Student Health Insurance Plans
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will be our 2022-2023 student health insurance provider; plans are available for Carnegie Mellon University undergraduate and graduate students and their eligible dependents. Medical (SHIP), dental and vision plans are available.
get answers to common student insurance Questions
This video shares helpful information about health insurance options at CMU.
About the 2022-2023 Highmark Student Insurance Plans
Spring 2023 Premium RatesCoverage January 1 - July 31, 2023 |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Dental Plan (optional) |
Vision Plan (optional) |
||
| Student Only | $1,338.81 | $226.00 | $70.56 |
| Student + Partner OR Child | $2,632.62 | $379.84 | $138.36 |
| Student + Partner AND Child | $3,926.36 | $569.56 | $205.92 |
| Student + Children | $3,926.36 | $569.56 | $205.92 |
| Student + Partner AND Children | $5,220.17 | $569.56 | $205.92 |
22-23 Annual Premium Rates
2022-2023 Annual Premium RatesCoverage August 1, 2022 - July 31, 2023 |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Dental Plan (optional) |
Vision Plan (optional) |
||
| Student Only | $2,262.96 | $226.00 | $70.56 |
| Student + Partner OR Child | $4,480.92 | $379.84 | $138.36 |
| Student + Partner AND Child | $6,698.76 | $569.56 | $205.92 |
| Student + Children | $6,698.76 | $569.56 | $205.92 |
| Student + Partner AND Children | $8,916.72 | $569.56 | $205.92 |
Using Your SHIP Benefits
Find participating in-network health care providers
Search for in-network health care providers in any U.S. location. For medical, search the BCBS PPO network and for dental, search the Elite Plus network.
Search for covered medications
The CMU SHIP uses the Highmark Comprehensive Health Care Reform Formulary, which is a full list of prescription drugs that are covered by the plan. Prescription drug copays are listed on the SHIP Summary of Benefits.
Highmark Comprehensive Health Care Reform Formulary
For students with chronic medical conditions that require specialty medications, the CMU SHIP uses the Alliance Rx / Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy program: Phone Number 888-347-3416.
Mental Health Resources
The CMU SHIP offers a variety of mental health benefits for members.
Highmark Member Services
You can use your insurance member ID to register an online Highmark account at https://www.highmarkbcbs.com/home/, where you can access all of your insurance details, including benefits and claims, as well as digital insurance cards.
Accessing Your highmark member site
Highmark member services phone: 1-800-241-5704
CMU SHIP Coverage While Traveling or Living Abroad
CMU SHIP (medical plan) members have access to a global network of healthcare providers through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core program, should you need care while traveling or living abroad.
Global Core details [pdf]
CMU SHIP Emergency Travel Assistance
Members of CMU SHIP (medical plan) can access 24-hour emergency medical and travel assistance while traveling, through the AXA Travel Assistance Program.
Telemedicine through Amwell
Members of the CMU SHIP (medical plan) have access to telemedicine services through Amwell.
Highmark Member Discounts
CMU SHIP (medical plan) members have access to a wide variety of health and wellness discounts.
Open Enrollment
Spring 2023 Open Enrollment closed on January 31, 2023.
The open enrollment period for medical insurance corresponds with a student's first active semester at CMU each academic year. Each year, students must either enroll in CMU SHIP (medical) or apply to waive it (if they have insurance that meets university requirements) during their open enrollment period. This is an annual requirement.
Monthly Payment Option
Monthly Payment Option - Fall Open Enrollment Only
Nelnet Campus Commerce allows you to pay your insurance premium in nine monthly payments (September through May). If you already use Nelnet Campus Commerce to pay your tuition and fees, you can add your health insurance premiums to that plan. For details or to enroll in a health insurance payment plan, visit www.cmu.afford.com.
If you are paying for medical, dental and/or vision premiums with a Nelnet payment plan, please first enroll in these plans as instructed above in the Open Enrollment procedure. The monthly payment option is only available during Fall Open Enrollment.
For more information, call 1-800-722-4867 to speak with an Education Payment Counselor.
Apply for a Waiver
To qualify for a waiver, students must verify that they already have medical insurance that meets the university’s requirements. Waiver applications are only accepted during Open Enrollment.
Waiver applications submitted before the end of Open Enrollment will be processed as on-time waivers. If approved, the student insurance charge will be removed from the account; if a waiver is not approved (because the plan does not meet university requirements), the student will be enrolled in the student medical insurance plan.
With an approved waiver, the student is accepting full financial liability for any medical costs incurred.
This video explains how to apply for a waiver.
Change or Cancel SHIP Enrollments
If you've enrolled in the medical SHIP:
- You can update your personal information and/or add eligible dependents to your plan during your Open Enrollment period.
- Outside of your Open Enrollment period, you can update your personal information, but can only add eligible dependents (to the medical plan only) if they've had a qualifying life event.
- You can remove a dependent at any time. Qualifying events are not required for removing a dependent from your medical plan.
Log into your SIO, go to Campus Life, then Health Insurance, and click the Enrollment Portal link under “SHIP Enrollment Changes”. From there, update your personal information in the Student Information section or add a dependent in the Submit Enrollment section.
Please allow a several business days for processing. If you're enrolling a dependent outside of Open Enrollment, HUB International (the company processing CMU student insurance enrollments) will reach out to you to request documentation (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate) to complete your enrollment. Please note that you have 30 days from the qualifying event date to add your dependent to your plan.
Cancellations of the medical SHIP are only permitted in certain circumstances. Eligible students should email us at shinsure@andrew.cmu.edu when their university enrollment status has been updated to reflect an approved status (or have been approved for Medicaid) and we can assist. Students who cancel may be eligible to receive a pro-rated refund for the remaining months' premiums. Cancellations will only be accepted before March 31, 2023.
The option to join a new plan does not make a student eligible to cancel their current insurance enrollment.
Student dental and vision plans cannot be cancelled outside of Open Enrollment.