Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the UW–Madison Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) – International Student Plan is $1,572–$3,408 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
International Student Plan (student only): Annual $1,572 = Fall $655 + Spring/Summer $917 (8/15/26–8/14/27). Domestic Plan student-only annual is $3,408 (source: https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/06/SM26_SHIPSnapshotBenefits_Domestic_Final.pdf); international students are on the $1,572 plan.
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 Wisconsin-Madison, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Main member or dependent on a UW-Madison Wisconsin state health plan (not HDHP)
- Or covered by a US-based employer group health plan
- Or studying/researching outside the US (department verification required)
- Or visa issued by another US school or employer
- Or sponsor with SHIP waiver agreement (e.g. Kuwait, Oman, UAE embassies, KAUST, SABIC)
- Individual, private, travel and Marketplace plans do not qualify
Visit the University of Wisconsin-Madison 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 University of Wisconsin-Madison SHIP premium ($1,572–$3,408 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: uhs.wisc.edu
- Waiver deadline: uhs.wisc.edu
- Waiver criteria: uhs.wisc.edu