Health Insurance Options

Insurance Options

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP):  All graduate students are eligible for SHIP.  All full-time enrolled graduate students at College Park will be automatically enrolled and the cost of the Student Health Insurance Annual Plan will be charged to the student's account. Other student groups can voluntarily enroll in SHIP.  To avoid automatic enrollment or to get a refund of SHIP, a waiver must be submitted by September 30.  Otherwise, SHIP is not refundable.  

The State of Maryland Employee Health Plan: Only graduate assistants (GAs) are eligible for the State of Maryland Health Plan. Enrollment in a State of Maryland Employee Health Plan is not automatic. GAs must opt in to the State of Maryland Health Insurance plan. About 3-4 weeks after the GAship starts, you will recieve an email from the state (from the Workday system) that will provide instructions on how to opt in to a State of Maryland health insurance plan.  You have 60 days after your GA start date to opt in.  If your GAship appointment begins at the start of PP04 (July 30, 2023), you will be exempt from the automatic SHIP enrollment (as mentioned above). If your GAship begins after PP04 you will be subject to the automatic SHIP enrollment and waiver process.  

A plan external to UMD (not SHIP and not a State plan):  If you have insurance from an external source, you must submit a waiver by September 30 to avoid automatic SHIP enrollment and the charge on your student account.