| To waive the Student BCBS Plan you must meet one of the following requirements: |
The majority of students are required to pay the Student Health Fee. A student may waive this fee only if they are: |
- Evidence of comparable coverage as defined by the Massachusetts Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program (see "Minimum Required Insurance" below)
- Status of half time or less for that term (Note: half time or less students without comparable coverage must also waive the SHF)
- Traveling Scholar/Study Abroad Student with evidence of comparable coverage as defined by Massachusetts Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program.
Note: Foreign-based health insurance will not be reviewed or accepted as comparable coverage. |
- A Student enrolled in HUGHP – Benefits-eligible Harvard University faculty, staff member, postdoctoral fellow, or dependent of same who is a member of the Harvard University Group Health Plan (HUGHP)
- A Non-resident student who resides outside of Massachusetts, and has no activities on campus for the entire term (Note: Students who live out of state but attend class on campus do not qualify to waive)
- A Traveling Scholar/Study Abroad Student studying outside of the United States
- A half time or less student (Note: Students who waive the SHF must also waive Student BCBS Plan coverage)
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NOTE to Fulbright Scholars: The U.S. Department of State Accident and Sickness Plan does not qualify as comparable coverage.
Minimum Required Insurance for BCBS Waiver
The Student BCBS Plan waiver requires a student to show evidence of comparable coverage as defined by the Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program (QSHIP) published by the Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy. Examples of state-mandated requirements:
- Comprehensive coverage for hospital and physician services
- Reasonable access to covered services in the Boston area
- Coverage for ambulance services and emergency visits
- Coverage for outpatient and inpatient mental health and substance abuse therapy
- Only U.S.-based health insurance carriers are accepted as comparable coverage
Students should apply to waive their health insurance only after carefully evaluating the coverage afforded by their current health insurance plan. It is the student's responsibility to review the Massachusetts QSHIP criteria prior to submitting the waiver application.
We now provide a checklist and worksheet to assist you in reviewing whether you have comparable coverage.