DU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

As noted on our Insurance Options page, health (medical) insurance is required for most students at the University of Denver.

The DU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is a comprehensive plan, available exclusively to DU students actively enrolled in an on-campus, degree-seeking program. In combination with the Health & Counseling Fee (HCF) decreases individual student's cost for a wide range of services offered by the Health & Counseling Center.

For 2025-26, SHIP benefits include low co-payments, a $500 in-network deductible, an in-network out-of-pocket maximum of $1750, and an extensive, nationwide network of excellent providers. And if you live on or near the DU campus, SHIP coverage means your primary healthcare provider, the Health & Counseling Center, is just down the street.

SHIP coverage is broken into two terms each year: Fall (+ winter) and Spring (+ summer), with specific current dates shown below. The SHIP premium is assessed (billed) each fall and spring term (one-half of the annual cost each term), appearing on the student's central Student Billing account, and covers a specific period, indicated below.

To use SHIP benefits, students must 1) actively accept SHIP and 2) create an account with Anthem (instructions below). Students take no action by waiver deadline will be automatically enrolled (accept by default), but will need to create an Anthem account to use benefits.

Continue reading below for details.

While we recommend SHIP coverage for all students, participation in SHIP is not required; you can request a SHIP waiver by providing proof of adequate alternate insurance, by posted deadlines.

Current Coverage Dates and Action Deadlines

QUARTER students	Coverage period	Waiver Request Deadline
Spring + summer 2025	thru 8/31/2025	passed
Fall + winter 2025	9/1/2025-3/31/2025	9/26/2025
Spring + summer 2026	4/1/2026-8/31/2026	4/17/2026
SEMESTER/LAW students	Coverage period	Waiver Request Deadline
Spring + summer 2025	ended 7/31/2025	passed
Fall + winter 2025	8/1/2025-12/31/2025	9/5/2025
Spring + summer 2026	1/1/2026-7/31/2026	1/23/2026

Eligibility and Exceptions

All DU students enrolled in a degree-seeking program (except those in completely online or certificate-only programs) are eligible to enroll in SHIP and receive clinical care at the HCC. Students registered for one or more credit hours will be automatically assessed the SHIP premium unless approved for a SHIP waiver, which requires submitting a request each year, along with proof of adequate alternate coverage, by posted deadlines above.

Students in the College of Professional Studies, certain programs including the Graduate Tax and Executive MBA, and/or those on Continuous Enrollment (non-credit) status are not automatically enrolled, and should contact the HCC about enrollment options.

How to Participate / Enroll
2025-26 ENROLLMENT / WAIVER REQUEST IS OPEN
After you have registered for fall classes, sign in to MyDU and select the following options:
1. Student Resources
2. Records and Requests
3. Accept or Waive Health Insurance
The online system will then offer any applicable options for health fee and insurance. (You can also search "insurance" at top of MyDU page.)

If an eligible student did/does not submit a waiver request by the deadlines listed above, the DU Student Health Insurance Plan premium (cost) will remain on their DU student bill to ensure they have adequate health insurance coverage. Students with SHIP will need to create an Anthem account in order to use the benefits (instructions below).

If you have specific questions regarding the plan benefits or coverage, please contact our office by calling 303- 871-2205 or emailing insurance@du.edu (Please include/have ready your student ID "87" number.)

How to manage your SHIP Anthem account (website/app)

Within 3-5 business days of confirming your enrollment via myDU portal (instructions above), you'll be able to create an account on the Anthem website, and then manage your Anthem account online and via the Anthem Sydney mobile app (including electronic membership card or requesting a hardcopy).
Additional Anthem info at https://student.anthem.com/student/schools/u-denver

Off-term Enrollment: Winter Quarter, Summer, and Loss of Coverage

For information about possible "off-term" enrollment possibilities (those outside the regular start dates for applicable quarter/semester coverage), including due to loss of other insurance coverage, please contact insurance@du.edu (Be sure to include student name and DU ID "87..." number.)

SHIP Brochures and Certificates

2025-26 SHIP Cost and Payment

The cost to participate in the DU Student Health Insurance Plan for the 2025-26 academic year is $3,980, split into two charges of $1,990, and assessed to student accounts in the fall and spring terms. This is comparable to the cost of much more limited plans on the Colorado Insurance Exchange Marketplace. The SHIP would be rated as a platinum plan under the Affordable Care Act.

Payments for the DU Student Health Insurance Plan can be made online through DUPay. Academic year registration will be verified before enrollment is processed and charges are added.

SHIP Limitations

The DU Student Health Insurance Plan was developed specifically for DU students, and we believe it offers the best coverage available for the vast majority of our student body. Like any insurance plan, it does have limitations. Visit Anthem's DU SHIP page for Benefit Details.

The DU Health & Counseling Center is the most convenient primary care provider for the plan.
If you visit an off-campus specialist, the in-network deductible is $500 plus 15% up to $1,750 per year. If you seek treatment with an out-of-network provider, the out-of-network deductible is $1,500 plus 40% up to $7,500 per year.
The plan does not include vision or dental coverage. However, there is a separate DU student dental/vision plan.
SHIP does not cover spouses or other dependents. Students seeking coverage beyond themselves can explore individual/family options on the Colorado insurance exchange.