Editor’s Note: Penn State is not implementing a University-wide health insurance requirement for 2019-20. For fall 2019, U.S. students are required to submit their health insurance coverage information through LionPATH. However, this process is for information collection only and students will not be automatically enrolled in the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan or incur any charges if they do not have coverage. For more information, visit https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health-wellness/health-insurance.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — University Health Services has released undergraduate and graduate student insurance rates for the 2018-19 coverage period for the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), underwritten by United Healthcare Student Resources.
The annual individual rate for undergraduate students will be $2,619; the annual individual rate for graduate students will be $3,663.
This year’s marginal rate increase of 7 percent for both student populations is a favorable renewal compared to the national trend increase for colleges and universities across the country. The Penn State SHIP will continue to offer students high-coverage health insurance at a competitive price with a wide network of providers.
In March 2018, the Student Insurance Advisory Board/Council, which includes representatives from the Graduate and Professional Student Association, the University Park Undergraduate Association, the Commonwealth Campus Student Government, and representatives from other international student organizations were invited to provide feedback on the new rates.
Students have been part of the process for making decisions about health insurance for many years. These groups also 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.
Many students arrive at Penn State uninsured or underinsured, and are not covered to receive health care services. Health care services can be very costly and unexpected expenses can be disruptive to a student’s academic progress.
The Penn State SHIP offers students high-coverage health insurance at a competitive price and is recognized widely within the United States. It is available to students at all campuses, with the exception of World Campus students.
Currently, Penn State requires all international students to have health insurance and is moving toward an initiative to implement a University-wide health insurance requirement for all students for the 2019-20 academic year.
For domestic students who do not have health insurance or do not have adequate coverage on or near the campus they attend, Penn State strongly encourages purchasing the Penn State SHIP. Students who are unsure if they are adequately covered should contact their current health insurance provider to ask.
Graduate assistants and graduate fellows are automatically enrolled in the Penn State SHIP. Penn State provides insurance premium subsidies for these students for medical, dental and vision insurance plans. For more information on these subsides, students should visit the University Health Services website.
Students can learn more about the Penn State SHIP, including plan details, dependent rates, and enrollment deadlines by visiting the University Health Services website; a list of frequently asked insurance questions also is available.
Additional questions about Student Health Insurance can be directed to University Health Services' Office of Student Health Insurance at uhs-insurance@psu.edu.