How to Waive the Carnegie Mellon SHIP and Save Money

If you're an international student at Carnegie Mellon University, health insurance isn't optional, it's a university requirement. Every full-time student studying in the U.S. must either enroll in CMU's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or waive it with a qualifying alternative plan.

The good news? You have a choice, and that choice can save you nearly $2,000 a year.

CMU's Health Insurance Requirement

CMU requires all full-time international students physically in the U.S. to have active health insurance that meets the university's coverage standards. By default, a SHIP placeholder charge is added to every student's account at the start of each academic year.

You have two options:

• Stay on the CMU SHIP - pay the annual premium and use Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield as your insurer.
• Waive the SHIP - show proof of an alternative plan that meets CMU's requirements and get the charge removed from your bill.

CMU SHIP Waiver Requirements

To get the SHIP charge removed from your account, your alternative plan must meet all of the following:

• U.S.-licensed insurer with a U.S. claims office and phone number
• Unlimited annual and lifetime benefits (no policy maximum)
• Will be in force for the duration of your time as a student for the academic year/semester
• Deductible no higher than $5,000 per individual
• Covers routine, urgent, and emergency care - inpatient and outpatient
• Covers mental health treatment with no session limits
• No waiting period for pre-existing conditions

Important for international students: don't wait until you land in Pittsburgh to buy insurance. Your plan must be active before you arrive, or your waiver will be denied.

How to Waive the CMU SHIP Using an ISO Plan

ISO offers three plans designed specifically to meet CMU's waiver requirements. Here's how the process works, step by step:

Step 1: Choose your ISO plan at isoa.org/schools/carnegie-mellon-university. Make sure your start date is August 1 (fall) or January 1 (spring), or May 1 (summer).

Step 2: Enroll online in under 5 minutes. No paperwork required. Your insurance ID card and confirmation are emailed instantly.

Step 3: Log into CMU SIO > Campus Life > Health Insurance > Insurance Portal. Select 'Waive' and upload the front and back of your ISO insurance ID card.

Step 4: Click Confirm to submit. Once approved, the SHIP placeholder charge is removed from your student account.

Missed the deadline? A late waiver can be submitted up to two weeks after the Open Enrollment close date, with a $50 late fee. After that, a formal appeal is required.

CMU SHIP vs. ISO Plans: Side-by-Side

Feature	CMU SHIP	ISO Share	ISO Care	ISO Care Elite
Annual Cost (Student)	$2,877	$964	$1,084	$1,608
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 Coverage	100% In-Network	Covered	Covered	Covered
Medical Evacuation	-	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000
CMU Waiver Eligible	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes
Savings	$0	$1,931	$1,793	$1,269

ISO plans use the Aetna PPO network, which provides access to major healthcare providers in Pittsburgh, including UPMC Presbyterian and Allegheny General Hospital.

Students can also visit the CMU Student Health Center, where many services are available at little to no cost depending on the plan.

Why Do Over 300 CMU Students Choose ISO?

For international students managing tuition, housing, and living expenses, the cost of health insurance is an important factor.

ISO plans have been serving international students since 1958 and are designed specifically for the needs of students studying in the United States.

In addition to comprehensive medical coverage, ISO plans include medical evacuation and repatriation benefits.

Navigating health insurance as an international student can feel confusing at first, but understanding CMU's requirements makes the process much easier.

Whether you decide to stay on the university plan or submit a waiver with an alternative option, the most important step is making sure your coverage meets the university standards and starts on time.

Once your insurance is in place and your waiver is approved, you can focus on what really matters - settling into life at Carnegie Mellon and making the most of your time in Pittsburgh.

Ready to Waive the CMU SHIP?

Compare plans and enroll at isoa.org/schools/carnegie-mellon-university. Takes less than 5 minutes - and your waiver documents are ready the moment you enroll.