To support student compliance with state and federal requirements regarding health insurance for matriculated on campus students, UMass Lowell offers a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) administered by University Health Plans.
The policy offered for the 2026-2027 academic year is a Blue Cross Blue Shield Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), and information about the student health plan and a summary of benefits can be found on the University Health Plans website.
Massachusetts State Law requires that all matriculating college students (those enrolled in a degree granting program) be enrolled in a health insurance program that meets required benefits established by the state.
To comply with this requirement, the following students are eligible and will be charged for the SHIP. These students are required to submit either the enrollment or waiver form in SiS.
Students must meet the minimum credit requirements outlined above during the add/drop period (the first 10 instructional days of the academic semester) to be eligible for the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Students who withdraw from all classes or drop below the minimum credit requirement during the add/drop period are not eligible for the SHIP.
The health insurance policy offered by the university to support compliance with this law begins on Aug. 1 prior to the start of the current academic year and terminates on following July 31.
If you are covered by a comparable health insurance policy via a family member or employer, you may request to waive the mandatory insurance once your semester bill has been issued. The waiver process must be completed annually and becomes available once you receive your invoice for the upcoming semester. The deadline for the waiver option is on the second Friday of October for the fall semester, and on the second Friday in March for the spring semester. Failure to waive by the deadline will result in the charge remaining on your bill. Information on waiving or enrolling in the university health plan may be found on the Student Financial Services webpage on The Solution Center website.
Health insurance is mandatory and is available through the university to those eligible students who are unable to prove they have equal or better coverage. It is recommended that students living outside of New England consider enrolling in the UMass Lowell-sponsored health insurance plan as most plans based outside of New England cover only emergency services outside of their coverage area.
If you belong to any type of managed care plan (i.e., an HMO or PPO), or other private insurance, check to see if they will cover lab tests processed by Quest Diagnostics and/or prescriptions and imaging tests ordered by Health Services. If not, students must be prepared to pay for these themselves and then seek reimbursement from their insurer if that is allowable by the insurer. In addition, per Massachusetts General Law (956 CMR 8.00: Student Health Insurance Program) students living outside of their insurance coverage area while attending UMass Lowell may not waive participation in the School Health Insurance Plan if your insurance provider provides coverage (with the exception of services for life threatening emergencies) only through a closed network of providers that is not reasonably accessible.
Comparable coverage benefits, subject to change, include:
If you have comparable coverage under a parent's insurance plan or other major medical insurance plan, you can waive the student health plan. Note: You cannot waive the student health insurance plan with Mass Health Limited, Health Safety Net or Children's Medical Security Plan.
The policy must be a US health insurance plan that is filed and approved in the US. International insurance plans, travel insurance, and short-term limited duration plans are not accepted.
The policy must provide coverage for the entire academic year (August 1 - July 31) with no break in coverage.
Online courses are not considered eligible credits. Students enrolled exclusively in online classes only are not eligible for the SHIP.
UMass Lowell requires that all international students enroll in the university Student Health Insurance Plan. The university does not consider foreign insurance or travel insurance as comparable coverage to waive the university health insurance.
If you are covered by an embassy-sponsored health insurance plan and provide Student Financial Services Office with your financial guarantee prior to the waiver deadline, you will not be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan.
If you are covered by a health insurance plan that is filed and approved in the United States, please contact University Health Plans at 833-251-1123. The United States health insurance plan must provide Minimum Essential Coverage as defined by the Affordable Care Act and include the following benefits in the campus area.
Please note, health insurance plans marketed solely to international students are generally not filed and approved in the United States and have limited benefits with coverage periods that do not comply with the Massachusetts Student Health Insurance Plan Regulations as well as the University’s health insurance requirements. ISO, PSI, Student Medicover, Tokio Marine, and NYIS Insurance are examples of companies that do not meet the insurance requirements.
Questions about the health insurance charge or health insurance waiver should be directed to the Solution Center by phone: 978-934-2000 or email: TheSolutionCenter@uml.edu.
Questions about a health insurance claim should be directed to University Health Plans by phone: 833-251-1123 or email: info@univhealthplans.com.
Specific benefits questions you have about receiving your insurance card should be directed to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Member Services by phone at 888-753-6615.
To request an insurance member ID, update your address, or ask general plan information, contact University Health Plans by phone 833-251-1123 or email: info@univhealthplans.com.
Your right to confidentiality and privacy are important to us. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has enacted privacy protections to your health care information. Learn more about how the Protecting Access to Confidential Healthcare (PATCH) Act can impact you.