All University System of Georgia institutions are required to participate in the Student Health Insurance program. Students in the categories listed below are required to have insurance that meets the minimum standards. Students who are not covered by a policy held by a parent, spouse, company or organization on the approved waiver list (Organizations and Agencies Approved Waivers) or if the policy does not meet the minimum standards must purchase the USG SHIP policy.

2023-2024 Rates

2024-2025 Rates

Minimum Requirements

The University System of Georgia (USG) implemented a new requirement in Fall 2006 that requires all graduate students receiving a tuition reduction as part of their graduate assistantship award to have health insurance, which meets certain minimum requirements. The University System of Georgia requires all students in the above categories to have reasonable, comparable, creditable coverage to the current system-wide student health insurance plan provided. The following benefits must be included in your plan to be considered for a waiver.

Domestic Insurance Requirements:

• Both accident and sickness coverage
• Minimum benefit $500,000 per policy year**
• Coverage for all pre-existing conditions
• Reasonable deductible ($3,250 or less) and/or co-pay per individual, per year
• In-patient and outpatient, mental and nervous disorder benefits
• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Pay benefits worldwide
• All Georgia mandated requirements+
• The healthcare coverage must have in-network coverage in the State of Georgia
• **To meet Federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements your health plan should have no annual benefit limits. (These requirements are based on the federally mandated requirements of the ACA.)

International Insurance Requirements:

• Accident and sickness coverage of at least $250,000 per policy year
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness, per policy year
• In-patient and outpatient, mental and nervous disorder benefits
• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Pay benefits worldwide
• Medical evacuation to one's home country and family reunification in the amount of least $50,000
• Provision for repatriation of remains of at least $25,000
• In effect for the entire semester you are applying for a waiver
• USG is not open to international students ‘shopping’ for insurance upon arrival in the U.S. If they did not bring with them an appropriate national health care insurance that covers them in the U.S., then they will be expected to enroll in the mandatory health insurance plan (SHIP).

United Healthcare

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the USG has contracted United Healthcare to provide this insurance, which will automatically be charged to your UWG account. There is also a Voluntary Plan for students who are not receiving a tuition reduction and would like to acquire health insurance. For more information about the rates for Mandatory and Voluntary Plans, please see: United Healthcare: Student Resources. If a student is enrolled in the Voluntary Plan, s/he must be eligible for the insurance at the time of purchase.

Waiving the Mandatory Insurance Plan

If you have group insurance, you may be able to avoid this cost. If you have insurance that you believe meets the minimum standards (above), you must submit a waiver request to United HealthCare, who will decide if you are exempt from purchasing the policy through United HealthCare. You will need to have your insurance policy information readily available when you start the waiver process.

• Log on to United Healthcare: Student Resources. Click on the 'Waiver Form' link on the bottom of the page. Fill out the form(s) set up for your institution.
• The USG’s current provider will receive your request for a waiver and you will receive an email and a confirmation number verifying that you have successfully submitted your waiver. If you do not receive this email, resubmit your waiver request.
• Your request is then sent for verification.
• Your insurance plan will be verified that it meets the current requirements using the University System of Georgia approved minimum requirement guidelines.
• Once your request is reviewed, an email is sent either stating your plan has been approved or has been denied. If approved, the school will remove the charge from your tuition bill. If denied, the email will state the reason(s) why your plan is not approved.

If you have questions about the waiver or the United Healthcare system, please contact Angela Walker in Health Services at awalker@westga.edu. 

Enrolling in the Insurance Plan

The insurance charge will automatically be charged to students' accounts. Although students are automatically charged for the insurance, you will need to enroll online to activate coverage. To enroll, students will go online to: United Healthcare: Student Resources.

If you do not obtain the insurance OR do not receive a waiver from United Healthcare, your classes will be dropped. We assure you this is not something we want to have happen. You have until fee payment deadline each semester to receive an approved waiver or pay the fee and enroll.

Policy Requirements

The policy requires that students first visit UWG Health Services (except in cases of emergencies, when Health Services is closed, when treatment is received 30 miles from campus, or you require treatment for maternity or psychotherapy). The purpose of this requirement is to help save you time and money. The Department of Health Services provides a wide range of services, including free or low cost prescriptions for many medications, and is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, during the regular academic year. You can visit Health Services without an appointment. For more information visit the Department of Health Services website or call  (678) 839-6452.

If you have any questions, you may consult the USG website: https://www.usg.edu/student_affairs/student_health_insurance_program_SHIP.

Contact Information

United Healthcare Contact Information

Plan Information

United Healthcare Student Resources
2301 West Plano Parkway, Suite 300
Plano, TX 75075

Mail your claims to:

United Healthcare Student Resources
P.O. Box 809025
Dallas, TX 75380-9025

Customer Service - 1-800-767-0700