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 enrolled automatically in the MSU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). All medical students and a limited number of eligible international students who can demonstrate other insurance coverage that meets the applicable waiver criteria, may apply for a waiver.
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.
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 the waiver will be extended if needed to ensure adequate time to enroll/waive.
Who is eligible to apply for a waiver from the MSU SHIP?
All medical, veterinary medicine and a limited number of eligible international students who can demonstrate other insurance coverage that meets the applicable waiver criteria, may apply for a waiver. (International Students) For specific information on Who is eligible to waive see question” below.
How do I apply for waiver?
Access the waiver system at https://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.
Please note that there will NO annual waivers this year.
The charge for MSU's SHIP will be added automatically to your tuition bill. If your waiver application is approved, the insurance charge will be removed from your tuition bill for the period requested. 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 insurance plan for the fall or spring coverage period.
Waiver Options for International Students
Most international students are not allowed to waive health coverage through MSU’s SHIP. When international students come to MSU to study, their visa requires them to have health insurance for the length of their program. However, many international student visas do not require them to purchase health insurance that meets the coverage minimums of the Affordable Care Act. This frequently results in students purchasing inadequate health insurance that does 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.
Review a list of waiver frequently asked questions here.
Waiver Information
To waive the MSU's coverage plan, your coverage plan must meet the following 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 MSU’s SHIP.
International Students
A limited number of international students are eligible to apply for a waiver to opt out of MSU’s SHIP, 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 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.
- Fall: August 4 – November 10
- Spring I: November 28 – March 15
- Spring II: November 28 – March 15
- Spring III: March 28 – 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 at https://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.
