MSU STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN
Coronavirus Update: please review the Coronavirus: MSU Benefit Resources page for health care options to help you and your family.
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 Note for International Students
Beginning fall 2020, international students will be required to keep the MSU SHIP, without a waiver option for most students . International students at MSU have long been required to have health insurance and are automatically enrolled in MSU’s SHIP. Students previously had the option to waive out of the SHIP if they had privately obtained health insurance coverage. Privately obtained health insurance plans often cover less than the MSU SHIP and exclude coverage for common health events experienced by college students.
In recent years, international students with private coverage have experienced financial hardship and barriers to health care access, resulting in threats to academic success and student wellbeing. The MSU SHIP is comprehensive and compliant with the Affordable Care Act, ensuring that international Spartans are fully protected in the event of a health care emergency.
Eligibility and Enrollment Info
- Voluntary Enrolled Students:
- MSU College of Law students (who are actively attending classes on campus)
- Undergraduate and graduate students who are in a degree program or Completing Certification
- 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. All other students can voluntarily enroll in the SHIP here.
Blue Care Network (BCN) partners with Relation for enrollment and payment for the student health plans. Visit the BCN website for more information on the SHIP or call 800-662-6667.
Additional resources:
International, medical and veterinary students can currently waive out of the SHIP through the waiver system at stuinfo.msu.edu. Learn more about how to waive coverage.
Important Note for International Students
Starting fall 2020, most international students will not have the option to waive out of MSU’s SHIP. Find more information about which international students are eligible to waive coverage on the
HR website.
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.
International, Medical and Veterinary Students Coverage Periods
| Coverage Period | ||
| Enrollment Period | Effective Date | Termination Date |
| Fall | August 16, 2019 | February 15, 2020 |
| Spring I | January 1, 2020 | August 15, 2020 |
| Spring II | February 16, 2020 | August 15, 2020 |
| Spring III | May 16, 2020 | August 15, 2020 |
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 | July 24, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | August 16, 2019 | February 15, 2020 |
| Spring I | December 1, 2019 | February 28, 2020 | January 1, 2020 | August 15, 2020 |
| Spring II | December 1, 2019 | February 28, 2020 | February 16, 2020 | August 15, 2020 |
| Spring III | April 16, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | May 16, 2020 | August 15, 2020 |
| First Quarter | July 24, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | August 16, 2019 | November 15, 2019 |
| Second Quarter | October 16, 2019 | November 30, 2019 | November 16, 2019 | February 15, 2020 |
| Third Quarter | January 16, 2020 | February 28, 2020 | February 16, 2020 | May 15, 2020 |
| Fourth Quarter | April 16, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | May 16, 2020 | August 15, 2020 |
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 Dates | Coverage Period | |||
| Enrollment Period | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Deadline | Effective Date | Termination Date |
| Fall | July 24, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | August 16, 2019 | February 15, 2020 |
| Spring I | December 1, 2019 | February 28, 2020 | January 1, 2020 | August 15, 2020 |
| Spring II | December 1, 2019 | February 28, 2020 | February 16, 2020 | August 15, 2020 |
| Spring III | April 16, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | May 16, 2020 | August 15, 2020 |
| First Quarter | July 24, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | August 16, 2019 | November 15, 2019 |
| Second Quarter | October 16, 2019 | November 30, 2019 | November 16, 2019 | February 15, 2020 |
| Third Quarter | January 16, 2020 | February 28, 2020 | February 16, 2020 | May 15, 2020 |
| Fourth Quarter | April 16, 2020 | June 30, 2020 | May 16, 2020 | August 15, 2020 |
