Health Insurance
Mandatory Coverage
Under Massachusetts law, degree, certificate, and diploma program candidates who are registered in 12 or more units per term or who have I-20s issued by the Extension School must have health insurance. These candidates are automatically enrolled in the Harvard University student health plan unless they certify that they have equivalent US coverage by completing a health plan waiver form. (Download* form.) The University plan provides comprehensive healthcare services through University Health Services (UHS), Holyoke Center, and at clinics located at the Harvard medical, business, and law schools. Coverage for services outside of UHS is provided through BlueCross BlueShield. Spouses and children are also eligible for coverage. For more information candidates should visit the UHS website or call the Extension School, (617) 495-4024.
The health plan fee is $1,264 for six months. It is charged automatically each term to candidates admitted to academic programs by the end of the registration period and registered for a minimum of 12 units, or who have I-20s issued by the Extension School. Periods of coverage are August 1 to January 31 and February 1 to July 31. Shorter coverage periods are not available.
Candidates enrolled in 12 or more units who have other US coverage may waive the University plan by submitting the waiver section on the health plan information and waiver form. (Download* form.) Forms are also included in the insurance packet mailed to students after registration. To reverse the health plan charge, waiver forms must be submitted to Student Financial Services by October 21 for the fall and March 17 for the spring. It is extremely important that waiver forms be submitted by the deadlines because insurance charges cannot be reversed or prorated after the deadlines have passed.
Voluntary Coverage
The Harvard University student health plan is available to all candidates regardless of current enrollment status if they have been enrolled within the last year. Candidates may enroll in the plan for six- or 12-month periods by submitting the student health plan request form (download* form) with full payment ($1,264 for six months or $2,528 for 12 months). Request deadlines are October 21 for fall coverage and March 17 for spring. After these deadlines, coverage cannot be added or canceled.
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