Insurance Rates
ISHIP Premiums & Payment
- Quarterly rates are applied every quarter a student registers for classes. Insurance coverage applies only for that quarter.
- Annual rates are applied once and insurance coverage applies to the academic year through summer quarter, from September through August regardless of whether you enroll during summer quarter. If you wish to maintain health insurance over summer quarter, even if you will not take classes, you must select the annual insurance through summer option before the spring quarter tuition & fees due date.
When a student enrolls in ISHIP, the insurance premium is added to your tuition statement and is due on the 3rd Friday of each quarter. If you select the annual insurance option, you will pay the annual premium for the year during that quarter and will maintain insurance coverage through summer quarter. ISHIP fees are due and must be paid together with your tuition each quarter or at once for annual coverage.
For more information on how to pay tuition, and ISHIP fees, review the tuition payment section of Student Fiscal Services.
Rates for 2023-2024
All rates are pending approval by the Washington State Office of Insurance Commission and may be subject to change.
| Quarterly | Annual Autumn |
Annual Winter |
Annual Spring |
Summer** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Only | $468 | $1,872 | $1,404 | $936 | $468 |
| Student + 1 Dependent | $926 | $3,704 | $2,778 | $1,852 | $926 |
| Student + 2 Dependents | $1,384 | $5,536 | $4,152 | $2,768 | $1,384 |
| Student + 3 Dependents | $1,842 | $7,368 | $5,526 | $3,684 | $1,842 |
| Student + Spouse + 3 Dependents under 21 | $2,300 | $9,200 | $6,900 | $4,600 | $2,300 |
Dependents are defined as a spouse and/or child.
**If you have selected insurance for a single quarter, you must be registered for classes during summer quarter in order to maintain insurance coverage. If you have selected annual insurance coverage, you will keep insurance coverage through the summer whether or not you register for classes in summer, graduate, or travel home.
Rates for 2022-2023
| Quarterly | Annual Autumn |
Annual Winter |
Annual Spring |
Summer** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Only | $454 | $1,816 | $1,362 | $908 | $454 |
| Student + 1 Dependent | $898 | $3,592 | $2,694 | $1,796 | $898 |
| Student + 2 Dependents | $1,342 | $5,368 | $4,026 | $2,684 | $1,342 |
| Student + 3 Dependents | $1,786 | $7,144 | $5,358 | $3,572 | $1,786 |
| Student + 4 Dependents | $2,230 | $8,920 | $6,690 | $4,460 | $2,230 |
Coverage Periods
Annual coverage dates are set. Quarterly coverage dates vary by quarter and depend on the academic calendar.
| Insurance Coverage Year | 2023 – 2024 | 2022 – 2023 |
| Annual Insurance | Sep 1, 2023 – Aug 31, 2024 | Sep 1, 2022 – Aug 31, 2023 |
| Autumn Quarter | Sep 1, 2023 – Jan 2, 2024 | Sep 1, 2022– Jan 2, 2023 |
| Winter Quarter | Jan 3 – Mar 24, 2024 | Jan 3 – March 26, 2023 |
| Spring Quarter | Mar 25 – Jun 16, 2024 | March 27 – June 19, 2023 |
| Summer Quarter | Jun 17 – Aug 31, 2024 | June 20 – Aug 31, 2023 |
Dependents are defined as a spouse and/or child.
**If you have selected insurance for a single quarter, you must be registered for classes during summer quarter in order to maintain insurance coverage. If you have selected annual insurance coverage, you will keep insurance coverage through the summer whether or not you register for classes in summer, graduate, or travel home.
How to Enroll & Pay
First Quarter Registration: International students initially sign up for ISHIP when they register for classes via MyUW the very first time. In MyUW, click on the Registration link. Students will be taken to the Insurance/Optional Charges link in the top menu and may choose quarterly or annual coverage and add dependents, if applicable. (MyUW screenshots provided for your convenience)
Adviser Registration: When an adviser registers a student for classes, the adviser will need to contact the ISHIP Office to manually enroll the student in ISHIP coverage before proceeding with registration.
Following Quarter Registrations: International students who chose Annual coverage previously will continue to be enrolled and covered. Students who chose quarterly coverage previously will automatically be enrolled in the student-only quarterly coverage. However, students have the option to change to Annual coverage or to add dependents, if necessary.
ISHIP Payment: When a student enrolls in ISHIP, the insurance fees are added to the tuition statement. ISHIP fees are due, with tuition, on the 3rd Friday of each quarter. For more information on how to pay tuition, and ISHIP fees, review the tuition payment section of Student Fiscal Services.
Registered Status: Students must be registered in classes in order to enroll and maintain insurance coverage. It may take 1-2 business days for course registration information to reach LifeWise systems in order to activate coverage. LifeWise may not be able to assist students who contact them directly and whose insurance is not yet activated.
MyUW & Insurance Screenshots
MyUW Registration Link
Registration Page – Insurance Link
MyUW Insurance/Optional Charges Page – ISHIP Option
Insurance Benefits Booklet
The LifeWise benefit booklet is a comprehensive manual of all medical benefits provided. Some covered benefits include physical therapy, chiropractic services, acupuncture care, and mental health services. Students are encouraged to review the benefits booklet to determine if a service is covered by ISHIP.
LifeWise Benefit Booklet 2023-2024 (pdf)
Dental, Vision, Pharmacy Benefits
LifeWise provides dental, vision, and pharmacy benefits. Students are strongly encouraged to carry and present their LifeWise insurance cards whenever they receive any medical or health-related services.
Dental & Vision Network Providers: LifeWise has a list of dental and vision providers who are contracted with LifeWise. Students can search for local providers on the “Find a Doctor” feature on the LifeWise website.
Non-Network Providers: Students may go to ANY dentist or optometrist anywhere in the United States, as long as they are licensed providers. Some providers will not directly bill LifeWise Assurance Company and in these cases, the student is responsible for paying the medical bill and submitting a claim form (pdf) to LifeWise.
Pharmacy Providers: LifeWise has a list of pharmacies that are contracted with LifeWise. Students can search for local providers on the “Find a Doctor” feature on the LifeWise website or call the Pharmacy Locator Line at 800-391-9701.
LifeWise Pharmacy Benefit Guide
Bothell and Tacoma Campus Information
UW Bothell and UW Tacoma campuses have access to clinics located conveniently near their respective campuses. Students will receive campus clinic benefits when seen at either of these two locations or the Hall Health Center on the Seattle’s campus.
UW Bothell Campus Clinic:
HealthPoint – Bothell Medical Clinic and Pharmacy
10414 Beardslee Blvd. Suite 100
Bothell, WA 98011
425-486-0658
UW Tacoma Campus Clinic:
Franciscan Medical Building at St. Joseph
1608 S. J St., Third Floor
Tacoma, WA 98405
253-274-7503
LifeWise Portal for Bothell and Tacoma students
How to Change Coverage Plans
Students may change their quarterly plan to the annual plan during the next registration cycle via MyUW. The annual plan purchased during winter quarter registration covers Winter, Spring, and summer quarters. The annual plan purchased during spring quarter registration covers spring and summer quarters.
- Once logged into MyUW, students click on the Registration link.
- Once registered for classes, click on the Insurance/Optional Charges link in the top menu.
- Select the insurance options changes you wish to make on Insurance/Optional Charges page
- Changes can only be made through the third Friday of the quarter.
MyUW & Insurance Screenshots
MyUW Registration Link
Registration Page – Insurance Link
MyUW Insurance/Optional Charges Page – ISHIP Option
How to Cancel Coverage
Please read carefully: Students who purchase ISHIP health coverage are entering into a contract with LifeWise Assurance Company. The terms of agreement can be found in the benefits booklet and include provisions for eligibility, membership, and cancellation. With regard to cancellation, the contract reads: “There are no refunds to students who cancel coverage unless the insured enters the armed forces or becomes eligible for the Graduate Appointee Insurance Plan (GAIP) policy.” Students should also review the section in the benefits booklet entitled “Making Changes” for additional information.
ISHIP Cancellation Criteria
Students may request to cancel ISHIP only under one of the following categories or circumstances:
- **Cancel by the tuition due date (usually the third Friday of the quarter). Requires cancelling through MyUW and contacting the ISHIP Office.
- **Withdraw from all classes before the seventh calendar day of the quarter. Requires verification with the Student Health Insurance Office.
- An ISS waiver has been approved by International Student Services (ISS). Coverage is automatically canceled.
- University processing error. The student must contact the ISHIP Office.
- GAIP eligible appointment. Automatically cancelled.
- The student, their spouse or domestic partner enter military service on full-time active duty. Contact the Student Health Insurance Office.
- Annual enrollment can not be canceled in subsequent quarters except for a GAIP-eligible appointment or entrance into military service.
**The student database/registration system will not automatically cancel ISHIP coverage when a student withdraws or receives approval for tuition forfeiture. In these cases, the student is responsible for contacting the ISHIP Office by the third Friday of the quarter to cancel insurance coverage. Otherwise, the student will be charged and may owe a late fee.
Refundable Eligibility
ISHIP fees are not always refundable. The UW is obligated to pay the insurance carrier shortly after the third Friday of each quarter. If a cancellation request comes in AFTER the UW has paid the insurance carrier, the student will be responsible for ISHIP fees incurred during that quarter. Contact the ISHIP counselor to determine if a student is still eligible for a refund.
Insurance Coverage Petition
Students who wish to cancel their ISHIP coverage but do not fall under one of the categories listed above may petition the Student Insurance office for cancellation by submitting a petition. Petitions are granted on the basis of University processing error only.
Students must email the ISHIP Office at stdins@uw.edu by the specified deadline, if applicable.