Health insurance helps ensure students have access to healthcare beyond the services covered by the Student Health Fee, including specialty care, mental health treatment, emergency and hospital services, vision care, and healthcare received while away from campus.
Health Insurance Requirement
Because healthcare needs can arise unexpectedly during a student’s academic journey, USC requires all students to maintain adequate health insurance coverage.
All USC students are required to have health insurance. Full-time students enrolled in a degree program are automatically enrolled in the USC Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), unless they submit an approved waiver demonstrating comparable coverage that meets the university’s requirements.
About USC SHIP
USC SHIP is provided through Aetna Student Health and offers comprehensive coverage designed to support college students’ healthcare needs. Benefits include:
- Mental health services
- Sexual and reproductive healthcare
- Gender-affirming care services
- Therapeutic care and specialty services
- Higher-level care, including inpatient hospitalization
- Vision care services
The entire Keck Medicine of USC system is a Tier 1 contracted provider in USC SHIP, the contracted coverage for this health system and other Tier 1 providers is covered for 90% of costs.
Waiving USC SHIP
Students who have their own health insurance plan may request a waiver on MySHR Patient Portal, provided their plan meets USC’s minimum requirements, including regional coverage in Southern California.
Waiver Deadlines
- Fall: Submit your waiver request by the Friday of the third week of classes.
- Spring: Submit your waiver request by the third week of classes in the spring semester.
Annual Requirement
Waivers must be submitted annually. Students who begin in the spring will follow the regular fall waiver schedule in subsequent academic years.
