Welcome to Suffolk University!

The Health & Wellness Services website has a wealth of information that you will find useful before you arrive on campus and during your time at Suffolk.  Please take the time to check it out.

This page will summarize some of the important things new students need to know.

 

If I get sick, what should I do to get access to health care?

1.  Students should always go Suffolk Health & Wellness Services first, for any health care needs. Health & wellness Services is available for appointments and urgent care issues for all students, no matter what health insurance you have. In some cases, you are more likely to be seen at Health & Wellness Services, than at your own doctor’s office. 
For those students who are enrolled in the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP), Health & Wellness Services serves as your primary care physician. This means that students who are enrolled in the SSHIP - all health care must be done by Health & Wellness Services clinicians and/or referrals must be obtained by the clinicians in order for you not to incur any extra costs. With this in mind, the hospital emergency department should only be used for life-threatening injuries or illnesses. 

2.  Students should always carry their insurance card. Most hospitals, doctors and pharmacies work directly with insurance companies for payment. Without your insurance card, you may be required to pay the cost yourself and then apply to be reimbursed by the insurance company.   

3.  Students should complete insurance claim forms accurately and respond promptly to any requests for additional information. The staff in the Suffolk Health Services Office works directly with the SSHIP provider and may assist students with the paperwork.

4.  Students should read and become familiar with their health insurance policy terminology and benefits. Important words to know and understand are: Deductible, Co-pay, Preferred Provider, Primary Care Physician, and Pre-existing Condition. These and other important terms and concepts are described in the policy brochure.  

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What paperwork do I need to submit to Health & Wellness Services before I arrive?

1.  Obtain documentation of immunizations and send to Health & Wellness Services.  Click here for the immunization requirements for Suffolk.  The Department of Public Health requires us to maintain current immunization records so that we have ready access to in the event of a communicable disease in the community.  Visit the Health & Wellness Services website regularly because the state of Massachusetts is in the process of adding additional required immunizations to the list, and this may affect you.

2.  Complete the Health History & Immunization form and send to Health Services (by August 1st).  It is important that we have your immunization records and health information on file and available in case you are involved in an accident, illness or injury.

3. Enroll or Waive the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP).  If you are waiving the SSHIP, please see the waiver eligibility requirements.

 

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What type of health insurance coverage do I need at Suffolk?

The Massachusetts Universal Health Care Act mandates that all undergraduate, graduate, and law students enrolled three-quarter time to full time in a degree-granting program at all colleges and universities in Massachusetts participate in a qualifying student health insurance program.

If you are already covered by a comparable insurace plan provided by a U.S. based carrier, you must complete and submit the online waiver form, annualy, in order to decline the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP).   If you do not complete this form before the last day of the Add/Drop period you will automatically be enrolled in the SSHIP for the remainder of the policy year (until the following August) and will be responsible for the cost of that insurance.  Please make sure that you print out and save the waiver confirmation page, as this will be the only proof you have that you waived the insurance.  If you are not sure if your current insurance plan is eligible, please click here for waiver eligibility.

If you do not have a comparable health insurance plan or if you are an international student, you are required to participate in the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP). This mandate includes all undergraduate and graduate students who are registered for 9 or more credits each semester and all international students (regardless of credits) including those sponsored by their embassy.

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I can still be on my parent’s health insurance, should I still enroll in the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP)?

The Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SHHIP) provides a plan to students who do not already have a plan that meets the requirements.  Massachusetts law permits students to stay on their parent’s employer’s health insurance until the age of 26 while in school.  In most cases this plan will provide better benefits than the SSHIP. 

The SSHIP is designed to provide a cost-effective option for students in order to meet the minimum standards to comply with the law.  It is important to understand this is not designed to be a comprehensive health insurance plan with benefits to cover routine preventive care.  It is offered to help mitigate the potential for large health care costs of an unforeseen injury or illness.  If you know you have a chronic medical condition or need ongoing or expensive care, you may best be served by purchasing an alternative plan. 

If you choose to stay on your current insurance plan, you must make sure to waive the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP).  If you fail to waive the SSHIP by the deadline, you will be automatically enrolled in the SSHIP, and are charged the premium rate.  Click here for more information on how to enroll or waive the SSHIP.

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Do I need to purchase health insurance if I have a dependent (child or spouse)?

Dependents are required by law to have health insurance, but are not required to have the Suffolk insurance; only the student is required to purchase the SSHIP. Since only students may be treated at Health Services, students should locate a physician or clinic for their dependents as soon as possible so that if/when they become ill or injured, they know where to go for health care.

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There is a hold on my registation from Health & Wellness Services, what should I do?

A hold was placed on your registration because Health & Wellness Services records show that you have not met all of the listed immunization requirements.  Either we do not have documentation of your immunization records, the documentation is incomplete, or you are missing or have an expired immunization.  We will send you notification prior to the registration period.  If you have any questions about what information we are missing, please call 617-573-8260.    

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Click here to learn more about Health Insurance Requirements
Click here to learn more about, enroll in and/or waive the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP).