Health Insurance

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for Penn State is available for all students and their qualifying dependents. 

• Learn more about the Student Health Insurance Plan for Penn State 

Automatic Enrollment 

• Students who do not take action to Waive or Enroll through LionPATH by the fall deadline (September 2, 2025) will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP for Penn State and the health insurance premium will be charged to their student account.
• New students who do not take action to Waive or Enroll through LionPATH by the Spring deadline (January 20, 2026) will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP for Penn State and the health insurance premium will be charged to their student account 

It is recommended to actively Enroll in LionPATH to gain immediate access to the medical ID card. 

If you currently have health insurance that meets all of the requirements, you may waive the Student Health Insurance plan (SHIP) for Penn State for yourself and your dependents.

For Individuals 

Visit the Health Insurance page in LionPATH after registering for classes to enter your information.   

1. Log in to LionPATH.
2. Navigate to the Health Insurance page.
3. Under the current coverage year, select Waive. 

You will need a copy of your current health insurance ID card and your health insurance brochure or plan description before you start the waiver. 

Your online application will be reviewed and you will receive an e-mail approving or denying your application from United Healthcare Student Resources. 

For Dependents

International dependent waivers must be completed through the Student Health Insurance office. Students need to email the Student Health Insurance office at uhs-insurance@psu.edu to obtain a Dependent Waiver Application Form and instructions for completion.

In order to waive the Student Health Insurance plan (SHIP) for Penn State. Your current health insurance coverage must meet these requirements.  

1. U.S. carrier or entity is approved to do business in the U.S. and compliant with all guidelines of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
2. Carrier has a filed and approved health insurance policy with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Insurance or has a sponsored insurance plan that meets the waiver standards and is approved by the Student Health Insurance Office, together with a letter of financial guarantee directly from the plan sponsor
3. Coverage for 100% of preventive and contraceptive care (preventive examinations, immunizations and screening tests, as required by the PPACA and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for student health insurance plans)
4. Coverage for pre-existing conditions with no waiting period
5. Deductible no greater than $500;
6. Coverage for all essential benefits for accident and sickness, including prescription drug coverage, without limitation
7. Maternity Benefits (or Pregnancy) covered as any other illness or injury;
8. Inpatient and outpatient mental health/substance abuse as any other condition
9. No exclusions for injury or illness as a result of alcohol, drugs or attempted suicide
10. Worldwide coverage
11. $3,000 In-Network out-of-pocket maximum
12. $15,000/$30,000 Out-of-Network out-of-pocket maximum
13. OR U.S. employer-sponsored health insurance in place of standards 1-12; 

And Medical evacuation ($100,000/Repatriation ($50,000) minimum limits. 

• Log in to LionPATH.
• Navigate to the Health Insurance page.
• Under the current coverage year, select Waive.
• Follow instructions to either note that you do not have health insurance coverage or to provide policy details of your current coverage using the information found on your health insurance card. 

Having reliable health coverage protects you from unexpected medical costs and ensures you have access to care when you need it—whether that’s for an illness, injury, or routine visit. Taking action early helps avoid enrollment holds or gaps in coverage that can affect your studies and well-being. 

• Make sure your current coverage is active and in effect for the entire academic year
• Verify that it provides in-network coverage near your campus
• Check that it includes comprehensive medical care like hospitalization, lab services, and emergency care
• Ensure that prescriptions are part of your coverage
• Does the plan offer preventative care that’s outlined by federal health guidelines 

Graduate assistants, fellows, and trainees are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for Penn State for medical, dental, and vision coverage. 

• Learn more about the Student Health Insurance Plan for Penn State 

Penn State provides an 80% subsidy of the annual premium cost for SHIP for Penn State coverage for graduate assistants and fellows and an additional 75% subsidy for any qualifying dependents.  

• It is important to note that coverage will remain the same for returning students each year if they do not elect changes in Workday during the open enrollment period.

If you currently have health insurance that meets all of the requirements, you may waive the Student Health Insurance plan (SHIP) for Penn State for yourself and your dependents in Workday. 

• International students will need to first waive coverage in LionPATH before waiving in Workday.
• It is important to note that coverage will remain the same for returning students each year if they do not elect changes in Workday during the open enrollment period.

In order to waive the Student Health Insurance plan (SHIP) for Penn State. Your current health insurance coverage must meet these requirements.  

1. U.S. carrier or entity is approved to do business in the U.S. and compliant with all guidelines of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
2. Carrier has a filed and approved health insurance policy with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Insurance or has a sponsored insurance plan that meets the waiver standards and is approved by the Student Health Insurance Office, together with a letter of financial guarantee directly from the plan sponsor
3. Coverage for 100% of preventive and contraceptive care (preventive examinations, immunizations and screening tests, as required by the PPACA and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for student health insurance plans)
4. Coverage for pre-existing conditions with no waiting period
5. Deductible no greater than $500;
6. Coverage for all essential benefits for accident and sickness, including prescription drug coverage, without limitation
7. Maternity Benefits (or Pregnancy) covered as any other illness or injury;
8. Inpatient and outpatient mental health/substance abuse as any other condition
9. No exclusions for injury or illness as a result of alcohol, drugs or attempted suicide
10. Worldwide coverage
11. $3,000 In-Network out-of-pocket maximum
12. $15,000/$30,000 Out-of-Network out-of-pocket maximum
13. OR U.S. employer-sponsored health insurance in place of standards 1-12;
14. And Medical evacuation ($100,000/Repatriation ($50,000) minimum limits. 

Students who do not take action to Waive or Enroll through LionPATH or Workday (MD and PhD) by the appropriate deadline will be automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan for Penn State and the health insurance premium will be charged to their student account. 

• Learn more about the Student Health Insurance Plan for Penn State 

It is important to note that coverage will remain the same for returning students each year if they do not elect changes in Workday during the open enrollment period. 

Students requesting to not participate in the Student Health Insurance Plan for Penn State must complete an insurance waiver through LionPATH at the beginning on each academic year to ensure that the College of Medicine has appropriate documentation. 

• If a waiver is not submitted annually the student will be automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan for Penn State and students are responsible for insurance charges. There are no cancellations or refunds.
• If students are enrolled in the University’s plan and use the benefits within the first thirty days of coverage and also present a waiver, they will not be permitted to be dropped from the University’s plan and are responsible for the premium charges. 

Having reliable health coverage protects you from unexpected medical costs and ensures you have access to care when you need it—whether that’s for an illness, injury, or routine visit. Taking action early helps avoid enrollment holds or gaps in coverage that can affect your studies and well-being. 

• Make sure your current coverage is active and in effect for the entire academic year
• Verify that it provides in-network coverage near your campus
• Check that it includes comprehensive medical care like hospitalization, lab services, and emergency care
• Ensure that prescriptions are part of your coverage
• Does the plan offer preventative care that’s outlined by federal health guidelines