KB Tags COVID-19

What students need to know about the impact of COVID-19 on their health insurance options.

Some Schools are considering whether SHIP enrollment can be extended beyond the term of its expiration for Students who have just graduated. Are these extensions of SHIP coverage permissible?

The Health Connector’s regulations at 956 CMR 8.00 only describe the obligation for Schools to offer a SHIP, and for Students to either enroll in the SHIP or waive the SHIP by demonstrating they have comparable coverage. To the degree Schools have questions about who may validly be considered eligible to enroll in the SHIP, the Health Connector encourages Schools to work with their health insurance carriers, Third-Party Administrators, and the Division of Insurance (as applicable) to ensure that enrollment flexibility and extension of coverage modifications are permitted and, if so, are clearly explained in SHIP evidences of coverage, are available according to clear and consistently applied standards across all eligible newly graduated students, and remain consistent with applicable state law and federal requirements, including 45 CFR § 147.145.

Some Schools have already opened their SHIP waiver processes for the upcoming academic year. If a School decides to move to remote-only learning, or if a Student decides to access courses remotely, after Students have already enrolled in the SHIP, should Students be allowed a SHIP premium refund?

The Health Connector strongly encourages Schools to work with their health insurance carriers and Third-Party Administrators to ensure they can timely disenroll individuals from the SHIP if Students have comparable coverage as defined in Question 3. To avoid undue operational complexity associated with disenrollment requests after SHIP coverage has begun for the academic year, the Health Connector urges Schools to offer an additional opportunity for Students to waive their SHIP. Note: Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) and COVID-19 Under 956 CMR 8.00, institutions of higher education, referred to as Schools in this Frequently Asked Question (FAQ), in Massachusetts are required to offer a Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to Students, and Students must either enroll in the SHIP or provide proof of comparable coverage. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some Schools are considering expanding remote coursework beginning in Academic Year (AY) 2020-2021, as well as arrangements to support graduating Students. This FAQ aims to help stakeholders understand options for Schools that are consistent with SHIP regulatory requirements as stakeholders consider the impact of a transition to remote learning or post-graduation arrangements on SHIP offerings and enrollment.