graduate assistant health insurance
MSU provides health coverage for graduate assistants and their eligible dependents through Blue Care Network (BCN). As a graduate assistant, you are enrolled automatically in the health plan, and MSU picks up the cost of your health coverage. Through this plan, you have access to quality health care through hospitals, physicians, and affiliated health care professionals in the BCN provider network. Locate a provider through the BCN website.
Important Notices
The university has a contract with Blue Care Network (BCN) to provide overall administration of our student and graduate assistant health care enrollment and waivers. Previously, BCN worked with a 3rd party vendor, Relation Insurance Services for the enrollment and waiver application processes. BCN made a decision to partner with a new vendor, Blue Water, beginning Fall of 2023. This has resulted in a delay in opening enrollment and waivers for student insurance. The enrollment and waiver system will be available on Friday, August 4, 2023.
Graduate Assistants automatically enrolled in the MSU SHIP will receive an email from Blue Water with their account information and a temporary password. This will be needed to access the enrollment or waiver. If you do not have your login information, please contact Blue Water at: SHIP-enrollment@bluewaterbenefitsadmin.com or (947) 941-1388.
Graduate Assistants can access the enrollment system to add dependents to their plan or the waiver to opt out of coverage.
What about my spouse/other eligible individual and dependents?
They are eligible for coverage under this plan too; however, their enrollment is not automatic so you'll need to enroll them. MSU contributes to the premium of dependent coverage. Visit the rates page for more details.
Who Is Eligible?
- Graduate assistants
- With 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4 appointments (eligible for tuition waiver); AND
- Who have worked at least 53 calendar days during their Fall or Spring appointment, or 46 calendar days during their Summer appointment
- Eligible dependents
- Spouse/Other Eligible Individual
- Children (must be under the age of 26)
- Stepchildren (must be under the age of 26)
Enroll your dependents here
Access the enrollment system at yourstudenthealthplan.com, choose Michigan State University from the school dropdown and select graduate assistant. Click "view your plan" and then click on "Log into your Account" in the HELPFUL QUICK LINKS section. Login information will be provided by Blue Water via email. If you do not have your login information, please contact Blue Water at: SHIP-enrollment@bluewaterbenefitsadmin.com or (947) 941-1388.
Resources
BCN partners with Blue Water for enrollment and payment for this plan. Visit bcbsm.com/msu for more information or call 1-800-287-4103.
Additional resources:
- Benefit Highlight Sheet (PDF)
- BCN Member Guide (PDF)
- Benefit Plan Document (PDF)
- Waiver Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
2023-24 Enrollment Deadlines and Coverage Periods
Graduate Assistant Coverage Periods
Coverage Period | ||
Enrollment Period | Effective Date | Termination Date |
Fall | August 16, 2023 | February 15, 2024 |
Spring I | January 1, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
Spring II | February 16, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
Spring III | May 16, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
Waive Coverage: Access the waiver system at yourstudenthealthplan.com, choose Michigan State University from the school dropdown and choose graduate assistant. Click "view your plan" and then click on "Log into your Account" in the HELPFUL QUICK LINKS section. Login information will be provided by Blue Water via email. If you do not have your login information, please contact Blue Water at: SHIP-enrollment@bluewaterbenefitsadmin.com or (947) 941-1388. Learn more about how to waive coverage.
Review a list of waiver frequently asked questions here
Eligible Dependents Enrollment Periods, Deadlines and Coverage Periods
Enrollment Dates | Coverage Period | |||
Enrollment Period | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Deadline | Effective Date | Termination Date |
Fall | August 4, 2023 | October 19, 2023 | August 16, 2023 | February 15, 2024 |
Spring I | December 1, 2023 | March 28, 2024 | January 1, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
Spring II | December 1, 2023 | March 28, 2024 | February 16, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
Spring III | April 17, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | May 16, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
First Quarter | August 4, 2023 | October 19, 2023 | August 16, 2023 | November 15, 2023 |
Second Quarter | October 17, 2023 | November 30, 2023 | November 16, 2023 | February 15, 2024 |
Third Quarter | January 17, 2024 | March 28, 2024 | February 16, 2024 | May 15, 2024 |
Fourth Quarter | April 17, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | May 16, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
Note:
Your dependents cannot be enrolled beyond your enrollment.
2022-23 Enrollment Deadlines and Coverage Periods
Graduate Assistant Coverage Periods
Coverage Period | ||
Enrollment Period | Effective Date | Termination Date |
Fall | August 16, 2022 | February 15, 2023 |
Spring I | January 1, 2023 | August 15, 2023 |
Spring II | February 16, 2023 | August 15, 2023 |
Spring III | May 16, 2023 | August 15, 2023 |
Eligible Dependents Enrollment Periods, Deadlines and Coverage Periods
Enrollment Dates | Coverage Period | |||
Enrollment Period | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Deadline | Effective Date | Termination Date |
Fall | July 26, 2022 | September 30, 2022 | August 16, 2022 | February 15, 2023 |
Spring I | December 1, 2022 | March 15, 2023 | January 1, 2023 | August 15, 2023 |
Spring II | December 1, 2022 | March 15 2023 | February 16, 2023 | August 15, 2023 |
Spring III | April 17, 2023 | June 30, 2023 | May 16, 2023 | August 15, 2023 |
First Quarter | July 26, 2022 | September 30, 2022 | August 16, 2022 | November 15, 2022 |
Second Quarter | October 17, 2022 | November 30, 2022 | November 16, 2022 | February 15, 2023 |
Third Quarter | January 17, 2023 | March 15, 2023 | February 16, 2023 | May 15, 2023 |
Fourth Quarter | April 17, 2023 | June 30, 2023 | May 16, 2023 | August 15, 2023 |
Note: Your dependents cannot be enrolled beyond your enrollment.