| Health Insurance Action Dates and Deadlines | |
|---|---|
2024-2025 Academic Year Enrollment Open: June 20, 2024 | 2025 Spring Semester Enrollment Open: December 4, 2024 |
Access to health care and adequate health insurance are essential to students’ well-being. Inadequate health insurance can result in catastrophic health outcomes and extraordinary costs, as well as unexpected barriers to achieving academic success and scholarly pursuits. Tulane requires degree-seeking students and Tulane-sponsored students in J-1 status to demonstrate enrollment in and maintain adequate, quality medical insurance.
Requirements for Domestic Students
New and returning students who are degree seeking are required to have adequate health insurance that meets or exceeds Tulane University standards, either through the Tulane-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (T-SHIP) or a comparable health insurance plan based in the United States. This requirement also applies to degree-seeking students who may live off campus, participate in out-of-town internships or study abroad for any length of time during the academic year.
Requirements for International Students
International students are defined as any enrolled student that is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. All international students must be enrolled in T-SHIP and do not have the option to request a waiver.
On a case-by-case basis, international students may be considered for an exemption to this requirement when covered by a U.S.-based group health insurance plan (for example, a U.S.-based, employer-sponsored, ACA-compliant group plan).
Actions required by domestic students
Domestic students who are required to have health insurance must choose between the following options by the deadline:
- enrolling in T-SHIP
- opting out of T-SHIP by receiving an approved waiver after demonstrating coverage meets or exceeds University standards
Degree-seeking international students will be automatically enrolled in T-SHIP, and no action is required.
Below are some helpful links to aid students in making this decision.
- Tulane-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (T-SHIP) details
- Benefits comparison chart
- University standards for adequate insurance
- How to request T-SHIP coverage
- How to opt out of T-SHIP
- Insurance frequently asked questions
Reminders to take action are sent periodically to students’ Tulane email accounts.
If students do not receive an approved waiver request by the deadline, they will be automatically enrolled in T-SHIP and charged for the premium. The charge for the T-SHIP premium will be placed on the student’s accounts receivable bill in two installments, and they will be responsible for paying the full charge. They will be unable to cancel coverage for any reason. It is best for students to take action as early as possible to avoid being charged for unwanted insurance coverage.
Which Tulane students are not required to have health insurance?
Non-degree-seeking domestic students are not required to have health insurance; however, if enrolled in 3 credit hours or more, they are eligible to enroll in T-SHIP. Eligible non-degree-seeking students who wish to enroll in T-SHIP must request coverage. They will not be automatically enrolled.
*School of Professional Advancement (SoPA) students are not required to have health insurance; however, if enrolled in 3 credit hours or more, they are eligible to enroll in T-SHIP. Eligible SoPA students who wish to enroll in T-SHIP must request coverage. They will not be automatically enrolled.
*Students in the new B.S. in Nursing program through SoPA/SoM are required to have health insurance.
Distance Learning students are not required to have health insurance but are eligible to enroll in T-SHIP. Distance learning students, who are enrolled at Tulane University taking 3 or more credit hours are eligible to enroll in the student health insurance plan on a voluntary basis. Eligible dependents including domestic partners of enrolled students may purchase the plan on a voluntary basis. Dependent coverage will be purchased through United Healthcare Student Resources directly.
