Division of Student Life

Student Health Center

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

What is SHIP?

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is optional major medical health insurance for domestic students and required major medical insurance for international students. If you are not currently covered by a health insurance plan or may otherwise be interested in purchasing a new plan, read more about how the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) works.

Where can I purchase SHIP? 

The Hildreth Agency

10259 Kingston Pike 

Knoxville, TN 37922-3566 

Website: https://www.studenthealthprograms.com/ 

Phone: 865-691-4652 or 800-874-0831 

Email: [email protected] 

Note: If you are an international student, a graduate assistant, or graduate associate, you will automatically be enrolled in the insurance plan–you do not need to enroll yourself.

Graduate Assistants & Associates (GA/GRA/GTA)

UT provides insurance for eligible graduate assistants, graduate associates, graduate research assistants, graduate research associates, and graduate teaching assistants and associates to meet insurance eligibility, you must be: 

  • Employed at the minimal quarter-time, or 25% 
  • Enrolled in at least three graduate hours with one of those considered on campus 
  • Degree seeking 

Insurance Enrollment Details for Graduate Assistants & Associates

  • The UT Student Health Center staff enrolls all eligible graduate assistants and graduate associates. 
  • Students must be active in the UT payroll system before they can be enrolled. 
  • Distance education students must contact a Student Health representative. 
  • Insurance enrollment dates are based on employment dates; for example: 
    • If employment starts on January 18, your insurance will be effective January 1. 
    • If employment ends on May 17, your insurance will terminate May 31. 
  • Dental and vision insurance are available for purchase during the Fall Open Enrollment period only (your department does not pay for these components) at studenthealthprograms.com. 
  • Dependent insurance may be purchased at studenthealthprograms.com.
  • Learn how the Student Health Insurance Plan works

Domestic Graduate Assistants & Associates (GA/GRA/GTA)

Are you enrolled as a dependent on an insurance policy through a parent, a spouse, or a partner?  

Once you are enrolled in SHIP:

  • The UT insurance will become primary. 
  • Contact your insurance carrier to ask if they will coordinate benefits; this could mean lower out of pocket expenses for you as one may pay for medical services leaving a balance and the other may pay the balance. 
  • If you visit off-campus medical/mental health providers, you will need to present both insurance cards. 
  • If you have military insurance, please contact a Student Health representative. 

International Graduate Assistants & Associates (GA/GRA/GTA)

Do you want to waive your insurance, insurance waivers  

  • Will be available two weeks prior to the start of each semester. 
  • Must be submitted every August and January during your entire employment period.

Learn more about international student health insurance.

Steps to submit the insurance fee waiver 

  1. Click here to download the insurance fee waiver form.
  2. Print form – you must print the form as it requires your signature.
  3. Enter name, student ID, date of birth, email, department, semester, and expected graduation date (if known).
  4. Read and put and X next to each statement, including the statement in the yellow box.
  5. Complete student demographic information.
  6. Scan and save the document to your computer as a PDF (not a JPG).
  7. Note: Your smart phone likely has a scanner feature – do not take a picture of the form as it reduces the print quality of the form. 
  8. Open new email.
  9. Attach and email document to [email protected].
  10. Please do not email these forms directly to our Student Health staff.

After Submitting Your Waiver

You will receive an automatic reply–please read this important message. 

Insurance waivers will be processed only after your tuition waiver is complete but does not happen at the same time. 

Removal of the insurance charge can take several weeks. 

Fall Waivers
  • Deadline to submit form is August 31. 
  • Fee will be removed by August 31.
Spring Waivers
  • Deadline to submit form is January 31. 
  • Fee will be removed by January 31. 

Additional Information

  • Your department does not pay for your insurance during periods you are not employed. 
  • Charges for unpaid periods will be added to your bursar (MyUTK) account. 
  • You must alert a Student Health representative of your graduation date. 
  • If you secure an employment position through a curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT) program, contact a Student Health insurance representative as soon as possible for information regarding insurance coverage and/or charges
  • Questions? Contact a Student Health representative.

Frequently Asked Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) Questions

Where can I find details and costs of the health, dental, and vision insurance plans?

Health Insurance Plan certificate

Health Insurance summary

Dental Insurance details

Vision Insurance details

What are the effective dates of the insurance plan? 

  • Annual: August 1 – July 31 
  • Fall: August 1 – December 31 
  • Spring/Summer: January 1 – July 31 
  • Summer: May 1 – July 31 

What are the insurance enrollment deadlines?

  • Annual: September 20 
  • Fall: September 20 
  • Spring/Summer: January 31 
  • Summer: May 31

Dental and Vision Insurance: September 20 (annual enrollment only – not available for spring and/or summer enrollment)

How do I know if I’m eligible to enroll in the SHIP?

You must be: 

  • Degree Seeking 
  • Enrolled in three (or more) graduate OR six or more undergraduate hours 
  • At least one of those hours must be considered an on-campus hour (lab and clinical hours may not be considered on campus)

Other Students

  • I’m enrolled in a distance education program; am I eligible?
    • No 
    • Exception: If you are classified as a GA/GRA/GTA with at least a 25% appointment, please give our office a call at 974-6147 
  • I’m a co-op student; am I eligible?
    • Yes
  • I’m enrolled in all online classes; am I eligible?
    • No 
  • I’m a visiting scholar; am I eligible?
    • Visiting Scholars:
      • May not see providers at the on-campus Student Health Center 
      • Must find in-network providers off campus 
      • Must contact our broker for help and information 
      • May have prescriptions filled at the UT Student Health Center Pharmacy 
  • I’m enrolled in the Nashville School of Social Work; am I eligible?
    • Yes

Can I enroll my spouse, partner, and/or child(ren)?

Yes. Please contact our broker: 

The Hildreth Agency 

10259 Kingston Pike 

Knoxville, TN 37922-3566 

Website: https://www.studenthealthprograms.com/ 

Phone: 865-691-4652 or 800-874-0831 

Email: [email protected] 

Where will I find an insurance waiver?

Domestic students are not automatically enrolled in the SHIP, so no waiver is required. 

International students with their own insurance may apply for a waiver. 

International graduate assistants can find the waiver.

Do I have to be seen at the on-campus UT Student Health Center (SHC)?

For the best financial benefits, yes.

  • The SHIP pays 100% for nearly all services at the SHC. 
  • Referrals to see off campus providers: 
    • Are required to see off campus providers. 
    • Must be written by a UT SHC provider. 
    • Reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. 

How do I find in-network medical and mental health care providers?

Visit Choice Plus Network Providers.

The doctor (or hospital) I went to took my insurance; why am I receiving a bill?

If you are insured under the SHIP:

  • The UT SHC medical providers become your primary care physicians 
  • On Campus: The plan pays 100% for nearly all services at the on-campus Student Health Center 
  • Referrals: 
    • Are required to see any medical provider off campus 
    • Expire on July 31 each year 
    • Must be renewed after August 1 each year
    • Note: It is important to remember that if you have an emergency and need to go to an area hospital, you need to follow up with the Student Health Center after the hospital visit and before you see providers to whom you have been referred. All referrals must be written by the Student Health Center providers. 
  • Off Campus: All off-campus medical care (including care at the UT Medical Center) will be subject to copays, deductibles, and coinsurance 
  • Medical and prescription coverage is unlimited but is subject to copays, deductibles, and coinsurance