Dependent Coverage

2026-2027 plan year (August 15, 2026 – August 14, 2027)

Dependent coverage does not automatically roll over to the new plan year. If you wish to enroll your dependents for the 2026-2027 plan year, please see the information below.

Dependent:  Eligible dependents are the insured student’s lawful spouse that resides with the student and dependent children under 26 years of age

NOTE: The 2026-27 open enrollment period will end on September 20, 2026*.

*The following students have an earlier open enrollment deadline:

• BU School of Medicine: new entering M.D. Candidate: September 4, 2026
• BU Goldman School of Dental Medicine:
  • new PreDocs (D.M.D.): August 28, 2026
  • new entering PostDocs & new Fellowship students: August 1, 2026

The following are NOT eligible to enroll in SHIP

• Students enrolled solely in Online-only courses (course schedule location ‘online’).
• Part-time domestic non-degree students enrolled in less than 75% of a full-time course load.
• Medicare eligible (generally age 65 or older)

Students enrolled in SHIP may enroll their dependents in 2026-2027 annual plan during 2026-2027 annual plan open enrollment, or after open enrollment if there has been a recent qualifying life event change. Students may enroll their dependents in the Spring 2027 plan during the Spring dependent open enrollment period listed below.

For instructions on how to add dependents after open enrollment due to a recent qualifying event refer to our Add Insurance page.  Scroll down the page to find the “After Open Enrollment Guidelines”.

Instructions for Enrolling Your Dependents

You must be an Aetna Student Health member to add your dependents to the plan. Dependent premiums will be charged to your Boston University student account 7 to 14 business days after you submit your online enrollment. You will be responsible for payment in full of any resulting balance due.

1. To add your dependents during open enrollment, visit Aetna Student Health’s website. On the Welcome page for BU students, select Enroll Dependents.
2. After completing the dependent enrollment application, Aetna Student Health will send you a confirmation of receipt of your application.

Refer to our Add Insurance page for instructions on how to add dependents after open enrollment for the balance of the plan year due to a recent qualifying event. Students enrolled in SHIP whose dependents experience a recent (i.e., within thirty days) significant life change event may request to add their dependents to their SHIP plan for the balance of the plan year. Examples of significant life change events include: adding a newborn child or adding a spouse who loses coverage due to change in employment status.

SHIP Rates

For students enrolled for the 2026-2027 plan year effective August 15, 2026, through August 14, 2027, the rates for the family plan are:

**Full-time PhD students meeting certain requirements may be eligible for a subsidy for the cost of adding dependent children six years old and under.  More information can be found here.

Spring 2027 rates:

**Full-time PhD students meeting certain requirements may be eligible for a subsidy for the cost of adding dependent children six years old and under.  More information can be found here.

Eligible dependents are the insured student’s lawful spouse that resides with the student and dependent children under 26 years of age

Dependents of the student enrolled in the plan are not able to be seen at Student Health Services and do not require a referral from Student Health Services to access the outpatient benefits. A list of Preferred Providers may be viewed using Aetna’s DocFind® service at www.aetnastudenthealth.com or through Aetna Navigator.