Students Studying in The United States Health

This health care section presents information for Northeastern students and scholars at the Boston campus. Students in Seattle should refer to the Health Resources section of the Seattle campus website. Students in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area should refer to the Health Resources section of the Silicon Valley campus website.

To assure students in Massachusetts have access to health care and are protected against the potentially significant financial impact of an unexpected illness or accident, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts mandates all students participating in at least 75% of a full-time course load in a degree-seeking program must participate in their school’s student health plan or in a health benefit program with comparable coverage that meets Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program standards.

In accordance with Massachusetts regulations, you will automatically be enrolled in Northeastern University’s health benefits program, NUSHP, each academic year. The cost of coverage will be included in your bill. You have the option to waive this coverage, but only if you provide proof that you are covered by a plan with comparable health benefits that also meets Massachusetts’s regulations.

The NUSHP healthcare program offers comprehensive benefits to students wherever they travel, work, or study. The NUSHP web pages explain the process for using the health care center and for emergency needs. Students with other health programs will receive a guide to services from those programs.

Students studying in the U.S. may not waive insurance based on coverage through insurance carriers owned and operated outside the U.S. nor by coverage through foreign National Health Service programs. Students sponsored by foreign embassies, agencies, and organizations are not excluded from the requirement for U.S.-based health insurance.

Massachusetts law requires all University students to provide documentation of vaccination against Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Meningitis, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis and Varicella. Please see the University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) page for details on how to return the report and the deadlines.

In compliance with federal regulations, the U.S. Department of State requires J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents to have a health insurance policy that meets or exceeds these benefits:

• Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
• In case of death, repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
• Expenses in the amount of $50,000 associated with the medical evacuation of the J exchange visitor to his or her home country
• A deductible amount not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

J-1 scholars sponsored by Northeastern University should be aware that Northeastern health plans do not include insurance for evacuation and repatriation of remains. Scholars eligible for and selecting a Northeastern plan must purchase separate evacuation and repatriation insurance.