Insurance Options

Insurance & Fees

All students enrolled in one or more hours of graded, in-person coursework at the University of Denver are required to carry personal health (medical) insurance coverage, both to encourage wellness and preventative care, and to help protect students' health, academic and financial success from the negative impacts of unexpected injuries and illnesses. 

Each school year, students must act to select between two options:

1. Accept coverage designed specifically for students— the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).
  • To ensure students have coverage, SHIP is billed to all applicable students unless/until you request and are approved for a waiver each school year.
  • If you accept the SHIP plan in DU system, it can take several business to become active in the Anthem systems. Don't wait!
OR
2. Request to waive the DU SHIP by providing proof of adequate alternate coverage by posted deadlines each school year.
  • We process waiver requests in the order submitted, while also supporting daily clinic operations. This is not an automated or instantaneous process for the thousands of submissions.
  • Waiver are typically processed and, if approved, adjustments are reflected on your DU billing statement within 7-10 business days.
  • If your DU bill is due before your waiver has been processed, you can deduct the $2,200 Student Health Insurance charge from DU Student Billing payment account, and pay the other charges in the meanwhile.

 

Please note that we cannot presume coverage based on student demographics or past submissions; we must document current and adequate coverage for each student each year. Like all other students, those covered by Tri-care, IHS, Medicaid/care, etc, must request and be approved for SHIP waivers each school year.

Students are messaged multiple times, in various ways, about these annual action requirements, and should review details and take actions as described on linked pages above. Failing to read notices and/or to act is not grounds for (late) waivers.

Insurance Accepted for HCC Services Fall 2026+

Beginning in Fall 2026 (Aug 1 for Law students, Sept 1 for Quarter students), the HCC will begin billing student insurance--both SHIP and non-SHIP--for most medical and counseling services. 

  • As a result, all patients — including those enrolled in the DU SHIP — may have out-of-pocket expenses for HCC medical and counseling services, such as per-visit copays, just as they would at off-campus providers.
  • These costs may be applied toward each patient's annual deductible and out-of-pocket maximum according to the terms of their specific insurance policy (DU SHIP or other).
  • Learn more on our Using & Paying for HCC services page.

Understanding the US healthcare system

The US healthcare system is complex, expensive, and can be difficult to understand. As physical and mental health underlie other elements of well-being, and thus our broader success, it’s especially important to manage multiple aspects of your health and healthcare during and beyond your University studies.

Review these resources for navigating campus and community systems, including: