Health Insurance Information

Hamel Health Center

In order to ensure our students have access to high-quality medical care, students who use Hamel Health Center will NOT be charged through their own health insurance as they would at other medical facilities or their own doctor’s office.  The student comprehensive fee pays for our services.  No copayment or service fee will be collected. We only use health insurance for ancillary services (lab tests, x-rays, referrals etc.).

Our goal is to ensure students can access all types of health care services while they are here on campus. Read below for more specifics. 

Comparable Coverage

Your plan must provide access to medical providers (doctors, nurse practitioners), specialists, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and mental health/behavioral health providers in the Merrimack College campus area (North Andover, MA 01845) without restriction or limitation.

Please note, if you are enrolled in an out-of-state Medicaid, HMO, or EPO your coverage may not be sufficient in Massachusetts. Many out-of-state plans do not provide comprehensive benefits outside of the home service area, and urgent or emergency-only coverage in Massachusetts is not sufficient and does not meet the SHIP waiver requirements.

It is highly recommended that students living outside of New England consider enrolling in the Merrimack-sponsored health insurance plan (SHIP) as most plans based outside of New England cover only emergency services outside of their coverage area. SHIP coverage is for the full year, beginning usually in mid August. 

If you belong to any type of managed care plan (i.e., an HMO or PPO), or other private insurance call the 800 number on the back to check to see if they will cover:

• Laboratory tests processed by Quest Diagnostics and HealthTrackRx
• Radiology orders (x-rays, ultrasound etc.) at local urgent care centers or local outpatient facilities
• Prescriptions ordered by Health Services and filled at CVS or Walgreens
• Durable Medical Equipment supplied by Orthocare (when necessary)

If not, students must be prepared to pay for these themselves and then seek reimbursement from their insurer, if that is allowable by the insurer. In addition, per Massachusetts General Law (956 CMR 8.00: Student Health Insurance Program) students living outside of their insurance coverage area while attending Merrimack College may not waive participation in the School Insurance Plan if your insurance provider only provides coverage (with the exception of services for life threatening emergencies) through a closed network of providers that is not reasonably accessible.

If you have comparable coverage under a parent’s insurance plan or other major medical insurance plan; you can waive the student health plan. Note: You cannot waive the student health insurance plan with Mass Health Limited, Health Safety Net or Children’s Medical Security Plan.

The policy must be a US health insurance plan that is filed and approved in the US. International insurance plans, travel insurance, and short-term limited duration plans are not accepted.

The policy must provide coverage for the entire academic year (August 1 – July 31) with no break in coverage.

Questions about student health insurance and waivers should be sent to Student Accounts [email protected] 

Protecting Access to Confidential Healthcare (PATCH) Act

Your right to confidentiality and privacy are important to us. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts enacted new privacy protections to your health care information in 2018. Learn more about how the Protecting Access to Confidential Healthcare (PATCH) Act can impact you.