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 Notices

  • Coronavirus Update: Review the Coronavirus: MSU Benefit Resources page for health care options to help you and your family.
  • Waiver System Update: Beginning July 2, 2020, MSU changed the system to waive coverage from StuInfo to Relation, an affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
  • Waiver Option Changes for International Students: Beginning fall 2020, MSU will require international  to keep the MSU SHIP. Under usual circumstances, most international students would not be allowed to waive coverage; however, due to the COVID-19 health care crisis, the University recognizes many international students may remain outside the U.S. for the fall semester. If you are an international student and you fall into this situation, you may be allowed to waive the MSU SHIP for the fall semester. Find more information about which international students are eligible to waive coverage.

Why is MSU making this change?

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 that met the University's waiver requirements. 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 well-being. 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 

Who is eligible to enroll in the SHIP?

  • 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)

How do I enroll in the SHIP?

International, medical and veterinary students are  automatically  enrolled in the SHIP. All other students can voluntarily  enroll in the SHIP here.

Where can I learn more about Blue Care Network?  

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:

Who is eligible to waive coverage?

Medical, veterinary and some international students can currently waive out of the SHIP through the waiver system. Beginning July 2, 2020, MSU changed its system to waive coverage from StuInfo to Relation, an affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Access the waiver system at https://4studenthealth.relationinsurance.com/ by clicking on the "Waive SHIP" icon. Learn more about how to waive coverage.

Review a list of waiver frequently asked questions here.

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.

Enrollment Deadlines and Coverage Periods for Automatically Enrolled Students

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.

2020-21 International, Medical and Veterinary Students Coverage Periods

Coverage Period
Enrollment Period Effective Date Termination Date Deadline to Waive Coverage*
Fall August 16, 2020 February 15, 2021 July 2 - September 30, 2020
Spring I January 1, 2021 August 15, 2021 October 14, 2020 - February 28, 2021
Spring II February 16, 2021 August 15, 2021 October 14, 2020 - February 28, 2021
Spring III May 16, 2021 August 15, 2021 March 16 - June 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Most international students will not have the option to waive coverage.

2019-20 International, Medical and Veterinary Students Coverage Periods

Coverage Period
Enrollment Period Effective Date Termination Date Deadline to Waive Coverage*
Fall August 16, 2019 February 15, 2020 July 2 - September 30, 2020
Spring I January 1, 2020 August 15, 2020 October 14, 2020 - February 28, 2020
Spring II February 16, 2020 August 15, 2020 October 14, 2020 - February 28, 2020
Spring III May 16, 2020 August 15, 2020 March 16 - June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Most international students will not have the option to waive coverage.

2020-21 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, 2020 September 30, 2020 August 16, 2020 February 15, 2021 
Spring I December 1, 2020 February 28, 2021 January 1, 2020 August 15, 2021
Spring II December 1, 2020 February 28, 2021 February 16, 2020 August 15, 2021
Spring III April 16, 2021  June 30, 2021 May 16, 2020 August 15, 2021
First Quarter July 24, 2020 September 30, 2020 August 16, 2020 November 15, 2020
Second Quarter October 16, 2020 November 30, 2020 November 16, 2020 February 15, 2021
Third Quarter January 16, 2021  February 28, 2021 February 16, 2020 May 15, 2021
Fourth Quarter April 16, 2021 June 30, 2021 May 16, 2020 August 15, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019-20 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, 2019 August 15, 2020
Spring II December 1, 2019 February 28, 2020 February 16, 2019 August 15, 2020
Spring III April 16, 2020 June 30, 2020 May 16, 2019 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, 2019 May 15, 2020
Fourth Quarter April 16, 2020 June 30, 2020 May 16, 2019 August 15, 2020

 

2020-21 Enrollment Deadlines and Coverage Periods for Voluntarily Enrolled Students

 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, 2020 September 30, 2020 August 16, 2020 February 15, 2021 
Spring I December 1, 2020  February 28, 2021 January 1, 2021 August 15, 2021
Spring II December 1, 2020 February 28, 2021 February 16, 2021 August 15, 2021
Spring III April 16, 2021 June 30, 2021 May 16, 2021 August 15, 2021
First Quarter July 24, 2020 September 30, 2020 August 16, 2020 November 15, 2020
Second Quarter October 16, 2020 November 30, 2020 November 16, 2020 February 15, 2021
Third Quarter January 16, 2021 February 28, 2021 February 16, 2021 May 15, 2021
Fourth Quarter April 16, 2021 June 30, 2021 May 16, 2021 August 15, 2021

2019-20 Enrollment Deadlines and Coverage Periods for Automatically Enrolled Students  

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

2019-20 Enrollment Deadlines and Coverage Periods for Voluntarily Enrolled Students 

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
 
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