Eligibility and Enrollment

Massachusetts state law (QSHIP) requires that all students enrolled at Berklee participate in the school sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan or provide proof of an alternate insurance plan with comparable coverage.


Eligibility Requirements

All registered students at Berklee College of Music taking credit hours are eligible to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (BCBS Student Blue Plan).

Students approved for practical training are also eligible to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan. You must sign up for health insurance at the Office of the Registrar and show your Practical Training Card or I-20 form; then pay the health insurance fee to the Bursar's Office.


Automatic Enrollment

All eligible students who do not submit a Health Insurance Waiver Form by the deadline will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the Student Health Insurance Plan (BCBS Student Blue Plan).

Please note: International Students cannot waive coverage unless they are currently enrolled in an insurance plan of comparable coverage through a U.S.-based insurance company.


Waiving Coverage

Students who are already covered under a comparable insurance plan must submit a waiver form to opt out of the insurance program sponsored by Berklee. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the alternate insurance is adequate and the waiver form is submitted by the deadline. Before waiving coverage, be sure to check with your insurance company to determine if your current insurance plan provides coverage comparable to the important benefits included in the BCBS Student Blue Plan.

For information on waiving the Berklee Health Insurance Plan, select Waiving Berklee Insurance from the links at the left.


Enrolling Family Members

Insured students may also enroll their spouse, domestic partner, and/or children under the age of 26 who reside with the student. The enrollment deadlines to add dependents are September 30 (fall), February 15 (spring), and June 15 (summer). Contact Gallagher Koster at 617 769-6008 or 800 391-8057 for information on additional premium costs (above the student premium) and coverage dates, and to purchase coverage.


Continuing Coverage after Policy Termination

Students may continue their coverage on a direct-pay basis through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Go to bluecrossma.com and select "Visitor" and then "Plans & Products" to review and compare plans. You can also contact Gallagher Koster at gallagherkoster.com/berklee for other possible plan options.


Unexpected Termination of Alternative Insurance Plan

Many students lose coverage when they reach the maximum dependent age under their parent's plan while still enrolled and studying full time at Berklee. Because Berklee's student health insurance plan does not deny coverage based on a student's age, students have access to health insurance coverage no matter their age.

Therefore, if you've waived the student health insurance plan for for fall 2011 – summer 2012, but your alternative insurance plan unexpectedly terminates before August 14, 2012, you may enroll late for Berklee's plan through the following steps:

  1. Complete a Late Add of Student Health Insurance Form at the Office of the Registrar.
  2. Obtain a letter from your previous insurance carrier verifying the date your insurance coverage ended and the reason why.
  3. Gallagher Koster must approve the change.
  4. Pay the health insurance fee to the Bursar's Office.

All steps must be completed within 31 days of your previous insurance terminating. If the request is submitted after 31 days of losing prior coverage the effective date will be the date Gallagher Koster received the request. There is no pro rata of premium; the full premium will be charged for that term of coverage.




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