Does George Washington University Provide Student Health Insurance?

Health insurance is a crucial aspect of student life, offering protection against unforeseen illnesses or injuries. George Washington University (GW) recognises this and offers a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Aetna Student Health. This plan is mandatory for all undergraduate, graduate, law, medical, health sciences, and doctoral students, as well as international students on specific visas. While automatic enrolment in GW SHIP is standard, students can opt-out by submitting a waiver form and proving alternative insurance that meets specific criteria. This insurance topic is essential for students considering George Washington University, as it impacts their healthcare access and overall well-being during their academic journey.

The George Washington University health insurance plan is offered through Aetna Student Health

The George Washington University (GW) offers a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Aetna Student Health. This means that all students, including graduate, law, medical, and doctoral students, are automatically enrolled in GW SHIP and will be charged for it. Students who are already covered by a health insurance plan and wish to continue with that plan instead of GW SHIP must submit a waiver form each year they are enrolled at GW.

The GW SHIP provides comprehensive coverage in the George Washington campus area, which includes the Washington metropolitan area of Washington, D.C., and parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The plan is owned, operated, and based in the United States, and it is fully compliant with the Affordable Care Act benefit regulations for individual or group health insurance plans filed in the United States. The annual deductible does not exceed $2,500, and the plan provides at least $25,000 in coverage for repatriation.

International students on a J1 or F1 Visa are required to have health insurance that meets these criteria and is fully compliant with the Affordable Care Act. If an international student's current plan meets all of GW's International Waiver Criteria, they may complete an online waiver form and submit proof of coverage. Typically, only Embassy-Sponsored Plans, US Employer-Sponsored Plans, or US Health Insurance Marketplace Plans meet the waiver requirements for international students.

Students who are eligible for the health insurance subsidy and do not receive it by the first day of classes should contact the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF) at [email protected].

All students are automatically enrolled and charged for the plan

The George Washington University (GW) offers a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Aetna Student Health. All undergraduate, graduate, law, medical, health sciences, and doctoral students, as well as international students on a J1 or F1 Visa, are required to have health insurance while studying at GW.

GW has partnered with University Health Plans to administer the plan and help with waiver, enrollment, or eligibility-related questions. All students who meet the eligibility criteria and do not submit a waiver form will be automatically enrolled and charged for the GW SHIP. This means that if a student already has health insurance coverage and wishes to continue with that plan instead of GW SHIP, they must submit a form to waive the GW SHIP each year they are enrolled at GW. The waiver form is also available for students who have another insurance plan that meets the required waiver criteria.

The GW SHIP provides comprehensive coverage in the George Washington campus area, including the Washington metropolitan area of Washington, D.C., and parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The plan is owned, operated, and based in the United States, and it is fully compliant with Affordable Care Act benefit regulations for individual or group health insurance plans filed in the United States. The plan is currently active and provides coverage for the entire academic year while a student is registered. The annual deductible does not exceed $2,500, and the plan provides at least $25,000 in coverage for repatriation.

Students who wish to opt out of GW SHIP must have health insurance coverage that meets certain domestic or international coverage requirements. For international students, this means having a health insurance plan that is owned, operated, and based in the United States, and fully compliant with the Affordable Care Act benefit regulations. Typically, only Embassy-Sponsored Plans, US Employer-Sponsored Plans, or US Health Insurance Marketplace Plans meet the waiver requirements for international students.

Students can opt out of the plan if they already have insurance

The George Washington University (GW) offers a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Aetna Student Health. All undergraduate, graduate, law, medical, health sciences, and doctoral students are automatically enrolled in the GW SHIP and charged for it. International students on a J1 or F1 Visa are also required to be enrolled in a health insurance plan that complies with the Affordable Care Act.

Students can opt out of the GW SHIP if they already have insurance coverage that meets certain domestic or international coverage requirements. To waive the GW SHIP, students must submit a new waiver form each year they are enrolled at GW. The waiver deadline for the Fall 2024 semester has already passed (it was September 12, 2023), but students who miss this deadline are permitted to waive spring coverage.

For international students, the only plans that typically meet the waiver requirements are Embassy-Sponsored Plans, US Employer-Sponsored Plans, or US Health Insurance Marketplace Plans. Students with other types of insurance can still apply for a waiver, but their plan must meet all of GW's International Waiver Criteria requirements. Some examples of insurance companies that do not meet these requirements include GBG Insurance, HDL Global Specialty, ISO, PGH (United), PSI, Student Medicover, and Tata AIG.

Students can save money by opting out of the GW SHIP and choosing a different insurance plan. For example, Student Medicover offers a plan that meets GW's waiver requirements and can save students $1,000-$3,000 per year. However, it is important to carefully compare the coverage and benefits of any health insurance plan before making a decision, as lower costs may come with trade-offs in terms of coverage or access to care.

International students can enrol in a cheaper, separate plan

International students on a J1 or F1 visa are required to have health insurance while studying at George Washington University (GW). They will be automatically enrolled and charged for the university's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Aetna Student Health. However, international students can opt out of this plan and enrol in a separate, cheaper plan designed specifically for them.

The GW SHIP costs $2,999 per year. In contrast, health coverage for international students can be as low as $1,289 per year. Students who wish to opt out of the GW SHIP must submit a waiver form and have health insurance coverage that meets certain international coverage requirements. The deadline for submitting a waiver form for the 2023-2024 academic year was September 12, 2023.

International students can consider alternative insurance plans such as Student Medicover, which provides medical insurance specifically for international F1 students and J1 scholars. Student Medicover insurance plans can save students $1,000-$3,000 per year, with comparable or better benefits. The Supreme, Elite, Prime 100, and Prime 500 plans meet the university's requirements for a successful waiver.

It is important for international students to carefully compare the coverage and benefits of any alternative health insurance plan before making a decision, as lower costs may come with trade-offs in terms of coverage or access to care. They should consider factors such as the schedule of benefits, exclusion sections, deductibles, coinsurance, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums.

Graduate research and teaching assistants may receive funding to cover insurance costs

The George Washington University (GW) offers a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Aetna Student Health. All undergraduate, graduate, law, medical, health sciences, and doctoral students enrolled in classes on the Foggy Bottom, Mount Vernon, VSTC, and Corcoran campuses, as well as international students on a J1 or F1 visa, are required to have health insurance while studying at GW. These students are automatically enrolled in the GW SHIP and charged per semester. However, they can choose to waive this insurance if they already have a comparable plan that meets certain domestic or international coverage requirements and submit a waiver form each academic year.

Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) and Graduate Teaching Assistants are eligible for a subsidy towards the cost of the GW SHIP if they are fully funded. This subsidy covers 80% of the health insurance cost for the fall and spring semesters and is applied directly to the student's account in two payments by the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships (OGSAF). Master's students must receive a minimum of $8,550 per semester or $17,100 for the entire academic year in a combination of assistantship service payment and/or stipend to be eligible. Doctoral students must receive a minimum of $13,050 per semester or $26,100 for the entire academic year. Eligible students do not need to take any action to receive the subsidy, and schools and departments will send lists of their eligible students to OGSAF.

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