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Updated July 15, 2021

This resource has been developed in collaboration with the Tufts Student Insurance office within Tufts Student Health Services. The information below applies to international students enrolled in programs based at the Medford campus, including the School of Arts & Sciences, School of Engineering, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Students at the Boston Health Sciences and Grafton campuses should contact the Student Advisory and Health Administration (SAHA) office for information about student health insurance requirements.

Questions about the Tufts student health insurance plan and the insurance waiver process for A&S, SMFA, SOE and Fletcher students should be directed to studenthealthinsurance@tufts.edu. Additional information is also available at https://students.tufts.edu/health-and-wellness/health-insurance/student-health-insurance.

Insurance Requirements and Waiver Process

Under Massachusetts state law, full-time students are required to enroll in a university-provided student health insurance plan OR show that they have health insurance coverage provided by a comparable US-based insurance plan.

In order to receive a waiver, students should keep the following points in mind:

  • Deadline: Students must request a waiver by submitting evidence of a comparable health insurance plan by the waiver deadline. For the 2021-2022 academic year, the waiver deadline is July 31.
  • Waiver period: Because the health insurance plan is an annual (yearly enrollment), the waiver, if granted, will apply to the entire year.
  • US-based Insurance Carrier: The comparable health insurance plan must be provided by a US-based insurance carrier (i.e., insurance company or provider). Please see the FAQs below for more information about this. Not all insurance providers are US-based carriers, even if they have a US business or contact address.
  • ACA-Compliant Policy: The comparable health insurance plan must provide or exceed the coverage requirements established by the US Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (or 'ACA' for short). Please review this information sheet for specific details about coverage requirements, and read the FAQs below.

Frequently Asked Questions