Waiving Berklee Student Health Insurance
Massachusetts law requires all students enrolled in colleges and universities located within the state to either participate in a school-sponsored Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program (QSHIP) or provide proof of comparable coverage through their own or their family's insurance provider. To ensure compliance with the QSHIP law, Berklee College of Music students registered for credits are automatically enrolled in and billed for Berklee's Student Health Insurance Plan (Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Blue Plan).
A student may waive (decline) participation in the plan and have the health insurance charge removed by submitting a Health Insurance Waiver Form. If you waive Berklee's student health insurance, you are stating that you are already enrolled in a health insurance plan at a level that meets the state's minimum coverage requirements.
The Waiver Process
You can submit a waiver online by logging in to my.berklee.net, selecting the Student Services tab, then the My Finances subtab, and clicking on Waive My Health Insurance. You can also submit a waiver form at the Bursar's Office (Suite 240, 921 Boylston Street). Waiver forms can be downloaded online at berklee.edu/forms in the Health Related section of the page. The deadline for submitting a waiver for the fall semester is August 1, 2012.
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 carrier. A U.S.-based carrier means that the insurance carrier issuing the plan is a U.S. or domestic company, regardless of where the policy is purchased or where the claims are processed. Carriers outside of the U.S. mean foreign or foreign-based insurance companies (i.e., non-domestic or non-U.S. companies), including those companies with satellite offices in the United States.
Students are not eligible for any of the subsidized Commonwealth Care programs and these programs cannot be used to waive the student health insurance plan. Students are eligible for the insurance plans offered through Commonwealth Choice, but these plans should be reviewed carefully as they may have very high deductibles and sometimes limited benefits.
If you are under the age of 26, you MAY be eligible to enroll as a dependent under the employer health insurance plan held by your parent(s). However, before you do so, you should fully compare the employer plan against this Student Plan to determine which plan’s rates, benefits and coverage are most appropriate for you.
How Do I Determine If My Current Insurance Provides Coverage Comparable to Berklee's Student Health Insurance Plan So I Can Waive?
Not all plans provide adequate coverage, including out-of-state Medicaid plans, Commonwealth Choice, certain HMOs, and managed care plans. If you already have health insurance, 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:
- Comprehensive coverage for inpatient hospitalization, outpatient medical expenses, mental health coverage, and prescription drugs.
- Access to BCBS's comprehensive network of doctors, specialists, and hospitals close to campus and home.
- Worldwide coverage while studying abroad or on vacation.
- Low deductible (for out-of-network providers only).
- No age restrictions
- Access to discounts for dental, eyewear, and fitness services
Visit gallagherkoster.com/berklee to view and download a summary of benefits for plan comparison or email BerkleeStudent@gallagherkoster.com to find out what questions you should ask your current health insurance plan to make sure it's comparable.