Harvard University Waiver Guide for International Students

You just got into Harvard. Congratulations, that's massive. But somewhere between packing your bags and figuring out your visa, you've probably come across three intimidating words: health insurance required.

Don't worry. It's not as complicated as it sounds. This guide will walk you through exactly how health insurance works at Harvard, how the waiver process works, and how many international students save over $2,000 a year by choosing the right plan.

Why Health Insurance Is Non-Negotiable at Harvard

Harvard doesn't make health insurance optional, and neither does Massachusetts state law. Every student enrolled at Harvard must have active health coverage throughout the year.

Because of this, Harvard automatically enrolls you in the Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) and bills it to your student account. If you do nothing, you pay for it, simple as that.

The good news? You don't have to keep it. If you find a qualifying alternative plan, you can apply for a waiver and skip the Harvard plan entirely.

What Does Harvard's SHIP Actually Cover?

Harvard's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is a solid PPO plan. It covers:

• Doctor visits and hospital stays
• Emergency care
• Mental health services
• Prescription medications
• Preventive care

It works hand-in-hand with Harvard University Health Services (HUHS), your on-campus health clinic.

Typical cost: Over $3,700 per year

That's where a lot of Harvard international students start looking for alternatives.

Can You Waive Harvard's Health Insurance?

Yes. Harvard lets you opt out of SHIP if your alternative plan meets its coverage requirements.

To qualify, your plan needs to offer:

• Hospitalization and emergency care
• Mental health and preventive services
• Access to providers in the Boston/Cambridge area
• Continuous, full-year coverage

You can view the full waiver checklist here.

Important: Waivers aren't automatic. You need to apply through Harvard's insurance portal and submit proof of your alternative coverage before the deadline.

Why So Many Harvard International Students Choose ISO Plans

When you're an international student shopping for health insurance, you're not just looking for any plan, you need one that specifically meets Harvard's waiver criteria, works with local providers, and doesn't drain your student budget.

That's exactly what ISO plans are built for.

ISO plans are designed specifically for international students in the U.S. They're structured to align with university waiver requirements, including Harvard's, and they cost significantly less than HUSHP.

Here's what makes ISO a popular choice at Harvard:

• Lower monthly costs - ISO plans can save you $1,800 to $2,600 per year compared to HUSHP
• Access to the Aetna PPO network - one of the largest in the country
• Instant documentation - after enrolling, you immediately receive your insurance card and waiver documents
• Multiple plan tiers - so you can choose the coverage level that fits your needs
• Pre-existing conditions covered across all plan tiers

Healthcare Access Near Harvard: What ISO Covers

Harvard requires that your plan gives you "reasonable access" to nearby providers. ISO's Aetna PPO network covers this.

As a Harvard student on an ISO plan, you can access:

• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

How to Submit Your Harvard Insurance Waiver

Once you’ve selected your plan, this is where acting quickly matters.

Here’s how the process works:

1. Enroll in a qualifying plan with ISO
2. Get your documents ready
3. Log into Harvard’s insurance portal
4. Submit your details and upload documents
5. Save your confirmation email

After enrolling in an ISO plan, you’ll receive:

• Insurance ID card
• Confirmation letter
• Plan brochure
• Payment receipt

HUSHP vs. ISO Plans: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	HUSHP	ISO Share	ISO Care	ISO Care Elite
Annual Cost	$4,308	$964	$1,084	$1,624
Deductible	$0	$1,250	$500	$40
Coinsurance (In-Network)	Varies	80%	80%	90%
Annual Maximum	Varies	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Pre-existing Conditions	Covered	Covered	Covered	Covered
Preventive Care	100% In-Network	100% In-Network	100% In-Network	100% In-Network
Mental Health	100% In-Network	Covered	Covered	Covered
Medical Evacuation	—	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000
Harvard Waiver Eligible	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes
Your Savings vs HUSHP	$0	$3,362/yr	$3,224/yr	$2,684/yr

Even ISO Care Elite costs significantly less per year than HUSHP while still meeting all of Harvard's waiver requirements.

Ready to Waive Harvard's Insurance and Save?

Thousands of Harvard international students choose ISO plans every year because they are affordable and meet waiver requirements.

Here’s a quick recap of what to do:

• Compare the ISO Share, ISO Care, and ISO Care Elite plans
• Enroll before your waiver deadline
• Submit your waiver through Harvard’s portal
• Save thousands compared to the default plan

Don't let the default charge sneak up on you. Get your coverage sorted early and start your Harvard journey on the right foot.