AS&E Students
Arts and Sciences, Engineering, SMFA at Tufts
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AS&E Students
Arts and Sciences, Engineering, SMFA at Tufts
Health and Wellness

Using Private Health Insurance & Waiving SHIP

If you have your own U.S.-based health insurance that meets Massachusetts requirements, you can waive the Tufts Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and use your own insurance for certain services. 

Even if you waive SHIP and use private insurance, you are still required to pay the SHAW fee. The SHAW fee covers most on-campus care at Health Service and Counseling and Mental Health Service. 

This page explains: 

  • How to complete a SHIP waiver
  • What counts as acceptable coverage
  • Deadlines and who can’t waive
  • How private insurance works at Tufts
  • Mental health care, lab testing, privacy, and finding providers 

For an overview of the health insurance requirement and how it works with the SHAW fee, visit the Insurance & Fees at Tufts page.  

Waiving SHIP: Steps and Tips 

If you have health insurance through a family plan, an employer, or another U.S.-based plan that meets Massachusetts requirements, you can waive the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) each academic year.  Your plan must meet Massachusetts health insurance law and Minimum Creditable Coverage (MCC) standards. 

You must submit your waiver before the deadline each year. Lat submissions may not be accepted. 

Quick Checklist Before You Start 

  • Your insurance meets MA requirements
  • You have your insurance card ready to upload
  • Parents or guardians have Invited Viewer Access in SIS
  • You’re using Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome (not Safari)
  • You know the waiver deadline 

How to Waive SHIP 

  1. Log in to go.tufts.edu/SIS and open the Bills & Balances tab.
  2. Complete the SHIP waiver form.
  3. Upload a clear, readable image of the front and back of your insurance card (file must be under 5MB). If you have trouble uploading, take a screenshot of the card and upload that instead. 

When your waiver is approved, you’ll see credit on your SIS account within 3 business days and receive a confirmation email at your tufts.edu address. 

We recommend reviewing the SHIP Waiver Sample beforehand to see the questions and make sure you’re ready.  

Before You Start: Set Up Access and Get Ready 

  • Parents or guardians completing the waiver? They must have Invited Viewer access in SIS. Students: make sure this is set up before they begin. 
  • Check your insurance card file. The image should be clear, easy to read, and saved directly on your device (not sent via AirDrop or similar). 

Technical Tips 

  • Use Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome (not Safari).
  • Turn off any ad blockers and pop-up blockers.
  • If you’re outside the U.S., use a VPN with a U.S. IP address. 

If You See an Error 

If something goes wrong:  

  • Close all browser windows and log back into SIS. 
  • On the waiver page, press Ctrl + F5 to refresh.
  • Make sure all required fields are filled in.
  • Try a different device or internet connection. 

If you still can’t submit the waiver after trying these steps, take a screenshot of the error message or code and email it to: wverification@uhcsr.com   

Waiver Deadlines 

Term 

Waiver Form Open 

Academic Year (Fall/Spring) 

June 1 – July 31 

Spring to Summer 

November 1 – December 15 

Summer Only 

April 1 – May 9 

Not sure if your plan qualifies? Check with your insurance company or visit the Help & Contacts page. 

Who Can’t Waive SHIP 

You can’t waive SHIP if your insurance: 

  • Is from outside the U.S.
  • Only covers emergencies near Tufts.
  • Has a very limited network that excludes Boston-area providers.
  • Doesn’t cover basic services or has big gaps. 

You also can’t waive SHIP if you’re in one of these plans: 

  • MassHealth Limited
  • Children’s Medical Security Program
  • Health Safety Net
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • SHARP Health Plan
  • Out-of-state Medicaid (like Husky Health)
  • Puerto Rico plans (like Triple-S, MCS) 

Note: Most international and travel insurance plans don’t qualify. Most international students are automatically enrolled in SHIP.

Using Private Insurance at Tufts 

If you waive SHIP and use private insurance, there are a few important things to know: 

  • Tufts Health and Wellness does not have contracts with any insurance companies and is considered out-of-network for all plans.
  • We will bill charges to your SIS account.
  • You are responsible for submitting claims to your insurance company if you want to seek reimbursement.
  • Reimbursement is not guaranteed — check with your insurer about your out-of-network benefits. 

Learn more about what may be billed to your SIS account on the Costs and Billing page and see specific fees at go.tufts.edu/HSFees. 

How to Submit Charges to Your Insurance 

If you plan to submit charges from Tufts Health and Wellness to your private insurance, you’ll need an itemized statement: 

  1. Log in to the Patient Portal. 
  1. Click on Medford Health Service Clinic. 
  1. Go to Statements. 
  1. Find the date you received the service. 
  1. Download the statement. 
  1. Submit the statement to your insurance company using their claims process. 

Submitting a claim does not guarantee that your insurance company will reimburse you. Be sure to check your insurer’s requirements and coverage limits. 

Mental Health Care 

If you want to use your private insurance for mental health services: 

  • Check your benefits and costs by calling your insurer or visiting their website.
  • Look for in-network “behavioral health” providers in the Boston/Medford area.
  • Bring a list of providers to CMHS if you’d like help choosing one.
  • Visit the Off Campus Referral and Support page for more info.

Finding Medical Providers Nearby 

If you or your parents want help finding doctors near Tufts who take your insurance: 

  • Start with your insurance company’s website or customer service number. 

Lab Testing 

Health Service can collect specimens and run many tests onsite. Some are sent to Quest Diagnostics. 

Quest will bill your insurance directly. You’re responsible for any part not covered (like copays or deductibles). 

Check with your insurer before your test to see if Quest is in-network and what you might have to pay. 

Your Privacy (PATCH Law) 

The PATCH Act is a Massachusetts law that protects your privacy — especially if you’re covered as a dependent on someone else’s plan. 

You can: 

  • Ask for Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) to be sent to you instead of the primary policyholder. 
  • Have EOBs sent to a different address or email. 
  • Stop an EOB if no payment is due (like for preventive care). 
  • Make sure sensitive services are listed generically (like “office visit”). 
  • Learn how to make these requests from your insurer. 

For more details, see the PATCH Act Patient Information. 

If you have questions, visit the Help & Contacts page.