The Affordable Care Act requires most people to have health care coverage that qualifies as “minimum essential coverage.” The Student Health Benefits provide minimum essential coverage. 

Student Health Services (SHS) is pleased to announce the benefits are in accordance with the Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) mandate under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have determined the WUSM Student Health program of services complies with substantially all the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

The WUSM Student Health Services Benefits Plan equals or exceeds the level of coverage for student health plans under the ACA and satisfies the individual mandate.

The American College Health Association recommends that all universities require students to have adequate health insurance and what the benefit plan should include.  Accordingly, Washington University School of Medicine provides a very robust student health plan including dental and vision.  We feel confident that our plan is one of the best student plans.

This plan will begin at the start of the students program (classes) for all full-time medical degree seeking students. All students in this category will automatically be enrolled in the mandatory plan, and each of these students will continue to have the option to enroll their eligible spouses, domestic partners and dependents. The spouse and dependents enrollment period is based on your matriculation. Students can call (314) 362-2346 to see if their spouse or dependent can still enroll due to life change like marriage, birth of a child, or losing other coverage.

Compared to most other coverage options, the Student Health Benefit Plan is:

  • the only health plan specifically designed to meet the needs of WUSM students
  • not motivated by profit; we make it available to students because having comprehensive health benefits is so important.
  • administered by Student Health Service and by utilizing the expert care of Student Health Service providers for primary and preventive care, costs are kept as low as possible.
  • The Student Health Benefit Plan has zero deductibles.

Less expensive plans may be available, but it is important to remember the advantages of the Student Health Benefit Plan.Even if you already have health insurance (for example, through your parents’ plan), Student Health Benefit Plan will coordinate with your primary to ensure you are sufficiently covered while enrolled.

In accordance with the requirements of the ACA, Student Health Services has prepared a detailed Student Health Benefit. The SBC provides a description of covered benefits, cost-sharing provisions, coverage limitations, and coverage examples that illustrate the approximate out-of-pocket cost of care for certain medical conditions.

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