Health Requirements for New Students

As part of your enrollment, all students must complete the following health-related requirements. These steps must be done through the Tufts Patient Portal, which will be available on the dates listed below. Be sure to log in with your Tufts username and password.

Required Health Forms

You need to complete the following forms:

• Pre-Entrance Health History Form
• TB Risk Assessment Form

These forms will become part of your confidential medical record, reviewed only by the Health Service or Counseling and Mental Health Service. None of your health information is shared with your professors, coaches, or advisors.

Required Immunizations

You will need to provide documentation of your immunizations, including dates received. Accepted formats include:

• Signed records from your doctor’s office, prior academic institutions, or government forms.
• Or download our Immunization Form and have your provider complete it.

Massachusetts law does not allow philosophical exemptions for immunizations. If you need an exemption, you must request a medical or religious accommodation. To do so, please complete the applicable Immunization Accommodation Request Form.

Meningococcal Vaccine Requirement:
All students living in a dorm or other group housing are required to receive the meningococcal vaccine unless they sign a waiver or qualify for an accommodation.  To waive, submit the meningococcal declination form via the Patient Portal under the Forms Tab.

Note: 

• If you are unable to access a required immunization in your country, or if the timing of your next immunization dose prevents you from meeting the deadline, please contact the Immunization Reviewer through the Patient Portal to discuss next steps
• Students over 30 who use the Medford Health Service are encouraged (but not required) to submit their immunization records.

Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment

Complete the TB Risk Assessment Questionnaire on the Patient Portal. If you answer "yes" to any of the questions, you will need further testing. Be sure to get tested between March and September.

Student Health Insurance

The State of Massachusetts and Tufts requires all students to have health insurance. If you're automatically enrolled in the Tufts Student Health Insurance Plan (UHCSR), you do not need to waive it. However, if you have your own insurance that meets Massachusetts' requirements, you can waive the plan.

If You Would like to Remain Enrolled in UHCSR:

• Do not waive the insurance in your SIS account.
• If you’ve decided to stay enrolled in the student health insurance plan, you won’t see a green checkmark next to the insurance waiver on your checklist. That checkmark only appears for students who choose to waive the insurance.
• No worries—not seeing a checkmark will not affect your ability to register for classes. Everything is still on track!
• You can register and download your insurance card from the UHCSR portal after August 17.
• No need to upload your insurance card to the Patient Portal. Tufts Health Service will complete this step for you after the start of the semester.

If You Want to Waive UHCSR:

• If you have another health insurance policy that meets Massachusetts requirements, you can waive Tufts Student Health Insurance by the waiver deadline in your SIS/Bursar account.
• Important: If you miss the waiver deadline, you will be automatically enrolled in the Tufts health insurance plan, and the charge will remain on your SIS account. Refunds or disenrollment are not possible after the deadline.
• Next step: Please upload your insurance information to the Patient Portal under the Insurance tab to complete your health insurance information.

For International and Graduate Students:

• Check that your insurance meets Massachusetts requirements. Some plans marketed to international students or U.S. students may not meet these standards. For example: out-of-state Medicaid plans, out-of-state HMO plans, ISO, Medicover, AIG, WellWay, Seven Corners, among others.  Warning: The insurance policy must be “underwritten” in the US.  Many non-compliant plans state they are “based” in the US, which is not equivalent and will not be accepted.

The Tufts health insurance plan is annual, and you can waive it each year if you have comparable coverage.

Here’s a quick guide to the important deadlines based on your enrollment term:

Tip: Consider enrolling if you want financial protection in case of a medical withdrawal.

• Meet your deadlines! If you miss the health forms and immunization compliance deadline, a hold will be placed on your SIS account, preventing class registration until your records are submitted and approved.
• Carefully review the insurance waiver. Some U.S. health plans may not meet Massachusetts requirements.  Also, some plans marketed to international students may not meet Tufts' coverage standards. Be sure to check your insurance coverage before waiving. Warning: The insurance policy must be “underwritten” in the US.  Many non-compliant plans state they are “based” in the US, which is not equivalent and will not be accepted.
• Insurance waivers are subject to internal audit review. All submitted waivers will be reviewed. If your waiver doesn't meet the requirements, you’ll be contacted for further action.
• If you don't complete the insurance waiver by the deadline, you will be automatically enrolled in the Tufts Student Health Insurance Plan and the charge will remain on your SIS account. Voluntary disenrollment and reimbursements are only available upon entry to the armed forces.
• 10-day review period for health forms and immunizations. After you submit your records, please allow up to 10 business days for us to review them. Once approved, you'll see a green checkmark on your checklist, will receive a message via the Patient Portal, and the registration hold will be lifted.

We know the insurance process can be confusing, and your family can help! Here's how:

• Give your family access to your SIS account by adding them as an “Invited Viewer”.
• They’ll only be able to view your Bills & Balances and Insurance Waiver, not your private health information.

For more details on how to set up Invited Viewer access, visit the Registrar’s Invited Viewer Access page.

• Health Requirements: Contact Immunization Reviewer via the Patient Portal
• Health Insurance and Waiver Questions: Email studenthealthinsurance@tufts.edu
• Tuition Insurance: Visit Dewar Tuition Refund Plan