Dear Student:
We’re happy to provide you with health coverage during your time here. Harvard University Student Health
Program (HUSHP) is comprised of two parts:
How to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan
Students enrolled in a comparable health insurance plan may be eligible to waive the Student Health Insurance
Plan. You must submit your waiver by the deadline (below) or the charges will remain on your term bill.
Before waiving, evaluate whether your existing health plan will provide adequate, comprehensive
coverage in the Boston area. Visit the HUSHP website to review the waiver checklist for guidance.
International students studying on-campus at Harvard are not eligible to waive the insurance plan with
foreign insurance, even if it is foreign insurance with a U.S.-based administrator.
Students that waive the Student Health Insurance Plan are still eligible to receive care at HUHS if they
have coverage under the Student Health Fee.
Student Health Fee
All students who are enrolled more than half time and studying in Massachusetts are required to pay this fee. It
gives you access to most services – at no additional cost – at Harvard University Health Services (HUHS)
including:
Internal medicine
Mental health services
Radiology
Medical/surgical specialty
care
Physical therapy
Urgent care
Additional HUHS services (e.g., pharmacy and dental) are available for a fee and may be term-billed.
Obstetrics/gynecology and Quest laboratory services are available at HUHS, but are covered by the Student
Health Insurance Plan.
Student Health Insurance Plan
This PPO plan provides hospital/specialty coverage both in- and out-of-network through Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Massachusetts (BCBS). Benefit limits and cost-sharing may apply. Prescription drug coverage is provided
through a separate pharmacy benefits manager. Coverage includes:
Ambulatory surgery
Emergency room visits
Prescription drug coverage
Radiology services
Obstetrics/gynecology at HUHS
Hospitalizations
Diagnostic lab services,
including Quest at HUHS
Specialty and mental
health care outside of
HUHS
ID cards: In August, new plan members will receive a BCBS card and an OptumRx prescription drug card in the
mail at the address on file at your School. If you do not receive your cards, or if you need your ID number, email
Member Services at mservices@huhs.harvard.edu.
To read the plan details, visit http://hushp.harvard.edu/what-are-my-benefits.
Primary vs. Secondary Coverage
If you are enrolled in another health insurance plan and do not waive the Student Health Insurance Plan, the
Student Health Insurance Plan will always be a secondary payer (i.e., all claims will first be processed by your
primary insurance plan.) In order to avoid any claims problems, please notify your health care providers of both
plans.
HUSHP 2016–2017 coverage dates: HUSHP provides coverage in two fixed terms of six months each.
Fall term: August 1, 2016 – January 31, 2017
Spring term: February 1, 2017 – July 31, 2017
HUSHP Rates: Charges are automatically applied to your term bill.
Rates
Per Term
HUSHP Student Health Fee
$ 544
HUSHP Student Health Insurance Plan
$ 1,315
Total
$ 1,859
Dependent Coverage
You may enroll your eligible dependents in HUSHP. You must enroll and renew dependents each year; it is
not automatic. Rates, enrollment forms, and deadlines are available at http://hushp.harvard.edu.
Dental Coverage
You may enroll in optional dental insurance by the appropriate deadline. Please visit http://hushp.harvard.edu
after June 1, 2016 for more information.
The HUSHP Member Services staff is available Monday-Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM to assist you with your
questions. We look forward to helping you with your health insurance needs.
Sincerely,
Katie Vandenabeele
Director, HUSHP Member Services
Harvard University Student Health Program
617-495-2008
http://hushp.harvard.edu
Deadlines
Fall Term
Spring Term
Waiver application
July 31, 2016
January 31, 2017
Dependent enrollment
August 31, 2016
February 28, 2017
Dental enrollment
August 31, 2016
N/A
