Student Health Insurance for Osteopathic Medical Students

Health Insurance Requirements

All osteopathic medical students are required to maintain comprehensive health insurance coverage. Students can meet this health insurance requirement by either:

  1. being enrolled in the student health insurance plan, or
  2. obtaining alternative health insurance and completing a student health insurance waiver by 5 pm on the10th day of classes (August 7, 2026, for students starting in July 2026).

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

Osteopathic medical students enrolled in six or more credits are automatically enrolled in the UNC Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), and the associated cost is billed to the student account. The SHIP offers:

• Comprehensive health insurance, including coverage for provider visits, prescriptions, hospital care, diagnostic imaging studies, surgery, mental health care, rehabilitative services and more
• Nationwide care through the Cigna provider network
• $20 copay covers most provider visits in the University Health Clinic, including any labs performed within the Health Clinic
• $500 deductible each academic year
• Read summary of plan benefits (coming soon!)
• Read entire 26-27 plan brochure (coming later this summer)

Policy Period and Cost

For academic year 2026-27, the student health insurance semester premium of $2249 will be automatically billed to the accounts of students enrolled for six credits or more in the summer 2026 and again in January 2027, offering students 12 months of uninterrupted health insurance coverage for a total annual premium of $4498.

The fall policy period starts on July 20, 2026 and extends through December 31, 2026.

The spring policy period starts on January 1, 2027 and extends through July 19, 2027.

Referral Requirement for SHIP

Starting August 17, student health insurance subscribers will be required to seek care first at the UHC before engaging healthcare services off-campus. This requirement helps ensure students get access to cost-effective care. Students may walk-in to the UHC for care during open hours, and after a $20 copay, most services provided at the UHC are covered at 100% (labs sent externally are the exception). If care beyond the UHC is needed, UHC providers will issue required referrals to off-campus providers so services are covered under standard benefits. Expenses incurred for medical treatment without prior approval or referral will not be covered. Referrals will not be required for the following services:

  • Medical emergency care (The student must return to the UHC for follow-up care or referral)
  • Care provided when the UHC is closed, during breaks or vacation periods
  • Care received when the student is more than 20 miles from campus
  • Maternity, obstetrical and gynecological care
  • Mental Illness treatment and substance use disorder treatment

Student health insurance coverage is not available for dependents or family members of students.  Students enrolled for five or fewer credits should contact Student Health Insurance Coordinator Nicky Weglin (nicky.weglin@unco.edu) for guidance on insurance options.

Health Insurance Waiver

Osteopathic medical students wanting to waive enrollment in the UNC student health insurance plan can easily opt out of the student health insurance plan by completing an online waiver and providing details of comparable coverage by 5 pm on the 10th day of classes in their first semester at UNC and fall semester thereafter. For medical students beginning studies in July 2026, the deadline for waiving student health insurance coverage is 5 pm on Friday, August 7, 2026.

For the 26-27 academic year, the online waiver will open in July 1st, 2026. The link to the waiver website will be posted here.

Waivers approved for the fall semester will also apply to the spring semester, and the corresponding spring enrollment and charges will be waived. For students who have waived coverage but wish to re-enroll after a qualifying event (loss of current coverage) should contact nicky.weglin@unco.edu. 

If you have any questions, e-mail the Student Health Insurance Coordinator Nicky Weglin at nicky.weglin@unco.edu or call 970-351-1915.

For information on Finding In-Network Providers and Filing Claims
Visit our Claims page.

For optional Dental and Vision Insurance information see Academic VisionCare and Guardian Dental AHP.

Questions?
If you have any questions, e-mail the Student Health Insurance Coordinator at nicky.weglin@unco.edu or call 970-351-1915.