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Student Health Insurance

An overview of Vanderbilt’s Student Health Insurance Plan, commonly referred to as SHIP.

Plan Details

Benefits

SHIP coverage varies across policies for domestic undergraduate students, international students, and graduate students.

How to Enroll or Waive

Most students are automatically enrolled in SHIP. Students may also opt out if they meet the waiver requirements.

Dental and Vision

SHIP includes dental and vision benefits, and Vanderbilt offers additional vision coverage.

SHIP Policy Periods

  • May 1, 2025 - August 11, 2025: Summer 2025 SHIP coverage (for newly enrolled summer students).
  • August 12, 2025 - August 11, 2026: SHIP annual coverage
  • January 1, 2026 - August 11, 2026: Spring 2026 SHIP coverage (for newly enrolled spring students).
Access SHIP ID Cards

For Students Going Abroad

Academic Emergency Services (AES)

To ensure you have immediate access to assistance if you experience a travel related crisis, AES, included in your SHIP plan, offers a wide range of services and benefits to prepare you for your international experience, as well as get the help or information you need in a crisis. AES is not travel or medical insurance but a service provider for emergency medical assistance services. Therefore, AES does not in itself provide sufficient healthcare coverage while traveling abroad.

Learn More

GEOBlue International Insurance

Students in study-abroad programs are required to enroll in Vanderbilt’s international insurance plan, GeoBlue. It is a robust, comprehensive, and low-cost international insurance plan and includes coverage for mandatory evacuation, preexisting conditions, and mental health and substance abuse treatment. GeoBlue does not cover any services within the United States, so travelers must maintain their stateside insurance.

Learn More

Questions and Contacts

Academic HealthPlans (AHP)

Academic HealthPlans (AHP) is the plan administrator. For plan questions visit the Help Center to live chat with a customer service team member, submit a help request or call 1-855-855-2486.

UnitedHealthCare

UnitedHealthCare is the insurance carrier for SHIP. For questions about claims, please call 1-800-767-0700 or email customerservice@uhcsr.com. Additionally, UnitedHealthcare’s Provider Search Tool is available to identify in-network providers to been seen outside of the Student Health Center.

Student Health Center

Vanderbilt’s Student Health Center (SHC) is the primary care provider (PCP) under SHIP for all undergraduate and graduate & professional students. The Student Health Center also maintains online information about SHIP. For questions about an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement, referrals, medical claims or medical bills, please email SHIP@vanderbilt.edu.

SHIP Drop-ins

For questions about the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), students can utilize SHIP drop ins and meet with Vanderbilt’s SHIP liaison to learn more. Students may also email SHIP@vanderbilt.edu to schedule an appointment.