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.  This program terminates for all Covered Dependents once the primary member is no longer a full-time student, when the Covered Dependent no longer meets the definition of an Eligible Dependent as described above, or if the Student Health Service access fee for Covered Dependents has not been received. There will be a thirty one (31) day grace period for late payment of the access fee, after which time, coverage for the Covered Dependents will be terminated.  If Covered Dependent coverage is terminated due to lack of sufficient payment, all Eligible Dependents of that Student will not be allowed to enroll or re enroll for coverage at any time in the future. Student Health Services reserves the right to terminate the Plan if the Plan is terminated as it relates to all Students or similarly situated Covered Dependents. 

If a Student elects to enroll his or her Eligible Dependents at matriculation, coverage for those dependents will become effective on the same date the Student’s benefits become effective, provided enrollment for the Eligible Dependents occurs on or before the thirty one (31) day deadline. No enrollment for Eligible Dependents is allowed after the deadline unless a Qualifying Event occurs. When Dependents, other than Newborn Infants, enrolls based on a later Qualifying Event, their coverage becomes effective as of the day the access fee payment is received and an Enrollment Form is completed, or a later date as specified by the Student or Eligible Dependent. Newborn Infants entering the program within the initial thirty one (31) day period after the birth will have coverage effective retroactive to the date of birth.

Once a Student or Covered Dependent has been enrolled, Student Health Services shall not rescind acceptance into the Plan, except when the Student or Covered Dependent has performed an act or practice that constitutes fraud or makes an intentional misrepresentation of material fact regarding their eligibility to enroll.

Student Health Services: 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.  Enrolled Covered Dependent coverage will terminate the date the primary member is no longer a full-time student.   Hospitalization and emergency room benefits ceases thirty (30) days after the Student graduates, withdraws, or completes a course of study by submitting all thesis paperwork to the appropriate office

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 per-existing conditions

Student Health Services does not discriminate on the basis of per-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

If you  wish to continue Student Health Services benefits while on a leave of absence, you will be required to pay the Student Health Services access fee, in addition to the deductibles and co-payments paid by active students.  The enrolled dependents may remain enrolled in the program while when the primary member is on an approved leave of absence so long as the primary member continues coverage and paying the access fee.  The enrolled dependent will not be eligible to remain on the Student Health Services program is the primary member suspends coverage while on leave.  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.  Student Health Service benefits are available to a student on leave for a maximum of 24 month (which need not be consecutive).  If during the leave the student carries the status of employee and/or eligible for employee benefits, this will make them ineligible to enroll in the Student Health Service benefits.

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