Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the Yale Health Hospitalization & Specialty Care Coverage is $3,764 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
Single full-year standard rate (Aug 1, 2026 – Jul 31, 2027; $1,882 per term) for eligible students attending at least half-time. Many students' rates are subsidized by grants or schools. Higher affiliate/self-pay rates 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 Yale University, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- ACA-compliant Minimum Essential Coverage
- Unlimited coverage for Essential Health Benefits in the New Haven/Yale area
- Nationwide coverage for all Essential Health Benefits
- International insurance plans are not accepted
- Out-of-state Medicaid and HMOs without full New Haven coverage not accepted
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 Yale University SHIP premium ($3,764 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: yalehealth.yale.edu
- Waiver deadline: yalehealth.yale.edu
- Waiver criteria: yalehealth.yale.edu