Student Health Insurance
Student health insurance provides for necessary medical and mental health coverage for services beyond what is available through the Student Wellness Center for graduate, law, international, medical, dental, and nursing students.
Who is Eligible for the UNLV Student Health Insurance (SHI) Plan?
Graduate*, Law*, Medical, Dental, and Nursing Students
Full-time students are eligible for the Student Health Insurance (SHI). Eligible students are automatically charged the semester or annual insurance rates. To opt out of the insurance plan, students must have proof of alternate insurance coverage and request a student health insurance fee waiver by the appropriate semester/annual deadline for their program.
Part-time students may enroll via the Voluntary Enrollment Link during the first 6 weeks of each semester or academic year, depending on the program, OR within 30 days of termination from another insurance policy at any time during the semester/year.
International Students
The SHI plan is required for all international students, full-time or part-time. Students are automatically charged the semester insurance rates. To opt out of the insurance plan, students must have proof of alternate insurance coverage and request a student health insurance fee waiver by the appropriate semester deadline.
Undergraduate Students
The student health insurance plan is NOT open to undergraduate students. (Except nursing and international undergraduate students.)
The undergraduate Student Council has chosen not to require insurance as a condition of enrollment at UNLV. Undergraduate students who wish to purchase health insurance coverage may contact Nevada Healthlink.
*Health Insurance Requirements for Graduate and Law Students:
In May 2013, the Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA) passed a motion to recommend that all fully admitted graduate and professional students must have health insurance coverage either through UNLV or their own carrier. In June 2013, the NSHE Board of Regents supported and approved this proposal. As a result, the mandatory hard waiver student health insurance policy went into effect for the fall 2013 semester and beyond.
UNLV Student Health Insurance vs. Student Health Fees
Student Health Insurance (SHI)
The UNLV Student Health Insurance (SHI) is a medical insurance plan available to UNLV enrolled graduate, law, international, medical, dental, and nursing students. SHI covers services received from off-campus community providers in addition to the services available at the on-campus UNLV Student Wellness Center.
Student Health Fee
Student Health Fees are mandatory fees assessed to all matriculating students (undergraduate and graduate) as a part of tuition. These fees support various services offered by Student Wellness and grants access to the on-campus UNLV Student Wellness Center.
Student Health Insurance Coverage & Waiver Dates
2026–2027 UNLV Student Health Insurance
| Coverage Dates | Waiver Dates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHI Plan | Semester | Effective | Termination | Start | End |
| Graduate, Law, International | Fall | 8/16/2026 | 1/11/2027 | 5/11/2026 | 9/15/2026 |
| Spring/Summer | 1/12/2027 | 8/15/2027 | 11/13/2026 | 2/9/2027 | |
| Nursing | Fall | 9/1/2026 | 12/31/2026 | 7/5/2026 | 9/15/2026 |
| Spring | 1/1/2027 | 4/30/2027 | 11/13/2026 | 2/9/2027 | |
| Summer | 5/1/2027 | 8/31/2027 | 3/15/2027 | 5/18/2027 | |
| Medical/School of Medicine | Annual | 7/1/2026 | 6/30/2027 | 5/21/2026 | 8/31/2026 |
| Spring/Summer | 1/1/2027 | 6/30/2027 | |||
| Dental - Ortho & Peds | Annual | 7/1/2026 | 6/30/2027 | 5/21/2026 | 7/15/2026 |
| Spring/Summer | 1/1/2027 | 6/30/2027 | |||
| Dental - DDS & DMD | Annual | 8/25/2026 | 8/24/2027 | 6/15/2026 | 9/4/2026 |
| Spring/Summer | 1/1/2027 | 8/24/2027 | |||
| Early Start Summer | 5/6/2027 | 8/24/2027 | 4/25/2027 | 5/20/2027 | |
Student Health Insurance Waiver (Opt-out)
To opt out of the insurance plan, students must have proof of alternate insurance coverage and request a student health insurance fee waiver by the appropriate semester/annual deadline for their program. International students’ alternate insurance coverage must include Medical Evacuation and Repatriation, per their visa requirements.
Fall Semester Waiver Approvals
If approved for the fall semester, a health insurance waiver is good for one academic year (fall and spring) for all students except international students. International students must request a new waiver every semester.
Spring Semester Waiver Approvals
If approved, a spring waiver only applies to that semester. Students who received a health insurance waiver for the spring semester will need to submit a new request for subsequent academic semesters or years.
Online Waiver Forms
Please Note: Waivers are not accepted after the waiver request deadline has passed - there are no exceptions. Please review the waiver criteria before submitting a waiver (opt-out) request on the following sites:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
2026–2027 Student Health Insurance (SHI) rates are currently pending approval by the NSHE Board of Regents. Final rates are expected to be available after the June 2026 Board of Regents meeting.
You can access your Aetna medical insurance ID card online by selecting your school and following a few simple steps . You may also view your ID card anytime through the Aetna Health app on your mobile device.
UNLV Resources
Students are encouraged to utilize the on-campus Student Wellness Center. Medical and mental health services are covered at 100% with no deductible or co-pays; prescriptions incur a minimal copay/cost using Student Health Insurance.
- Medical (illness and preventative): Student Health Center
- Mental health services: Student Counseling and Psychological Services
- Pharmacy: Student Health Center Pharmacy
- Laboratory services: Student Wellness Center Laboratory
Community Resources
Services are also available throughout the country with providers who participate in the Aetna provider network:
- Aetna Find an In-network Doctor, Hospital or Pharmacy
- Aetna’s Well-being Resources
- 24-Hour Nurse Line (24-hour information for health questions)
The SHI plan information, including coverage and benefit summaries, rates (SHI cost), deductibles, and copay amounts, can be found in the following pamphlets. Please note these materials reflect the 2025–2026 plan year. Updated 2026–2027 plan information is expected soon.
The SHI plan information including coverage and benefits summary, rates (SHI cost), deductibles, and copay amounts can be found in the following pamphlets:
- Graduate, Law, and International Students Pamphlet
- Nursing Students Pamphlet
- Medical and Dental Students Pamphlet
Additional plan information and coverage details can be accessed on the Aetna UNLV Student Health Insurance Members web page.
Dental and vision coverage is optional and available for an additional cost.
For an additional cost, you may add your spouse and/or children to your coverage; however, they cannot be seen at the on-campus UNLV Student Wellness Center. Contact Academic Health Plans (AHP), at 1-855-850-4192, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Pacific), Monday – Friday or online by selecting Begin Enrollment at:
Contact Academic Health Plans (AHP):
- Enrollment Info: 1-855-850-4192
- Benefit Claims:
- Medical Claims: 1-877-480-4161
- Dental Claims: 1-877-238-6200
- VSP Vision: 1-800-877-7195
In some instances, students may be considered for additional federal student loans to help pay their health insurance costs. Contact the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office for more information, including how to initiate the “cost of attendance appeal” process.
Contact Us
For students with UNLV Student Health Insurance:
- Aetna UNLV Student Health Insurance – coverage, benefits, find a provider, ID cards, general info
- Academic Health Plan (AHP) / My AHP Care – claims/bills, waivers, general info
- 24 Hour Nurse Line - 24-hour information line for health questions
Other Questions or need help? Please email shi@unlv.edu with any questions or concerns and include your NSHE number so we can assist you as quickly as possible.