About the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (MIT SHIP)
The MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (MIT SHIP) is a comprehensive health insurance plan that provides coverage for preventive and primary care, emergency services, surgical care, hospitalization, specialist visits, mental health services, and prescription drugs. The MIT SHIP plan is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts with a broad national network.
MIT students and their families are eligible for MIT SHIP coverage. Certain other individuals at MIT may also purchase MIT SHIP coverage for themselves and family members. Are you eligible?
MIT students don’t need MIT SHIP to get care on campus.
Most services at MIT Medical are included with tuition. This includes:
- Primary Care
- Urgent Care
- Student Mental Health and Counseling Services
- Tests processed in MIT Medical’s onsite radiology and laboratory services
- Visits to most MIT Medical specialists.
Note: Coverage for services at MIT Medical is not considered an insurance policy.
MIT SHIP expands the care you receive at MIT Medical and provides off-campus coverage.
MIT SHIP adds coverage for prescriptions and for services at MIT Medical that are not included with tuition. MIT SHIP also gives you access to medical services off-campus, including specialized testing done in off-campus locations, like MRIs. MIT SHIP covers other kinds of off-campus care such as physical therapy, specialists, visits to a hospital emergency room, surgery, ambulance transport, or hospitalization. You can also use your MIT SHIP coverage in other states or countries.
MIT SHIP (or other comprehensive insurance) is required for most students.
MIT SHIP meets state and federal health insurance requirements, as well as the requirements for J-1 visa holders.
Most MIT students are automatically enrolled in MIT SHIP.
If you are a full-time student, or a part-time student taking 27 or more units per academic term, you will be automatically enrolled in MIT SHIP. You will also be billed for the cost of the plan in your bursar’s account.
If you already have an insurance plan that provides comprehensive coverage in the Boston/Cambridge area — if you are covered by your parent’s insurance plan or a spouse’s plan, for example — you may be able to waive MIT SHIP coverage and have the charge removed from your bursar’s account. Learn more.
If you are a non-student or visiting student who is eligible for MIT SHIP, you may purchase the plan. Learn more.
Once you are enrolled in MIT SHIP, you can purchase the same coverage for your eligible family members. Learn more.
MIT SHIP coverage for the next academic year begins on September 1, 2023, and ends on August 31, 2024. If you are arriving in Cambridge before September 1 and do not have comprehensive insurance, you may be able to purchase coverage at heathcare.gov.
