Health Insurance Information for Graduates

If you are graduating in the spring or summer semester, and have purchased the Berklee-sponsored health insurance plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, your plan remains in effect through August 14, 2024.

Getting Health Insurance After Graduating

Once you’ve graduated, you may be able to get health insurance by:

staying on your parent’s health insurance plan,
buying your own plan,
getting coverage through a new job,
through a union, or
through another school or university.

Staying on Your Parent’s Health Insurance Plan

Under the Affordable Care Act, most young adults can remain on their parents’ health insurance plan until they turn 26. Learn more here.

Getting Coverage Through a New Job

If you will be working at a job that offers health insurance coverage, you may transition to your employer’s health plan.

If there's a gap in coverage between the time your current health insurance expires and the time you begin your new job, short-term health insurance may be an option as a temporary solution.

Buying Your Own Plan

Upon graduation, you may be working as a freelancer or independent contractor. In such cases, you may be looking to purchase your own health insurance plan. Every state has an online health insurance marketplace where you can compare the plans available to you in your state. In addition to medical plans, marketplace websites typically have dental insurance options and low- or no-cost health coverage options based on income level.

Here are a few of the health insurance marketplace links for states where Berklee students frequently move after graduation:

California: Covered California
New York: New York State of Health
Massachusetts: Massachusetts Health Connector

To find information for the health insurance marketplace in your state or the state you will be moving to upon graduation, go to healthcare.gov.

If you’re working part time, starting a business, or otherwise not making much money, you may qualify for Medicaid. If you qualify, coverage can start right away, any time of year.

Insurance Options Through Unions

Dues-paying members of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) can shop for health insurance options through their website. Members can often find more favorable health insurance coverage rates through AFM.

For individuals who meet the criteria for membership, health insurance may also be available through the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

Insurance Through a School or University

If you will be going to another school in the fall, you can transition to the student health insurance plan offered by the school you will be attending.

Berklee College of Music Optional Practical Training (OPT) Student Health Insurance Plan

Berklee students who are on OPT are eligible to enroll in the Berklee College of Music OPT student health insurance plan. Students with USCIS-pending or -approved post-completion OPT should complete this form to request Berklee Student Health Insurance (SHIP) coverage. Your request will be reviewed within 7–10 business days. Once your request has been reviewed, the Health and Wellness team will email you with information about how to enroll.