International and Graduate assistants will be automatically enrolled in the Auburn University Health Plan. Students on a Graduate Assistantship receive a special rate on health insurance premiums.

To understand how the student health insurance plan works, it is important to understand that your health plan at Auburn University consists of two parts:

  1. University Health Services (AUMC)

University Health Services (Auburn University Medical Clinic) is a complete outpatient health center for students, providing medical, mental health and preventive care. Our clinicians serve as your “family doctor” while you’re at Auburn University. All eligible registered students may use the services of AUMC, regardless of what type of major medical insurance they have.

  1. Auburn University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

As voted in by students and passed by the Auburn University board, the University requires that all international students and graduate students with assistantships have medical insurance, and provides the Auburn University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) to meet this requirement. The SHIP covers services at AUMC including primary care and services outside AUMC including hospitalization, off-campus or out-of-area care while traveling, and some specialty services not available at AUMC. Students are automatically enrolled in SHIP and the premium is charged on their e-bill.

Students can choose to keep SHIP or waive enrollment if they have comparable coverage. Most students keep their SHIP enrollment because it is a solid, comprehensive plan; it is convenient and provides coverage worldwide, offers excellent benefits and is affordable. SHIP and AUMC work hand-in-hand.

Health insurance helps protect you from high medical costs. When you have a health plan, you pay a monthly premium. In return, your plan helps pay for covered services when you need it.

Here's an example:

Let's say you have a serious illness and need surgery and a hospital stay. The total cost for your medical expenses add up to $50,000. Without health insurance, you would have to pay the full amount. With insurance, you pay only part of the cost. Blue Cross works with many doctors and hospitals to help lower the cost of covered care. Your share is based on the amount allowed by your plan, not always the full amount billed.

For this example, your plan has:

  • A $500 deductible

  • 20% coinsurance

  • A $9,200 out-of-pocket maximum

First, you pay your $500 deductible. After that, there is $49,500 left. Your coinsurance is 20%, which would be $9,900. But your plan has a $9,200 out-of-pocket maximum. This means you will not pay more than $9,200 for covered care during the year. So, you pay $500 toward your deductible and $8,700 in coinsurance.

Your total cost is $9,200. Your health plan pays the rest, which is $40,800.

Once you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, your plan pays 100% of covered medical costs for the rest of the year.

Blue Cross is here to help you understand your plan and get the most from your benefits.

Please see the coverage dates and premium rates by semester on the Mandatory Enrollment page.

Yes, if you have a policy that is equal to or greater than the policy coverage we offer, then you can waive coverage or opt-out. The waiver form is due by the waiver deadline listed on the waiver request page, and will not be accepted after this date. Please contact the insurance office at insurance@auburn.edu for any further questions.

Yes, a new waiver needs to be filled out at the beginning of every fall semester to waive insurance coverage for that academic year.

  • No authorization from the AUMC is required for visits to an emergency room.

  • Please provide the facility with the electronic version of your insurance card. This can be found at auburn.mycare26.com.

  • All follow-up care must be authorized in advance by AUMC, prior to seeing your physician.

  • There is a $300 medical emergency copay which is waived if you are admitted to the hospital.

The Student Health Insurance Office has enrolled you in your insurance plan. If you have any questions about claims, please contact BCBS Customer Service. The phone number is provided on the back of your insurance card and in the contact guide.

If a dependent departs the United States prior to the start of a policy period, they will not be enrolled in, nor charged for, that policy term.

The health insurance policy consists of two terms:

  • Fall Term (effective August 16)
  • Spring/Summer Term (effective February 16)

Dependents who leave the United States before August 16 will not be enrolled in or billed for the Fall term.

Dependents who leave the United States before February 16 will not be enrolled in or billed for the Spring/Summer term.

However, if a dependent departs the United States on or after the policy effective date, they will remain enrolled and will be financially responsible for the full policy term.

This plan is only available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. International students are not eligible for this plan.

A wellness check-up is covered 100% once per year under certain circumstances. To have it covered as a free wellness visit, you should contact AUMC and clearly state that you only need a preventive wellness check-up.

If you request any additional services or discuss specific symptoms or health concerns during the visit, it will no longer be considered a wellness check-up, and charges may apply.

If you want the visit to remain free, make sure to inform them in advance that you are scheduling only a wellness check-up and avoid discussing any medical issues or concerns during the appointment.

This waiver request form is for international students who are enrolled in the mandatory health insurance plan but wish to opt out because they already have an existing policy with equal or greater coverage. The alternative insurance must be U.S.-based and provided by an employer, parent, spouse, or an embassy-sponsored plan. Consult with the Office of International Programs (insurance@auburn.edu) for details.

This waiver request form is for domestic graduate students who are included in the mandatory group (GA/GRA/GTAs) and wish to opt-out of coverage due to having an existing health insurance policy of equal or greater coverage. More details can be found on this Graduate School Waiver Request page.

J-1 visa holders & their dependents are not eligible to request a waiver. F-1 visa holders without US-based health insurance are not eligible to request a waiver. Check with the Office of International Programs at insurance@auburn.edu for any questions or concerns.

All international students who arrive before our policy begins are enrolled in an early coverage period. The rate is reduced and added to your ebill for the semester previous. We know you did not attend but, this is policy for all our international students.