UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has released undergraduate and graduate student insurance rates for the 2020-21 coverage period for the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), underwritten by United Healthcare Student Resources.
Penn State requires all international undergraduate and graduate students, and any accompanying dependents, to have health insurance coverage. The University also requires all full-time U.S. students to submit their current health insurance coverage information through LionPATH after registering for classes, and strongly encourages all students to be covered by some type of health insurance, as unexpected expenses can be disruptive to their academic progress.
The annual individual rate through SHIP for undergraduate students will be $2,537; the annual individual rate for graduate students will be $3,393. Students will be billed per semester. The fall rate is $984 for undergraduate students and $1,314 for graduate students. The spring/summer rate is $1,553 for undergraduates and $2,079 for graduate students. For more detailed rate information, visit the student health insurance website.
The new rates represent a 6.42% increase for undergraduate students and a 1.73% increase for graduate students from last year. Nationally, colleges and universities have seen medical and pharmacy coverage rates steadily increase. For 2020, most colleges and universities will see a 10%-12% increase.
The Penn State SHIP is available to students at all Penn State campuses with the exception of World Campus. Eligibility is based on student status. Students who would like to enroll in the plan can do so during open enrollment, which runs from May 1 to Sept. 1, 2020. Students can visit the Health Insurance page in LionPATH after registering for classes and select "Enroll" to enroll in the plan for 2020-21.
International students and medical degree (M.D.) students
International students and students in the College of Medicine are required to have adequate health insurance coverage while enrolled at Penn State. These students must provide proof of health insurance coverage that meets certain criteria or purchase the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan.
To meet this requirement, students should visit the Health Insurance page in LionPATH after enrolling in classes. Students will be directed to either enroll in the Penn State SHIP or waive coverage by submitting their current health insurance information.
International students and students in the College of Medicine will continue to see their insurance premium added to their student bursar account in August.
If students have an approved waiver they will not be billed. Students have until September 1 to submit a waiver. If students do not submit a waiver by the deadline, they will be automatically enrolled in Penn State SHIP and will be responsible for the premium charge on their student account.
U.S. students
For fall 2020, Penn State will again require all full-time U.S. Students to submit their current health insurance coverage information through LionPATH after registering for classes. This information, collected through LionPATH, will help Penn State better understand the insurance needs of its students and help support those students in making informed health insurance decisions.
To meet this requirement, students should visit the Health Insurance page in LionPATH after enrolling in classes. Students should select "Waive" to enter their current coverage information or to indicate that they do not have health insurance coverage and are not interested in purchasing the Penn State SHIP. Students who elect to enroll in the Penn State SHIP, can select "Enroll" in LionPATH and follow instructions.
Students who do not currently have adequate coverage that is accepted by providers on or near the campus they attend are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan.
The Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan
The Penn State SHIP is a platinum-level health insurance plan with a low deductible and a capped out-of-pocket maximum. It was designed specifically for Penn State students and selected with input from Penn State students. The Penn State SHIP offers a vast community of in-network providers at all campus locations and throughout the United States, as well as worldwide coverage. Penn State offers this plan through United Healthcare. It is offered as a service to our students and Penn State does not profit from the plan.
Students have been part of the process for making decisions about health insurance for many years. The Student Insurance Advisory Board/Administrative Council, which includes representatives from the Graduate and Professional Student Association, the University Park Undergraduate Association, the Commonwealth Campus Student Government, and representatives from international student organizations provide input to University Health Services and its Student Health Insurance Office regarding the Penn State SHIP, including the selection of insurer, plan design and mechanisms to manage costs.
Uninsured? Underinsured? Not sure about your health insurance?
The Student Insurance Advocate, which is a part of University Health Services, a unit of Student Affairs, provides individual student consultation as well as outreach and education to students and student groups around health insurance. The student insurance advocate will assist students in identifying insurance options, including the Penn State Health Insurance Plan, Medicaid or Affordable Care Act marketplace plans. This position will also help qualified students navigate the application process of these plans. Currently, the student insurance advocate is not available to World Campus students. For more information, visit the Student Insurance Advocate webpage.
For more information about Student Health Insurance, please contact University Health Services’ Office of Student Health Insurance at uhs-insurance@psu.edu, or visit the Health Insurance website, which has a list of FAQs.