SHIP Waiver Request

Adequate Alternate Coverage

The following guidelines are based on minimum requirements of student health insurance plans under health care law, American College Health Association Standards for Student Health Insurance Plans, benchmarked subsidized plans available in the health insurance marketplace, and our experience in serving DU students. 

New school year health insurance coverage submitted for review has to be in effect as of: 

***August 1 for Law (semester) Students and September 1 for Quarter Students.***

Additionally, alternative plans must:

• have in-network non-emergency care providers in the Denver area.
• meet the essential coverage as defined under the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
  • Emergency and non-emergency medical care
  • Inpatient and outpatient hospitalization
  • Covers mental health as any other illness
  • Preventative care covered at 100% with no cost to the insured
  • Covers pre-existing conditions
  • Covers prescriptions
  • Provides a US IRS 1095 B or C form indicating that you met the mandate for continuous coverage.
• be US-filed and approved ACA compliant plan.
  • International, travel and short-term limited benefits and/or coverage plans are not accepted.
  • Out-of-state Medicaid and most HMO plans do not provide out-of-network coverage. These plans (urgent or emergency only coverage) do not meet the SHIP waiver requirements.
  • A number of health insurance plans marketed solely to international students are often not filed in the US and have limited benefits and/or coverage periods that do not meet the DU SHIP waiver requirements.

Benefits provided by DU's comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) exceed the minimum requirements for student health insurance plans under health care law.

• Waiver Request Instructions

  ***The 2025-26 SHIP Waiver Request process is now open for fall-registered students.***

  NOTE: Student must be registered for fall classes before the online systems will offer SHIP decision options, as some details are based on enrollment status.

  Be sure to have your alternate coverage information handy, including your insurance card, as you will be required to submit your insurance plan details for verification.

  Please contact the HCC at 303-871-2205 or insurance@hcc.du.edu if you have questions.

   

  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.
   

  To confirm your alternative coverage is adequate, you will be asked to affirm the following questions:

  1. Does your plan have in-network non-emergency care providers in the Denver area?
  2. Does your plan meet essential coverage as defined under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA)? This includes:
     • Emergency and non-emergency medical care
     • Inpatient and outpatient hospitalization
     • Plan covers mental health as any other illness
     • Preventive care covered at 100% with no cost to the insured
     • Plan covers pre-existing conditions
     • Plan covers prescriptions
     • Plan provides a US IRS 1095 B or C form indicating that you met the mandate for continuous coverage

   

  So that we can verify the coverage, you must then provide the following information about your insurance plan:

  • Insurance Company Name
  • Insurance Member ID
  • Insurance Group Number
  • Insurance policy holder First Name
  • Insurance policy holder Last Name
  • Student's Date of Birth
  • Policy Holder Relationship to Student
  • You will need to upload the front and back of your insurance ID card OR other proof of coverage (eg full Insurance Certificate, available from your plan website/member services).

   

  An email confirmation will be sent to student within 48 hours. Keep a copy of the confirmation for your records.

  The waiver decision is not instantaneous; and the student will also receive email updates as the request is being processed.

  The SHIP premium is billed to all eligible students' central DU Student Billing account, and then removed/credited if waiver is approved. If approved, waivers can take up to 5 business days to apply to your DU Student Billing account.  

  ***If an eligible student does not submit a waiver request by the deadline each year, the charge for DU SHIP will remain to ensure they do have adequate health coverage.***

• Make a Mistake?

  If you waived OR accepted the SHIP or the Health and Counseling Fee (HCF) by mistake, please contact us before the applicable waiver deadline at 303-871-2205 or insurance@hcc.du.edu.

  After the applicable deadline, students who waived SHIP on an annual basis will not be able to opt back into SHIP during the year unless they experience a qualifying loss of other coverage.