Salem State University Student Health Insurance Plan
When is the SSU Student Health Insurance Plan in effect?
The university health insurance policy is in effect from August 1 through July 31 of each academic year if a student is enrolled in the fall term. For a student who enrolls in the spring term, the policy is in effect from January 1 through July 31.
Visit the Salem State University Student Health Insurance Plan website for more information.
Why was I charged/not charged for health insurance?
Massachusetts state law requires that all students enrolled in at least 75 percent of their program's full-time course load at an institution of higher learning in Massachusetts must participate in a Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or a health insurance plan with comparable coverage. Students must enroll in or waive out of the health insurance via Navigator.
Undergraduate students are charged health insurance at 9 credits.
The following graduate programs charge health insurance at 4.5 credits, while all other graduate programs charge at 6.75 credits.
Master of Arts/Masters Degree
- History, Master of Arts
- History, Master of Arts Teaching
- Master of Business Administration
Master of Science
- Accounting, Master of Science
- Occupational Therapy, Direct Entry/Master of Science
- Geo-Information Science, Master of Science
Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Certificate in Business
- Graduate Certificate in Public History
- Graduate Certificate Holocaust and Genocide Studies
If you do not meet the credit criteria, you will not be eligible to enroll in health insurance.
I am a non-degree student. Am I eligible for SSU Student Health Insurance?
Non-degree students are ineligible for SSU Student Health Insurance.
I waived my health insurance already. Why is the charge still on my account?
- You can see this by logging in to your TouchNet Student Billing portal and clicking on "view activity". See the instructions: How to View my Bill in Navigator.
- Select the current term.
- You will see a line item labeled "Health Insurance" with the amount listed in the Charges column. When the waiver has been posted to your account, you will see an additional line item labeled "Waiver Health Insurance" in the same amount posted in the Credits/Anticipated Credits column.
- The charge and the credit cancel each other out, so health insurance cost is no longer included as part of your "Term Balance Including Estimated Aid".
Do I need SSU Student Health Insurance to be seen at Counseling & Health Services?
No. Any student, regardless of what type of insurance they have, or if they do not have insurance, can use the student health services office. If you know that you have an HMO plan or other plan that may require a referral for billing, please contact your PCP ahead of time to help us arrange this process. If you have any questions, please contact our medical billing specialist at 978.542.7299 or call the front desk at 978.542.6410.
When can I waive out of the SSU Student Health Insurance?
If your account was charged for health insurance in the fall term, the site becomes available the second week of July. If your account was charged for health insurance in the spring term, the site becomes available the second week of November. You must be registered for classes previously or allow two to three days for your information to be available on the University Health Plans site after registering for classes.
I have my own insurance. How can I waive SSU Student Health Insurance?
You can waive the school’s health insurance if your current insurance meets the requirements. The waiver form is on your Navigator portal. To enroll in or waive out of the health insurance go to Navigator > Full Menu > Campus Finances > Student Health Insurance.
Step-by-step guide on how to waive or enroll in the health plan.
I want to enroll in the SSU Student Health Insurance. What do I need to do?
If you are eligible for the insurance, you can fill out the Life Qualifying Event Form. Please email the Navigation Center for the form at NavCenter@salemstate.edu.
If I am an international student, can I waive the SSU Student Health Insurance?
International students with comparable health insurance coverage may waive SSU's Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance plan. Upon submission of the waiver form, your waiver will be reviewed, and you will receive follow-up from info@univhealthplans.com within 3-4 business days confirming if it is approved, denied or if additional information is needed.
I am a non-matriculated student and want to enroll in the SSU Student Health Insurance. What do I need to do?
Non-matriculated students are not automatically enrolled in the health insurance. You can fill out the Life Qualifying Event Form if you wish to enroll in the university’s health plan. Please email the Navigation Center for the form at navcenter@salemstate.edu.
Who should I contact for questions about the waiver form, health insurance coverage or why/how a decision was made regarding my health insurance waiver form?
For questions regarding the waiver form, coverage or why/how a decision was made regarding your waiver, please contact University Health Plans directly at 833.251.1141 or through email at info@univhealthplans.com.
For questions regarding your billing statement, please contact the Navigation Center at navcenter@salemstate.edu.
I will be enrolling in MassHealth midway through the year. Can I waive the SSU Student Health Insurance?
The Massachusetts Student insurance regulations require the plan to allow students to terminate the plan if they are newly eligible for MassHealth or a subsidized health connector. The regulation does not require the plan to allow midyear termination if a student acquires other private insurance. This would mean you would have a prorated rate and would be charged Fall Only health insurance if approved. Visit the Salem State University Student Health Insurance Plan website to waive or see if you are eligible.
I will be graduating in December. Can I waive the SSU Student Health Insurance then?
The Massachusetts Student insurance regulations require the plan to allow students to terminate the plan if they are graduating. If you are graduating, your degree will need to be conferred before the waiver is reviewed. This would mean you would have a prorated rate and would be charged Fall Only health insurance if approved. Visit the Salem State University Student Health Insurance Plan website to waive or see if you are eligible. You can also email the Navigation Center for the Health Insurance Special Exception Form at navcenter@salemstate.edu.
I have questions about what is covered under the health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
If you have questions regarding what is covered under the health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield, please contact them directly at 888-756-6615.
Who can I contact for help with enrolling in health insurance, that is not the university's plan, and ask about health insurance related questions?
Health Care for All Massachusetts can help. This is a non-profit, Boston based organization that can help individuals enroll/re-enroll in MassHealth and have a helpline available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and French.
For people under 30, https://www.healthcare.gov/young-adults/coverage/ goes over basics of health insurance coverage, including some very basic Student Health Insurance Plan information, insurance provided by the school. There is also information on how to stay on a parents plan, how to preview plans based on income, etc.