Health Insurance
Health insurance facilitates access to care and is required by Massachusetts regulations to ensure students have adequate coverage which connects them to a regular source of care.
Each year, all full and 3/4-time students, must enroll in the qualifying Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or waive the plan and report their own comparable health insurance coverage. This does not include international students.
International Students
All international students are automatically enrolled and do not have the option to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan. The cost will be added to their student account. Brandeis requires this because international health insurance plans are often not recognized in the US and do not comply with the Massachusetts Student Health Plan Regulations and the Brandeis University waiver requirements.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
The Student Health Plan offered by Brandeis is a comprehensive plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Students who choose to enroll can do so by clicking on the link below.
Here is the Summary of Benefits for the 2024-2025 school year.
Additional policies are available for your Dental and Vision needs.
To obtain a digital copy of your insurance card download the MyBlue app from BCBS Massachusetts.
For more information about cost or the enrollment process, please visit the University Health Plans website , email University Health Plans or call them at 800-437-6448.
If you have other health insurance:
If you are covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan, you can opt out of the Brandeis University SHIP by completing the waiver form before the deadline. Students who do not waive by the deadline will be automatically enrolled in the student plan and the cost will be added to their student account.
Please read the insurance requirements listed on the University Health Plan website to determine if you are eligible to waive the student health plan.
WAIVE THE STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN
Please upload a copy of your insurance card to the Secure Patient Portal prior to visiting the Health Center. Uploaded images must be in one of the following formats: .gif, .png, .tiff, .tif, .jpg, .jpeg
The Health Center and the Student Health Advisory Committee have developed a Health Coverage Comparison Worksheet (PDF) to help with comparisons between the SHIP and other options you may have.
| REQUIREMENTS | Fall Semester Due Date | Spring Semester Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Health Forms | June 30th | November 30th |
| Insurance Waiver Form | September 1st | December 15th |
The cost of accessing health care.
Brandeis Health Services
There is no cost to eligible students to visit either the Health or Counseling Centers. Brandeis will bill a student's insurance company for each visit but will not balance bill a student or parent for any costs not covered by insurance.
Off Campus
Off campus services such as laboratory testing, imaging, specialty providers and pharmacy services are billed to the student's insurance by those providers directly. Students will be responsible to these providers for any costs not covered by their insurance.
Privacy
If you are on your parent's insurance plan you have the right to keep your treatment private. A Massachusetts law called the PATCH Act (Protecting Access To Confidential Healthcare) will allow you to have your health insurance plan send forms about the services you've received to an address different from your parent's or to a private online link.
For more detailed information on the PATCH Act visit HCFA Massachusetts.
If you have any further concerns about the impact of insurance claim filing on your privacy or to your personal safety, please be sure to mention these concerns to your therapist and they will work with you to find ways to address them.
If you receive a bill, and you have questions, please contact the provider that sent the statement. The Health Center does not bill students. If you need financial assistance, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services.