Waiving NU-SHIP Enrollment with Medicaid
Medicaid
Students covered under Illinois Medicaid plans qualify to waive enrollment in the Northwestern University Student Health Insurance Plan (NU-SHIP). However, waiver applications are not accepted from students enrolled in out-of-state Medicaid plans, because these plans do not meet Northwestern’s comparable coverage requirements (i.e., they do not provide in-network routine, non-emergency care in the Evanston/Chicago area).Undergraduate students who are Pell-eligible should complete the Health Insurance Aid Request for the NU-SHIP premium, to ensure they have effective coverage while at they are studying at Northwestern.
If you have Out-of-State Medicaid:
- Please visit the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services website to submit your Application for Benefits Eligibility.
- Evaluate whether Illinois-based Medicaid plans appropriately address their medical and mental health needs. (The University has extensive experience with students covered under Illinois Medicaid plans, who face significant challenges accessing services in the Chicagoland area, especially for mental health needs)
- Be aware that within Medicaid, the various Medicaid Managed Care plans will provide access to different providers and may provide different levels of benefits; the selection of a specific plan will impact the care you are able to receive.
*Degree-seeking students are eligible to enroll each year during the regular open enrollment period, July 1 through October 1. Students experiencing qualifying life events may qualify to add the NU-SHIP mid-year; see here for additional information on allowable mid-year changes.