MSU STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN
The MSU student health insurance plan (SHIP) offers health coverage for students and their eligible dependents through Blue Care Network (BCN). If you are a graduate assistant, medical student or international student, you are enrolled automatically in the SHIP. If you are a student that does not fall into one of these groups, you are eligible to voluntarily enroll in the SHIP. 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 Notice
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. Due to the delay and systematic issues experienced, we have extended the deadline for Fall enrollment and waivers to November 10, 2023.
Students 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 have enrollment and billing questions, please call 1-855-669-8041 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Monday through Friday or email MSUSHPStudentInquiries@bcbsm.com. BCN will strive to respond to all requests within 2 business days. Due to elevated volumes, some responses may take longer.
Students that would like to voluntarily enroll in the MSU SHIP will need to first register with Blue Water prior to accessing the Blue Water enrollment. To register an account with Blue Water, go to https://yourstudenthealthplan.com, click "view your plan", then click on "Register with Blue Water" in the HELPFUL QUICK LINKS section. Upon review of your registration request, login information will be provided by Blue Water.
MSU Human Resources is exploring options with Student Accounts to prevent receiving a late fee or disenrollment from classes related to the health insurance charge should delays cause those issues. In addition, deadlines for enrollment and waiver will be extended if needed to ensure adequate time to enroll/waive.
Eligibility and Enrollment Info
If you are taking one or more credits for the enrollment period and are in one of these student categories, you are eligible to participate in the plan. Eligible students include:
- Voluntary Enrolled Students:
- MSU College of Law students
- Undergraduate and graduate students
- Visiting Scholars (not eligible for employee health insurance)
- Fellowship students
- Lifelong Education Students (taking one or more credits)
- English Language Program students
- Students Completing Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Post Docs/Research Associates/Adjunct Professors (Not eligible for employee health insurance)
- Nursing Students
- Automatically Enrolled Students:
- International students
- Medical students
- Veterinary students
- Eligible dependents of students enrolled in the SHIP:
- Spouse/Other Eligible Individual
- Children (must be under the age of 26)
- Stepchildren (must be under the age of 26)
International, medical and veterinary students are automatically enrolled in the SHIP and charged on their student account. All other students can voluntarily enroll in the SHIP here.
Blue Care Network (BCN) is working with Relation for enrollment and payment for the student health plans through summer 2023. BCN is working with Blue Water for enrollment and payment for the student health plans beginning Fall 2023. Visit the BCN website for more information on the SHIP or call 1-800-287-4103.
Additional resources:
Medical, veterinary and some international students can currently waive out of the SHIP through the waiver system. Find more information about which international students are eligible to waive coverage on the HR website.
Access the waiver system at yourstudenthealthplan.com Choose Michigan State University from the school dropdown and choose your plan type according to your student class (domestic, international or 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.
International, medical and veterinary students are automatically enrolled in the SHIP. Please use the following charts to learn more about enrollment periods, enrollment deadlines and coverage periods for adding dependents.
International, Medical and Veterinary Students Coverage Periods
| Coverage Period | |||
| Enrollment Period | Effective Date | Termination Date | Deadline to Waive Coverage* |
| Fall 2023/2024 | August 16, 2023 | February 13, 2024 | August 4, 2023 - November 10, 2023 |
| Spring I 2023/2024 | January 1, 2024 | August 15, 2024 | November 15, 2023 - March 15, 2024 |
| Spring II 2023/2024 | February 16, 2024 | August 15, 2024 | November 15, 2023 - March 15, 2024 |
| Spring III 2023/2024 | May 16, 2024 | August 15, 2024 | March 28, 2024 - June 30, 2024 |
*Most international students will not have the option to waive coverage.
International, Medical and Veterinary Students and Eligible Dependents Enrollment Periods, Deadlines and Coverage Periods
| Enrollment Dates | Coverage Period | |||
| Enrollment Period | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Deadline | Effective Date | Termination Date |
| Fall 2023/2024 | August 4, 2023 | November 10, 2023 | August 16, 2023 | February 15, 2024 |
| Spring I 2023/2024 | December 1, 2023 | March 15, 2024 | January 1, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
| Spring II 2023/2024 | December 1, 2023 | March 15, 2024 | January 1, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
| Spring III 2023/2024 | April 17, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | May 16, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
| First Quarter 2023/2024 | August 4, 2023 | November 10, 2023 | August 16, 2023 | November 15, 2023 |
| Second Quarter 2023/2024 | October 17, 2023 | November 30, 2023 | November 15, 2023 | February 15, 2024 |
| Third Quarter 2023/2024 | January 17, 2024 | March 15, 2024 | February 16, 2024 | May 15, 2024 |
| Fourth Quarter 2023/2024 | April 17, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | May 16, 2024 | August 15, 2024 |
Students who are NOT international, medical or veterinary students are eligible to voluntarily enroll in MSU's SHIP. Please use the follow cart to learn more about enrollment periods, enrollment deadlines and coverage periods. Any premium cost is due at the time of enrollment.
Enrollment Deadlines and Coverage Periods for Voluntarily Enrolled Students
| Enrollment Dates | Coverage Period | |||
| Enrollment Period | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Deadline | Effective Date | Termination Date |
| Fall 2023/2024 | August 4, 2023 | November 10, 2023 | August 16, 2023 |
February 15, 2024 |
| Spring I 2023/2024 | December 1, 2023 | March 15, 2024 | January 1, 2024 |
August 15, 2024 |
| Spring II 2023/2024 | December 1, 2023 | March 15, 2024 | February 16, 2024 |
August 15, 2024 |
| Spring III 2023/2024 | April 17, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | May 16, 2024 |
August 15, 2024 |
| First Quarter 2023/2024 | August 4, 2023 | November 10, 2023 | August 16, 2023 |
November 15, 2023 |
| Second Quarter 2023/2024 | October 17, 2023 | November 30, 2023 | November 16, 2023 |
February 15, 2024 |
| Third Quarter 2023/2024 | January 17, 2024 | March 15, 2024 | February 16, 2024 |
May 15, 2024 |
| Fourth Quarter 2023/2024 | April 17, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | May 16, 2024 |
August 15, 2024 |
If you are arriving early and need health insurance coverage prior to the coverage period start date, you may purchase and complete the Early Arrival Domestic Student Enrollment form or the Early Arrival International Student Enrollment form.
If you need to enroll or change your coverage due to a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) you must contact MSU Human Resources at (800) 353-4434 or Solutionscenter@hr.msu.edu within 31 days of the occurrence. Please see the Mid-Year Election Change page for more information.
