MSU Denver Student Health Insurance
OFFICE HOURS: Monday – Thursday: 8:00am to 5:00pm • Friday: 8:00am to 3:00pm
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT: 303-615-9999
AFTER-HOURS CRISIS SUPPORT & VICTIM ASSISTANCE: 303-615-9911
Welcome to MSU Denver Student Health Insurance
For any student taking 9 or more credits during the Fall or Spring Semester, there is a Domestic Student Requirement and a International Student Requirement. Students taking 9 or more credits are automatically enrolled in the University Student Health Insurance Plan SHIP and charged the semester premium. Domestic students who are currently insured with a compliant U.S. issued health insurance plan can submit a health insurance waiver by the deadline each semester to avoid automatic enrollment and being charged for the SHIP premium.
MSU Denver’s Student Health Insurance Policy
The Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Student Health Insurance Requirement for full-time students has been in place since 1981. This policy is consistent with most four-year institutions of higher education in the state of Colorado and is permitted by State of Colorado law (Senate Bill 94-218, Section2, 2(a)(b), which permits colleges and universities to have mandatory health insurance requirements for those that had such a requirement in existence on January 1, 1994.
MSU Denver offers student health insurance for the following reasons:
- To provide a comparatively low-cost health insurance option with excellent benefits that includes cost-saving exclusive features unavailable in the open market.
- To assist students in meeting their educational goals, regardless of if they become ill or injured, by ensuring that they have access to quality affordable health insurance that is both accessible and convenient in times of need. Without such coverage students could potentially incur medical debt that could alter their future and achievement of their academic goals.
- When SHIP participating students have been surveyed, an average response rate of 81% of the respondents indicated either a “significant impact” or “impactful” response to the following question: Did having the University sponsored health insurance (SHIP), with the 100% coverage benefit for services at the Health Center at Auraria, have a positive impact on your ability to remain in college and continue towards your academic goals?
Additional Informational:
State of Colorado Division of Insurance
About the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
American College Health Association Standards for Student Health Insurance
MSU Denver students taking nine (9) credit hours or more in the Fall or Spring are required to have health insurance that complies with the University requirements.
Below, are informational videos describing the Student Health Insurance Policy, waiver processes and how this policy relates to medical care at the Health Center at Auraria.
English Version
Spanish Version
How to Waive Out of the University Student Health Insurance
Students insured by a health insurance plan that meets all University waiver requirements, can submit an online health insurance waiver before the deadline to opt-out of the University sponsored student health insurance plan. A waiver is required each Fall and Spring semester, when taking 9 credits or more, and you are choosing not to use the student health insurance plan. If not waived before the deadline SHIP will default as your primary insurance and any Financial Aid refund could be impacted. If a student drops below 9 credits on or before the deadline (census), the student health insurance charge for the semester will be credited to tuition.
Students who receive financial aid, or a financial aid refund, could have funds applied to the student insurance charge if a waiver is not submitted before the waiver deadline. A waiver is required every Fall and Spring semester when you do not want to be insured with student health insurance.
Comprehensive Colorado marketplace plans, that include all ACA ten essential benefits, typically are approved during the waiver audit. Health plans must be effective no later than September 1 for Fall semester and by March 1 for Spring semester waiver approval.
- Allow you to receive comprehensive health care services in Colorado.
- Offer Guaranteed Coverage: Plans must be guaranteed issue during open enrollment, regardless of pre-existing health conditions.
- Have No Annual or Lifetime Limits: There are no limits on the total dollar amount of benefits a plan will pay over a year or person’s lifetime.
- The Out-Of-Pocket maximum does not exceed the current insurance Marketplace individual and family plan limits.
- Personal health plans must include all the following 10 Essential Health Benefits:
– Ambulatory Patient Services
– Chronic Disease Management
– Emergency Services
– Hospitalization
– Laboratory Services
– Maternity and Newborn Care
– Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatments (including behavioral health treatment)
– Prescription Drugs
– Preventive and Wellness services
– Rehabilitative and Habilitative Services and Devices
The MSU Denver Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) includes all the essential benefits listed above under the Affordable Care Act, plus more, including student medical care at the Health Center at Auraria.
The opt-out insurance waiver is in the Student Hub under the Profile menu. Click the “Submit a Waiver” link provided within the Insurance Waiver tab menu.
Please use the steps below to locate the online insurance waiver or click How to Submit a Waiver
- Go to your Student Hub
- Once logged in, select Web Services
- Select Student Profile (Self-Service Banner)
- On the Student Profile, select the Banner menu (4 small squares top left)
- Click Menu tab, then Students tab, then Health Insurance Waiver
- Select the link “Submit a Waiver or View a Waiver”
- Authenticate your login, if necessary, to be automatically directed to ELEV834, the official insurance waiver website.
Please allow 10 to15 business days for the waiver audit to complete and refund (credit) back to your account if approved. The waiver form is accessible 24 hours after registering. Please wait 48 hours if you register for classes on a weekend.
A Financial Aid refund may be impacted if you have personal insurance and forget to submit a waiver prior to the deadline!
Students are responsible for following up on denied waivers before the deadline! The waiver form is accessible 24 hours after registering. The Fall waiver will be available after July 1, though you may have registered earlier.
Waiver audit notification reminders are sent from [email protected], the official waiver notices from ECI Services
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
The Student Health Insurance plan is administered by United Healthcare Student Resources.
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is designed specifically for MSU Denver students (regardless of immigration status) who are registered nine (9) credit hours in the Fall or Spring semesters.
It is a comprehensive plan that is designed to comply with any Federal requirement, save students money and time, and provides convenient access to quality medical care on and off campus.
SHIP provides twelve (12) months of insurance coverage for students when enrolled in both Fall and Spring semesters.
Competitively priced premium, cost saving benefits and the same cost/availability for everyone.
Unlike any other health insurance plan offered by employers or through Connect for Health Colorado, the cost of SHIP is the same no matter how old you are, where you live or what your personal risk factors are, such as smoking vs. non-smoking. Other health insurance companies may charge different premium rates based on these factors. In addition, SHIP is available to undocumented students who are not eligible to purchase insurance through Connect for Health Colorado. SHIP does not require the completion of an enrollment application or health history form.
The annual premium cost, deductibles, co-insurance and cost saving plan benefits associated with the SHIP have consistently provided MSU Denver students with a high quality and competitively priced health insurance option compared to other insurance alternatives available in Colorado that may not offer benefits specifically designed to our student population.
Exclusive 100% coverage benefits at the Health Center at Auraria.
SHIP is also the only health insurance plan that provides 100% coverage at the Health Center at Auraria. Students with SHIP can receive comprehensive medical care at the Health Center at Auraria – including primary care, urgent care, gynecology, orthopedics/sports medicine, mental health, x-rays and lab tests. The Health Center at Auraria is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Physicians and medical personnel in family medicine, psychiatry, GYN and sports medicine are on staff. These professionals are specifically trained to provide medical care that addresses the unique needs and demands students encounter during their higher education experience.
Coverage off campus.
Students with the SHIP can also receive medical care off campus without the need for a primary care referral. SHIP provides coverage within the extensive Provider Network. Most major hospitals in the Denver metro area are part of the network, as well as hundreds of primary care and specialist medical providers, including outpatient and urgent care facilities nationwide.
Explore and compare health insurance options to find the right plan that fits your budget, health needs, and access to providers. It may be helpful to use the SHIP deductible and benefits levels when comparing market plans to SHIP.
Connect for Health Colorado – Colorado’s official health Insurance Marketplace
Estimated Cost and Savings Tool – Estimate your premium savings upfront when exploring the Marketplace and find out if you qualify for financial help.
Out-of-pocket max changed to $7,950.
The annual prescription deductible was eliminated.
The prescription copays are Tier 1 $25 | Tier 2 $50 | Tier 3 $75
Overseas claims due to a medical emergency will be covered 100%.
SHIP Premium Cost and Coverage Dates
*Fall $1,185 08/18/2025 to 01/19/2026
*Spring $1,659 01/20/2026 to 08/16/2026 (includes Summer)
**Summer $705 05/25/2026 to 01/16/2026
*The health insurance premium is automatically charged on a student’s tuition each Fall and Spring semester when registered for nine (9) or more credits. There is an option to opt-out by submitting an insurance waiver by the semester deadline to remove the automatic charge.
**The Summer semester health insurance premium is not automatically charged, it’s voluntary (optional) for students who enroll in summer courses. Undergraduate summer eligibility requires registration of nine (9) or more summer credits and Graduate summer eligibility requires six (6) or more credits. See Special Coverages to enroll.
The premium rates listed above are subject to regulatory approval each year and may change.
Financial Aid considers the cost of any mandatory student health insurance premiums each Fall and Spring semester. Students enrolled in 9 credits or more with qualified financial aid awards will have the cost of the student health insurance premium included in their overall aid package. For more information about your specific financial aid award, please reach out to the Financial Aid Office.
Students who register for nine (9) credits or more, and do not submit an opt-out waiver each semester by the semester waiver deadline (census), will be automatically enrolled in SHIP immediately after census. When you are automatically enrolled in SHIP, and have other health insurance, you are doubled insured.
Having two health insurance plans is not unusual, but for most students it is not affordable to be enrolled in two insurance policies, and it can affect your tuition amount owed or financial aid. It’s important to submit an opt-out insurance waiver before the deadline if you already have compliant personal health care coverage.
Loss of coverage? If a qualifying life event happens during the semester, such as turning 26 years old and losing your parents’ health insurance coverage, this is an eligible event for SHIP enrollment during the semester. Please contact the SHIP office for more information.
Summer students who need health insurance coverage can apply if registered for 9 credits or more.
Additional Information about qualifying or applying for circumstantial exception coverage is on the Special Coverages page.
Receiving care from the Health Center at Auraria offers excellent comprehensive medical care for students. The Health Center at Auraria care is a special benefit designed for SHIP students to access convenient campus care and significant out-of-pocket savings! The Health Center staff includes doctors, specialists, physician assistants, nurses, and medical assistants who specialize in student health care, including mental health care. The Health Center care is an added benefit to the member’s UHCSR network coverage.
There are Exclusive Benefits and Savings for SHIP members at the Health Center at Auraria, including:
- 100% coverage for all medical services; $0 office visits, procedure, and supplies
- $20 Maximum cost per prescription when filled at the Health Center at Auraria
- No deductible, no co-insurance, no co-payments collected
- Save money when referred from a Health Center at Auraria provider for imaging services such as MRI, CT scan, Ultrasound, and X-ray.
SHIP and Services at The Health Center at Auraria Brochure
Call the Health Center at Auraria (303) 615-9999 to make an appointment. Walk-in or same day appointments are scheduled when available.
The student health insurance plan is underwritten and managed by United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR). UHCSR provides members a large network of hospitals and medical offices across Colorado, nationwide, and internationally.
Search the links below for UHCSR network providers, pharmacy drug list, medical ID card, and more.
Provider Network Search Tool
Pharmacy Network Search Tool
Prescription RX List
Medical ID Card
Policy Summary and Certificate
Be sure to register for a Health Safe ID after you are enrolled to access your UHCSR benefits account called MyAccount .
UHCSR Customer Service line 1-800-767-0700 is available to enrolled students.
All other students should contact MSU Denver Student Insurance Office (303) 615-9997 or email [email protected]
SHIP enrolled students may voluntarily purchase United Healthcare dental and vision. For details or to apply, go to United Healthcare school page and scroll to the Voluntary Dental/Vision box to read more.
Have you ever wondered what Health Insurance really is and why it may be needed, or how health insurance works? This may be the first time you are having to deal with it on your own and it can be overwhelming, so we suggest to start here with some of the basics of health insurance.
Veteran Students
Students registered for 9 credits or more who have VA health coverage and do not want the student health insurance plan (SHIP) should submit their waiver, with a copy of their government issued veteran health insurance card VHIC, before the waiver deadline to opt-out of SHIP. Otherwise, SHIP automatically defaults as primary insurance, and any financial aid refund could be impacted when an approved waiver is not on file before the waiver deadline.
Travel Assistance Services
A comprehensive program providing 24/7 assistance and evacuation benefits when on SHIP.
Domestic students enrolled in SHIP are eligible for services when traveling 100 or more miles away from your primary residence, campus location or while participating in a Study Abroad program.
International students enrolled in SHIP are eligible to receive services worldwide, except in your home country.
Key assistance benefits include:
- Emergency Medical Evacuation
- Dispatch of Doctors/Specialists
- Medical Repatriation
- Repatriation of Remains
- May also include additional assistance services to support your medical needs, including worldwide medical referrals and medication/vaccine transfers.
Reaching out to UnitedHealthcare Global connects you to:
- Experienced crisis management professionals
- A global network of over 41,000 pre-qualified medical providers
- A state-of-the-art Emergency Response Center with worldwide response capabilities
Review your Brochure Certificate on your MyAccount dashboard for more details.
Visit the UHC Global Intelligence Center site to access worldwide destination intelligence and pre-trip planning advice.
Contact Information:
1-877-461-2273 (US)
1-410-453-6330 (Outside US)
Use Reference ID #355751
All assistance services must be arranged and provided by UnitedHealthcare Global.
Contact Us
MSU Denver Student Insurance Office
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 303-615-9997
Location: Health Center at Auraria, Plaza Bldg 150
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, and Friday 8:00am – 3:00pm.
Schedule an appointment
Please note there is a failed appointment fee of up to $50.00 for missed appointments or short notice cancellations (less than 24 hours).
