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 enrolled in ISHIP
- ISHIP coverage begins on 9/1 BUT you must register for Autumn quarter classes to activate your ISHIP coverage.
- LifeWise will email you 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 cards should arrive the week of 9/13.
- Keep this insurance card with you. You will use it when you see a doctor or other provider for services.
- You may also access your digital insurance card from the LifeWise ISHIP Mobile App.
- Your local mailing address in MyUW must be a U.S. address to properly create a LifeWise portal account, access the ISHIP Mobile app, 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 contact LifeWise directly with any benefit questions.
Students registered for Autumn quarter classes and in the U.S.
- LifeWise will email you the week of 9/1 confirming you have enrolled in ISHIP.
- It is your responsibility to read and follow the instructions in the LifeWise email.
- If you recently 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 9/13.
- You may also access your digital insurance card from the LifeWise ISHIP Mobile App 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 9/13.
- Update the local mailing address information in your 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 9/13 and have an updated local mailing address in their MyUW will receive a LifeWise insurance card that week.
- Students who arrive on or after 9/13 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.
- You may access your digital insurance card from the LifeWise ISHIP Mobile App 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.
- LifeWise will email you 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.
- Your LifeWise insurance card will be sent either the week of 9/13 (if you registered for classes before 9/13) 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 10/15.
- There is no need to pay for ISHIP insurance fees before using your ISHIP coverage to see a doctor.