Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the CWRU Student Medical Plan (Aetna Student Health) is $4,220 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
$2,110 per semester × 2: Fall (8/1/26–1/10/27) + Spring (1/11/27–7/31/27; spring coverage includes summer).
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 Case Western Reserve University, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Insurer licensed in the US with US claims office and US phone number
- Unlimited annual and lifetime benefits (no policy maximum)
- Pre-existing conditions covered with no waiting period
- Coverage in Northeast Ohio, incl. in/outpatient care and mental health parity
- Coverage active and maintained through the entire policy year
- International: medevac ≥ $50,000 and repatriation ≥ $25,000
Visit the Case Western Reserve 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 Case Western Reserve University SHIP premium ($4,220 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.