Welcome, Student!

Did you know Massachusetts law requires college students enrolled 75% of the time or more to have health insurance? #StayCovered

Need coverage? You have options.

Under 26? Stay on your parent's plan

Students may stay on a parent’s plan, but if you go to school outside the plan’s coverage area (like in another state), your coverage may not be as comprehensive as your home state. If you decide to stay on your parent’s plan, you can stay on that plan until age 26.

Enroll in your school's student health plan

You can enroll in a student health plan through your school. In Massachusetts, all colleges and universities are required to offer student health insurance to full-time students. These plans all must meet certain requirements for comprehensive coverage.

Sign up through the Health Connector

You can enroll in an individual or family plan through the Massachusetts Health Connector. Complete an online application through the Health Connector website to see if you qualify for MassHealth, tax credits to help pay premium costs, or ConnectorCare plans.

Students have more coverage options because of state and national health care reform

National health reform, or the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is a law designed to improve access to health insurance for millions of people. This landmark law includes ways for students to have greater access to affordable health insurance.

  • No-cost or low-cost insurance is available to more people than ever before through MassHealth, Massachusetts’ Medicaid program. Individuals who are 19 and older may also continue to qualify for MassHealth if they meet income and other eligibility requirements.
  • Tax credits help you pay for health insurance premiums if you buy a plan through the Health Connector. If you qualify for tax credits, you can have this credit paid directly to your insurance company every month so that your monthly premium is lower.
  • ConnectorCare plans have low monthly premiums, no deductibles, and lower out-of-pocket costs. If you qualify for a ConnectorCare plan, you can save on your monthly premium and pay less when you go to the doctor. For the first time, students will be able to access no-or low-cost ConnectorCare plans if they qualify.

Students should apply now through the Health Connector website to see if they qualify for MassHealth programs, tax credits, and ConnectorCare plans.

Better benefits for students

  1. Students can stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 26
  2. No annual and lifetime limits on the amount that a health plan will pay towards your health services
  3. No limits on the amount that a health plan will pay towards your prescription drugs
  4. All preventive care is covered at 100% and there are no co-pays, co-insurance, or deductibles for things like:
  • Immunizations
  • Contraceptives
  • Physicals
  • Screening and counseling for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and tobacco use
  • Screenings for depression, obesity, and diabetes

Frequently Asked Questions

Students

  1. My family is not from Massachusetts. Can I still get help paying for my health insurance?
  2. Can students shop on the Health Connector?
  3. Can I get help paying for my health insurance if I buy a plan outside the Health Connector?
  4. 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?
  5. What is the Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)?
  6. When can I apply for coverage?
  7. Where do I find out if I qualify for help to pay for my health insurance?
  8. What kind of health insurance are Massachusetts students required to have?
  9. 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?
  10. Do students have to purchase a SHIP plan?
  11. Can international students purchase a health plan through the Health Connector?