Cost if you take SHIP
The 2025-26 premium for the Pitt Student Health Plan - UPMC Health Plan (student medical plan) is $3,237.12 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Monthly Student Only premium of $269.76 x 12 = $3,237.12 (graduate students without an academic appointment and full-time undergraduates). Students with GSA/GSR/TA/TF appointments or fellowships pay $0. No 2026-27 rates are posted yet.
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 Pittsburgh, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- J-1: medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- J-1: repatriation of remains coverage of $25,000
- J-1: medical evacuation to home country of $50,000
- J-1: deductible not exceeding $500 per accident or illness
- F-1: medical evacuation and repatriation coverage strongly recommended
- Coverage in effect for the entire duration of the program
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 Pittsburgh SHIP premium ($3,237.12 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: hr.pitt.edu
- Waiver deadline: hr.pitt.edu
- Waiver criteria: ois.pitt.edu