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:
- 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 | 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.
