MSU STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE WAIVER
MSU international students and medical (College of Human Medicine - CHM, College of Osteopathic Medicine - COM, and College of Veterinary Medicine - Vet Med) are automatically enrolled in the MSU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). All medical students and a limited number of eligible international students who can demonstrate another form of US-based health insurance coverage that meets the applicable waiver criteria may apply for a waiver.
Who is eligible to apply for a waiver from the MSU SHIP Plan?
All medical, veterinary medicine and a limited number of eligible international students who can demonstrate another form of US-based health insurance coverage that meets the applicable waiver criteria, may apply for a waiver. For specific information on who is eligible to waive, see “waiver information” below.
How do I apply for waiver?
Access the waiver system on the AHP website.
For assistance with the waiver process and the AHP system, please contact AHP at (855) 904-1740.
Important Note: There there are NO annual waivers. Students must submit a waiver request to AHP each semster. A previously approved waiver does not guarantee a future waiver approval.
Insurance Charge: The insurance charge for the MSU SHIP plan will be automatically applied to your tuition bill. If your waiver application is approved, the insurance charge will be removed from your tuition bill for the approved waiver period. If you do not apply to waive coverage by the deadline, the insurance charge will remain on your tuition bill and you will automatically be enrolled in the MSU SHIP plan for the applicable coverage periods (e.g. fall, spring, or spring III (summer)).
An approved waiver from a previous semester does not guarantee an approved waiver in a future semester.
Waiver Options for International Students
Under the regulations, F-1 or J-1 international students must have health insurance for the length of their program. However many international students' visas do not require them to purchase health insurance that meets the coverage minimums of the U.S. Affordable Care Act. This frequently results in students purchasing inadequate health insurance that do not cover necessary protections, like emergency evacuation (i.e. natural disaster, etc.) or repatriation.
To ensure international students have adequate coverage, MSU does not allow most international students the option to waive coverage. Find more information about which international students are eligible to waive coverage and waiver criteria below.
Waiver Information
To waive the MSU SHIP plan, your other form of health insurance coverage must meet the following criteria. Note, the criteria varies by student type.
International Student Waiver Criteria
- Covers a minimum of $500,000 per condition without time limitation.
- Has a policy year deductible of $500 or less per individual.
- Covers inpatient and outpatient medical services (including labs and x-rays).
- Covers inpatient and outpatient mental health services.
- Covers prescriptions up to a minimum of $500,000.
- Provides coverage worldwide.
- Has $50,000 or more provision for medical evacuation to your home country.
- Has $25,000 or more provision for repatriation (removal of remains after death) to your home country.
- Provides coverage for the waiver period requested.
Medical/Veterinary Student Waiver Criteria (Human Medicine/Osteopathic Medicine/Vet Medicine)
- Covers hospitalization.
- Covers preventative services like annual physicals.
- Covers emergency care.
- Covers lab work and x-rays.
- Covers prescriptions.
- Covers mental health and substance abuse treatments.
- Provides coverage for the waiver period requested.
Medical and Veterinary students are eligible to waive coverage in the MSU SHIP plan.
International Students
A limited number of international students are eligible to apply for a waiver to opt out of the MSU SHIP plan, including:
- International students sponsored by home governments or non-governmental organizations outside of MSU
- International students enrolled in an online degree program
- International students remaining outside the U.S. for the full waiver period
- International students with MSU staff benefits, through own employment or spouse/parent employment
- International students with U.S. employee benefits, through own employment or spouse/parent employment
These groups are still subject to the waiver criteria and will need to follow the waiver application process as outlined in the Section below.
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International students sponsored by home governments or non-governmental organizations outside of MSU:
Process: Contact Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) to verify that you are a Sponsored Student at ihealth@msu.edu or 517-353-1720. If you meet the criteria, OISS will send your information to Human Resources to change your eligibility to waive. Once waiver eligibility to waive is updated, you will be notified that you can submit a waiver request. -
International students enrolled in an online degree program
Process: Contact the Solutions Center in MSU Human Resources at Solutionscenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434 to notify that you are in an online degree program. If you meet the criteria, HR will change your eligibility to waive, and you will be notified that you can submit a waiver request.
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International students remaining outside the U.S. for the full waiver period
Process: Contact OISS to complete an “exemption request” at ihealth@msu.edu or 517-353-1720. If you meet criteria and exemption request is approved, OISS will notify Human Resources and Human Resources will create and approve a waiver for the approved exemption period. -
International students with MSU staff benefits, through own employment or spouse/parent employment
Process: Contact the Solutions Center in MSU Human Resources at Solutionscenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434 to notify that you are enrolled under MSU staff benefits and if you meet the criteria, HR will change your eligibility to waive, and you will be notified that you can submit a waiver request.
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International students with U.S. employee benefits, through own employment or spouse/parent employment
Process: Contact the Solutions Center in MSU Human Resources at Solutionscenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434 to notify that you are enrolled under a U.S. employer benefit. If you meet the criteria, HR will change your eligibility to waive, and you will be notified that you can submit a waiver request.Please note: These processes may take up to 1-2 weeks to complete.
The following are the waiver periods for the 2024-2025 academic year.
- Fall 2024: July 29 - September 30
- Spring I 2025: December 2 - March 15
- Spring II 2025: December 2 - March 15
- Spring 2025: April 1 - June 30
- 1st Year Early Arrival COM 2025: April 1 - June 30
You can only waive coverage for Spring III if you are a new student beginning summer semester. For all other enrollment periods, if you do not complete a waiver prior to the deadline, you will have to wait until the next period to waive coverage.
Questions? Contact the Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434 or toll-free at 800-353-4434.
Access the waiver system on the AHP website.
Learn more about how to waive coverage.
