Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Carnegie Mellon University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) - Highmark is $3,093 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Student-only annual premium for 8/1/2026-7/31/2027; optional dental ($196) and vision ($63) are excluded.
Waiver deadline
Submit your waiver request before the deadline above. Universities rarely accept late waivers — if you miss it, you are auto-enrolled in SHIP and billed the full premium.
Waiver requirements
According to Carnegie Mellon University, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Insurer licensed in the U.S. with U.S. claims office and phone
- Unlimited annual and lifetime benefits (no policy maximum)
- Deductible max $5,000 individual, unless backed by an HSA/HRA/FSA
- Routine, urgent, emergency, mental health and substance use care without session limits
- Covers pre-existing conditions with no waiting period
- Active from Aug 1 for fall starters, for the whole year
Visit the Carnegie Mellon University health services portal →
Private plans you could submit
These private US student health plans are in our comparison. None is automatically accepted — check the policy maximum, deductible, claims address and the other points above against the plan's terms before you buy:
- ISO Student Health Insurance — from $33/month
- WorldTrips StudentSecure — from $40/month
- Compass Student Insurance — from $43/month
- IMG Patriot Exchange Program
What a waiver can save
Your saving is the Carnegie Mellon University SHIP premium ($3,093 a year) minus the price of a private plan the university accepts. Private plans in our comparison start at $33/month ($396/year) for the youngest age band; plans that meet strict waiver criteria usually cost more. Compare the real price of the plan you would submit before you decide.