Health Insurance FAQ

All CMC students are required to have health insurance and are automatically enrolled in The Claremont Colleges’ Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).

• International students are required to enroll in the Claremont Colleges’ Student Health Insurance Plan.
• Domestic students may waive enrollment by providing proof of personal coverage.

• SHIP is a health insurance plan designed for students enrolled at The Claremont Colleges.
• The SHIP insurance carrier is Aetna EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization), a nationally recognized insurance company.

• International students are required to have the SHIP coverage. International students who can prove coverage by a domestic insurer who pays claims in the US. under a policy that meets the other waiver requirements may contact Lyn Hughes in the Dean of Students Office to request a waiver.

• Domestic Students who wish to waive out of the Student Health Insurance Plan must complete the waiver process each academic year. Students who have not been approved for waiver by July 8th will have the premium added to their first billing of the semester. The premium will be removed from the student’s account if a waiver approval is received before the September 13th waiver deadline. To submit a waiver request, please visit the SHIP Insurance Verification Portal.

• Students who wish to waive out of SHIP must complete the waiver process each academic year.

^* Please Note, students are enrolled in annual coverage unless otherwise requested. To enroll in a shorter coverage term, please contact Lyn Hughes.

The premium will be charged to your Student Account.

Yes, but the amount covered for services by an Aetna "in-network provider and an "out-of-network" provider can be significant and it is always a good idea to make sure your healthcare provider is part of the Aetna Student Health/SHIP network. To check whether a provider is listed as an “in-network” provider, please call Aetna Student Health customer service at 1-877-480-4161 or visit the Aetna Student Health website.

• Regardless of insurance, all Claremont McKenna College students have access to The Claremont Colleges’ Student Health Services (SHS) as well as Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services (MCAPS)
• Services at MCAPS are free.
• Appointments scheduled in advance at SHS are free; however, fees may be charged for services depending upon the type of treatment.
• Students are responsible for submitting medical claims to their insurance company directly (including students enrolled in SHIP). Student Health Services does not bill your insurance company, any charges will be added to your student account.

While you are required to have health insurance while participating in off-campus study, those who would typically enroll in Aetna SHIP while on campus are not required to choose SHIP as their off-campus study insurance. When you return from off-campus study, please either complete the insurance waiver on your student portal or contact the Dean of Students office to enroll in Aetna SHIP.

As long as the provider is preferred (in-network), you can typically expect to pay the following for routine services:

• Urgent care visit: $30 co-pay
• Emergency room visit: $300 co-pay (waived if admitted)
• Prescription: $20 generic/$40 formulary brand/$60 non-formulary brand
• Ambulance Service: $300 co-pay then 100% of the balance is paid by SHIP

A full list of benefits is available on the Aetna SHIP website. *Be sure to double check that you are receiving care that is preferred/in-network by calling Aetna at 877-480-4161. Otherwise your services may not be covered by your insurance.

A deductible is a set amount of money you must pay for services before your health insurance will begin paying claims. For Aetna SHIP, that deductible is $500.00. Many services will apply to your deductible, such as x-rays, MRIs or surgeries. These services are different from routine and preventive care, which typically will have a set co-pay (see common rates above). For example, if you have a $1200 procedure, you will be responsible for $500. Your insurance will then look at the remaining $700 and determine coverage (see benefit details for covered services). You have now met your yearly deductible and your insurance should cover the majority of future preferred services.

Exceptions to the deductible requirement:

1. If you are referred by Student Health Services to an off-campus, preferred provider
2. Student Health Services is closed and you see an off-campus, preferred provider
3. If you receive off-campus, preferred mental health services (therapy or psychiatry) and complete the deductible waiver through MCAPS

Once you are enrolled in SHIP, you will remain enrolled in the plan for the full coverage period. You have no option to terminate coverage unless you enter the armed forces. In that case we will refund — or your student account will be credited — a pro-rated share of your premium. If you are an international student withdrawing or graduating from your school and returning to your home country, you may qualify for a pro-rated refund of premium. 

Note: If there are any claims submitted and paid by the carrier the plan may not be terminated.

1. You are entering the armed forces.
2. You submit a Termination of Coverage form to Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk to cancel your coverage.

To Request Termination of Coverage

1. Go to www.gallagherstudent.com/schoolurl
2. In the “Account Detail” tile under “Plan Summary” click “the Termination of Coverage” link.
3. Complete the termination form, choosing your appropriate termination reason.
4. Some selections, like “alternate coverage, “will prompt you to provide alternate insurance information.
5. Submit the form. If your request is approved, your coverage will terminate at the end of the month during which we received the request. 

Note: if your health coverage does not meet your school’s waiver requirements, you will not be allowed to terminate coverage. Also, the prorated premium refund will be credited to your student account at the end of month.

Both Gallagher Student Health and Aetna Student Health have FAQ pages. The Gallagher Student Health customer service number is 1-833-882-3588, there is also a live chat function available on their webpage. The Aetna Student Health customer service number is 1-877-480-4161.