All Harvard University students are automatically enrolled in and term-billed for the Harvard University Student Health Plan, which consists of the Student Health Fee (SHF) and the Harvard Student Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Plan.  Students who meet certain requirements may be eligible to waive one or both parts of the Plan, and have their term bill credited for the related fee(s).  All waivers must be completed online prior to the waiver deadlines (Fall deadline 9/30; Spring deadline 2/28).  All waiver applications do not renew automatically. A new application must be submitted each year (or each term if applying by term). If completing both the BCBS & SHF waiver applications, you must complete two separate applications. Late waiver requests will not be granted. There are no exceptions to this policy. 

HOW THE WAIVER WORKS

Eligible students may waive the Student Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Plan and/or the Student Health Fee (SHF).  Eligible students may apply to waive coverage for the entire year, or apply each term to waive coverage for that term only.

• The Student Health Fee (SHF) covers most services provided at the Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) and includes a prescription drug benefit. Students who apply to waive the SHF* agree to waive the prescription benefit as well, and agree to be seen on a fee-for-service basis at Harvard University Health Services for urgent care services only.  Please note that only a very small percentage of Harvard students are eligible to waive this fee (see eligibility requirements on next page).

• The Harvard Student BCBS Plan is designed to complement the health care provided under the SHF; it covers medically necessary hospitalization, emergency care, and some services and procedures not available through HUHS. Students who apply to waive the BCBS agree to take full responsibility for health care costs not covered by the Student Health Fee. All students are eligible to waive this fee so long as they have a comparable insurance that meets Massachusetts mandates. (see eligibility requirements on next page).

NOTE: Students who waive the BCBS Plan but who are not eligible to waive the Student Health Fee (SHF) retain access to all services covered by the SHF.  For a list of services, see the SHF benefits summary.  

   
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