The University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP) enrollment and waiver site is now open to new students who will be registered in a U-SHIP eligible program* Summer Quarter 2025. The deadline to enroll/waive U-SHIP is Monday, July 7th at 12 p.m. CST. Students on a Spring Quarter leave who will resume studies for Summer Quarter are also required to enroll/waive U-SHIP for the remainder of the plan year (through August 31st).
For instructions on enrolling in or waiving U-SHIP, read below.
- U-SHIP enrollment is binding until the end of the policy year (August 31, 2025) provided the student remains in a U-SHIP eligible status each quarter. Mid-year waivers are only possible with a Qualifying Life Event. For more information, please visit this page.
- The U-SHIP enrollment/waiver site for Autumn Quarter 2025 will be open the first week of August. Early arrival coverage for the month of August will be available to incoming students. Please check back on this site later this summer for more information.
- New for 2024-25: Community Provider List Searchable Directory. In addition to being eligible for short-term psychotherapy at Student Wellness, students on U-SHIP are also eligible for a low out-of-pocket cost option for psychotherapy services from providers on the Student Wellness Community Provider List (CPL). For $10 co-pay per visit (deductible and co-insurance do not apply), U-SHIP enrollees may receive psychotherapy services from an extensive network of providers in the Chicagoland area with diverse identities and specialties. Starting with the 2024-25 policy year, students may search on their own for a provider on the CPL. A referral from Student Wellness is not required. To search for a provider click on the UHCSR site for the University of Chicago, then in the “Find Providers” drop down you can search for a provider on the Community Provider List. (The CPL is a separate list from UHC’s in-network option “Live and Work Well” through Optum Behavioral Health.).
- Effective 9/1/21, U-SHIP enrollment is required for all PhD degree-seeking students at the University of Chicago. As such, PhD students are not eligible to waive U-SHIP with comparable coverage. Individual student premiums will be paid for PhD students at no cost to them. For additional information please refer to this PhD student FAQ.
- U-SHIP Eligibility: The University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP) generally is available to all registered students enrolled in programs that convene on the Hyde Park Campus as well as their eligible dependents. Students in certain designated programs may not be eligible for coverage under U-SHIP. For additional information on specific University programs of study that are ineligible for insurance coverage under U-SHIP, students should contact their area Dean of Students Office or the Registrar.
- Read the University’s Student Health Insurance policy in the Student Manual.
- During your annual open enrollment period (typically the first 3 weeks of Autumn Quarter for most students), click the “Enroll (Opt-In)” button to the left. Enter your UChicago email address and your 8-digit student ID number. Update your U.S. mailing address and complete your enrollment in U-SHIP.
- Upon enrolling in U-SHIP, you will receive an automated message from UnitedHealthcare StudentResources that confirms your enrollment. This message will come from their secure server. Retain this message for your records.
- Your U-SHIP enrollment is binding until the end of the policy year (August 31, 2025) provided you remain in a U-SHIP eligible status each quarter. Mid-year waivers are only possible with a Qualifying Life Event. For more information, please visit this page.
- Dependents are not automatically enrolled in U-SHIP; you must add them to your coverage each year. Important Note: Students are required to provide proof of dependent status in order to enroll dependents on U-SHIP, according to University policy. More information can be found in the dependent section.
- You must complete the waiver application each year.
- Make sure your alternate insurance plan meets all the criteria outlined on this checklist. If you are unsure, contact your alternate insurance plan administrator for verification.
- To waive:
- During the annual enrollment/waiver period (typically the first 3 weeks of Autumn Quarter for most students), click the “Waive” button to the left.
- To submit a waiver request, you will need the following pieces of information:
- Your eight-digit University of Chicago student ID number and UChicago email address.
- Insurance company name, policy/group number, insurance company U.S. address and telephone number, and plan coverage details.
- Policy holder’s name, address and telephone number, and date of birth.
- Complete and submit your waiver using your alternate insurance information.
- Upon submitting your waiver, you will receive an automated message from UnitedHealthcare StudentResources that approves or denies your waiver. (Denials are given for plans that do not meet the comparable coverage requirements.)
- This message will come from their secure server. Retain this message for your records. Students who receive a denial of a waiver and wish to re-submit must contact the on campus insurance office to complete the process.
- Approved waivers will be valid for the period 9/1/24-8/31/25. See exceptions noted under Binding Coverage.
- Students approved to register as a student after the insurance waiver deadline must submit a manual waiver application within 10 days of registration if they wish to waive U-SHIP coverage. Failure to do so will result in the student remaining enrolled in U-SHIP coverage for the remainder of the plan year. Please contact the student insurance advocates at uchicagoadvocates@uhcsr.com or 773.834.4543 (Option 2) for the manual insurance waiver application.
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