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Optional Student Dental Plans Application
If you are enrolling a spouse, child, or children to a dental plan for the first time and you intend to add them to the medical plan, complete your dependent(s) medical application online first. Once the medical application is created, you will be able to enroll your dependents for dental coverage online.
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) includes dental benefits for members up to 19 years of age for members enrolled in SHIP.
Compare the SHIP dental benefits to this optional Dental Blue Plan to make an informed decision about enrolling before adding dependents up to 19 years of age.
The student is responsible for ensuring that their application is received by the applicable deadline.
Submit this application by 9/30 or within 60 days of the life-changing event to mservices@huhs.harvard.edu.
Policy Statement
Students can elect to enroll in an optional dental plan during the open enrollment period or within 60 days of losing other dental insurance.
The application must be received by the enrollment deadline: September 30 or within 60 days of losing other dental insurance.
- There are two (2) plan options to choose from: the Comprehensive Plan or the Preventive Plan.
- Review the benefits for both plans prior to enrollment.
- Students and dependents must be enrolled in the same plan. Documentation may be required for enrollment.
- Enrollment and/or renewal are not automatic for students and their dependents on this plan; action is required by the appropriate deadlines.
- Students who fail to enroll for the dental plan during open enrollment will not be eligible to enroll without a loss of other dental insurance or until the next open enrollment.
- Switching between plans is permitted only once and must be requested within five days of submitting the dental application. Coverage can be canceled; the cancellation form must be received by the appropriate deadline as written in the policy; Students will be responsible for any services rendered if the plan is canceled. Once the dental cancellation is processed, a life-changing event is required to re-enroll.
| Coverage Period (Academic Year) August 1 – July 31 | The plan contract starts on August 1, 2023, and expires on July 31, 2024, provided that the application is received by HUHSP within the open enrollment period. This plan does not renew automatically and must be renewed each plan year for coverage. Plans can be switched only once and must be requested within five days of submitting the dental application. The day your application is submitted (online or by email) is considered your application submitted date. |
| Open Enrollment Period July 1 – September 30 Or Within 60-Days of Losing Alternative Dental Insurance Submit the application to mservices@huhs.harvard.edu by 9/30 or within 60 days of the life-changing event date. | Students who miss the open enrollment period and who do not have a loss of other (non-Harvard) dental insurance will not be eligible to enroll until the next (plan year) enrollment period. Students have 60 days from the date their alternative dental insurance is terminated to enroll in the optional dental plan or enroll eligible dependents with a qualifying life-changing event. |
| Eligibility If you have children (under the age of 19) enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan – SHIP includes dental benefits for members up to 19 years of age. Review the Pediatric Essential Benefits. | Who Can Purchase Coverage – Students – Spouse – Children under the age of 26 – Extension School students and their dependents – submit this application directly to the Extension School. |
| Enrollments After September 30 or with a Life-Changing Event (LCE) An application, along with documentation, must be submitted within 60 days of the event dates. The coverage start date is dependent upon the loss of coverage date/qualifying life event date. The cost of the dental plan will be prorated, and charges will be applied to the student’s account. | Students can enroll with a loss of other non-Harvard dental insurance. The application must be submitted within 60 days of the date the student loses dental insurance. Dependents can enroll with a loss of dental coverage, marriage, legal adoption, legal guardianship, and entry into the country. Student must be enrolled in the dental plan to add eligible dependents with a life-changing event. Students and dependents must be enrolled in the same plan. |
Documentation
An official loss of coverage letter/certificate is required when enrolling due to a loss of other coverage. The documentation must be submitted with the dental application. The letter should include the student’s full name (and the name of each member being enrolled) and the exact date that the student/dependents lost dental insurance. Official documentation must state that the student/dependents were previously enrolled in a dental insurance plan. The loss of a medical plan that offered some dental benefits is not considered a loss of dental coverage and will not be accepted as a qualifying event. Review the life-changing events to see what other documents are required for enrollment.
For example, the student’s last date of coverage on the alternative dental plan was 10/31. The student must submit an application (with official loss of dental insurance documentation) to HUSHP within 60 days from 10/31 for coverage. Once Member Services processes the dental application, the student will be enrolled retroactively with an effective date of coverage of 11/1. The cost of the dental plan will be
prorated accordingly based on the plan the student chooses at the time of enrollment and the number of members enrolled.
Two Enrollment Plans are Offered: Comprehensive and Preventive
Rates for the Academic Year 2023-2024
| Comprehensive Plan* | Preventive Plan** | |
|---|---|---|
| Individual (student only) | $538 | $296 |
| Two-Person (student + 1 dependent) | $1,038 | $571 |
| Family (student + 2 or more dependents) | $1,602 | $881 |
*The comprehensive plan is a good option if you want the most dental protection. In addition to diagnostic and preventive care, you’ll receive additional coverage for basic and major services, such as fillings, crowns, and root canals.
**The preventive plan only provides coverage for diagnostic and preventive care, such as routine cleanings. If you need other dental care, you’ll be responsible for paying the full cost of those services.
