Sign up for health insurance by following the instructions below:
See “How do uninsured students get health insurance?”
Understand How to Access Care Affordably
Prepaid Services for UW Seattle Students
Some on-campus health services are subsidized by the Services & Activities Fee, which all matriculated UW Seattle students pay. During quarters in which matriculated students are enrolled and registered for classes, these include:
- Short-term mental health support, including immediate crisis intervention through HuskyHelpLine
- Unlimited medical advice from a nurse by phone or videoconference
- Let’s Talk, a virtual, drop-in consultation program
- Portions of some visits to Husky Health Center
Health Insurance for UW Students
UW does not offer health insurance to domestic students. Domestic students are defined as US citizens, green card holders, DACA recipients and undocumented students. Domestic students are not required to have health insurance by the University. Many international students and graduate student employees are automatically enrolled in UW-provided health insurance.
Use the links and FAQ below to learn how to affordable access to on- and off-campus care, and how to obtain and use health insurance.
Domestic students who need information about how to obtain insurance should see “How do uninsured students get health insurance?” below.
Learn More About UW Insurance Plans
International Students
J1 or F1 visa holders are automatically enrolled in ISHIP
Graduate student appointees
Many graduate students employed by UW have GAIP
UW Study Abroad Insurance
Required for all UW students studying abroad
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is health insurance?
Health insurance is essential for students because it protects you from paying the full cost of health care. There are two main kinds of health insurance that are relevant to students:
- Private health insurance plans are contracts between you and an insurer. All plans include out-of-pocket costs like premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. You might have private insurance through an employer, parent, or spouse. You can also purchase private insurance as an individual. In Washington State, private insurance is only available for purchase through Washington Health Plan Finder (see below for details).
- Medicaid (Apple Health), a government health insurance plan for low-income people who are US citizens or green card holders of 5 years or more. The state and federal government cover the cost of care for people who are enrolled in Medicaid. In Washington State, Medicaid contracts with insurance companies, called “managed care organizations,” to handle billing and other administrative functions for people with who are eligible. Each person on Medicaid chooses one of these companies as their Apple Health “plan.”
Most UW students have in-state or out-of-state private insurance. About 25% of Seattle students have Washington State Medicaid, also known as Apple Health. Students with private health insurance should be prepared for out-of-pocket costs, such as premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. Medicaid (Apple Health) has no costs associated with it as long as you only seek covered services with contracted providers.
UW does not offer health insurance to domestic students. Domestic students are defined as US citizens, legal permanents, DACA and undocumented students. Domestic students are not required to have health insurance by the university. Most international students and many graduate employees are automatically enrolled in UW-provided health insurance.
How do uninsured students get health insurance?
If you reside in WA and don’t have health insurance, you will need to seek coverage through Washington Health Plan Finder, Washington state’s health insurance marketplace. It is also known as “the exchange.” International students can find information here on how to get health insurance during periods when they are not covered by ISHIP.
Out-of-state families should note that none of the insurance options available in Washington State will provide coverage for routine care outside of Washington. Plans available through the marketplace only provide emergency coverage out-of-state.
Living in another US state or territory? Use healthcare.gov to find your marketplace and apply for insurance.
Who is Eligible?
There is one application for health insurance through the WA marketplace. By completing this application, you will be sorted based on your eligibility into the appropriate category – private insurance (with or without a government subsidy) or Medicaid (Apple Health). You can elect to not be considered for Medicaid or government assistance, in which case you will only be eligible for full-fee private insurance ($300-600/month).
Private Insurance
All US citizens, legal permanent residents and student visa holders are eligible to apply for insurance through the exchange, regardless of income and other criteria. Depending on your income and immigration status, you may be eligible for government subsidies to assist with monthly premiums and other out-of-pocket costs.
Eligibility criteria for private insurance:
- Applying during open enrollment (November 1-December 15th) or eligible to apply outside of open enrollment due to a qualifying life event, such as losing insurance coverage of moving to a new zip code within the last 60 days. Note that you can apply for and enroll in Medicaid (Apple Health) any time of year.
- Documented immigration status (US citizen, legal permanent resident, student visa, etc.). Unfortunately, DACA recipients and undocumented students are not eligible.
- Local Washington state address (residence hall okay)
- Current Washington state residence. Washington state residency in this context is defined as having a local address and the self-reported intention of remaining in Washington after school. Note that this is a different definition of residency than for in-state tuition; you do not have to have a driver’s license in Washington or have lived here for a certain period of time. Note that if you report that you are not a resident, you will not be eligible for health insurance.
- To be eligible for subsidies, you must earn 100-400% of the federal poverty level. If the student is a dependent of a family member who is filing taxes in the US, parent/guardian income will be considered in the application. If the family member is based internationally and is not filing taxes in the US, the student should report their own personal income.
- Uninsured
Apple Health (Medicaid)
Only US citizens and legal permanent residents (green card holders) of more than five years are eligible for Washington State Medicaid (Apple Health). You can apply any time of year for Medicaid. Open enrollment only applies to private insurance. You can still be eligible for Medicaid even if you have private insurance.
Eligibility criteria for Medicaid (Apple Health):
- US citizen or legal permanent resident (green card holder) of five years. Undocumented students and DACA recipients are only eligible for comprehensive insurance if pregnant.
- Local Washington state address (residence hall or other student housing okay)
- Washington state residency – defined as having a local address and the self-reported intention of remaining in Washington state after school. Note that this is a different definition of residency than for in-state tuition; you do not have to have a driver’s license in Washington or have resided in Washington for a specific period of time.
- Earns up to 133% of the federal poverty level. If the student is a dependent of parents/guardians filing taxes in the US, parent/guardian income will be taken into consideration. If the family member is based internationally and is not filing taxes in the US, the student should report their own personal income instead.
Steps to Apply for Insurance
2 weeks before you need coverage to begin
- Gather materials you will need to apply: social security number, WA address, phone number, immigration documentation (if non-citizen), estimate of monthly income of applicant or family members if student is being claimed as a dependent on US taxes
- Determine which providers, if any, from whom you want to be able to continue to seek care. You may need to contact your current providers to find out which plans they are contracted with. You can find the list of marketplace private insurance and Medicaid plans contracted with UW Medicine/Husky Health Center below under “Which insurance plans are contracted with Husky Health UW Medicine?”
- Review the plans available to you that are contracted with your preferred health care providers at wahealthplanfinder.org. Make an account but don’t apply yet! Medicaid (Apple Health) plans have standard benefits; the only difference between the plans is the network of providers you can visit. (Also see below, Selecting a plan)
1 week before you need coverage to begin
Apply about one week before the student arrives in Seattle and/or current health insurance ends, set aside 30 minutes to complete the application by phone. In many cases, applicants are eligible for coverage immediately, or by the first of the following month. We strongly encourage the student to apply themselves.
- Call the Community Health Access Program (CHAP) at Public Health-Seattle & King County at 1-800-756-5437 to do the application by phone. We advise completing the application by phone with CHAP as opposed to applying online.
- At the end of the application, you may either designate which plan you would like over the phone or complete the process at wahealthplanfinder.org. Also, see below, Selecting a plan
Selecting a plan
Medicaid/Apple Health
There are five managed care organizations (MCOs) that are contracted with Washington State to manage the care of people with Medicaid. The benefits are standard across the plans, but the network of providers differs. In other words, you will want to select a plan based on which doctors, clinics, or health care providers you want to be able to see.
Each plan has a website you can visit:
- Amerigroup
- Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) – not contracted with UW Medicine/Husky Health
- Coordinated Care of Washington
- Molina
- United Healthcare
As you review the websites, answer these questions:
- Does the managed care organization’s network include the clinics and providers that you want to be able to see? Are there providers who are conveniently located close to your home and/or UW?
- Is the managed care organization’s website well-organized and easy to access? Is it easy to search for contracted providers?
- Does the managed care organization have a 24-hour nurse advice line?
Private Plans
Private insurance plans through the exchange tend to have limited networks of contracted providers, monthly premiums of $0-$800/month depending on the plan and your eligibility for subsidies, and annual deductibles of $1,000-$10,000/year.
Each person has a different set of priorities and needs regarding health care. There is no single plan that is best for all students. You will need to think about your needs and research options before you apply.
Questions you should consider:
- You will need to strike a balance between the deductible (the amount of money you must pay each year before your insurance begins to cover services) and your monthly premiums. Are you a person who rarely uses health care, and would prefer a lower monthly premium? Or do you frequently need health care, and prefer a lower deductible?
- What are your regular health care needs? What will your out-of-pocket costs look like for each of the plans in order to meet these needs?
- Does the plan’s network include the clinics and providers that you want to be able to see? Are there providers that are conveniently located close to your home and/or UW? Or are you willing to limit your choice of provider to lower the premium (i.e., by choosing a Kaiser plan)? You can find a list of marketplace plans that are contracted with UW Medicine/Husky Health below. See “What health insurance plans are contracted with UW Medicine/Husky Health?”
- Complete this worksheet for the plan(s) you consider.
Note to out-of-state families: Plans obtained through the state exchange will only provide comprehensive coverage in Washington state. Outside of Washington state, private insurance and Medicaid plans through WA Health Plan Finder will only cover emergency care. The reverse is true of exchange plans obtained outside of Washington State (i.e., California). These plans only provide emergency coverage in Washington State. If you decide not to obtain comprehensive coverage in WA and retain coverage in your home state, be sure you have a plan for what you will do if you need care while in Seattle.
How do I learn more about my insurance?
1. If you have health insurance, complete the Know Your Benefits Worksheet to learn about your coverage and benefits. This is an exercise for your own knowledge. You do not need to submit the worksheet or any other documentation to UW. Out-of-state families will need to determine if their insurance covers services in Washington state. Learn about out-of-pocket costs, like deductibles, copays and coinsurance. Look into coverage of common health needs, like mental health counseling, urgent care and prescription medication.
2. Identify a primary care provider, an urgent care provider and a pharmacy that are in-network with your insurance plan, where you will get the highest level of coverage. This is especially important if you are ineligible for health insurance (i.e., you are undocumented or on DACA).
Which insurance plans are contracted with Husky Health/UW Medicine?
UW Medicine and Husky Health are contracted with many insurance plans, but there are tens of thousands of plans out there. The only way to know for sure if your plan is contracted is to call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card to complete the Know Your Benefits worksheet.
This list is subject to change and does not guarantee that your insurance will cover the cost of all services with Husky Health/UW Medicine.
Contracted Insurance Plans
UW Student Health Insurance Plans
- International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP), through Lifewise
- Graduate Appointee Insurance Plan (GAIP), through Lifewise
Private Insurance Companies with Plans Available Through Washington Health Plan Finder (as of 2021)
- Premera
- Regence
- Molina
- BridgeSpan (RealValue plans only)
- United Healthcare
Since 2021, you can now select “public option” plans, which have a lower deductible, by choosing a plan with the word “Cascade” in the name. Husky Health is contracted only with the public option plans offered by the insurers listed above.
Private Insurance Companies with Plans Available Through Washington Health Plan Finder (as of 2020)
- Premera
- Molina
- BridgeSpan
Apple Health (Medicaid) Managed Care Plans
- Molina
- Amerigroup
- Coordinated Care
- UnitedHealthcare
Note: Husky Health not contracted with Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW). You can change your Apple Health Managed Care plan by calling the Health Care Authority at 1.800.562.3022.
Other Plans That May be Contracted
The following commercial insurers are sometimes contracted with UW Medicine/Husky Health. The only way to know for sure if your plan is contracted is to call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card and ask the questions posed in the Know Your Benefits worksheet.
- Aetna
- BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois
- CIGNA
- First Choice Health
- Lifewise group plans (not individual marketplace plans)
- Multiplan
- Premera Blue Cross
- Regence Blue Shield
- Uniform Medical Plan (Regence BlueShield)
- UnitedHealthcare
Tricare
There are two types of Tricare: Prime and Select. Determine which you have first.
Tricare Prime
An HMO-style plan available to active-duty personnel, retirees, and their families. Each Prime member is assigned a Primary Care Manager, who provides all routine care and facilitates referrals to specialists as needed. Active duty members must use a military treatment facility for their care, but family members may come to UW Medicine, including Husky Health.
People with Tricare have three ways to obtain medical coverage at Husky Health Center:
- Getting a referral from your Primary Care Manager (PCM). Contact Husky Health to select a provider who is accepting new patients first, then contact your PCM to request a referral.
- Switching your Primary Care Manager to a Husky Health medical provider: Contact Husky Health to select a provider who is accepting new patients first, then submit your request. It takes 2-5 business days for a routine request to be processed.
- Use your non-network benefit, if available, which covers 50% of the cost and includes a $300 deductible
Tricare Select
A fee-for-service plan available to active-duty personnel, retirees, and their families. Active duty AND family members may come to UW Medicine, including Husky Health. No referral is needed.
Plans That Do Not Cover the Cost of Care at Husky Health/UW Medicine
- Kaiser Permanente HMO plans
- Lifewise individual plans available through the WA marketplace
- Coordinated Care individual plans available through the WA marketplace
- Out-of-state Medicaid, such as MediCal. If you have out-of-state Medicaid, review the information above about transitioning to Washington Medicaid (Apple Health).
- Out-of-state private plans purchased on a state or federal exchanges, which only provide emergency coverage in Washington State
- Community Health Plan of Washington (an Apple Health plan)
Which campus health services are subsidized?
Some on-campus health services are subsidized by the Services & Activities Fee (SAF), which all matriculated UW Seattle students pay.
Some UW community members are not eligible for these services because they do not pay SAF, including certain exchange programs, postdocs, and others.
During quarters in which matriculated students are enrolled, prepaid services include:
- Short-term mental health support, including immediate crisis intervention through mySSP
- Unlimited medical advice from a nurse by phone or videoconference
- Let’s Talk, a virtual, drop-in counseling program
- One visit with a medical provider for a problem or concern per quarter OR for a pre-travel consultation. Video and phone visits are eligible for this benefit. Additional services, such as lab tests, immunizations, imaging, x-rays, and medication, are billed to insurance. You will be responsible for any cost not covered by your insurance plan.
You are eligible for these services only during quarters in which you are enrolled at UW.
For any medical or mental health services not on this list, your health insurance will be billed. You will be responsible for any costs not covered by your insurance plan. Husky Health does not participate in charity care (financial assistance) or offer any discounts based on income or other factors.
What should I do if my insurance doesn’t cover the cost of coming to Husky Health/UW Medicine?
If your insurance does not contract with Husky Health Center and UW Medicine, but does work with other providers in Seattle, you will need to identify providers that you can visit affordably and conveniently, such as those listed below. Use your insurance company’s website to search for contracted providers.
- Kaiser – Visit the Capitol Hill or Northgate facilities for routine, urgent, or specialty care, or call the provider for further information.
- Tricare Prime (mental health) – While Husky Health can see students with Tricare Prime for medical care in some circumstances (see above), most Tricare Prime plans only provide partial coverage for mental health care with UW Medicine providers. Use the Tricare West Provider Directory to locate a provider that is in network or contact your Tricare Primary Care Manager to arrange for a referral.
- Community Health Plan of Washington (Medicaid) – Use the CHPW provider database to locate an in-network provider or contact the Health Care Authority at 1.800.562.3022 to change your plan to one that is contracted with Husky Health or other preferred providers.
What if I’m a DACA recipient or an undocumented student?
If you are undocumented or a DACA recipient, there may be a few plans that do not have immigration requirements associated with them available outside of the marketplace. These plans include monthly premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. You can contact an insurance broker to learn more.
If you are under the age of 18 or pregnant, regardless of your immigration status, you may be eligible for Apple Health.
If paying for insurance is not an option, you will want to identify affordable providers that you can visit in certain situations:
- Use UW no-cost services, such as Husky Health’s Nurse Advice service.
- For primary care, such as treatments for cold or flu, vaccines, birth control, etc., you can visit a Community Health Center.
- Some urgent care providers like ZoomCare offer self-pay discounts for uninsured patients.
- Obtain a Prescription Drug Discount Card to save money on prescription medications.
- For care that is essential to your ability to succeed academically, such as ADHD assessment, surgery, etc., consider applying for Emergency Aid through UW.
How can I protect my health information as a dependent?
If You’re Insured in Washington State
As of January 2020, a new law (leg.wa.gov) gives dependents (adult dependents and minors who can agree to care without a parent’s consent) the exclusive right to control who has access to their sensitive health information.
Sometimes you need to keep your personal health information private, such as when your health insurer sends you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement after you’ve visited the doctor. The EOB shows what your medical provider charged for the visit and the services, what your insurer allowed and paid, and what you may owe out-of-pocket.
By law (leg.wa.gov), your health plan can’t disclose your information if you tell them in writing that:
- It could put your safety at risk; or
- It’s related to reproductive issues, sexually-transmitted diseases, substance-use disorder or mental health services.
Under Washington state law, if you’re age 18 or younger and old enough to consent to your own health care services, your health plan should not release any personal health information about those services, unless you tell them in writing it’s OK. This includes:
- Mailing bills or EOBs to a policyholder or other covered people.
- Calling the home to confirm appointments.
- Mailing appointment notices.
