Frequently Asked Questions: MIT SHIP

About MIT SHIP

What benefits does MIT SHIP provide?
  • Prescriptions
  • Routine and Specialty care outside of MIT Health
  • Telehealth visits (within the US only)
  • Up to 52 off-campus mental health visits per year with no out-of-pocket cost
  • Diagnostic tests, physical therapy, and surgery
  • Hospitalizations, medically necessary ER visits and more.
How much does MIT SHIP cost?

You can find the current rates on the Dates and Rates page.

Does MIT SHIP still cover me after I graduate?

Your coverage ends on the last day of the coverage period associated with your graduation date. For example, if you graduate in the spring, you will be covered until August 31 of that year, which is the end of that coverage period. If you graduate earlier in the year, your coverage will end at the end of the term which you graduate.

Getting started

How do I enroll?

Full-time MIT students are automatically enrolled in the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan and billed for the cost. Other eligible individuals must complete the enrollment process that is appropriate for their eligibility status. Learn more on the enrollment page.

How do I create a Gallagher Student Health account?

If you do not already have a Gallagher account, you should have received an email with the subject line, “Verify your Gallagher Student Heath Account.” This email will contain a link and temporary password you will use to log into the Gallagher Student Health website. Follow the link to log in, and create a new, unique password when prompted.

If you didn’t receive the email, contact Gallagher customer service at 1-844-333-1466.

Once you’ve logged on with your new password, follow the appropriate link to either waive coverage for yourself or enroll family members, upload any required supporting documentation for family enrollment, and submit.

I am enrolled in the Executive MBA (EMBA) program. Can I enroll in MIT SHIP?

Yes. Students enrolled in the Executive MBA program have the option to enroll themselves and family members in MIT SHIP. To enroll, you will need to create a Gallagher account and complete the MIT SHIP enrollment form and any family members you want to enroll. 

Once I’m enrolled

How do I get an ID card?

You have two options for obtaining an ID card. We strongly recommend the first option.

  1. Put your card on your phone
    • Download the MyBlue app available from the App Store or Google Play.
    • Go to the “Account Home” section of the Gallagher website to find your BCBS ID number.
    • Open the app, and use your BCBS ID number to create your account.
  2. Ask us to mail you a physical ID card: You can request a card by logging onto bluecrossma.com/myblue or calling 800-253-5210.
How do I view my account information?
  1. Visit the Gallagher website.
  2. Log in (if you haven’t already), by following the link you received in an email from Gallagher Student Health (Subject line: “Verify Your Gallagher Student Health Account”)
  3. On the left toolbar, click “My Account”.
How do I print an insurance verification letter?

You may need a letter to verify your insurance coverage for a visa or another reason. Verification letters are usually available 5–7 business days after your insurance eligibility is confirmed. To print a letter:

  1. Visit the Gallagher website.
  2. Log in (if you haven’t already), by following the link you received in an email from Gallagher Student Health (Subject line: “Verify Your Gallagher Student Health Account”).
  3. On the left toolbar, click “Account Home”.
  4. Click on “Verification Letter” under “Coverage History”
How do I change my address?

Update your address with the MIT Registrar’s Office

How do I find a provider?
  • To select a primary care provider (PCP) at MIT Health, go to health.mit.edu/choose to view available clinicians. Then follow the instructions on the website to choose your PCP.
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  • To find in-network providers outside of MIT Health, go to the Blue Cross Blue Shield website or call 1-800-810-BLUE (2583). On the website:
    • Enter the medical specialty you are looking for, along with a location or enter the name of a specific clinician or facility.Choose “PPO or EPO” from the drop-down “Select a Network” menu.
How do I fill prescriptions?

With MIT SHIP, you may fill prescriptions at any retail pharmacy in the CVS Caremark network. To find participating pharmacies, go to the CVS Caremark Pharmacy Finder

Do I need a referral from MIT Health to see an off-campus health provider?

No. You do not need a referral to see a provider outside of MIT Health, but your out-of-pocket cost will be less if you see a provider that participates in the “Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO/EPO” network. Learn more

Once I’m enrolled in the MIT SHIP can I cancel it?

Once you are enrolled in MIT SHIP, you will almost always remain enrolled for that coverage period. However, if you have annual coverage, there are a few situations that allow you to cancel the spring portion of your MIT SHIP coverage and receive a credit to your account for the unused portion:

  • You will be leaving school prior to the spring semester. In this case, your insurance will be canceled automatically.
  • You become eligible for, and enroll in, a Health Connector plan with financial assistance (a “ConnectorCare Plan”) through the Massachusetts Health Connector, with coverage beginning on or before the start of the spring health insurance coverage period (which begins before the start of the academic spring semester). In this case, you must file your request to terminate coverage no later than the last day of the fall health insurance coverage period.
  • You become eligible for, and enroll in, MassHealth with coverage beginning on or before the start of the spring health insurance coverage period (which begins before the start of the academic spring semester). In this case, you must file your request to terminate coverage no later than the last day of the fall health insurance coverage period.

Family Members

Are my family members eligible to enroll?

Yes. Your eligible family members (or “dependents”) may include your spouse or “spousal equivalent” (a same-sex or opposite-sex partner you have lived with for at least four months) and your children up to 26 years of age.

There are several rules about enrolling family members:

  • You must provide documentation to prove that your family members are eligible.
  • You must purchase your family members’ insurance for the same time period as your own coverage.
  • If you waive MIT SHIP coverage for yourself, you cannot buy MIT SHIP coverage for your family members.

Learn more

How do I enroll my family members (or “dependents”)?

Students may enroll their family members through the  Gallagher Student Health website. Other eligible individuals must complete the enrollment process that is appropriate for their eligibility status. Details are on the Enrollment page.

When should I enroll my family members?
  • During the open enrollment period, you can enroll your family members as soon as your own enrollment is complete.
  • Outside of the open enrollment period, you can enroll your family members ONLY in the case of a “qualifying event.” Learn more.
If I’m not enrolled in MIT SHIP, can I still buy MIT SHIP coverage for my family members?

No, you only can buy MIT SHIP coverage for your dependents if you are also enrolled.

Qualifying events

Can I enroll in MIT SHIP later in the school year — outside of the open enrollment period?

Yes, but ONLY if you have lost your previous insurance coverage within the past 30 days. This could happen, for example, because you turned 26 and are no longer eligible to be covered under your parent’s plan or because your spouse or parent lost their job and insurance coverage.

Can I enroll my family members (“dependents”) later in the school year, outside of the open enrollment period?

Yes, but ONLY if one of these qualifying events occurs:

You get married, and you want to add your new spouse.

  • You have a child, and you want to add that new child.
  • Your family member enters the country for the first time, and you want to add that family member.
  • Your family member loses coverage under another insurance plan, and you want to add that family member.

Learn more

How can I enroll myself or family members in MIT SHIP due to a qualifying event?

You will need to submit a “Petition to add” along with supporting documentation.

Students can do this through the  Gallagher Student Health website. Other eligible individuals must complete the enrollment process that is appropriate for their eligibility status. Details are on the Enrollment page.

Note: You must meet a deadline for submitting your Petition to Add request. In most cases, you must submit the Petition to Add with supporting documentation within 30 days of the qualifying event. If your family member lost their insurance coverage, you have 60 days. If you miss the deadline, your request will not be processed.

What happens after I submit a Petition to Add request?

We’ll review your request to make sure you or your family members are eligible to enroll in MIT SHIP. If approved, your coverage will start on the date of the qualifying event, so you will have no break in coverage

Will the premium be prorated?

Yes, the premium you pay will be prorated on a monthly basis determined by the date your coverage begins.

Waivers

Will I be allowed to waive MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (MIT SHIP) coverage?

You will be allowed to waive MIT SHIP coverage if you are living on campus or in the Cambridge area and have another comprehensive insurance plan that provides “comparable coverage” in the area.

Do I have to waive MIT SHIP every year?

Yes. Each year, MIT will automatically enroll you in, and bill you for MIT SHIP. At that point, you can waive coverage for the whole academic year. You must submit the waiver form by each year’s deadline to have the charge removed from your bursar’s account.

What does “comparable coverage” mean?

To waive MIT SHIP, you must be insured by a plan that meets Massachusetts state requirements for “comparable coverage of health services from a reasonable network of hospitals and providers.” This means that your plan must include preventive and primary care, emergency services, surgical services, hospitalization benefits, outpatient services, mental health services, and prescription drugs in the Cambridge area.

How do I submit a waiver request?

New Students – You will receive an email from Gallagher Student Health with the subject line: “Verify Your Gallagher Student Health Account.” This email will contain a link and temporary password you will use to log into the Gallagher Student Health website and create your account.

Use the link and password to log in. You will then be prompted to create a new, unique password. Once you’ve logged on with your new password, follow the directions to submit a waiver request.

Returning Students – You will need to log into the Gallagher platform to submit your waiver if you are a returning student at Gallagher Student Health website.

Why does MIT use Gallagher Student Health to review waiver requests?

We do this to make sure students have the coverage they need while they are on campus. Gallagher reviews each waiver request to make sure the student has health insurance that will cover their care if they become sick or injured while in Cambridge. In the past, some students who waived MIT SHIP found that their coverage was not sufficient to cover the care they needed. Some students had to leave school and go home to get the care they needed. Others stayed at school and used expensive out-of-network providers, which left them with expensive bills to pay.

I waived in the fall. Can I enroll in the spring?

No. The annual Open Enrollment/Waiver period for MIT SHIP occurs in the summer, usually from mid-July to mid-August. 

Outside of the Open Enrollment/Waiver period, you may enroll yourself or family members in MIT SHIP only under certain circumstances known as “qualifying events

If I enroll in an insurance plan through the Massachusetts Health Connector, may I waive MIT SHIP?

If you buy health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector, you will be allowed to waive MIT SHIP. You may also be eligible for financial assistance to help you pay for plans available through the Health Connector. Be sure to review these plans carefully before purchasing. Many of them have high deductibles — that’s the amount of your own money you need to pay before the insurance will pay for any care — and this will increase your out-of-pocket costs. In fact, depending on the healthcare services outside of MIT Health, you use during the year, you could end up spending more with a high-deductible Health Connector plan than you would with MIT SHIP.

I waived insurance, but now I’ve changed my mind. Can I still enroll in MIT SHIP?
  • If you change your mind during the waiver/open enrollment period, you can rescind your waiver on the Gallagher Student Health website. Click the “edit waiver” button to access your waiver. Once you are taken to your waiver, scroll to the bottom to hit the RESCIND button. You will be automatically enrolled in MIT SHIP.
  • Once the waiver/open enrollment period has ended, you can only enroll in MIT SHIP only if you lose your other insurance. This could happen, for example, because you turned 27 and are no longer eligible to be covered under your parent’s plan or because your spouse or parent lost their job and insurance coverage.

If this happens, you will have 30 days to submit a Petition to Add request through the Gallagher Student Health website.Once Gallagher processes your enrollment, we will add the insurance premium fee to your bursar’s account and send you a link to information about downloading your insurance card and using your MIT SHIP coverage. Once you have received confirmation of your MIT SHIP enrollment, you may enroll eligible family members through the same Petition to Add process on the Gallagher Student Health website.

Health insurance and student medical leave

I chose not to remain enrolled in the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (MIT SHIP) while I am on leave. When does my coverage end?

While you are on medical leave from MIT, you will continue to be covered by the MIT SHIP until either January 31 or August 31, whichever date comes first. 

When does my family coverage end?

If you have family members who are covered by the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (MIT SHIP), they will continue to be covered until either January 31 or August 31—whichever date comes first. You cannot extend insurance coverage for family members.

I chose to remain enrolled in the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (MIT SHIP) while on leave. When does my additional year of coverage begin?

Your additional year of coverage begins February 1 or September 1—whichever date comes first. 

If I want to remain enrolled in the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (MIT SHIP) while on leave, do I have to pay for this continued coverage?

Yes. If you chose to submit this form and extend your MIT SHIP coverage for one year, you will be responsible for paying all health insurance premiums for that period. You must pay your health insurance premiums whether or not you use your insurance benefits. These charges are added to your student account, and you are responsible for reviewing your statement on MITPAY and submitting payment to Student Financial Services on time.

When will I receive my first bill?

You will receive an email from the Student Financial Services office to notify you when a new bill is available. Bills are sent out around the 10th of each month.

When will payment be due?

Payment will be due the first day of the month after you receive a bill. For example, a bill received July 12 will be due August 1.

What should I do if I cannot pay the bill by the due date?

If you are unable to pay for any reason, contact Student Financial Services at sfs@mit.edu or 617-258-8600 as soon as you receive your bill to set up a payment plan. 

Who should I contact with questions about my benefits?

Contact MIT Health Member Services Office at mservices@med.mit.edu or 617-253-5979.

Can I end my insurance coverage while on medical leave?

Yes, but only at the end of a coverage period unless you have experienced a qualifying event. You must submit your request in writing to stuplan@med.mit.edu