Health Insurance

Health Insurance Information for Academic Year 2023-2024:

Roger Williams University requires all full-time undergraduate students (residential and commuter) and all international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa to have adequate health insurance coverage. As you prepare for the 2023-2024 academic year, we urge you to consider your health insurance coverage a top priority. It is important that students have access to comprehensive medical care while enrolled at RWU, and we are pleased to make available a health insurance plan for our students. Roger Williams University has partnered with University Health Plans to offer a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan. The annual premium for coverage effective Aug. 14, 2023, to Aug. 13, 2024, is $2,666. For detailed information about the University's Student Health Insurance Plan and premium, please click here.

All full-time undergraduate students (residential and commuter), School of Law students (JD & MSL), and all international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa are automatically enrolled in and billed for the University's Student Health Insurance Plan for coverage effective Aug. 14, 2023, to Aug. 13, 2024. If a student is currently insured under another insurance policy that is comparable to the RWU Student Health Insurance Plan and does not wish to have coverage under the University-sponsored plan, the student may waive out of the insurance by completing the waiver form by Aug. 15, 2023. It is important you review your current insurance policy to confirm it meets the following criteria:

  • Your plan must be ACA compliant.
  • Your plan must provide insurance benefits for doctors, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and behavioral health providers in Rhode Island.
  • Service must be accessible in Rhode Island.
  • Your plan will cover you through Aug. 13, 2024.
  • If you intend on studying abroad this upcoming year (including for a short-term study abroad trip), your plan provides coverage anywhere in the world.

The following plans do not meet the waiver requirements:

  • Plans that provide emergency only coverage in Rhode Island.  Many out-of-state HMO, PPO, and Medicaid Plans do not provide comprehensive coverage in Rhode Island.
  • Plans from insurance carriers outside the U.S. and coverage by Foreign National Health Service Programs.

Students must confirm enrollment or waive coverage by Aug. 15, 2023, for Fall semester and by Jan. 15, 2024, for Spring semester. Students who do not complete an enrollment or waiver form will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the University Sponsored Plan.

The University reserves the right to decline a waiver request (and revoke an approved waiver) if it is determined that the alternate insurance plan does not provide adequate coverage.

International Student Process

International students are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan and do not need to take any action to enroll. If you have comparable U.S.-based health insurance, contact University Health Plans at 800-437-6448 or info@univhealthplans.com to discuss waiver options.

Enrollment and Waiver Process

If you are enrolling in the University Sponsored Plan, click here, locate the enrollment form in the navigation menu to the left and follow the instructions.  Students will need their student ID number and date of birth to access the enrollment form. New students will receive their student ID in approximately two weeks after their deposit is received. Confirming enrollment in a timely manner ensures the student's information is transferred to the insurance company prior to the start of the plan year.

If you are currently insured under an existing health insurance plan and you do not wish to have coverage under the University-sponsored plan, click here, locate the waiver form in the navigation menu on the left and follow the instructions. Students will need their student ID number and date of birth to access the waiver form. New students will receive their student ID in approximately two weeks after their deposit is received. Once the waiver form is submitted, a confirmation email will be sent to the student email address. **If a confirmation email is not received, the waiver has not been submitted, and you should try again or contact University Health Plans at 800-437-6448 or info@univhealthplans.com for assistance.** Please allow 5-7 business days for your waiver to be processed. If you do not see the credit, undergraduate and graduate students should contact the Bursar's Office at 401-254-3520, and Law students should contact the Office of Student Finance and Records at 401-254-4657.

By completing a waiver, you are certifying that you have comparable coverage and agree that you will be responsible for any medical expenses you incur, and that RWU and the Student Health Insurance Plan will not be responsible for those expenses. 

THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A WAIVER FORM IS AUG. 15, 2023 (Fall semester) or JAN. 15, 2024 (Spring semester). If a waiver has not been processed by the deadline, you will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the University's Student Health Plan. 

The full cost of the health insurance plan will appear on the student's bill until the waiver form has been submitted and processed (by the deadline of Aug. 15) and the information transmitted to RWU. At that time, any insurance charge that may have been applied to the bill will be removed.

The annual fee will appear as a separate charge on the student's bill, with coverage starting Aug. 14, 2023, and continuing until Aug. 13, 2024. Provided that fees have been paid, coverage is in effect whether the student is at school, at home, or traveling, including study abroad. The insurance brochure will be available within the first few weeks of the semester and ID cards can be downloaded approximately 10 business days after enrollment in the plan is confirmed. 

Waiver Confirmation: Once you have completed the waiver process, an email will be sent to your RWU student email address confirming that you submitted a waiver.    

Voluntary Enrollment Option

Full-time graduate students (non-Master of Architecture) with 6+ credits are encouraged to, but not required to enroll in the University's student health insurance plan. The deadline to complete a voluntary enrollment in the student health insurance plan is Aug. 15, 2023.

Additional Information for New Students

New students enrolling for the 2023-24 academic year will be able to access the waiver form once you have received your RWU Student ID, which is included in a separate mailing after your deposit has been received.

Having problems with your RWU Student ID? Undergraduate and graduate students should contact the Registrar's Office at 401-254-3510, and School of Law students should contact the Office of Student Finance & Records at 401-254-4657.

If you have questions about the University's student health insurance plan enrollment or waiver process, contact University Health Plans at 800-437-6448 or info@univhealthplans.com.