Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the U-M International Student/Scholar Health Insurance Plan (IHI), Blue Care Network is $3,704.64 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Billed monthly: $308.72/month x 12 months (Sep 1, 2026 - Aug 31, 2027) = $3,704.64. Partial months are charged in full.
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 University of Michigan, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- ACA-compliant, underwritten by a licensed US carrier; no annual or lifetime limit
- Deductible of $100 or less per policy year ($200 for families)
- Covers at least 80% of usual charges in Ann Arbor; 90% for prescriptions
- Preventive care and oral contraceptives covered at 100%
- Covers pregnancy, mental health and substance abuse comparably to IHI
- Pays US providers directly; US phone number for the claims agent
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 University of Michigan SHIP premium ($3,704.64 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.
- Premium: internationalcenter.umich.edu
- Waiver deadline: internationalcenter.umich.edu
- Waiver criteria: internationalcenter.umich.edu