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Dependents are eligible to enroll only when the student is covered by both the Student Health Fee and the Student Health Insurance Plan.
Coverage Dates
Fall Term
August 1 – January 31
Spring Term
February 1 – July 31
Open Enrollment Deadlines
Fall Term
July 1 – August 31
Spring Term
January 1 – February 28
Eligible Dependents:
- Married spouse
- Dependent children under the age of 26
(If an eligible dependent child is married, the dependent child and their children can enroll for coverage under the enrolled student’s membership. The dependent child’s spouse is not eligible to enroll as a dependent.)
Required Documents for Adding Dependents
- Married spouse: Marriage certificate or I-20 form or DS-2019 form for international students
- Dependent children: Birth certificate or statement of birth from the hospital (for newborns), legal documentation of adoption or guardianship, or I-20 form or DS-2019 form for international students.
Documents must have the student’s name and the name of the dependent that is being added to the insurance. Documents that are not in English must be officially translated.
Rates and Payment
Dependent rates exclude student charges. Dependent rates reflect the Student Health Fee and the Student Health Insurance Plan combined.
Purchasing just one part of the medical coverage is not an option for dependents.
Please note: Once the term starts, coverage cannot be canceled. Charges are applied to the student’s bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enroll my dependents after the open enrollment deadline?
Outside of open enrollment, dependents can be added to your plan within 45 days of a life-changing event. The coverage and the cost will be prorated to the day of the event. Students that fail to submit appropriate documentation to support the life-changing event will be charged a late fee.
- Entry into the country: A copy of the dependent’s passport, which includes the date stamp for when the dependent arrived in the United States
- Loss of other health insurance coverage: Copy of insurance termination of coverage letter
- Marriage: Marriage certificate or I-20 form or DS-2019 form for international students
- Birth of a child, legal adoption, or legal guardianship*: Birth certificate or statement of birth from hospital (for newborns), legal documentation of adoption or guardianship, or I-20 form or DS-2019 form for international students
* When enrolling a child dependent due to a life-changing event, we recommend that the effective date of coverage is the actual date of the event (e.g., date of birth, date of adoption, or legal guardianship). This plan does not cover services provided before the first date of coverage.
Example: Your spouse lost her private insurance, and you want to add her to your plan after the open enrollment period. You must provide the following within 45 days of the event: Documentation from her insurance company supporting that she has lost coverage AND a copy of your marriage certificate. See “Required Documents” for more information.
Are there fees for enrolling after the deadline?
If you missed the open enrollment window and/or you are outside a qualifying life event window, you can still add your dependents; however, restrictions and late fees apply.
Additionally, we do not pay claims prior to the coverage effective date.
Late fees are applied for each month after the enrollment deadline or the date that the life-changing event occurred. These fees are in addition to the prorated dependent premium.
Additional Fees
Spouse
$200 per month
First and second child
$125 per child, per month
When Enrolling Late
- Coverage is effective as of the date Member Services receives the completed enrollment form; the premium will be prorated.
- The Harvard University Student Health Program (HUSHP) will not pay claims prior to the coverage effective date.
- All dependent enrollment rules still apply.
Example: The fall enrollment deadline for dependents is August 31. On October 3, a student realizes that they forgot to enroll their spouse and then submits an enrollment form to Member Services. The student is charged a prorated premium and a $400 penalty fee ($200 for September and $200 for October). Claims prior to October 3 will not be paid by HUSHP; therefore, these claims are the responsibility of the dependent.
How do I submit required documentation?
Documents can be uploaded through the enrollment portal.
- Accepted file types include: .pdf, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .bmp, .tif, .tiff, and .png.
- Scan and rename scanned documents before you start the online application. Please remove spaces and special characters from the file name.
- When enrolling more than one dependent with multiple documents, upload the documents for each dependent separately. Do not submit documents prior to completing the online enrollment.
If you cannot upload documents through the enrollment portal, you can email them to Mservices@huhs.harvard.edu.
What do I need to do if my dependent is over 65 years of age?
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts requires all members who are at least 65 years of age (or approaching age 65) to complete a Medicare certification form and return it to HUSHP Member Services. Failure to submit this form results in a hold on your insurance coverage and your claims are not paid.
The Medicare certification form can be mailed or emailed to:
HUSHP Member Services
75 Mt. Auburn Street, First Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: mservices@huhs.harvard.edu
What is the cancellation policy?
A student may request a cancellation of the Harvard University Student Health Program for their dependent(s) through Member Services.
