Open Enrollment Periods
Spring Open Enrollment: December 15 - January 31. New spring students must either enroll in the CMU medical SHIP or apply to waive it between December 15, 2025 - January 31, 2026. The SHIP coverage period is January 1 - July 31, 2026.
Enroll in the SHIP
All full-time and part-time degree-seeking Carnegie Mellon students, and their eligible dependents, are eligible to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) during their Open Enrollment period. Students can also enroll in the SHIP, or add eligible dependents to their existing SHIP enrollments, outside of Open Enrollment due to a Qualifying Life Event (QLE).
- For incoming Fall students, the SHIP coverage period is August 1 - July 31
- For incoming Spring students, the SHIP coverage period is January 1 - July 31
- For incoming Summer students, the SHIP coverage period is May 1 - July 31
- Optional dental and vision plans are available during Open Enrollment or due to a QLE
- To enroll during Open Enrollment:
- Log into SIO > Campus Life > Health Insurance
- Click the Insurance Portal link
- Complete your enrollment and click 'Confirm' to submit
You are eligible to enroll in the SHIP if you are:
- A degree-seeking full-time or part-time student.
- An eligible dependent of an enrolled student:
- Spouse or Domestic Partner
- Child
- Any person for which the student is their Legal Guardian
- Graduating in August:
- Eligible to enroll in the medical SHIP for the month of August only. August graduates should email shinsure@andrew.cmu.edu in July or August for assistance.
- A doctoral student In Absentia:
- Eligible to enroll only with documentation from their academic department verifying an active relationship with the department, and an estimated graduation date within one year.
- A degree-seeking student enrolled in a remote program.
Separation from the University
To maintain a SHIP enrollment for the full coverage year, students must remain enrolled at CMU for the first 31 calendar days from the start of classes of their first active semester, of the current academic year.
Students who enroll in the SHIP during their Open Enrollment period, and separate prior to the start of classes, are not eligible to keep their SHIP enrollments. Students who separate from the university within the first 31 days of that semester will have their SHIP enrollment(s) terminated the first of the following month.
Qualifying Life Event (QLE) Enrollments
Outside of their Open Enrollment periods, students can enroll in the SHIP medical, dental and/or vision plan, or add eligible dependents to their existing SHIP enrollments, due to a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). Students have 90 days from the event to submit the required documentation, at which time they will receive the proper enrollment form/s.
- Premium rates are pro-rated, you only pay for the months you, or your dependent, are enrolled.
Qualifying Events & Required Documentation
Loss of coverage on another medical plan (including turning 26):
- Letter from an employer or insurance plan verifying loss of coverage date
- Or: Screenshot from your insurance portal verifying loss of coverage date or that coverage is no longer active
- Birth Certificate
- Birth Record
- Or: Adoption Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- CMU Domestic Partnership Registration
- Or: I-94 verifying arrival date in the U.S.
A comprehensive list of Qualifying Life Events can be found on HealthCare.gov. If you are in need of a QLE enrollment, please contact the Student Health Insurance Team for assistance.