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.
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
- Students can stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 26
- No annual and lifetime limits on the amount that a health plan will pay towards your health services
- No limits on the amount that a health plan will pay towards your prescription drugs
- All preventive care is covered at 100% and there are no co-pays, co-insurance, or deductibles for things like:
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Students
- What kind of health insurance are Massachusetts students required to have?
- Can international students purchase a health plan through the Health Connector?
- Where do I find out if I qualify for help to pay for my health insurance?
- 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?
- Can students shop on the Health Connector?
- What is the Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)?
- When is Open Enrollment and when do Health Connector plans start?
- 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?
- When can I apply for coverage?
- My family is not from Massachusetts. Can I still get help paying for my health insurance?
- Do students have to purchase a SHIP plan?