SHIP Enrollment Information related to SHIP Enrollment

Students are eligible to participate in the SHIP if they are,

• Registered for fall and spring classes for annual enrollment; spring classes for spring-only coverage, and
• Enrolled in a degree-seeking program, and
• Considered to be attending full-time in their program, OR
• Required to participate in the SHIP due to mandatory insurance status and are unable to successfully waive (opt-out of) the SHIP.

Dependent Eligibility

• Dependents (spouse, domestic partner, children, etc.) of eligible students are eligible to enroll in the plan. The student must also be enrolled in the plan. 
• Dependents may only enroll during the open enrollment period, unless there is a qualifying life event.  See Late Enrollment and Early Termination for more information.
• See the benefit book for more information on dependent eligibility.

Late Enrollment Requests (enrollment after the deadline) 

Late enrollment requests will be accepted when related to a qualifying life event (QLE) that causes an involuntary loss of insurance coverage.  Enrollment in the plan must take place within 30 days of the loss of insurance coverage.  Proof of the qualifying life event and certificate of coverage from the student's (or dependent's) previous insurance will be required. Costs will be charged on a pro-rated basis, based upon the enrollment effective date. Please direct late enrollment requests to Gallagher Student Health

Examples of qualifying events for late enrollment requests:

• Student reaches the age limit for coverage through another plan after the open enrollment deadline
• Student loses their insurance coverage because of a job loss or divorce
• Student's dependent(s) lose insurance coverage because of a job loss or divorce; student must already be enrolled, or qualify for late enrollment.*
• Student has new dependent(s) because of a birth, adoption, marriage, or new domestic partner*

*Dependent(s) may only be added to a student's coverage during an open enrollment period unless there is a loss of coverage due to a qualifying life event.

Early Termination Requests (before July 31) 

The SHIP is a term insurance policy. Once enrolled in the plan, students are required to remain enrolled until the end of the plan year (July 31), unless there is a qualifying life event that results in a change in insurance coverage.  

Examples of events that qualify for early termination:

• New eligibility for insurance coverage because of a new spouse or domestic partner.
• New eligibility for insurance coverage because of a new job or position (same or different company)
• Remove dependent(s) from SHIP coverage because of a divorce or domestic partnership termination
• Students enrolled in the SHIP in the fall semester, who do not return for the spring semester, may request  to be terminated effective December 31.
• Students who completely withdraw from all classes during a semester of SHIP enrollment

Examples of events that do not qualify for early termination:

• University holiday or break periods, including winter or summer break.
• New coverage because of an open enrollment period, such as through a current employer, the Marketplace, etc.
• Change in financial circumstance

Students requesting early termination because of a qualifying life event must do so in writing (email) within 30 days of the event. Proof will be required of: 1) the qualifying life event, and 2) new insurance, and 3) coverage that meets university requirements if student is mandatory. Early termination requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and may not be granted if there are claims against the policy.  If a refund is due it will be issued based on the method of billing/payment. Please direct early termination requests in writing to Gallagher Student Health.

There is a $140 late waiver penalty for waivers requests submitted/approved after the posted deadline.

There is a $140 early termination fee for SHIP coverage terminated due to a qualifying life event after the open enrollment deadline.

NEW for 2025-26:  The SHIP cost will now be billed annually (once per academic year). 

For mandatory students:

• Annual coverage (12 months) is charged to their Point Park student account in the fall semester.
• Spring-only coverage (7 months) is charged to their Point Park student account in the spring semester.

Students who ARE required to have health insurance (mandatory students) automatically have the cost of their individual coverage billed to their Point Park student account; see How to Enroll - Mandatory Students.

To view or pay the student account visit the Office of Student Accounts web page.  Mandatory students who enroll dependents pay for the dependent coverage at the time of the dependent enrollment directly to Gallagher Student Health; see Eligibility for more information.

Students who are NOT required to have health insurance may choose to voluntarily enroll themselves and their dependent(s) in the SHIP (voluntary students):

• Payment for the full year (12 months) is required at the time of enrollment; if enrolling for only part of the year due to new enrollment (spring-only coverage) or qualifying life event, the coverage is pro-rated.  
• Voluntary students who wish to use financial aid to pay for coverage, send a written request to Gallagher Student Health before submitting the enrollment request. 
  • Submitting an enrollment request before receiving approval to use financial aid will result in direct payment being required at the time of the enrollment request.
  • Requests are reviewed for availability of financial aid funds.
  • If approved, the cost of insurance is billed to the Point Park student account, the same as mandatory students.
  • To view or pay the student account, visit the Office of Student Accounts page.
  • Once this option is elected, it cannot be changed until the next academic year. 
  • Use of financial aid must be requested and approved each academic year.

SHIP Enrollment is coordinated by Gallagher Student Health

Please direct all questions regarding enrollment to Gallagher Student Health.

Continuing coverage from year to year

Students must re-enroll in the SHIP every academic year in which they wish to participate before the July 31st yearly plan termination date in order to avoid a gap in coverage.  Renewal of coverage is NOT automatic from year to year.

Important Notes

• Enrollment request files for approved applications are uploaded by Gallagher Student Health to Highmark on Tuesdays.  Most uploaded files are processed within 48 hours but may take up to 7 days, or longer if there is an issue with a request.
• Until the enrollment is processed by Highmark, and your enrollment is active in Highmark's system, check your Point Park email and voicemail regularly for any requests for additional information.  Failure to respond to a request for information will result in a delay or inability to complete the student's enrollment request.
• It may take an additional 24-48 hours from the time of enrollment for all benefits to be fully activated in the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield system.
• Students will receive from Highmark an auto-generated email once coverage is active directing them to log into their account and confirm their email.  This email is time-sensitive so read the email and take action as soon as you receive it.

Which address should be used on the enrollment application?

• This is the address to which Highmark (insurance company) will send the insurance card and any other SHIP correspondence.
• US addresses only; international addresses are not accepted
• Commuters (students not living in university residence halls): If using your off-campus school address, your name must be associated with the address in order for the USPS to be able to deliver the insurance card, otherwise the mail will be returned to Highmark.   
• Only residential students living in university accommodations (residence hall, etc.), use the University's mailing address:

• Enroll online as soon as possible so you have access to coverage as early as August 1 when the plan year begins, or January 1 for spring-only enrollment.
• Take action now! Do not wait for enrollment by the university.  In the fall, this does not take place until the end of September and this will delay access to your benefits.  
• To enroll, visit the Gallagher Student Health portal to get started.   
• When prompted to select a plan type, choose one of the following based on your status as a student: 
  • Domestic Medical applies to all domestic and international dance or theatre majors (all concentrations) and all student athletes.  
  • International Medical applies to all other international-only students (not athletes, dance, or theatre majors).
• Log into the portal (register if it's your first visit).  To register, you will need your Point Park email, student ID number, and date of birth.
• Complete and submit the enrollment confirmation.
• Cost is billed to your Point Park student account; no payment is due at the time of enrollment unless enrolling dependents (see Payment above).
• See also Important Enrollment Notes (above)
• Students who choose to continue their SHIP coverage from year-to-year must re-enroll each academic year; renewal of coverage is NOT automatic from year-to-year.

• Voluntary students may enroll in the SHIP but are NOT required to do so.
• Payment for the full year (12 months) is due at the time of SHIP enrollment.
• To use financial aid to pay for coverage, send a written request to Gallagher Student Health before submitting the enrollment request. 
  • Submitting an enrollment request before receiving approval to use financial aid will result in direct payment being required at the time of the enrollment request.
  • Requests are reviewed for availability of financial aid funds.
  • If approved, the cost of insurance is billed to the Point Park student account, the same as mandatory students.
  • To view or pay the student account, visit the Office of Student Accounts page.
  • Once this option is elected, it cannot be changed until the next academic year. 
  • Use of financial aid must be requested and approved each academic year.
• Dependent coverage cannot be billed to the student account and payment is due at the time of SHIP enrollment.
• To enroll, visit the Gallagher Student Health portal to get started.   
• Log into the portal (register if it's your first visit).  To register, you will need your Point Park email, student ID number, and date of birth.
• When prompted to select a plan type, choose the following based on your status as a student: 
  • Domestic Voluntary applies to students who are NOT mandatory for insurance (i.e., student athletes, dance majors, or theatre majors, regardless of domestic/international status).
• Complete and submit the enrollment confirmation.
• See also Important Enrollment Notes (above).
• Students who choose to continue their SHIP coverage from year-to-year must re-enroll each academic year; renewal of coverage is NOT automatic from year-to-year.

• It takes about 7-10 days to receive the physical ID card in the mail at the address used on the enrollment application.  Make sure your name is associated with the address you provided at the time of enrollment, or the USPS or university's Mail Center will return the mail to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• As sooon as enrollment is active visit Highmark's website to...
  • View, print, or download a virtual ID card
  • Request a new (physical) card
  • Report a lost or stolen insurance card
  • View coverage and claims information
  • Find a medical provider
• See Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield - Website Registration (below).
• If you do not receive your insurance card and are unable to access your account on Highmark's website, contact Gallagher Student Health for assistance.

The best way to activate your account with Highmark is with the welcome email from Highmark--make sure to check your junk/spam folder if you aren't seeing it after your enrollment has been activated.  

You can also go to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield's website and click on Register.  For additional registration information, see also Highmark Member Portal Registration (PDF).  Note the following:

• Member ID: Enter Highmark ID number from the insurance card (numbers only; no letters or spaces) or your Point Park student ID number.
• Student's first and last names, student ID number, date of birth, and address need to match information provided at the time of enrollment confirmation.
• Email address and phone number do not need to match enrollment information.

Troubleshooting and Assistance

• Enrollment may not be active in Highmark's system, or the registration information entered does not match Highmark enrollment records.
• First, contact Gallagher Student Health to verify active and accurate enrollment information. 
• If still unable to complete online registration, request assistance from Highmark website technical assistance at 1-877-298-3918. Coverage must be active.  This number cannot assist with enrollment, termination, benefits, or claims.