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Health Insurance for International Scholars

The Student Health Insurance Plan office (SHIP) is responsible for ensuring that J-1 scholars and any visa dependents have UW–Madison approved health insurance coverage.  J-1 scholars must enroll themselves and visa dependents in SHIP, or file a qualifying waiver by the posted compliance deadlines.

Enrolling in SHIP

Enroll in SHIP by Phone:
Call one of the following dedicated SHIP office credit card payment phone numbers between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Phone payment is accepted by VISA, MasterCard, or Discover.

Enroll in SHIP In-Person:
In-person payment is accepted by VISA, MasterCard, Discover or exact cash.
The SHIP office is temporarily located on the 5th floor of 333 East Campus Mall. In-person assistance is available Wednesdays only, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Note – there is no online enrollment option for international scholars.

2024-25 Snapshot of Benefits & Premiums

Waivers

All completed Waiver Applications must be submitted along with a copy of the front and back of the health insurance ID card and/or written verification of coverage by email to: shipmail@uhs.wisc.edu.

Waivers will only be approved for J-1 scholars and visa dependents who meet one of the qualifying criteria listed on the International Scholar Waiver Application (pdf). All other applications will be denied.

Please read the waiver application carefully to ensure that you understand the requirements and do not purchase insurance which does not meet the SHIP waiver requirements. If you do not qualify for a waiver, you are required to enroll in SHIP.

Compliance Deadlines for International J-1 Scholars

The SHIP office must receive a completed enrollment application and full payment or a International Scholar Waiver Application (pdf), on or before the posted deadlines.

Important: SHIP Premium Information

SHIP coverage is comprised of 12 billing cycles that run from the 15th of a month through the 14th of the next month.

  • At the beginning of your SHIP enrollment you will be required to pay for the monthly billing cycle in which the later of your DS-2019 start date, arrival date, or visa transfer date falls.
  • At the end of your SHIP enrollment your coverage will terminate on the 14th of the month following your DS-2019 end date or verifiable departure date.

SHIP Premiums are payable on an annual (12 months) or half-yearly (6 months) basis

  • Annual SHIP coverage is effective August 15 and terminates August 14
  • First Half Yearly SHIP coverage is effective August 15 and terminates February 14
  • Second Half Yearly SHIP coverage is effective February 15 and terminates August 14
  • Note: If you arrive during the First Half Yearly period you have the option to pay a partial premium through the end of that period – February 14, or through August 14.
  • Premiums are pro-rated for J-1 scholars who are in the United States for a shorter period (subject to a one month minimum requirement).

Please refer to the table below for specific examples of how the start and end date of your compliance period can affect your SHIP premium. 

Failure to Comply

J-1 scholars who fail to purchase SHIP or file a qualifying waiver by the compliance deadline may be automatically enrolled in SHIP.

J-1 scholars who make payment after the compliance deadline will be charged a $100 late fee and required to pay SHIP premiums from the beginning of the initial compliance period.

J-1 scholars who file a qualifying waiver after the compliance deadline will be charged a $100 late fee in addition to any required premiums.

J-1 scholars who fail to meet the compliance deadline will be considered non-compliant with the health insurance requirements of UW–Madison. Failure to maintain compliance with the UW–Madison insurance requirement can jeopardize your J-1 program status. Visa requests (such as visa extensions or travel visas) may also be denied by the International Faculty Staff Services office until health insurance compliance is achieved.

Outstanding balances must be paid by VISA, MasterCard, Discover or exact cash. If the outstanding balance remains unpaid, the account will be referred to a collections agency.

Questions?

Contact the SHIP Office
333 East Campus Mall,
Madison, WI 53715-1381
In-Office Hours: 9 am–5 pm, Wednesday only (5th Floor)
Phone Hours: 9am–5 pm, Monday–Friday
Main Phone: 608-265-5232; Fax: 608-265-5668
shipmail@uhs.wisc.edu