Greetings,

At the University of Maryland, we want to make sure that all our students are healthy and covered by comprehensive health insurance.  Healthcare services in the U.S. can be very costly and unexpected expenses can be disruptive to your academic progress.

Health Insurance

The U.S. does not have comprehensive socialized health care as is available in many countries. In the United States health care and health insurance can be expensive. 

All newly admitted students in F and J status who are undergraduates are automatically enrolled in UMD's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and cannot use the Health Center's waiver process. This practice was implemented to ensure that international students receive appropriately comprehensive insurance coverage. 

Graduate students have the option of enrolling in the SHIP plan. 

About the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

The University of Maryland SHIP insurance plan is a platinum level insurance plan provided by Carefirst (Blue Preferred PPO). 

For information about the SHIP Carefirst (Blue Preferred PPO) plan, please visit their website here. 

• For undergraduate students and graduates who elect coverage, SHIP coverage will begin January 1st, 2020 and end July 31st, 2020.
• For J-1 exchange students, SHIP coverage will begin January 22st, 2020 and ends May 23rd, 2020.
• For Maryland English Institute students, SHIP coverage will begin January 23rd, 2020 and ends May 31st, 2020. 

SHIP covers most services at the University of Maryland Health Center. At the University Health Center, SHIP patients do not have deductibles and no fee is required for covered services.

International graduate students are strongly encouraged to enroll in a UMD health care plan to ensure that you receive comprehensive healthcare coverage.  If you have an assistantship, you may enroll in a UMD health care plan through the assistantship.  The SHIP UMD plan is also offered to you as an option for your insurance coverage.

All J-1 Visa Holders

As an Exchange Visitor in the United States, you are required to carry health insurance for yourself and your J-2 dependents for the full duration of your J program. Government regulations stipulate this requirement.  If you are a J-1 student, you may have already received information regarding health insurance from ISSS.  If you have not, please reach out to the international student advisor who has been sending you e-mails and request more information.

Immunization Reminder

Please remember to take care of your immunization requirements as soon as possible! More information was provided in a previous Tip of the Week.