Health Insurance

Health insurance guarantees that you can obtain necessary treatment if you develop a serious illness or injury. It also guarantees that you can obtain preventative medical services like immunizations and physical exams.

The George Washington University (GW) offers a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Aetna Student Health.

In accordance with the Affordable Care Act, some of the benefits that are offered by the GW SHIP include:

  • An unlimited lifetime maximum benefit
  • Prescription coverage after $100 deductible
  • Preventative services covered at 100% (at preferred providers)
  • Contraception covered 100% (at preferred providers)

Mandatory SHIP

ALL undergraduate students, medical, on-campus nursing, on-campus Health Science, and ALL international students holding a J1 or F1 visa are required to carry student health insurance while they study at GW. These students will be automatically enrolled in the GW SHIP. 

NEW: For more information, please review the 2022-2023 Aetna Benefits Summary.

Students who wish to opt out of GW SHIP, must have health insurance coverage that meets certain domestic or international coverage requirements. More information is available from University Health Plans and by clicking below. Please note, you must complete a waiver every academic year you remain enrolled at GW.

Waive SHIP

The Fall 2022 Waiver Period closes September 12, 2022.

Voluntary SHIP

All other on-campus GW students are welcome to voluntarily enroll in the Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan directly with University Health Plans.

For more information on specific plan benefits, please review the 2022-2023 Aetna Benefits Summary. Click on the yellow button below to enroll.

Fall 2022 Open Enrollment

Enroll in SHIP

 

GA's, GRA's, and Fully-Funded Fellows

The Fall 2022 enrollment period ends September 12, 2022.

Printing Your ID Card

You can access your insurance ID card by going to the University Health Plans website and then clicking on the link "Online Insurance ID Card" on the left. You may also click on the button below:

Get ID Card

 

Contact Us

For waiver, enrollment, eligibility, general benefit questions or plan issues, please contact University Health Plans at 1-833-251-1721.

For specific benefit or claims questions, contact Aetna Student Health at 1-877-480-4161.

For all other questions or concerns, email [email protected].