Eligible students must pay the premium or complete the online waiver process annually prior to Sept. 5.

Health insurance waiver process

The online waiver process is appropriate for students who already have health insurance from a parent, spouse/partner, or employer and their plan meets the University’s waiver requirements 
If the waiver is approved, the premium will be removed from the student’s account
The Student Health Insurance Plan waiver and open enrollment period will open on July 1, and remain open through September 5 

During this time, ALL students/families should determine the best health insurance option for the upcoming academic year and complete one of the following three steps.

  • Waive Coverage: Those students that plan to enroll/remain enrolled in health insurance through a parent, spouse/partner, or employer that meets waiver requirements should use the UHC website to complete the insurance waiver process.
  • Opt-In:
    1. Students must be registered in WebSTAC for a full-time course load
    2. After July 15, visit United Healthcare Student Resources and login (existing students) or create  an account (new students, use the “name@wustl.edu” format of their WashU email address)
    3. Once logged in, select the “opt in” button to ensure you can use your health insurance promptly on the policy start date (August 1).
      Students must not assume the Health Insurance Premium charge on their student accounts allows them to skip the opt-in step if they need to use insurance between August 1 and September 5.
  • Take no action: You will be defaulted into the SHIP after September 5

Important requirements

  • A new waiver MUST be completed annually for any student wishing to not be enrolled in the student health insurance plan
  • Students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are not allowed to waive out of the plan unless they are on a US based employer plan through a US based insurance company
Complete the waiver

Fall health insurance waiver

The Fall waiver link is available July 1 through September 5 for students entering the fall semester at WashU and may be used once the student has received their WUSTL Key. The waiver process MUST be completed by September 5. This will allow students to waive out of SHIP for the current academic year (both Fall and Spring Semesters).  This is a hard deadline, no exceptions will be made.

Spring health insurance waiver

The spring semester waiver link is available December 1 through February 12 for NEW students entering the Spring semester at WashU and may be used once the student has received their WUSTL Key. The waiver process MUST be completed by February 12. This is a hard deadline, no exceptions will be made.

Please note that you have two attempts to waive out of the student health insurance. If you are denied after two attempts, and are locked out of the system, please email for further assistance if your insurance meets our criteria.

Insurance waiver criteria

All degree seeking full time registered students must have insurance that meet the following criteria:

  • The plan must be provided by a company licensed to do business in the United States, with a U.S. claims payment office, and a U.S. phone number.
    •  Health plans licensed outside of the U.S. or without a U.S. claims payment office/U.S. phone number rarely meet U.S. standards for insurance, and usually have restrictions that create barriers to students accessing care
  • The plan must meet the Affordable Care Act “Federal Bronze Level” or better coverage for health care in St. Louis, Mo, including:
    • Maximum 40% coinsurance (meaning the plan pays AT LEAST 60%)
    • Unlimited annual and lifetime benefits
    • Coverage must include:
      • Inpatient care
      • Emergency Care
      • Urgent Care
      • Specialty Care
      • Prescription Drug
      • Diagnostic Imaging and Testing
      • Outpatient Mental Health Care
    • Preventative care services covered in-network at no cost to the patient

Plan cannot be the following:

  • A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan without an “away from home” rider
    • HMOs effectively provide “emergency only” coverage for students when they are away from home, unless the student requests an away from home rider. Not all HMOs offer such riders, and some charge additional premiums for riders.
  • A Medicaid or Medicare plan
    • Students with Missouri Medicaid or Medicare can request an exception through the 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
  • A catastrophic coverage plan, International travel plan, or Medical Cost Sharing Plan or HealthCare Sharing Ministry
    • These plans provide limited coverage for the services outlined above
Waiver denial appeals process
  • Students who wish to appeal their waiver denial must submit an appeal request in writing to Student Insurance no later than September 12 for the fall waiver, and no later than February 19 for the spring waiver.
  • Final Appeals will be considered by a committee consisting of the Health Services Manager of Operations, the Health Services Executive Director, and Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Support and Wellness.
F-1 or J-1 visa students

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.

Waiver deadline

A completed, verified and approved waiver is required annually if you do not wish to participate in the university’s insurance plan. September 5 is the deadline for the completion of the fall waiver process, and February 12 is the deadline for the completion of the spring waiver process. This is a hard deadline and no exceptions will be made.

Partial year students

If students on exchange programs for the fall semester only wish to be charged for just one semester of student health insurance, they must notify Student Insurance to request Spring coverage removal.

Students intending to graduate in December will receive notification from Health Services once they file an intent to graduate outlining their options for continuation of coverage. Students not wishing to continue coverage after the first semester will be provided a refund for the second semester of coverage at that time.

Health insurance charge reimbursement

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

Questions about your waiver

Please be sure to include your six digit Student ID when submitting any questions about the waiver process via email.​​​​​​​​

See Insurance Waiver Process for additional information (PDF)