CELOP Students must meet both immunization requirements and BU’s Student Health Insurance Plan requirements.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
Massachusetts state law requires that all Boston University students have proof of immunizations and medical insurance that meets benefit levels mandated by the state.
All CELOP students are automatically enrolled in the Boston University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) at the Student Basic level. If you are enrolled in BU’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), all basic services and immunizations are covered only if received at BU Student Health Services. Students not enrolled in BU’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) can still receive immunizations at BU Student Health Services but will be charged on their Student Account. Alternatively, they can receive immunizations from an off-campus medical provider.
BU Student Health Insurance Plan Coverage Details
- For a general overview of coverage, visit the Insurance page of the BU Student Health Services website.
- For detailed information on coverage, visit Aetna Student Health’s website. On their Welcome page for BU Students, select “View your insurance plan details” and scroll down to Plan Documents and Benefits.
- For the Student Health Insurance Plan fee for your CELOP program, see the webpage of your program of interest.
- For insurance coverage dates for your CELOP program, email CELOP at celop@bu.edu.
If you are enrolled in the BU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), you can access your health insurance ID card by following the instructions on this Aetna Medical ID Card page.
Waiving the BU Student Health Insurance Plan
Students may request waiving the BU Student Health Insurance Plan if their existing health insurance plan meets specific requirements. More information on the requirements for waiver is available on this page.
Fees for the BU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) will stay on your account if you do not submit the online waiver by the waiver deadline or if your insurance plan is denied. Please contact CELOP at celop@bu.edu for the specific waiver deadline date of your program. Students may not be able to waive SHIP after the deadline.
In the Fall, full-time and part-time 12-week students who choose to waive SHIP will waive their insurance for the entire academic year, through the summer term. New Spring 12-week students who choose to waive SHIP will waive their insurance for spring through the summer term. New summer 12-week students who choose to waive SHIP will waive their insurance for the summer term only. Students enrolled in programs shorter than a full term who choose to waive SHIP will waive their insurance for the duration of that program only.
Information About Waiver Eligibility
Instructions for Waiving BU Student Health Insurance
Fall & Spring Term: All accepted students who want to waive BU Student Health Insurance must submit an online insurance waiver request by the insurance waiver deadline. If you miss the insurance waiver deadline, you will need to petition to waive your health insurance. To petition, please send an email to insmed@bu.edu, with your full name, BUID and the reason why you are waiving your health insurance late.
How to submit the Online Insurance Waiver:
- Visit the MyBU Student Portal.
- Visit https://www.bu.edu/mybu/ and login to the MyBU Student Portal.
- Select “MyBU Dashboard”
- Select “Student Health Insurance”
- Select “Waive SHIP”
- Accept the “Are you sure you want to waive” prompt and you will be redirected to Gallagher Student Health’s website.
- At Gallagher Student Health’s website:
- Under “Profile,” click “Log In” , enter your BU login name and Kerberos password
- Under the My Coverage Options box, select the 2024-2025 Boston University Student Health Insurance Waiver.
- Click the yellow “Waive” button under “Plan Summary.”
- Follow the instructions to complete the form.
- (After filling in your insurance information , select “Save as Draft” and SAVE
- Then, complete and SUBMIT the Insurance Waiver form following the instructions on the page.
- After you submit the waiver form, you will receive an email from Gallagher Student Health with your confirmation number and instructions for your next steps.
- If you receive an email that your waiver has been denied, please follow the instructions provided to correct the issue (i.e., uploading supporting documents).
If you are under 18 years old at the start of any CELOP program, you must submit a signed and dated Boston University Parental Acknowledgement, Consent and Release from Liability Form.
Fall Term ONLY Adjustment
Full-Time and Part-Time Fall Term 12-week students who are enrolled in the BU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) are charged for a full year of health insurance, Fall Term through Summer Term. Fall students who will be attending Fall term only, can adjust their BU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) to cover Fall term ONLY by completing the CELOP Fall Student Health Insurance Premium Adjustment Request Form available online Premium Adjustment Request Form and emailing it to insmed@bu.edu. Students cannot adjust SHIP after December 31st.
If a Fall student adjusts student health insurance for Fall ONLY and decides to apply for the spring term, the student will be charged for Spring-Summer, as well. In this case, the student will not be eligible to waive the SHIP for the Spring-Summer coverage period.
New Spring Term 12-week students are charged for two terms, Spring Term through Summer Term . There is no Spring ONLY adjustment available. (NOTE: New Spring students: if you will be waiving SHIP, visit the MyBU Student Portal and complete the online insurance waiver form, instead, by the start of the term.)
If you have questions about BU student health insurance adjustment, please email insmed@bu.edu and include your full name and BUID number in your email.
Please DO NOT Email CELOP the SHIP waiver and Adjustment forms. Send them directly to insmed@bu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What services are available at Boston University Student Health Services?
BU’s Student Health Services, located just across the street from CELOP’s main offices, provides students with medical and minor surgical care. Services are provided by staff medical professionals. If necessary, you will be provided with transportation to an area hospital. Some services do require a fee, which may be billed to your student account or paid for by cash or check.
- Is health insurance required?
Yes, Massachusetts state law requires students to have adequate health insurance from a United States-based insurance provider. Regardless of your current insurance coverage, you will be billed for the insurance offered through Boston University. Students who submit a waiver request and are approved will have the charge refunded.
- I’m a Fall student registered for a 12 week program. The cost of the student health insurance shown for my program is for an entire academic year, but what if I will only be at CELOP for one term (Fall only), do I have to pay the full amount?
No, you do not have to pay the full amount. You can adjust your health insurance to Fall only. Please see the section above titled, “Fall Term ONLY Adjustment.” If you will be waiving SHIP, then don’t complete the insurance adjustment form. Instead, visit the MyBU Student Portal and complete the online insurance waiver form, instead, by the start of the Fall term.
- I’m a Spring student registered for a 12 week program. The cost of the student health insurance shown for my program is Spring through Summer session. If I will be at CELOP for the Spring term ONLY, do I have to pay the full amount?
Yes, you have to pay the full amount. If you are not waiving SHIP at the beginning of the term, then you are responsible for the full Spring-Summer amount. If you will be waiving SHIP, visit the My BU Student Portal and complete the online insurance waiver form by the start of the term.
- My student account was charged for enrollment in SHIP at the Student Basic level. Am I eligible for SHIP at the Student Plus level?
Boston University automatically enrolls all CELOP students in the Boston University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) at the Student Basic level. Student Basic meets the needs of most students. However, some students may want or need a higher level of coverage. During open enrollment, students may change from Student Basic to Student Plus. If you want to change from Student Basic to Student Plus, please contact Student Accounting Services for instructions before you arrive in Boston. Students cannot change their SHIP level after Open Enrollment. Please note that Students who upgrade to the Plus plan are not automatically enrolled in Plus the following policy year and must take action to upgrade every year. To compare Student Basic with Student Plus, visit www.bu.edu/shs/ship/.
- Can I buy health insurance for my spouse and/or children here in the U.S.?
Yes, but students must be enrolled in the BU Student Plus plan (not Student Basic plan) to be eligible to add dependents during the BU Student Health Insurance open enrollment period. If you wish to add eligible dependents, contact Boston University Student Accounting Services (insmed@bu.edu) as soon as you are accepted into the CELOP program for instructions on how to change your plan level from Student Basic to Student Plus, as well as how to add dependent(s) to your plan. Please contact Student Accounting Services for instructions before you arrive in Boston, even if your dependents will be arriving in the United States later than you. For more information about annual, fall, or spring term see Dependent Coverage.
If you wish to add eligible dependents, contact Boston University Student Accounting Services (insmed@bu.edu) as soon as you are accepted into the CELOP program for instructions on how to change your plan level from Student Basic to Student Plus, as well as how to add dependent(s) to your plan. Dependent coverage does not automatically roll over to the new plan year.
Please contact Student Accounting Services at insmed@bu.edu for instructions before you arrive in Boston, even if your dependents will be arriving in the United States later than you.
Questions?
If you have questions or need assistance, reach out to CELOP Admissions.
