Insurance & Billing
Calvin University is vitally concerned with the health and well-being of its students. We know insurance can be confusing, so this site provides valuable information and tools for students, parents and medical providers.
Insurance Requirements
Health and Human Services requires each person to have adequate health insurance. Calvin University requires proof of insurance by all students who are enrolled in 6 or more credits. If a student has valid health insurance that provides coverage while studying at Calvin University (a major medical plan that meets ACA requirements), a waiver form demonstrating adequate coverage must be completed on an annual basis. However, please do not assume that a plan provides coverage: it is strongly recommended that students investigate carefully with their insurance company prior to completing the waiver.
Major medical health insurance plans from outside the West Michigan region can be accepted with the understanding that coverage is not guaranteed. Major medical plans from outside the United States can only be accepted if proof of supplemental insurance (beyond travelers insurance) is submitted for consideration prior to August 15.
United HealthCare Student Plan: Calvin’s health insurance for students
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) (United HealthCare Student Plan) offered through Calvin University is a plan designed with a student’s needs and budget in mind and covers all care received at Calvin Health Services, for both undergraduate and graduate students. Most importantly, United HealthCare Student Plan gives students access to an extensive network of health care providers practicing in the Grand Rapids area.
All registered degree-seeking domestic and international students are required to enroll in the student health insurance plan unless an international student has proof of full sponsorship by a government agency including health insurance or a domestic student has proof of health insurance provided by a United States employer or state or federal agency (ACA compliant plan). Only students meeting these specific criteria may request to waive out of the student health insurance plan.
The deadline to request a waiver ends 30 days before the start of classes. The premium of the student health insurance plan is assigned to your student account. The student health plan is annual if it begins in the fall semester and becomes active on August 15th. Students starting in the spring have active insurance starting on January 1st. Students graduating in December will be registered for the fall-only plan.
Students with private insurance
Whether students have the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or request a waiver because they are covered through private insurance, on-campus health care at Health Services is available to all Calvin students, regardless of what insurance they carry. Most local insurance carriers cooperate with Calvin Health Services regarding medical claims but many insurance plans from outside of Michigan consider our practice “out-of-network”.
We accept most U.S. based plans and bill them directly. We do not bill Medicare, out-of-state Medicaid, or subsidized Michigan Medicaid plans. See our list of participating insurance companies »
Calvin University requires all full-time students to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) OR request a waiver. Waiver requests are only accepted during the open enrollment period.
Activate your student health insurance OR request a waiver during the open enrollment period. *Note -- the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) becomes active on August 15th or January 1st, depending on which semester the student is enrolling at Calvin. This happens automatically if a request to waive the student health insurance plan was not requested during the open enrollment period.
For Fall Semester: Open Enrollment Period is July 1st through July 31st
For Spring Semester: Open Enrollment Period is November 1st through December 10th.
Insurance Waiver and Insurance Enrollment Form
Domestic students may request a waiver if they can provide proof of ACA compliant insurance (see below for criteria ). Most domestic students are under their parent’s/guardian’s insurance plan until the age of 26. In general, these employer funded plans meet this requirement. Government funded plans such as Medicaid or Medicare from outside of the state of Michigan are only accepted if the Medicaid/Medicare plan covers emergencies in the state of Michigan.
Any domestic student may request a waiver if:
(a) The student provides proof of active health insurance provided by their United States based employer (for students employed in the US while attending Calvin)
(b) The student provides proof of active insurance under parent’s/guardian’s employer plan (up to age 26, with proof of dependent coverage)
(c) Marketplace plans through the state or federal exchange
(d) Depending on your state, you may qualify for Medicaid. Go to https://www.healthcare.gov/.gov to determine if you may be eligible. Waiver requests must be submitted with proof of activation of the Medicaid Plan, or Calvin’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) will be activated.
International students who have full financial sponsorship of a government agency including health insurance must submit a copy of their financial guarantee to health@calvin.edu. A financial guarantee that covers the current academic year must be on file before a waiver can be requested. Waivers are applied annually.
What are the criteria to be eligible to request a waiver? Any international student may request a waiver if:
(a) The student provides proof of full sponsorship by a government agency including health insurance, or
(b) The student provides proof of active health insurance provided by their United States employer (only applies to students employed fulltime in the USA, while attending Calvin), or
(c) The student provides proof of active insurance under parent’s/guardian’s United States employer (up to age 26, with proof of dependent coverage when parents are employed within the USA)
All other international students are required to enroll in Calvin’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Any individual insurance purchased by international students will not be considered for waiver requests and will be considered secondary insurance to the student health plan. For assistance contact Calvin Health Services at 616-526-6187 or email health@calvin.edu
• The insurance plan must be provided by an employer licensed to do business in the U.S. with a U.S. claims office address, U.S. claims phone number, and insurance plan information available in English. Only U.S. based employer plans qualify. If the student or parents of the student are not insured by their employer, an individual insurance plan will not qualify. Short-term travel insurance does not qualify. Reimbursement programs (includes reimbursement vouchers from home governments or their U.S. based consulates) do not qualify. Cost sharing co-ops or plans do not qualify.
• Plan provides coverage, unconditionally, for pre-existing conditions.
• The plan must provide inpatient and outpatient care. This includes office visits and behavioral health visits.
• Plan must have a deductible not exceeding $1,000 per person per policy year.
• The plan must provide major medical benefits of at least $500,000 in coverage per sickness or injury.
• The plan’s total out-of-pocket costs may not exceed $8,000 per policy year. • Plan must provide pharmacy benefits.
• Plan must provide maternity benefits.
• Plan must provide mental health benefits.
Emergency care coverage or travel insurance does NOT meet the coverage requirements and does NOT qualify for a fee waiver.
Prior to beginning a waiver request, the student should review all the criteria and must meet one or more of the above criteria. To initiate the waiver request the student must:
1. Have a Health insurance card
2. Have Health insurance plan description or brochure
3. Know their Calvin University Student ID number
4. Submit a waiver request during the open enrollment period.
International students who have applied for waivers in previous semesters will need to apply again. as
Insurance Waiver and Insurance Enrollment Form
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) premium will be assessed on your Calvin University student account in early August. Refunds are only permitted within 30 days of enrollment, and once the plan is activated (used for a medical expense) it cannot be refunded. To avoid any fees or a Calvin class registration hold, turn in waiver request or enrollment form prior to the OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD deadline. For those enrolling later than usual, the premium will be assessed to your account 7-10 days after you have met with your academic advisor and have enrolled in your courses.
Fees at Health Services
Calvin University maintains a fully staffed comprehensive primary care office on campus for all students. Billing and payment options for in-network and out-of-network patients are provided. The cost of care is similar to the cost of care in the local community. Any fees not covered by the insurance plan are the responsibility of the patient and expected to be paid in full at the time of service by after insurance has paid their portion. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted for non-students.
Contact the Health Services Office Manager at 616-526-6187 ext 4 if you have questions regarding:
• The cost of medical services.
• Student account Health Services charges.
• Insurance coverage.
• Out-of-pocket expenses.
• Making a payment.