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Over many years, we have learned a lot about health insurance for UMassD graduate students. We hope the Unofficial Guide below helps to clarify the policies!
For healthcare information other than health insurance, see our Healthcare page.
For mental health information, see our separate Mental Health webpage (coming soon).
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) annual prices since 2016 are presented at the bottom of this page.
The GSU looks forward to archiving this Health Insurance webpage as soon as UMass Dartmouth makes all of this information readily available.
Note: Please help improve this page or the Health Insurance Unofficial Guide by sending us your suggestions through the Feedback Form below!
HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM TRENDS
HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM TRENDS
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) had increased every year since 2019 until 2023 (see the graph below). Then the graduate student employees unionized in May 2023, and the university began subsidizing 50% of the health insurance premium for some of the employees. Therefore, they finally had incentive to lower the annual cost! Unfortunately, the university has consistently cut benefits and coverage to reduce the health insurance premium.
There are currently no protections from the university decreasing coverage or benefits to reduce the annual premium. Students are not consulted before any changes (despite a clear opportunity every March!), nor notified after any changes. Every year there are nasty surprises that students cannot prevent.
Without protections, the university will likely continue to reduce the health insurance coverage and benefits to the bare minimum required by law, so that the subsidy amount they pay to students will be as little as possible. However, the other UMass campuses have better benefits and coverage for lower prices due to their union contracts, so we know that improvement is possible!
The cost in August 2016 was $2,168
The cost in August 2017 was $2,168
The cost in August 2018 was $2,168
The cost in August 2019 was $2,512 (increase of $344)
The cost in August 2020 was $2,737 (increase of $225, and the SHIP Premium Assistance Program was canceled!)
The cost in August 2021 was $2,905 (increase of $168)
The cost in August 2022 was $2,512 (increase of $171)
The UMass Dartmouth graduate student employees unionized in May 2023.
The cost in August 2023 was $2,512 (decrease of $341, BUT the out-of-pocket maximum increased from $4,000 to $9,100!)
The cost in August 2024 was $2,789 (increase of $277)
The cost in August 2025 was $2,465 (decrease of $324, BUT the deductible increased from $250 to $1,000!)
The cost in August 2026 was $2,338 (decrease of $127, BUT many co-pays increased!)
SUBMIT FEEDBACK
SUBMIT FEEDBACK
If any information presented here is inaccurate or questionable, please let us know ASAP by submitting the Feedback Form below! The resources we provide can be valuable if correct, but harmful if incorrect. We are committed to providing all UMass Dartmouth graduate students with the most accurate information possible.
We also welcome any updates or additional info you have; please help us improve by submitting your suggestions.
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