Opt-Out

All full-time students with at least one on-ground class and all DNP students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville are required to have a continuous medical insurance policy which complies with the waiver criteria set up by your institution. The online waiver request form must be completed annually in the Fall by all students and will be open each semester to any new students during the waiver deadline dates listed below.

All new students should have received a waiver system activation email. This activation is required before a waiver can be submitted. If you did not receive this email, or the email is more than 30 days old, please click here and request a new waiver activation email be sent to you.

You may only waive coverage during the following Waiver Periods:

2024-2025 Plan Year

Summer: 04/01/2025 - 07/25/2025

2025-2026 Plan Year

Fall: 05/30/2025 - 09/05/2025

Spring/Summer: 10/31/2025 - 01/23/2026

Summer: 04/01/2026 - 07/11/2026

Domestic Student Waiver Requirements
 
Domestic student waivers are good for the Academic Year.

1. Insurance must be active as of coverage period start date for each semester AND
2. Insurance must be compliant with the Affordable Care ACT (ACA)

If your alternate coverage meets the above minimum requirements, submit electronic copies of the following documents with your online waiver request:

1. A scanned copy of the front and back of your health insurance ID card indicating the student as a covered member.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

All J1 and F1 international students are required to enroll in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) unless a waiver is submitted and approved. The cost of the insurance coverage is not included in your tuition or fees and will appear as an additional charge on your account. International students can request a waiver to SHIP but must demonstrate that they have equivalent, alternative health insurance coverage. In order to be approved for a waiver, your alternative health coverage must meet or exceed the requirements as set forth below and be submitted prior to the 09/05/2026 waiver deadline. Notification of acceptance or rejection of this request will be sent to your school’s email within seven business days. 

Criteria to submit a waiver request: 

1. Student is sponsored by the government of the student’s home country and is provided through a Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) compliant plan. If a non-PPACA compliant plan, the sponsoring entity must guarantee payment of all health expenses in writing. 
2. Student is enrolled in a US employer-provided group health plan that is PPACA compliant. 
3. If the health plans above do not include medical evacuation and repatriation, a rider must be purchased providing this coverage. 
4. The alternative coverage must meet the following minimum requirements: 
5. Provide the Essential Minimum Benefits required by the PPACA with no annual limits. A list of the Essential Minimum Benefits can be found here: https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/essential-health-benefits/. 
6. Policies annual Deductible of no more than U.S. $500.  
7. Contain no exclusions for pre-existing conditions. 
8. Covers 100% of Preventive Care as defined by the PPACA. A list of these preventive services can be found here:  https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits/. 
9. Medical evacuation coverage amount is no less than $50,000. 
10. Repatriation coverage amount is no less than $25,000. 
11. Dates of coverage meet or exceed the requirement for the school semester. 

If your alternate coverage meets the above minimum requirements, submit electronic copies of the following documents with your online waiver request: 

1. A scanned copy of the front and back of your health insurance ID card indicating the student as a covered member. 
2. A scanned copy of your complete policy, including coverage amounts, exclusions, and limitations in English using US dollars. 
3. A scanned copy of your medical evacuation and repatriation coverage (if you have this coverage). 

NOTE:  Travel plans or plans that require you to pay for treatment yourself and then apply for reimbursement will NOT be accepted by the University for waiver approval.