Student Health Insurance
Massachusetts law requires that all students enrolled three-quarter time or more at the start of the semester, as defined by Merrimack College, have comprehensive health-insurance coverage.
Domestic Students
Domestic Students must either enroll in the Merrimack College Student Health Insurance Plan or request a waiver with proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage through an outside provider. Students who do not complete the online waiver-request form by the deadline will automatically be enrolled in the Merrimack College Student Health Insurance Plan and will be responsible for the charged premium, even if they are covered by another plan.
Students whose programs are entirely online are exempt from this fee.
International Students
In order to ensure international students are covered by a plan that provides sufficient and comprehensive coverage which meets or exceeds the Merrimack College Student Health Insurance Plan, international students will be automatically enrolled in the Merrimack College Student Health Insurance Plan.
Online Students
Students whose programs are entirely online are exempt from Merrimack College Student Health Insurance requirement.
Deadlines and Costs
| Beginning Enrollment Date | Waiver-Request Deadline | Policy Premium | Effective Date of Coverage | End Date of Coverage |
| Fall 2023 | September 11, 2023 | $3797 | Aug. 13, 2023 | Aug. 12, 2024 |
| Spring 2024 | January 31, 2024 | $2217 | Jan. 13, 2024 | Aug. 12, 2024 |
| Summer 2024 | TBD | TBD | TBD | Aug. 12, 2024 |
How to Enroll in or Waive the Insurance Plan
Beginning with the 2023-2024 Policy Year the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) broker is now University Health Plans. For information about the SHIP coverage, costs, enrollment, or the waiver process please go to the University Health Plans website.
Eligible student will receive an email when the health insurance waiver and enrollment forms are available. At that time, you must enroll in or waive the Merrimack College Student Health Insurance Plan by completing the following:
- Visit universityhealthplans.com/merrimack
- On the left-hand side of the page select the Enrollment Form to opt into the plan for coverage, or select the Waiver Form to opt out of the plan by reporting your own comparable coverage.
- Follow the instructions to complete & submit the form. Save a copy of your confirmation page.
- Immediately following submission, you should receive an email from University Health Plans with the confirmation of your submission.
- Important: You will no longer need to create a log in to access the enrollment or waiver form. You will only be required to enter your Student ID number & date of birth.
Students that have been enrolled in the Merrimack College Health Insurance Plan will receive their insurance ID card by mail. An insurance card is not always needed to access care, but you will need to know your insurance membership information. This can be accessed online at University Health Plans.
Things to Know
Please note that not all plans provide comparable coverage in Massachusetts. Be sure to check with your insurance company before waiving coverage. Short-term coverage (coverage that is not in place for the entire academic year) is not comparable coverage and requires enrollment in the college’s plan.
After completing the waiver request, students will receive an on screen and email confirmation that the request has been submitted. Please allow 5-7 business days for the charge to be credited on your student bill (after July billing date).
Students who do not complete the online enrollment form or waiver form by the published deadline will automatically be enrolled in the Merrimack Student Health Insurance Plan and be responsible for paying the premium.
If a student originally waived the student health insurance plan, during the open periods for the fall or spring, and then subsequently loses their insurance coverage, he/she must notify University Health Plans at 800-437-6448 within 60 days of the loss of coverage. If eligible, the student will be enrolled in the plan at a prorated premium. If a student notifies University Health Plans after 60 days, they will not be eligible to enroll.
