SHIP Eligibility & Coverage Options

Eligibility

You are eligible to enroll in the Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) if you are:

• A full-time, part-time, or three-quarter-time student
• An international student

You are ineligible to enroll in the Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) if you are either enrolled solely in online courses, a non-degree domestic student who is enrolled in less than 9 credits, or Medicare eligible.

Learn more about enrolling in SHIP

Are you enrolled in SHIP Plus?

Students currently enrolled in the Plus plan for 2024-2025 have the option to enroll in the Plus plan for 2025-2026 at the rate of $4,741. Re-enrollment is not automatic. You must re-enroll in the Plus plan for 2025-2026.

For questions or more information, contact Student Accounting Services at insmed@bu.edu or call 617-353-2264.

Coverage Options

SHIP provides students with a general plan as well as the following options:

• Coverage for dependents. Eligible dependents include spouses and dependent children up to age 26. More information about enrolling dependents is found on Student Accounting Services’ webpage on Dependent Coverage.
  
  
• Dental insurance. The Aetna Dental PPO plan covers dental services for both in-network and out-of-network providers. Coverage can be purchased for yourself and your dependents directly through Aetna. Learn more about the plan and how to enroll on Student Accounting Services’ webpage on Dental Care Options.

Coverage Dates & Rates

Students required to have health insurance are automatically enrolled in full-year SHIP coverage. For most, coverage begins on August 15 and ends on August 14 of the following year.

Coverage Dates

• For students starting in the fall semester, coverage lasts from August 15 through August 14 of the following year. Fall semester only coverage is available to specific eligible students through Student Accounting Services.
• For students starting in the spring semester, coverage lasts from January 1 through August 14 of the same year.
• For students on the Medical Campus, coverage dates vary. Contact your program administrator to learn more.

Coverage Rates

SHIP coverage rates may depend on your school and program. The standard annual rate for 2025-2026 is $3,538.

The cost for Aetna Dental Insurance for the 2025-2026 plan is $478, regardless of whether you start classes in the fall or spring semester.

For more detailed information, please review the Aetna Plan Design and Benefits Summary under Plan Documents and Benefits for your specified year, school, and campus.