Under Massachusetts law, if you are an active degree candidate who is registered three-quarter time (12 credits) or more per term including a course designated as having an on-campus presence, you must participate in a qualifying student health insurance plan or in a health plan with comparable coverage.
Courses taken during the January session are counted toward the total number of credits for spring term.
If you meet the above criteria, you are automatically enrolled in and billed for Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP), which includes:
- A student health fee: This fee covers most services at Harvard University Health Services (HUHS), including internal medicine, medical/surgical specialty care, mental health/counseling services, physical therapy, radiology, and urgent care.
- A student health insurance plan: Provides hospital, specialty care coverage, and prescription drug coverage administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). Coverage includes emergency room visits, hospitalizations, diagnostic lab/radiology services, ambulatory surgery, specialty care outside HUHS (limited), and prescription drug coverage.
If you have alternate coverage that is comparable, you may be eligible to waive HUSHP.
The 2024-25 health plan rate is $2,897 each term.
If you are registered in fewer than 12 credits per term, you are not eligible to enroll in HUSHP.
Harvard University Health Services reserves the right to bill for any services provided when the HUSHP coverage was not in effect.
Coverage Dates
- Fall term: August 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025
- Spring term: February 1, 2025 to July 31, 2025
Waiving HUSHP
To waive the insurance, you must have comparable coverage or be an online-only student, taking 100% of your courses online. See the waiver checklist on the HUSHP website to determine if you have comparable coverage. To waive the health insurance, log in to My DCE, click the three horizontal lines in the top right, select “My Enrollment Requirements,” and then “Health Insurance,” and follow the instructions.
If you wish to waive coverage, you must file a waiver each term in which you enroll at least three-quarter time as a degree candidate. The deadlines for submitting a waiver are:
- Fall term: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
- Spring term: Monday, February 3, 2025
Online Only Students
If you are enrolled exclusively in courses without an on-campus presence designation (online only courses) you are not eligible for HUSHP.
Please note that some courses are designated as having an on-campus presence but may be taken fully online. If you register for one of these courses and meet the other requirements, you will be enrolled in HUSHP. If you wish to waive coverage, you must file a waiver as per the above instructions.
Changes to Your Enrollment
If you change your enrollment status and drop below three-quarter time enrollment, you are no longer eligible for HUSHP and the charge will automatically be removed from your student account.
If you change your course registration so that you are no longer enrolled in any courses with an on-campus presence, you are no longer eligible for HUSHP and the charge will automatically be removed from your student account.
Charges will be prorated from the beginning of the coverage period, August 1, for the fall term and February 1 for the spring term.
All covered dependents’ policies will be canceled on the same date as the student’s policy.
Harvard University Health Services reserves the right to bill for any services provided when the HUSHP coverage was not in effect.
Newly Admitted Degree Candidates
If you are registered three-quarter time (12 credits) or more per term with an on-campus presence, during the term in which you are admitted to your program, you are subject to the health insurance requirement and will be automatically enrolled in and billed for HUSHP for that term.
If you have alternate coverage that is comparable, you may be eligible to waive HUSHP (see above for deadlines).
Special Students
If you are enrolled as a Special Student, you will be automatically enrolled in HUSHP through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Dependent Coverage
Spouses and children are also eligible for coverage if you are enrolled in HUSHP. Dependent enrollment is not automatic and must be renewed each term. To enroll a dependent(s) submit the Student Health Plan Dependent Enrollment form, along with the appropriate documentation and payment, to Student Financial Services by the applicable enrollment deadline:
- Fall term: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
- Spring term: Monday, February 3, 2025
In the event of policy cancellation, for any reason, all covered dependents’ policies will be canceled on the same date as the main policy.
More information
For complete coverage information, see the HUSHP website.
For benefit inquiries:
Harvard University Student Health Program
Member Services
75 Mt. Auburn Street, Floor 1
Cambridge, MA 02138
E-mail: MServices@HUHS.Harvard.edu
Phone: (617) 495-2008
For enrollment and waiver inquiries:
Harvard University Extension School
Student Financial Services
51 Brattle Street, Floor 1
Cambridge, MA 02138
E-mail: StudentFinance@Extension.Harvard.edu
Phone: (617) 495-4293