Health Insurance
Medical Insurance
Massachusetts law requires all students who are enrolled in at least 75 percent of the full-time curriculum ( 9 credits) to carry health insurance. The Boston University Student Medical Insurance Plan is administered by Aetna Student Health.
See the videos below for an introduction to the Boston University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for graduate and professional students:
Choosing a Primary Care Provider
Contacts and links referenced in the videos:
BU Student Health Services: 617-353-3579
Aetna Student Health: 1-800-966-7772
Starting June 1, 2020
If your current health insurance plan meets the comparable coverage requirements, you will need to waive the SHIP requirement by the end of the open enrollment period, and subsequently a credit in the amount of the SHIP premium will be applied to your student account. International students may only waive coverage if they are enrolled under a US-based plan that meets the comparable coverage requirements. Please spend time reading about BU’s health insurance requirement to be sure that you make the best and most cost-effective decision.
Please note: GMS PhD students are automatically enrolled in the BU PLUS health insurance plan.
Physical Examination and Immunization Requirements
Graduate Medical Sciences cares about the health and wellness of our entire student community. To ensure our students’ well-being, Boston University requires that every incoming student has health insurance and that they submit proof of examination by a licensed medical practitioner. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts also requires proof of immunization against certain common communicable diseases. See Boston University’s Health Requirements Guide for health forms and submission instructions.
Dental Insurance
Students have two options for dental insurance here at Boston University.
Option 1: Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine – Student Discount Program
Option 2: Aetna Student Health – Dental Discount Program – Vital Savings on DentalSM*