Your health and well-being are an essential part of your academic success, and it’s important for you to understand the details of your health plan to be an informed consumer.
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Insurance requirements and premium
| All enrolled domestic degree-seeking undergraduate students in the day program and full-time graduate students on the Danforth Campus are automatically enrolled in the Student Health insurance Plan (SHIP) unless proof of comparable coverage is provided | |
| All international students are required to participate in SHIP unless there is proof of U.S. insurance through a U.S. employer via an employee parent or spouse/partner | |
| The policy is a nonrenewable, one-year term policy and will go into effect annually from 8/1 through 7/31 | |
| Payment for SHIP will be added to student accounts. Payments for additional coverage will be made to the insurance carrier directly, not to Washington University | |
| If access to SHIP is needed between 8/1 and 9/5, it is necessary to opt into the student health insurance after the open enrollment date of 8/1 Examples: Appointment scheduled between 8/1 and 9/5 Adding dental/vision coverage to the plan Enrolling dependents on the plan |
When you are covered under the school plan, you must use the Student Health Center (SHC) as your primary care provider and receive referrals for any other medical care. Exceptions to the referral requirement include emergency care, urgent care when SHC is closed, medical care received 50+ miles from SHC, OBGYN services, and mental healthcare. In addition, dependents on the plan do not require a referral to seek care.
WashU has partnered with United HealthCare Student Resources to provide the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for the current academic year.
The 2025-2026 SHIP estimated premium is $2,712
This quote is pending MO Department of Insurance approval.
For questions about insurance benefits, enrollment, deductibles, claims, etc.
Contact UHC Customer Service or call 866-346-4826
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) information
| Detailed information and brochures about SHIP can be found on the United Healthcare website | |
| The certificate of coverage provides details of the coverage including costs, benefits, exclusions, any reductions or limitations and the terms under which the coverage may be continued in force |
Dependent coverage
| Requires enrollment in the Student Health Plan via your UHCSR MyAccount | |
| This option must be completed prior to 9/5. |
Dental/vision coverage
| Optional dental and vision plans are available for purchase | |
| Requires enrollment in the SHIP |
Health insurance coverage when traveling abroad
SHIP has insurance coverage available to you while you are abroad.
| You will most likely not be able to use your insurance directly and may need to pay the providers directly and then seek reimbursement as providers outside of the U.S. typically do not accept U.S. health plans | |
| Providers abroad are considered ”out of network” on SHIP and you will be reimbursed accordingly. | |
| Submit care receipts directly to your insurance company for reimbursement |
Medical emergencies while abroad
| SHIP automatically comes with a global assistance plan called UHC Global. | |
| Any time a member travels more than 100 miles from home or to another country and experiences a medical emergency, they can call the Operation Center (within the US: 800-527-0218; outside the US: 410-453-6330) The call is answered by one of UHC Global’s medically-certified crisis managers, who can put in motion emergency resources to solve any problem, 24/7 UHC Global will only cover transportation costs if they have given prior approval or if these services are coordinated by UHC Global. You must contact UHC Global prior to arranging services |