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Student Health and Well-Being

Insurance

We strongly encourage all USC students to maintain health insurance coverage. Health insurance is an essential investment in students’ well-being. It offers financial protection in the event of emergencies, ensures access to routine medical care and prescription medications, supports mental health services, and promotes continuity of care. As students begin their journey at USC, prioritizing their health is critical to their ability to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. 

Student Health Insurance

Effective Fall 2025: Domestic undergraduates* are not required to have health insurance, but it’s highly recommended. Domestic undergraduates are not required to submit a waiver to show proof of private insurance, and the student health insurance fee will not be added to their tuition. 

*Domestic undergraduates are students who are enrolled in undergraduate programs (bachelor’s degrees) and are not international students on temporary visas. 

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) 

Want SHIP coverage? Each semester, you can enroll 24-48 hours after you have registered for your classes during the enrollment period. Your insurance will be activated within 3-4 business days after enrollment. Enroll today, don’t wait until the deadline. 

All registered domestic undergraduates taking one (1) or more credit hours; graduate or professional students taking at least one (1) credit graduate-level course, and students enrolled in the SCLIFE Program are eligible to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan on a voluntary basis. 

If a student wishes to voluntarily enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan, you can do so by visiting sc.myahpcare.com. Enrollment instructions are below: 

Click on Opt-In to the Plan.  

Click on “Voluntary Students”. 

Click enroll on USC Columbia or the USC campus you’re attending.  

Create a new account. Once you have completed the enrollment process, a payment option will be provided. 

Voluntary Spring Student Health Insurance Premium: $3,000.85 

Mandatory students are: 1) graduate students enrolled in 9 or more credit hours in an on-campus or blended delivery program; 2) Graduate Assistants (GAs) at all campus locations; 3) all international students, regardless of credit hours, and: 4) all students enrolled in the USC School of Medicine regardless of credit hours

Important: Automatic Enrollment Process  

If you’re billed for the student health insurance fee, you’ll be automatically enrolled, but not right away. After automatic enrollment, it can take 4–6 weeks for BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) to activate your coverage. This means your insurance could have a delayed effective date. To make sure your coverage starts on time, enroll as soon as you receive your email notification, don’t wait for automatic enrollment. 

Important: 

  • Enrollment deadline: February 2, 2026 
  • If you don’t enroll by this date, you’ll be automatically enrolled after the deadline, but your coverage start date may be delayed. 

Manual enrollment = no waiting for coverage. 

Automatic enrollment = possible delay. 

To enroll (or opt-In) to the Student Health Insurance Plan:  

  • Select the appropriate student group.  
  • Login to the system by using the following: • Login- USC ID (1 letter, plus 8-digits; found on the back of your Carolina Card) • Password - Date of Birth in MMDDYYYY format, unless previously changed. (Ex: 01011990)  
  • Select the ‘Sign In’ button.  
  • On the home page, click the green “ENROLL-Click Here” enrollment button.  
  • Read the Terms and Conditions. If you accept them, enter your initials in the box and select the “OK” button. You can review your benefits at https://sc.myahpcare.com/benefits. 
  • For questions, please visit Get Help AHP Care 

Mandatory Spring Student Health Insurance Premium: $2,183.67 

To Waive Out of Student Insurance/Provide Proof of Insurance 

If you have a health insurance plan that you intend to keep and want to waive the SHIP coverage option:   

Provide an electronic copy of your current insurance card and your University of South Carolina student ID (number listed on your Carolina Card).  

  • Select “Click Here to Enroll or Waive the Student Health Insurance Plan”.  
  • Login to the system by using the following: • Login- USC ID (1 letter, plus 8-digits; found on the back of your Carolina Card) • Password - Date of Birth in MMDDYYYY format, unless previously changed. (Ex: 01011990)  
  • Select the ‘Sign In’ button. 
  • On the home page, select the red “WAIVE - (Current Term)” button from the “NO, I do not want the insurance” section.  
  • Enter your insurance information and attach your required documentation. 
  • Select the ‘Submit Waiver’ button at the bottom of the waiver form 

Have other insurance? You must waive out of SHIP by submitting proof of comparable coverage by February 2, 2026.  

Disclaimer for Mandatory Students: If you do not take action to submit a waiver or if your waiver is denied by the waiver deadline, then you will be automatically enrolled in the student’s health insurance. The student health insurance fee will not be removed from your account. 

  • Waivers cannot be accepted after the deadline. 
  • Travel insurance plans are not accepted and will not be approved. 

Applies to both voluntary and mandatory enrollees.  

Coverage Processing: Early enrollment ensures faster coverage processing and immediate access to benefits. Last-minute submissions may experience processing delays that could affect your ability to access timely benefits. 

Most services administered at the Student Health Center will be covered at 100% when you have the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Some services administered at the Student Health Center will require a $20 co-pay/visit.   

Coverage Periods  

  • Fall Coverage Period: August 1-December 31 
  • Spring/Summer Coverage Period: January 1-July 31

Coverage Deadlines:   

  • Fall 2025 enrollment and waivers begin on Monday, June 9, 2025, and ends on Monday, September 8, 2025.  
  • Spring/Summer 2026 enrollment and waivers begin on Monday, November 3, 2025, and ends on Monday, February 2, 2026. 

The Student Health Insurance Plan through BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is considered a Gold Plan in the insurance marketplace. A comparable plan purchased elsewhere would cost more than $460 per month, while the Student Health Plan is just over $300 per month for mandantory enrollees.  

If you’re enrolled in SHIP through Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) at USC, your insurance coverage applies anywhere in the United States, not just at the USC Student Health Center.   

  • SHIP includes medical, dental, and vision  

You can sign up for SHIP during the year if you have a qualifying life event that causes you to lose your health insurance:  

  • Disqualification from parents' health plan due to age  
  • Losing private insurance through loss of employment or divorce  

For qualifying events, please contact AHP directly at sc.myahpcare.com or 855-844-3015.  

Family Coverage and Special Enrollment  

Students who are enrolled in the student health insurance plan may also enroll spouses, domestic partners and dependents under the plan by paying AHP directly. 

Access Your Coverage  

To gain access to your Blue Cross Blue Shield account, your ID card, view claims information and more, download My Health Toolkit or the My Health Toolkit app. 

Coverage Information  

Remember to upload your current insurance plan to MyHealthSpace.

Need help uploading your current insurance plan? Click here for a step-by-step guide. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Early enrollment ensures faster coverage processing and immediate access to benefits. Last-minute submissions may experience processing delays that could affect your ability to access prescription medications and other healthcare services immediately.

Yes. All international students must have health insurance, no matter how many credit hours they take.
Yes. You can add your spouse, partner, or dependents by contacting AHP directly. Family premiums are billed separately from your student account.
For details about the health insurance subsidy, please visit the Graduate School.
For details about summer enrollment, contact AHP directly at 855-844-3015.
You’ll be automatically enrolled in SHIP about 4–6 weeks after the deadline and charged the full premium. Charges can’t be removed or refunded later, so submit your waiver before the deadline. 
Contact the SHIP office directly at sahiao@mailbox.sc.edu to discuss your situation. Note that waivers cannot be accepted after each semester's waiver deadline, so removal options may be limited.
Your plan must offer similar benefits to SHIP. The waiver system will verify your coverage. Travel and limited plans usually don’t qualify. 
No, travel insurance plans are not accepted and will not be approved for waiver purposes. You must have comparable health insurance coverage. 
No, coverage doesn’t renew automatically. If you’re in a required group, you’ll be enrolled again unless you submit a waiver before the deadline.
Yes. Domestic undergraduates, z-status students, and post-doctoral fellows can voluntarily enroll in SHIP. 
If you lose coverage due to a qualifying life event, you can enroll in SHIP mid-year. Contact AHP at sc.myahpcare.com or call 1-855-844-3015.

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