graduate assistant health insurance

Michigan State University (MSU) provides health coverage for graduate assistants and their eligible dependents through Blue Care Network (BCN). As a graduate assistant, you are automatically enrolled in the health plan, at no cost to you.  MSU pays the premium for your health coverage. This plan ensures you have access to quality health care through BCN’s network of hospitals, physicians, and affiliated health care professionals in the BCN provider network. You can 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.

Graduate Assistants automatically enrolled in the MSU GA Health Insurance Plan will receive an email from Blue Water with their account information and a temporary password.  This is needed to access the enrollment or waiver.  If you do not have your login information, please contact Blue Care Network at: 1-855-669-8041 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday or email MSUSHPStudentInquiries@bcbsm.com.

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 Student Insurance Health plan as well. However, their enrollment is not automatic so you will 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 (OEI)
    • Children (must be under the age of 26)
    • Stepchildren (must be under the age of 26)
  • For further details regarding GA appointments, review Assistantships FAQs.

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 Care Network at: 1-855-669-8041 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday or email MSUSHPStudentInquiries@bcbsm.com.

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:


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 May 9, 2024 July 15, 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 May 9, 2024 July 15, 2024 May 16, 2024 August 15, 2024


Note:
 Your dependents cannot be enrolled beyond your enrollment period.

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 period.

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