Stonehill College
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

2024-2025 Academic Year

All students enrolled in 9 or more credits are required by Massachusetts State law to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or be covered by a health insurance plan with comparable coverage. To ensure compliance with Massachusetts law, undergraduate students are automatically billed for the SHIP, unless a waiver form is completed before the deadline. Graduate students are not eligible due to the nature of their programs. Students that are entering a 5th year program and were previously enrolled as an undegraduate are eligible and can contact University Health Plans at 800-437-6448 or info@univhealthplans.com to enroll. Students must complete either the waiver or enrollment form each year.

Plan Highlights

The Stonehill College SHIP is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The plan is ACA compliant and includes access to Blue Cross Blue Shield's national PPO network of providers. Students do not have to select a primary care physician and referrals are not required. Highlights of the SHIP in-network benefits include $150 deductible, $30 office visit copay, $150 emergency room copay, 10% coinsurance for labs and x-rays, and 100% coverage for preventative care.

Stonehill has partnered with University Health Plans to administer the plan and help with waiver, enrollment, or benefit-related questions. University Health Plans can be reached at 800-437-6448 or info@univhealthplans.com.

Cost and Coverage Periods

Waiver/Enrollment Process

If you are covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan you can opt-out of the Stonehill College SHIP by completing the waiver form, located in the left-hand side navigation menu. Before waiving, compare the cost, coverage, and benefits of the SHIP to your existing plan. In order to waive, your plan must meet the below requirements:

• Your plan must provide access to doctors, specialists, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and mental health/behavioral health providers in Massachusetts, specifically the Stonehill College campus area without restriction or limitation.  
• The policy must be filed and approved in the United States and comply with the ACA (Affordable Care Act) benefit requirements. International and travel insurance plans and short-term limited duration plans are not accepted.
• Out-of-state Medicaid and many HMO or EPO plans do not provide out-of-network coverage. Urgent or emergency-only coverage does not meet the College's insurance requirements.

Students who would like to enroll in the SHIP should complete the enrollment form located in the left-hand side navigation menu. Although students are automatically charged for the SHIP in January, students will not be automatically enrolled by Stonehill until after the deadline date. Students should enroll as soon as possible to avoid difficulties in accessing their health insurance benefits. 

International Students

All international students in the U.S. will be automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan and do not need to take any action. Please note that the Stonehill College Student Health Insurance Plan meets J1/J2 visa requirements. 

Please contact University Health Plans at info@univhealthplans.com if you are covered by a US health insurance plan that meets all of the waiver requirements listed above. Please note, health insurance plans marketed solely to international students are often not filed in the US, and have limited benefits and/or coverage periods that do not comply with the Massachusetts Student Health Plan Regulations and the Stonehill College waiver requirements. ISO, PSI, and Student Medicover Insurance are examples of companies that do not meet the waiver requirements.

Qualifying Event Enrollment Process

Students who waived the SHIP may qualify for special enrollment rights if they incur an involuntary loss of other coverage. To request an enrollment form and premium quote, contact University Health Plans at 800-437-6448 or info@univhealthplans.com

To enroll, you must submit an enrollment form, a letter from your prior insurance company documenting your loss of coverage, and payment within 60 days of the qualifying event. If all items are received by the deadline coverage will be effective as of the first day without coverage under your prior plan.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS TAKING A LEAVE OF ABSENCE

A. Taking a leave of absence within 31 days after the start of classes:

You are not eligible for the Stonehill College Student Health Insurance Plan. Should you use your insurance prior to going on leave, you will be responsible for the full amount charged for care as your insurance will be retroactively terminated. For students starting in the fall, the plan will be terminated back to the effective date of the plan, which is 8/1/23. For students starting the spring, the plan will be terminated back to the effective date of the spring plan, which is 1/1/24.

B. Taking a leave of absence after 31 days after the start of classes:

You are eligible to remain enrolled in the Stonehill College Student Health Insurance Plan if you are enrolled in the plan at the time you take a leave of absence.