Frequently-asked Questions: Mandatory Health Insurance

The university has determined criteria that your insurance plan must have. You are allowed to waive out of the University Student Health Insurance Plan if you meet all of the criteria.

Students may waive out of the plan if they can provide proof of adequate coverage. Students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are not allowed to waive out of the plan unless they are on a U.S.-based employer plan through a U.S.-based insurance company.

Medicare and Medicaid do not meet the waiver criteria. Students with Missouri Medicaid or Medicare can request an exception through the insurance waiver appeals process, however, if granted, these students would be required to pay out of pocket at the time of service for any medical care received at Health Services.

Your insurance plan must cover more than emergency care while you are in St. Louis. Emergency care ends when a person leaves the emergency room. Often students need care from another provider such as orthopedics for sprains and fractures, or other specialty care for conditions occurring while in St. Louis. You will need a plan that provides comprehensive health care while at the university to be waiver eligible.

Once your waiver is approved a credit will be applied to the student account in 1-3 business days.

Once you have registered, the student health insurance premium will be applied to your student accounting statement. This usually occurs in July for the fall semester and in November for the spring semester, however, it is dependent upon the registration deadline set by your school. Students who register after these dates will be assessed the premium upon completion of registration. These students will still be required to complete the waiver process if they do not wish to participate in the student health insurance plan.

Coverage on the student health insurance plan is effective August 1 through July 31.

Yes, if for any reason your current health insurance coverage terminates, contact us.

Students dropping below the full-time status within the first 31 days of the plan will not fall under the health insurance requirement and will be removed from the plan. The Student Health Insurance Plan premium will be credited to the student’s account.

Any person who has claims on the plan must pay the full premium for that year. There is no option out of the plan once claims have occurred.

• Student health plan cards will not be mailed to students. To print out a copy of your card, you’ll need to go to WashU UnitedHealthcare page and log into or create a new My Account.
  • If you’ve logged in before, but forgotten your User ID, use WUSTL email address (name@wustl.edu) to find your account.
  • If you’ve never been on the website before, enter your six-digit student identification number to find your account and create a login.
  • Click ID Card
  • Click View ID Card
  • Print PDF ID Card or take as screenshot

Washington University has a mandatory student health and wellness fee designed to improve the health and wellness of the entire WashU community. The fee is billed to the student tuition statement each semester. This fee covers a membership to the Sumers Recreation Center, health education/prevention services, Timely Care, and various other benefits including several no fee counseling sessions.

All students are required to have adequate health insurance coverage. Dropping required coverage is a breach of this requirement and may affect your student status under the current university code of conduct.

Students may purchase the student health insurance plan at any point if they lose existing coverage under a current plan due to a life event. Please contact us for more information.

• If you are traveling abroad through a WashU program, please speak with your academic advisor regarding required study abroad insurance
• 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.
• 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.

Yes! You are most welcome to see us. We will bill your home insurance for services provided.