To ensure that all students have adequate health care coverage, including ongoing primary and specialty care, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) requires all designated students to have major medical health insurance. Students can provide proof of their own private coverage or be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). The SHIP is a 1-year commercial policy provided by United HealthCare Student Resources and is re-negotiated annually. This policy is a comprehensive health insurance policy that is specifically designed to meet the needs of UAB Students. If you are required to have insurance but have sufficient coverage on another plan and wish to opt out of the SHIP, you are required to submit a waiver to Student Health Services at the beginning of every academic year. Students enrolled in the SHIP may be seen and evaluated at SHS at reduced out of pocket expenses (no co-pays, most deductibles and coinsurance do not apply.)
Am I Required to have Insurance Coverage?
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students enrolled in a degree seeking program taking at least 9 credit hours, any of which are on campus, are required to have insurance. Students enrolled in a non-clinical online only program are not required to have coverage.
International Students
ALL International Students are required to have insurance.
Graduate Students
Graduate Students enrolled in a program that requires coverage are required to have insurance. Click below for a list of required programs:
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Programs
- All Graduate Students in the following schools are required to have health insurance:
- Joint Health Sciences
- School of Public Health
- School of Engineering (except those in Q-coded distance engineering graduate programs.)
- All Graduate Students in the following schools are not required to have health insurance:
- Collat School of Business
- School of Education and Human Sciences
- Arts and Sciences Graduate Programs:
- Required to have health insurance:
- Applied Mathematics PhD
- Biology MS and PhD
- Chemistry MS and PhD
- Clinical/Medical Social Work MSW
- Forensic Science MSFS
- English MA
- Mathematics MS
- Medical Sociology PhD
- Physics MS and PhD
- Psychology MA
- Applied Dev Psychology PhD
- Medical/Clinical Psychology PhD
- Not Required to have health insurance:
- Anthropology Peace & Human Rights MA
- Art History MA
- Behavioral Neuroscience MS and PhD
- Computer Science MS and PhD
- Cyber Security MS
- Cultural Heritage Studies MA
- Criminal Justice MSCJ
- Communication Management MA
- Data Science MS
- History MA
- Public Administration MPA
- Sociology MA
- Required to have health insurance:
- School of Health Professions Graduate Majors:
- Required to have health insurance:
- Administration/Health Services PhD
- Biomedical & Health Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Clinical Laboratory Science
- Computed Tomography
- Dietetic Internship
- Dietitian Education Program
- Genetic Counseling
- Health Physics (except Q-coded majors)
- Health Professions
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Nuclear Med & Molecular Imaging
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Nutrition Sciences
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Physician Associate
- Rehabilitation Science
- Not Required to have health insurance:
- Admin Health Service Executive
- Applications of Mixed Methods Research
- Biotechnology Regulatory Affairs
- Clinical Informatics
- Health Administration
- Healthcare Leadership
- Healthcare Quality & Safety
- Healthcare Simulation
- Health Informatics
- Healthcare Leadership
- Healthcare Quality & Safety
- Healthcare Simulation
- Industry Genetics & Genomics
- Low Vision Rehab
- Multi-Tiered Approach to Trauma
- Nutrition Community Health
- Primary Care PT Underserved Pop
- Required to have health insurance:
- All Graduate Students in the following schools are required to have health insurance:
Clinical Students
ALL clinical designated students are required to have insurance. Click below for a list of required programs:
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Programs
- School of Dentistry: all clinical students
- School of Medicine: all clinical students
- School of Optometry: all clinical students, all Vision Science students
- School of Nursing: all graduate students except Nursing Non-Degree Master’s Level “NDM” majors.
- School of Health Professions: see list under “Graduate students”
Excludes students with the code NOAS ("Not on American Soil")
Students who are non-clinical online only undergraduates and registered for 9+ credit hours are excluded from this requirement.
Insurance FAQ
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Why do I need insurance?
Studies have shown that nearly 15 percent of individuals age 18 to 25 are uninsured, and 18.5 percent of those age 26 to 34 are uninsured which is significantly higher than the national average.
Medical costs are high and can add a layer of complexity in recovering from illness or injury. In a study completed by Public Agenda, more than 600 young adults ages 22-30 who had some higher education coursework were surveyed. Of those who did not complete a college degree, 69 percent of them reported that having health insurance would have helped them in completing their degree.
Without health insurance, students are at risk of high debt – even bankruptcy—from costly medical bills and unforeseen illness/accidents. Even though students have access to provider visits at Student Health Services, having health insurance allows students to have lab work, radiology, and referrals completed based on the need. Without health insurance, there would be a barrier to these services as the student would be responsible for these cost out of pocket.
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Are there exemptions to this requirement?
The UAB Insurance requirement ensures that students have access to the health care needed while they are on-campus students at UAB. Currently, UAB does not have exemptions to this requirement for on-campus students who are registered for 9+ hours. Students who are non-clinical online only undergraduates are not required to provide proof of coverage.
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I am a UAB Employee. Do I need to submit an insurance waiver?
Yes. We do not share records with the hospital or UAB Employee Benefits.