Health Insurance: What Washu Grad Students Need To Know

do washu grad students have to pay for health insurance

Health insurance is an important aspect of student life, and graduate students at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) have several options available to them. All full-time domestic and international graduate students on the Danforth Campus are required to have health insurance and will be automatically enrolled in the United Healthcare (UHC) Student Resources plan. However, students can choose to waive this insurance if they have adequate coverage through another plan. The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is also available to students studying abroad, and the cost of health insurance varies based on factors such as premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Students with Missouri Medicaid or Medicare can request exceptions, but they may have to pay out of pocket for medical services. Understanding the details of their health plan is essential for graduate students to make informed decisions about their well-being and academic success.

Characteristics Values
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) provider United HealthCare Student Resources
SHIP premium for 2025-2026 $2,712
Student Health Insurance waiver Available
Dental insurance Not a university requirement
Health & wellness fee Cannot be waived
Deadline to submit waiver for health or dental insurance September 5
Contact for Arts & Sciences Graduate Students Janna Schmitt
Contact for Engineering, Social Work & Public Health Sciences, Medical Students School's Finance Director
Health insurance for students on exchange programs for the fall semester Notify Student Insurance to request Spring coverage removal
Health insurance for students intending to graduate in December Receive notification from Health Services outlining options for continuation of coverage
Health insurance for students not wishing to continue coverage after the first semester Refund provided for the second semester of coverage
Health insurance for students with Missouri Medicaid or Medicare Request an exception through the appeals process
Criteria for health plans Provided by a company licensed to do business in the US, with a U.S. claims payment office, and a U.S. phone number

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Graduate students at WashU must have health insurance

Students who already have insurance can waive the health insurance plan, but they must provide proof of adequate coverage through another plan. Students with Missouri Medicaid or Medicare can request an exception through the appeals process, but they will be required to pay out of pocket at the time of service for any medical care received at Health Services. The deadline to submit a waiver for health or dental insurance is September 5.

Students on exchange programs for the fall semester only must notify Student Insurance if they wish to be charged for just one semester of student health insurance. Students intending to graduate in December will receive notification from Health Services outlining their options for the continuation of coverage.

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is provided by WashU in partnership with United HealthCare Student Resources. The 2025-2026 SHIP estimated premium is $2,712. SHIP also has insurance coverage available while students are abroad.

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Students can waive health insurance with proof of other coverage

All full-time graduate students at Washington University in St. Louis are required to have health insurance. The university has partnered with United HealthCare Student Resources to provide the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for the academic year 2025-2026. The estimated premium for SHIP is $2,712, though this is subject to approval by the MO Department of Insurance.

The deadline to submit a waiver for health insurance is September 5. Students with Missouri Medicaid or Medicare can request an exception through the appeals process, though they will be required to pay out of pocket at the time of service for any medical care received at Health Services. Students who wish to appeal a waiver denial must submit a request in writing to Student Insurance by September 12 for the fall waiver and by February 19 for the spring waiver.

Students on exchange programs for the fall semester only must notify Student Insurance if they wish to be charged for just one semester of student health insurance. Students intending to graduate in December will be notified by Health Services of their options for continuing coverage.

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WashU offers a Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

At Washington University in St. Louis, all full-time domestic and international graduate students on the Danforth Campus are required to have health insurance. These students will be automatically enrolled in the United Healthcare (UHC) Student Resources plan through the university. Students in the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) on the Medical Campus should refer to the Student Health Services page for their health insurance plan.

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 premium is estimated at $2,712, though this quote is pending MO Department of Insurance approval. Students with Missouri Medicaid or Medicare can request an exception through the appeals process, but they will be required to pay out of pocket for any medical care received at Health Services.

Students who wish to waive the health insurance plan must provide proof of adequate coverage through another plan. This can be done by completing the online waiver process annually before September 5. Students on exchange programs for the fall semester only must notify Student Insurance if they wish to be charged for just one semester of student health insurance.

SHIP offers insurance coverage to students while they are abroad. Students can also add dependents to their SHIP plan.

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The 2025-2026 SHIP premium is estimated at $2,712

Washington University in St. Louis requires all full-time domestic and international graduate students on the Danforth Campus to have health insurance. These students will be automatically enrolled in the United Healthcare (UHC) Student Resources plan through the university. To waive health insurance, students must provide proof of adequate coverage through another plan. Students with Missouri Medicaid or Medicare can request an exception through the appeals process.

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is provided by Washington University in partnership with United HealthCare Student Resources. The 2025-2026 SHIP premium is estimated at $2,712. This quote is pending MO Department of Insurance approval. Students on exchange programs for the fall semester who only wish to be charged for one semester of student health insurance must notify Student Insurance to request spring coverage removal.

Students who waive health insurance must also waive the dental insurance plan. The deadline to submit a waiver for health or dental insurance is September 5. Students may elect to cover dependents under the health or dental insurance plan. The health and wellness fee may not be waived for any student.

Students who wish to appeal a 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. The amount students pay out-of-pocket in premiums, deductibles, copays, and/or coinsurance varies by option.

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Students with Medicaid/Medicare can request an exception

All full-time graduate students at Washington University in St. Louis are required to have health insurance. The university has partnered with United HealthCare Student Resources to provide the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for the academic year 2025-2026. The estimated premium for SHIP is $2,712. This plan is also available to students who are abroad.

Students with existing health insurance coverage can waive the SHIP plan. To do so, students must provide proof of adequate coverage through another plan when completing the waiver process outlined on the Student Health Services website. The deadline to submit a waiver is September 5.

Students with Missouri Medicaid or Medicare can request an exception through the appeals process. However, if granted an exception, students would be required to pay out of pocket at the time of service for any medical care received at Health Services. Students wishing to appeal a waiver denial must submit a written appeal request 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 the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Support and Wellness.

Students on exchange programs for the fall semester only who wish to be charged for just one semester of student health insurance must notify Student Insurance to request the removal of spring coverage. Students intending to graduate in December will receive notification from Health Services outlining their options for continuation of coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, all full-time domestic and international graduate students on the Danforth Campus at Washington University in St. Louis are required to have health insurance.

The cost of health insurance for WashU grad students depends on the plan they choose. The 2025-2026 SHIP premium is estimated at $2,712.

Yes, WashU grad students can waive health insurance if they already have adequate coverage through another plan. They must provide proof of this coverage and complete the online waiver process annually by September 5.

All full-time graduate students at WashU are required to have health insurance. Students who do not have insurance can enrol in the United Healthcare (UHC) Student Resources plan through the university.

Arts & Sciences Graduate Students can contact Janna Schmitt (+1-314-935-8460) with questions about their subsidy. Other students should contact their school's Finance Director.

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