SHIP Benefits at a Glance

Choosing a health insurance plan can be tricky. You want coverage and benefits that meet your individual needs, and a plan that also covers unexpected illnesses and emergencies.

Even if your current health insurance plan meets coverage requirements, SHIP may be a more affordable and convenient option. SHIP has several advantages that make it ideal for students who want high-quality healthcare in the Boston area while keeping out-of-pocket costs low. Boston University has no financial stake in promoting this health insurance plan. Premiums are billed to your student account and paid directly to Aetna.

Learn about some of the benefits of SHIP in the highlights and scenarios below. Information about the full benefits of SHIP can be found in the Aetna Plan Design and Benefits Summary.

SHIP Highlights

Affordable mental health visits.
When seeing in-network providers, you’ll only be required to pay a $10 copay for each visit. There’s also no limit to mental health visits with SHIP.

If you experience an emergency and need an ambulance, SHIP covers the cost.
The average cost of an ambulance ride with insurance is between $450 – $1,000. With SHIP, 100% of the bill for your ambulance ride will be covered, even if you haven’t met your deductible yet. Any treatment or service at the Emergency Room will have costs.

Most gender-affirming healthcare services are covered.
This includes gender affirming surgeries, hormone replacement therapy, counseling, and more. The price will depend on the specific service and where you get it. SHIP is here to help you get the care you need.

Vision care benefits are available.
You can receive an annual vision exam at an in-network provider with a $40 copay. The deductible is waived for this service.

Dental insurance can be added through Aetna.
You have the option to purchase dental insurance for yourself and dependents. The Aetna plan covers services for both in-network and out-of-network providers.

SHIP Scenarios

🤒 You have a sore throat that won’t go away.

You schedule an appointment at SHS or a local urgent care, and your provider completes tests for flu, strep, and COVID. With SHIP, the costs of these tests are covered. This means you don’t pay anything.

💉 You want to get a flu shot.

You schedule an appointment at either a local pharmacy, urgent care, or SHS immunization clinic. With SHIP, vaccines are covered. This means you don’t have to pay anything.

🤕 You’re biking down Comm Ave., and fall and hit your head.

You call 911 and take an ambulance to a local hospital. With SHIP, ambulance rides for emergencies are covered. This means you don’t have to pay for the ambulance ride. Emergency Room services will have additional costs, which will depend on your injury, treatment and services, and hospital stay.

🧠 Your mental health has changed and you’d like to see a therapist.

You explore your options for mental health support at an initial appointment at SHS. You learn that with SHIP, your copay for mental health visits with an in-network therapist is $10 per visit. There’s also no cap on the number of mental health visits with SHIP.

🦶🏼 You roll your ankle during a run and now it’s sore and swollen.

You make an appointment at SHS for treatment and learn you need crutches. With SHIP, medical supplies for injuries (such as braces or crutches) are covered. This means you don’t pay for the medical supplies. X-ray referrals will have additional costs.

🧪 You want to get tested for STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

You complete an online screening through Patient Connect and come to SHS for your lab tests. With SHIP, all lab tests are billed through the plan with no out-of-pocket costs.

SHIP Advantages

Predictable Costs
If you need to see a doctor, fill a prescription, or go to the emergency room, you’ll pay a fixed dollar amount when you use a network provider, and the plan pays the rest. Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance keep your costs predictable and manageable. Please note that services received outside of SHS will incur an additional cost. SHIP, along with the Health and Wellness fee included in full-time tuition, covers all services at SHS, including medical and mental health visits, STI testing, immunizations, services for survivors, and more.

Convenience
You’ll find a wide network of participating providers in Boston. Many are affiliated with Boston University and are just a walk, bus ride, or T stop away. You also have access to Teladoc, an online health platform that provides 24/7 access to licensed doctors by phone or video. Students with SHIP can use this service for urgent primary care or mental health concerns, even if it’s after typical business hours.

Flexibility
Aetna has a nationwide Preferred Provider Network, so if you’re away from campus and need healthcare, you’ll likely be able to find a nearby network provider. If you want to use an out-of-network provider, the plan will still pay benefits, but your costs will be higher.