Each Autumn quarter the ISHIP Office receives many questions about enrolling in ISHIP, getting your LifeWise insurance card, and questions about updating your local mailing address. Here’s a primer for what to expect from ISHIP as you start Autumn quarter.
All students on ISHIP
- ISHIP coverage begins on 9/1 BUT you must register for Autumn quarter classes to activate your ISHIP coverage.
- A LifeWise email will be sent the week after you register for Autumn quarter classes OR the week when Autumn ISHIP coverage begins on 9/1, which ever date is later.
- LifeWise insurance card should arrive the week of 9/14.
- Keep this insurance card with you. You will use it when you see a doctor or other provider for services.
- Your local mailing address in MyUW must be a U.S. address to properly create a LifeWise portal account and receive your LifeWise card and documents.
- A LifeWise portal account is recommended but not required. However, an account provides you with greater access to your medical coverage and includes some additional features, such as access to a printable temporary insurance card if you need to see a doctor and have not received your permanent ID card yet.
Students registered for Autumn quarter classes and in the U.S.
- LifeWise email will be sent the week of 9/1 confirming you are enrolled in ISHIP.
- It is your responsibility to read and follow the instructions in the LifeWise email.
- If you changed your local mailing address in MyUW, please wait 3-5 business days before attempting to create your LifeWise portal account. This provides enough time for LifeWise to receive your latest address update and allow you to proceed with portal registration.
- LifeWise insurance card should arrive the week of 9/14.
- A temporary insurance card may be printed from the LifeWise portal account if you need to see a doctor before your card arrives.
Students registered for Autumn quarter classes but not yet in the U.S. or arriving later in September
- Students who do not have a local mailing address in the U.S. will receive an email from LifeWise but you may not receive your LifeWise insurance card.
- LifeWise insurance cards will be sent to your local mailing address the week of 9/14.
- Update the local mailing address information in MyUW account immediately upon determining the address.
- If you changed your local mailing address in MyUW, please wait 3-5 business days before attempting to create your LifeWise portal account. This provides enough time for LifeWise to receive your latest address update and allow you to proceed with portal registration.
- Students who arrive before 9/14 and have an updated local mailing address in MyUW will receive a LifeWise insurance card that week.
- Students who arrive on or after 9/14 may not receive a LifeWise insurance card. You will need to update your local mailing address in your MyUW account, create your LifeWise portal account and request a new LifeWise insurance card directly from your portal account. Your card will be sent to your updated local mailing address.
- A temporary insurance card may be printed from the LifeWise portal account if you need to see a doctor before your card arrives
Students not yet registered for Autumn quarter classes
- ISHIP enrollment happens automatically when you register for Autumn quarter classes.
- A LifeWise email will be sent 3-5 business days after you register for Autumn quarter classes.
- It is your responsibility to read and follow the instructions in the LifeWise email.
- A LifeWise insurance card will be sent either the week of 9/14 (if you registered for classes before 9/14) or 1-2 weeks after the date you registered for Autumn quarter classes.
Students who have not paid ISHIP fees
- When you register, the ISHIP insurance fee will appear on your tuition statement.
- You will pay ISHIP insurance fees with your tuition charges by the registration deadline, which is 10/16.
- There is no need to pay for ISHIP insurance fees before using your ISHIP coverage to see a doctor.