
Boston University offers a health insurance plan called SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan) to its students. This plan is offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer. BU automatically enrols full-time, three-quarter time, and international undergraduate and graduate students in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). However, it is unclear when the insurance expires. For more information, students can refer to the Student Health Services website or contact [email protected] or 617-353-2264.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the student health insurance plan | Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) |
| Insurance company | Aetna Student Health |
| Coverage dates | 8/15–8/14 each year |
| Students who are automatically enrolled | All full-time, three-quarter time, and international undergraduate and graduate students |
| Students who are not eligible to enroll | Online-only students, part-time non-degree domestic students enrolled below 75% of full-time |
| Students who must take action to enroll | Domestic part-time degree students |
| Deadline for Fall waiver | September 20 |
| Deadline for Spring waiver | January 31 |
| Deadline for Summer 2025 enrollment | Before the start of the Summer program |
| Email address for insurance requests | [email protected] |
| Fax number for insurance requests | 617-353-3313 |
| Mailing address for insurance requests | Boston University, Student Accounting Services, 25 Buick Street, Suite 130, Boston, MA 02215 |
| Per diem rate for the 2024/25 policy period (BASIC plan) | $9.31/day |
| Per diem rate for the 2024/25 policy period (PLUS plan) | $12.51/day |
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What You'll Learn

Boston University's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
The Boston University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is available during open enrolment to most BU students at two plan levels: Student Basic, an ACA Gold level plan, and Student Plus, an ACA Platinum level plan. Students wishing to enrol their eligible dependents should upgrade to the Plus plan before the open enrolment deadline. The standard annual rate for the 2025-2026 year for new students is $3,538. Students currently enrolled in the Plus plan have the option to upgrade to the Plus plan at the rate of $4,741.
SHIP coverage for most students begins on 15 August and ends on 14 August each year. Students enrolled in the spring insurance will continue to be enrolled through 6 August. Students with SHIP can use the Teladoc online health platform, which provides 24/7 access to licensed doctors by phone or video.
If you decide to waive coverage, the Fall waiver must be submitted by 20 September. If you are entering in the spring, the waiver must be completed by 31 January. If you are not enrolled in SHIP and experience a qualifying life event, you may be eligible to enrol in SHIP.
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SHIP's two plan levels: Student Basic and Student Plus
Boston University's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer. BU automatically enrols full-time, three-quarter-time, and international undergraduate and graduate students in SHIP.
Student Basic
The Student Basic plan is an ACA Gold level plan. Most students are enrolled in this plan, which meets the needs of most students. All basic services and immunizations are covered by the plan, but only if received at BU Student Health Services.
Student Plus
The Student Plus plan is an ACA Platinum level plan. Students who wish to enrol their eligible dependents should upgrade to the Plus plan before the open enrolment deadline. The Plus plan provides a higher level of coverage and allows for the option to enrol dependents for an added cost. Students who are eligible to upgrade to the Plus plan are not automatically enrolled in the Plus plan the following year and must choose to upgrade.
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SHIP's cost and billing
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer. The Boston University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is available during open enrolment to most BU students at two plan levels: Student Basic, an ACA Gold level plan, and Student Plus, an ACA Platinum level plan.
Boston University automatically enrols full-time, three-quarter-time, and international undergraduate and graduate students in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Online-only students are not eligible to enrol in SHIP. Domestic part-time degree students may be eligible for SHIP coverage but will need to take action to enrol.
The SHIP premium is billed through your student account and included in the balance due annually, unless an online waiver is submitted by the waiver deadline each plan year. Premium rates can vary depending on your program length. The standard annual rate for the 2025-2026 year for new students is $3,538. Students currently enrolled in the Plus plan have the option to upgrade to the Plus plan at a rate of $4,741. The per diem rate for the 2024/25 policy year is $9.31/day for the BASIC plan and $12.51/day for the PLUS plan.
If your student account was assessed for SHIP during the open enrolment period, you have the opportunity to waive SHIP coverage, provided you have other coverage that meets the comparable coverage requirements. You can find the Comparable Coverage Checklist on the Student Health Services website. If you waive SHIP coverage by the end of the open enrolment period, a credit in the amount of the SHIP premium will be applied to your student account.
If you decide to waive coverage, the Fall waiver must be submitted by September 20. If you are entering in the Spring, the waiver must be completed by January 31. You can apply for the enrolment waiver through the MyBU portal.
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Waiving SHIP
Boston University automatically enrols all full-time, three-quarter-time, and international undergraduate and graduate students in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). The insurance is offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer.
To waive SHIP, you must have other coverage that meets the comparable coverage requirements. You can find the Comparable Coverage Checklist on the Student Health Services website by selecting “Waiving SHIP”. If you decide to waive coverage, the Fall waiver must be submitted by September 20. If you are entering in the Spring, the waiver must be completed by January 31.
If you waive SHIP by the end of the open enrolment period, a credit in the amount of the SHIP premium will be applied to your student account. You will not be billed for the SHIP premium if you waive SHIP by the deadline.
If you are enrolled in BU’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), all basic services and immunizations are covered, but only if received at BU Student Health Services. Students not enrolled in SHIP can still receive immunizations at BU Student Health Services, but will be charged on their Student Account.
Please do not send the SHIP waiver and Adjustment forms to CELOP. Send them directly to [email protected].
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SHIP's provider network
The Boston University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer with a nationwide Preferred Provider Network. This means that even if you are away from campus and need healthcare, you will likely be able to find an in-network provider nearby.
Students with SHIP can use the online health platform Teladoc to access 24/7 licensed doctors by phone or video for urgent primary care or behavioural medicine concerns.
In Boston, there is a wide network of participating providers, many of which are affiliated with Boston University and are easily accessible by foot, bus, or T train. You can search the Preferred Provider Network directory on the Student Health Services website.
If you wish to use an out-of-network provider, the SHIP plan will still pay benefits, but your costs will be higher.
The two SHIP plan levels are Student Basic, an ACA Gold level plan, and Student Plus, an ACA Platinum level plan. Most students are enrolled in the BASIC plan. Students wishing to enrol their eligible dependents must upgrade to the PLUS plan.
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Frequently asked questions
SHIP is Boston University’s health insurance plan for students. It is offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer.
Boston University automatically enrols full-time, three-quarter time, and international undergraduate and graduate students in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Part-time degree students may be eligible for SHIP coverage but will need to take action to enrol.
The standard annual rate for the 2025-2026 year for new students is $3,538. The per diem rate for the 2024/25 policy year is $9.31/day for the BASIC plan, and $12.51 /day for the PLUS plan.
Most students will be automatically enrolled in the BASIC plan. Students wishing to enrol their eligible dependents should upgrade to the PLUS plan before the open enrolment deadline.











































