Student – Enrollment

Full-time student enrollment and cost of coverage

Students and Washington University share in the cost of the Student Health Services Plan. Full-time students will be automatically enrolled in the mandatory Student Health Services program of services upon Registration with Student Health Services. All WUSM full-time, medical students are automatically charged for the health fee and enrolled in the Student Health Service. There is no waiver for this fee based on existing health insurance coverage.

Who is eligible?

The Student Health Service is a mandatory self-funded program of services available to full-time students enrolled in the medical or allied professional schools of Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine (WUSM).  Participation in the Washington University School of Medicine Student Health Service is required for all full-time medical students on the medical campus.

Part-time students, Danforth campus students and their dependents are not eligible to participate in the WUSM Student Health Service.

Coverage dates (begin/end dates)

Benefits are payable under this program only for those Covered Medical Expenses incurred while the Program is in effect.  No benefits are payable for expenses incurred after the date the benefits terminate.

All Student Health Services benefits take effect on the date coverage otherwise begins, continue so long as the Student maintains full-time student status, and, except for Hospital and Emergency Room Services, cease on the date the student withdraws, graduates, or completes a course of study by submitting thesis paperwork to the appropriate office, or the date a Covered Dependent withdraws from coverage and ceases payment of the access fee. Hospitalization and emergency room benefits ceases 30 days after the student graduates, withdraws, or completes a course of study by submitting all thesis paperwork to the appropriate office, or the date a covered dependent withdraws from coverage and ceases payment of the access fee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the student graduates at the conclusion of the spring semester, hospitalization and emergency room benefits for the student and his or her covered dependents will continue until July 1 or the date the student’s internship begins, whichever comes first.

Students graduating or leaving the university

When a student graduates or leaves Washington University, there is no extension of benefits available through Student Health Services. If you do not have the option to enroll in health benefits through a relative, residency or employer, the health exchange has insurance plans designed for individuals no longer covered under their parents’ health plan or their university student medical benefits.  If you need information on medical insurance coverage going forward, you may wish to contact The Health Insurance Marketplace by calling 1-800-318-2596 or visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/ for more information.

Student Health Services can provide you with a letter of coverage upon request.

Waiting period for pre-existing conditions

Student Health Services does not discriminate on the basis of pre-existing conditions or health status a the time of enrollment. If you are denied benefits, you may appeal using the appeal procedure.

Leave(s) of absence

Student Health Services benefits are available during a leave of absence. If you want to continue Student Health Services benefits while on a leave of absence, you will be required to pay a Student Health Services fee, in addition to the deductibles and co-payments paid by active students.  (MD/MA and MD/PhD students may request support for the Student Health Services fee from the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences if funds are available.) The student and his or her dependents are only eligible to remain on the Student Health Services program if they have completed a full 30 days of enrollment. The Student Health Services fee must be paid within 30 days of the effective date of the leave and, thereafter, is required to be paid monthly, in advance, at the beginning of the calendar month. If Student Health Services does not receive payment within five days of the beginning of the month, coverage will terminate.  Coverage is reactivated upon return to active status. The maximum amount of benefits provided while on leave is $85,000 per person covered, and the life insurance benefit is suspended, if full-time student status is not maintained while on leave. Student Health Services benefits are available to a student on leave for a maximum of 24 months (which need not be consecutive).

Students requiring a personal leave of absence for medical reasons must submit a supporting letter from the Director of the Student Health Service.

Spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children enrolled in the Student Health Services program may remain enrolled in the program while the student is on an approved leave of absence as described above, as long as all other criteria for enrollment are met.