Keep or Cancel Student Health Insurance?
According to the American College Health Association, medical expenses are the number one financial reason students leave school. Illinois State requires students to have comprehensive health and accident insurance and includes the Student Health Insurance plan in tuition and fees.
Although students may waive the plan, about 80% of eligible students keep it because it provides significant financial protection. Even for those with primary insurance, the plan paid millions in costs last year that would have otherwise been out-of-pocket, processing more than 40,000 claims and saving students over $19 million annually for the past three years, most of those claims coming from students who already had other primary coverage.
If you have questions about your coverage needs, call a Student Health Insurance Specialist at (309) 438-2515 to review your options and find what’s best for you or your student.
Why Keep Both Plans?
Even if you already have insurance, the Student Health Insurance Plan can:
- Cover deductibles, copays, and coinsurance
- Pay for out-of-network or non-covered charges
- Protect you if family insurance changes (e.g., job loss, retirement, higher premiums)
Approximately 80% of eligible students do keep this plan because it often covers costs their primary insurance does not, sometimes up to 100% when benefits are coordinated.
Plan Highlights
- Affordable Care Act–compliant and Platinum-rated (highest ACA rating)
- Covers most accidents, illnesses, preventive care, contraceptives, and prescriptions worldwide
- Works with other insurance to cover remaining eligible charges (up to 100%), and the majority of the millions of dollars paid out in claims last year were for students who already had primary insurance.
- Includes OnCall International: 24/7 worldwide medical and travel assistance, evacuation/repatriation, and accidental death benefit
- Optional dental plan available (no dental coverage included in the health plan)
- Illinois State students can find full policy details and access their member login at Aetna Student Health.
Questions to Ask Before Cancelling
- Will my current plan cover me for the entire term?
- How well does it cover care outside my home area? (HMO/PPO restrictions)
- Are ISU-area doctors and hospitals in-network? (ZIP codes: 61761, 61701, 61702, 61704, 61705)
- Would keeping the ISU plan lower my out-of-pocket costs?
How to Cancel
To cancel the Student Health Insurance plan, complete the online cancellation form and provide proof of other coverage (a copy of your insurance card may be required) by the deadlines below:
- Fall/Spring: 15th calendar day of the semester
- Summer: 8th calendar day of the semester
- Fall/spring/summer waiver period July 13 to August 31
- Spring/summer waiver period December 14 to January 25
- Summer only waiver period April 12 to May 24
Students who waive the Student Health Insurance plan still have access to the SHS Medical Clinic and Pharmacy.