Health Insurance

All students enrolled at least 75 percent of full time, who are not enrolled solely in short term courses or an online program, are required by law to be covered by health insurance. Therefore, students required to have insurance (matriculated undergraduate students enrolled in 9 or more credits and graduate students enrolled in 6 or more credits) are automatically enrolled in and billed for the Emerson Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).

Matriculated undergraduate and graduate students who are less than 75 percent of full-time, and not in a short term or online program, may submit a voluntary enrollment form to enroll in the SHIP. The form can be obtained by contacting University Health Plans at info [at] univhealthplans.com (info[at]univhealthplans[dot]com) or 833-251-1726.

Please Note: Health insurance charges are automatically removed when undergraduate and graduate students drop to fewer than 9 or 6 credits, respectively, within the first 45 days of the coverage period. Students must submit the voluntary enrollment form through University Health Plans by the deadline if they would like to remain enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan.

Coverage Period

The Student Health Insurance Plan coverage period is from August 1 through July 31. Coverage is effective August 1 through July 31 for students enrolled in the fall semester. Coverage is effective January 1 – August 31 for newly enrolled spring semester students.

The Student Health Insurance Plan is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and administered by University Health Plans. For complete details on the policy, please visit University Health Plans.


Health Insurance Waivers

Please contact University Health Plans at info [at] univhealthplans.com (info[at]univhealthplans[dot]com) or 833-251-1726 if you have trouble accessing the waiver.

Please Note: Students who use their Emerson-provided health insurance at any point are not eligible to waive afterward.

Domestic Undergraduate & Graduate Students

Students may waive the Student Health Insurance Plan and Charge by submitting an online waiver form confirming comparable coverage the last day of the add/drop period. An insurance waiver must be completed at the start of each academic year for continued exemption.

Global BFA Students

Students in the Global BFA program are insured by a Cigna Global Medical Policy. This policy is designed to meet the needs of students who study outside the US for extended periods of time. Students will have access to the largest global network of healthcare providers, telehealth and student assistance services. Students will have first-dollar coverage outside of the US, and low-cost share in the US when a network provider is chosen. Out-of-network benefits are also covered at a higher cost share. For complete details on the policy, please visit University Health Plans.

International Students

The Massachusetts student insurance regulation does not consider insurance carriers outside of the United States or coverage by foreign National Health Service programs comparable to a qualifying student health insurance program.

International students may choose to waive the Emerson College Student Health Insurance Plan if they have alternate health insurance with a U.S.-based carrier that meets Commonwealth of Massachusetts SHIP standards (Please read all waiver requirements listed below).

If you are already covered by a U.S.-based insurance carrier and you have ascertained that your coverage is comparable, you have the right to waive the required student insurance Before the last day of the add/drop period. Please contact University Health Plans at info [at] univhealthplans.com (info[at]univhealthplans[dot]com) or 833-251-1726 to receive the paper waiver form. A review of your waiver and insurance coverage will be completed before your waiver is approved/denied.

Please review insurance plans carefully before purchasing a plan and waiving the Student Health Insurance Plan.

Waiver Requirements

The following are guidelines you should review before submitting a health insurance waiver:

  • U.S. students with comparable coverage under another major medical insurance plan may submit a waiver.
  • Veterans’ benefits that provide access to Veterans’ Administration healthcare facilities, TRICARE, and the U.S. Family Health Plan, a military coverage, are all acceptable to submit a waiver.
  • Students who have out of area HMOs (for example Kaiser Permanente, Empire of NY, and others) may not have comparable coverage as these types of plans only provide coverage for emergency care or when provided by a network of clinicians not available in the Emerson campus area.
  • Health and substance abuse must be covered as any other illness or injury. Injuries or illnesses that occur as a result of alcohol, illegal drugs, or self-harm must be covered as any other illness or injury.

Full information about the insurance requirement can be found at the Massachusetts Student Health Insurance website and by viewing the Massachusetts Student Health Insurance Plan Regulations.


Loss of Coverage Regulations

Because Massachusetts state law requires any student participating in at least 75% of the full-time curriculum to have continuous medical insurance, Emerson is responsible for ensuring its students have continuous medical coverage.

If a student waives insurance at the beginning of an academic year, then loses coverage, they must notify University Health Plans at info [at] univhealthplans.com (info[at]univhealthplans[dot]com) or 833-251-1726 to purchase health insurance through Emerson. Prorated plans are available.


Premium Refund Policy

If you withdraw from school within the first 45 days of a coverage period, you will not be covered under the Student Health Insurance Plan and the full premium will be refunded, less any claims paid. (This refund policy will not apply if you withdraw due to a covered Accident or Sickness.)

After 45 days, you will be covered for the full period, and no refund will be allowed.

Exception: A Covered Person entering the armed forces of any country will not be covered under the Policy as of the date of such entry. In this case, a pro-rata refund of premium will be made for any such person upon written request received by University Health Plans within 90 days of withdrawal from school.