Waive

If you do not want the Student Health Insurance Plan, you must decline or opt-out of coverage by submitting a waiver. You may only opt-out of coverage during the following Waiver Periods:

All registered domestic and international students take one (1) or more credit hours are required to have health insurance coverage, either through the Student Health Insurance Plan or through another individual or family plan.

Students enrolled at California Institute of the Arts that wish to opt-out of the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) must submit alternate coverage information through the Academic Health Plans Waiver System. In order to be approved for a waiver, your alternate health coverage must meet the requirements listed below and be submitted with proof documentation prior to the deadline.

Please review these prior to submitting your waiver request.

Alternate Health Insurance Requirements:
For the 2026-2027 policy year, students must carry health insurance that qualifies as Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) to waive the school-sponsored plan. The guidance below clarifies which types of insurance meet MEC requirements and which do not.

1. If your plan is through an employer, Covered California/Marketplace, Medicare, Medi-Cal or Medicaid, it meets the MEC requirement.
2. If you have short-term/temporary insurance, travel insurance, or dental-only insurance, your plan does NOT meet the requirement.
3. If you aren't sure, check your Summary of Benefits (SBC) or call your insurance provider and ask whether your plan covers the 10 Essential Health Benefits required under this Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Additional Requirements for International Students
Your plan must also include:

1. Repatriation expenses in the amount of no less than $25,000.
2. Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the insured to the insured’s home country of no less than $50,000.

If your health plan does not include medical evacuation and repatriation, a rider must be purchased providing coverage at equal limits.

CA Law Disclosure

Commencing July 1, 2026, CA AB 594 authorizes a student certificate holder to request to terminate their student health insurance coverage during the policy year if the student graduates, takes a leave of absence, or is no longer enrolled at the institution of higher education. The bill requires the request to be provided to the institution of higher education at least 30 days before the effective date of termination and would, upon receipt of the request to terminate coverage, require the institution to terminate coverage effective within the same calendar month if feasible, but no later than the last day of the calendar month in which the 30-day period ends.  To make a request, contact [email protected]