Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
FAQ's
Q: Why am I required to have health insurance? Can I be “forced” into enrolling in SHIP?
A: Effective fall semester 2003, Idaho State Board of Education policy requires full-fee paying students attending classes in Idaho to maintain adequate health insurance. Boise State University students registered for 8 or more credits, all international students, and ICS athletes are automatically enrolled in the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), with the premium charge added to their tuition and fees billing, in compliance with this State Board of Education mandate. Please see www.boardofed.idaho.gov/policies/iii/asp section 16.
Q: Why wasn’t I notified that my waiver was denied months ago?
A: Student enrollment status and eligibility for SHIP coverage is not finalized until the 10th day of classes each semester. Up until that date, Boise State has literally thousands of students who are continually adding and dropping courses, raising and lowering their credit load above and below 8 credits. With over 14,000 full-fee paying student records to review each semester, that process does not occur until student status has been finalized.
Q: Why wasn’t more time provided to respond to the tentative waiver denial?
A:It is critical for the student to know and understand their health insurance enrollment status as soon as possible, in case health care services are needed. Therefore, any missing or incorrect waiver information must be addressed immediately to ascertain whether the student has acceptable alternative coverage or will be required to be re-enrolled in SHIP.
Q: Why can’t I go out and sign up for another insurance policy to waive out with now? I'm going to need an extension because...
A: Full fee paying students must be enrolled in SHIP unless they can provide proof of continuous enrollment in an alternative plan with comparable benefits. The student has until 10th day of classes to submit appropriate waiver information. If the student submits alternative plans that do not meet the requirements or that the student is no longer enrolled in, they have failed the waiver requirement by the deadline date and must be enrolled in SHIP. The student is not provided multiple opportunities to submit additional optional plans for further consideration.
Q: What if I can't afford the SHIP coverage?
A: Having adequate health insurance coverage is one of the financial obligations for attending universities in the State of Idaho, per the State Board of Education. Please see www.boardofed.idaho.gov/policies/iii/asp section 16. Students should call the Boise State Account Maintenance department, at 208-426-2134, to discuss any payment plan options. This department handles all BSU student account payment plans.
Q: What if I don’t receive my SHIP insurance card and I have a doctor appointment? What does SHIP cover? Where do I find an in-network provider? How do I add my dependents?
A: You may access a copy of a temporary SHIP identification card by going to the BSU health insurance administrator’s website at www.maksin.com/bsu.shtml. You will find instructions on how to download the temporary card. You can also view the plan benefits, locate providers and download the dependent enrollment from this site. You may also contact Maksin directly at 1-877-775-5430 to request assistance.
Please contact the SHIP Department directly via email, SHIP@boisestate.edu if you have any questions or concerns PRIOR to the waiver deadline.
