Leaving DU

Wrapping Up Student Insurance and HCC Services

Whether you’re graduating, transferring, or taking a time-out from your studies at DU, below are some considerations and actions to help wrap up (or pause) your student health insurance and/or HCC care.

Please note that the HCC does not manage student graduation, withdrawals or readmission, including Medical Leaves of Absence. Review details on graduation and withdrawals on the Registrar website.

  • When will my Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) coverage end?

    Even if you are graduating this May/June, students on spring term SHIP will continue to be covered as follows:

    • semester (Law) students: through 7/31/2025
    • quarter students: through 8/31/2025

     

    Whenever you graduate, your SHIP coverage continues through your current coverage term (fall+winter or spring+summer):

    • Quarter students who graduate in fall or winter are covered through that winter term; spring or summer graduates, through that summer.
    • Semester/Law students who graduate in fall are covered through the end of the calendar year; spring or summer graduates, through that summer. 

     

    Note that coverage is contracted and paid for by 6-month insurance term, regardless of whether you use benefits. You cannot shorten the coverage period or be reimbursed for partial premium post-graduation. 

    Please check our website for full, current year details: www.du.edu/hcc > Insurances & Fees

     

    Unlike graduation, if you withdraw from DU or simply don't register for the next academic term, your SHIP may be cancelled mid-year as the Plan is for currently-enrolled students. Check the DU Registrar’s site or review our Medical Leave Of Absence (MLOA) page.

     

    And whether you graduate or otherwise stop enrolling, your ability to use HCC services will also soon end. Check the "CARE" section below.

  • What do I do for health INSURANCE “after” DU?

    SHIP is specifically designed for and restricted to current/continuing DU students. And as it is not employer-based coverage, you cannot self-fund continued SHIP coverage when not enrolled / after graduation. (There is no "COBRA" option.)

    Therefore, to have health insurance when your SHIP coverage ends, you will need to secure your own coverage. This could be through an employer or government program, purchasing your own individual/family plan, or joining the plan of a parent/guardian (if under 26 years old) or spouse. Most US states have an online “exchange” marketplace for residents to research individual plans and possible discounts. Colorado’s is https://connectforhealthco.com

    Because the end of your SHIP coverage generally is considered a “qualifying life event,” you should be eligible to join most US-based plans before their next open enrollment period. You may need written proof of your SHIP coverage ending; you can call or email the HCC to request an official letter.

  • What do I do for healthCARE “after” DU?

    If you are receiving medical, mental health, or other services from the HCC, you will need to transition ongoing care to community-based providers wherever you will be living after leaving DU. (Like SHIP and other DU services, the HCC only serves currently enrolled and continuing DU students.)

    During your final academic term, speak with your HCC provider about how best to transition your care. This may include receiving a final physical/check-up, ordering final medication refills, and/or requesting a copy of your care records for yourself or a new provider. (Review the Records section below.)

    If you are already receiving care off-campus, you will want to check whether each provider is covered by your after-SHIP insurance, and work with those providers directly to make coverage or care changes if needed.

    If you are graduating, you are eligible to use HCC services for 30 days post-graduation, to facilitate transition of care. As you will need to pay out of pocket (vs billing), to receive discounts, you will need to manually enroll in and pay for the summer Health & Counseling Fee (HCF); contact the HCC for details.

    SHIP-covered students not in Denver during the summer, other academic breaks, and/or study abroad/away can find local SHIP in-network providers via www.anthem.com/find-care

  • How does a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) affect my HCC coverage and care?

    While Student Outreach & Support (SOS) manages the MLOA process, you can visit our MLOA page for additional information on how this can affect your Student Health Insurance (SHIP) and ability to receive services at the HCC.

  • I am CONTINUING in a DU degree program next fall/year. Do I need to do anything?

    All eligible DU students will be automatically assessed (billed) for SHIP coverage while enrolled in DU classes. If you haven’t already done so, you will need to create an online account with Anthem (the SHIP carrier) to access your SHIP benefits. Visit https://student.anthem.com/student/schools/u-denver

    OR you will need to request a SHIP waiver each year, by providing proof of adequate alternative coverage. Deadlines, coverage requirements, and other details are on our SHIP waiver request page. (The online waiver request portal for the new school year opens by August 1st.) Waiver requests completed after the deadline may not be granted.

  • How can I access my HCC RECORDS (for example, to share with my next healthcare providers)?

    Even after leaving DU, you can request your HCC care records by submitting a Release Of Information (records) request. Instructions and requests are on our Privacy Practices page.

If you still have questions, feel free to call us at 303.871.2205 or email hccinfo@du.edu