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Student Health Insurance

Students are Required to Have Health Insurance

Montclair State University is committed to ensuring all full-time students have access to adequate health insurance coverage. For health insurance purposes, full-time* is defined as:

  • Undergraduate students enrolled in twelve (12) or more credits.
  • Graduate students enrolled in nine (9) or more credits.

In addition, all F-1 visa students, part-time or full-time, must be insured with an ACA-compliant, filed, and approved policy in the U.S.

Full-time* students (as defined above) have the opportunity to waive/opt out of the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) by providing evidence of a comprehensive Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant health insurance plan online to University Health Plans. To ensure compliance, students are automatically billed for the SHIP and will be automatically enrolled if a waiver is not submitted online.

Spring 2024 Student Health Insurance Dates:

  • Waiver/Enrollment Site Opening: Week of December 11, 2023
  • Waiver Deadline: Monday, February 26, 2024

New Spring Students Insurance Cost & Coverage Periods: January 2, 2024 – August 14, 2024 | $1,612.00

How to Waive or Enroll

To Waive or Enroll in the school-sponsored health insurance plan, visit the University Health Plans (UHP) website. The deadline to submit a health insurance waiver is Monday, February 26, 2024. When available, visit the University Health Plans (UHP) site and complete the Waiver Form. If you have questions about the waiver or enrollment process and/or the insurance plan or requirements, please call a University Health Plans representative at 833-251-1705 or e-mail info@univhealthplans.com for assistance.

Please Note: Copies of insurance cards and/or insurance information submitted to the Office of Student Accounts or any other Montclair State University Office or Portals (i.e., Student Health Center, Athletics Department, My Health Portal, etc.) does not constitute a waiver and is not acceptable.

If you do not take action to waive or enroll, you will receive weekly reminders directly from University Health Plans (UHP).

Remember – The Spring 2024 Waiver/Open Enrollment Period is ONLY Applicable for:

  • NEW incoming spring 2024 students.
  • Students that were NOT enrolled in classes for the fall 2023 semester.
  • Students who did NOT meet the corresponding credit hours in the fall 2023 term.
    • Undergraduate students enrolled in twelve (12) or more credits.
    • Graduate students enrolled in nine (9) or more credits.
  • Students charged the Health Insurance Fee on their spring 2024 invoice.

University Health Plans

Montclair State University partnered with University Health Plans (UHP) to administer our insurance process. UHP will help with completing your waiver or enrollment information. They will also be available to assist you with benefit-related questions. University Health Plans can be reached at (833) 251-1705 (new phone number) or info@univhealthplans.com.

Plan Highlights

The Student Health Insurance Plan will continue to be provided by Aetna Student Health. The plan complies with the Affordable Care Act benefit requirements and includes access to Aetna’s national PPO network of providers. Students do not have to select a primary care physician and referrals are not required. You can view the Plan Design and Benefit Summary located under Benefit Information in the left-hand side navigation menu.

In order to keep the premium competitive, the following benefit changes were made: Deductible increased to $500.00 preferred care/$1000.00 non-preferred care, Out of Pocket Maximum increased to $7,000 preferred care/$14,000 non-preferred care.

View the 22-23 Summary of Benefits and CoverageView the 23-24 Plan Design and Benefit Summary

Insurance Cost & Coverage Periods

Annual Students New Spring Students
Coverage Dates August 15, 2023 – August 14 , 2024 January 2, 2024 – August 14, 2024
Undergraduate and Graduate Insurance Cost $2,611 $1,612
Waiver Deadline Date September 18, 2023 February 26, 2024

**All full-time students (as defined above) are required to have health insurance and automatically have the cost of the health insurance charged to their student account. You are responsible to submit a health insurance waiver online if you do not want/need the school sponsored health insurance.**

International Student Waiver Process

Montclair State University requires all F-1 Visa students, part-time or full-time, to be insured with an ACA compliant, filed and approved policy in the U.S.

Please Note: Health insurance plans marketed solely to International students are often not filed and approved in the U.S., have limited benefits, provider networks and/or coverage periods that do not comply with the Montclair State insurance requirements. GBG Insurance, HDL Global Specialty, ISO, PGH (United), PSI, Student Medicover and Tata AIG are examples of companies that do not meet the waiver requirements.

J-1 Visa Students: J-1 visa holders must meet the US Department of State’s health insurance minimums. Please see Mandatory Health Requirements on The Office of Global Engagement site and information on how to waive the university insurance.

If your health insurance plan meets all of the waiver requirements you can request the International Student Waiver Form. International students do not have access to the online enrollment and waiver forms. You must get in touch with University Health Plans at (833) 251-1705 or info@univhealthplans.com.


Important Information:

  • The University reserves the right to audit all waivers in order to ensure compliance with the University insurance requirements. Please be sure to have a copy of your insurance policy and a valid insurance card as you may be asked to provide documentation when submitting the waiver.
  • A valid health insurance card must be available when submitting the insurance waiver. Pending insurance coverage, letters from employers or third companies, coverage that begins after the SHIP effective date (Fall – August, 15 and Spring – January, 2) does NOT constitute an accepted/submitted waiver.

Early Termination (Not Permitted)

Montclair State University and Aetna Student Health DO NOT prorate health insurance premiums or adjust effective dates of coverage. Students will not be removed from SHIP coverage based upon graduation, withdrawal from the University or new insurance plan post waiver deadline. SHIP coverage will remain in effect until the end of the policy period.


Please Note: Do not contact the Student Health Center with questions about the University’s Health Insurance Plan. Contact UHP with all questions University Health Plans at (833) 251-1705 (new phone number) or info@univhealthplans.com.

Need Help Waiving, Enrolling or Deciding?

Contact University Health Plans at (833) 251-1705 or info@univhealthplans.com.