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:


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.

We've requested accessible versions of website documents from vendors. If you have difficulty reading any documents, contact the HR Solutions Center at 517-353-4434 or SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu.