office Visit: $25 copay in-network | 20% coinsurance out-of-network (deductible does not apply)
• Urgent Care Visit: $25 copay in- and out-of-network (deductible does not apply)
• ER Visit: $50 copay in- and out-of-network (deductible does not apply)
• Prescription Drugs:
  • Tier 1: No change.  
  • Tier 2 & 3: 20% co-insurance (deductible not applicable).

To review detailed benefits, click Benefit Information on the left side of the page.

Waiver Process & Enrollment Process

If you have comparable health insurance, you may waive the MGHIHP SHIP by completing the Online Waiver Form before the deadline. You will need to provide details about your current coverage.

To be considered comparable, your plan must provide comprehensive non-emergency care in Massachusetts. If you are from out-of-state, you should contact your insurance company to verify that it provides benefits including preventive and primary care, Emergency Services, surgical services, hospitalization benefits, ambulatory patient services, mental health services, and prescription drugs near the school. Not all out-of-state plans will provide coverage in Massachusetts. All students covered by other insurance should compare their benefits before making any decision about waiving.

If you do not have comparable coverage, you must enroll in the MGHIHP SHIP by submitting the Online Enrollment Form to expedite the processing of your insurance card.

Termination

Termination is not allowed during the trimester. However, students may request to terminate their plan at the end of the semester if they are enrolled in a comparable health insurance plan that is effective on or before the requested termination date.

Qualifying Event

Students who waived the SHIP may not voluntarily enroll during the policy year. However, students may qualify for special enrollment rights if they have a qualifying life event, such as losing former coverage. Additional instructions, supporting documentation requirements, and deadlines are included on the form located on the left side of the page.