Who is Eligible for the UNLV Student Health Insurance (SHI) Plan?
Graduate*, Law*, Medical, Dental, and Nursing Students Full-Time
Full-time 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.
Graduate*, Law*, Medical, Dental, and Nursing Students Part-TIMe
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.
Undergraduate Students
The student health insurance plan is not open to undergraduate students. (Except nursing and international undergraduate students.)
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.
International Students
The Student Health Insurance (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.
*Graduate and Law Students Health Insurance Requirement
In May 2013, the Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA) passed a motion to recommend that all fully admitted graduate and law 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
2024-2025 UNLV Student Health Insurance
| Coverage Dates | Waiver Dates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHI Plan | Semester | Effective | Termination | Start | End |
| Graduate, Law, International | Fall '24 | 8/16/2024 | 1/11/2025 | 5/9/2024 | 9/15/2024 |
| Spring/Summer '25 | 1/12/2025 | 8/15/2025 | 5/9/2024 | 2/9/2025 | |
| Nursing | Fall '24 | 9/1/2024 | 12/31/2024 | 7/5/2024 | 9/15/2024 |
| Spring '25 | 1/1/2025 | 4/30/2025 | 11/13/2024 | 2/9/2025 | |
| Summer '25 | 5/1/2025 | 8/31/2025 | 3/15/2025 | 5/18/2025 | |
| Medical/School of Medicine | Annual '24-25 | 7/1/2024 | 6/30/2025 | 5/21/2024 | 8/31/2024 |
| Spring/Summer '25 | 1/1/2025 | 6/30/2025 | |||
| Dental - Ortho & Peds | Annual '24-25 | 7/1/2024 | 6/30/2025 | 5/21/2024 | 8/31/2024 |
| Spring/Summer '25 | 1/1/2025 | 6/30/2025 | |||
| Dental - DDS & DMD | Annual '24-'25 | 8/25/2024 | 8/24/2025 | 6/15/2024 | 9/4/2024 |
| Spring/Summer '25 | 1/1/2025 | 4/30/2025 | |||
| Early Start Summer '25 | 5/6/2025 | 8/24/2025 | 4/25/2025 | 5/20/2025 | |
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)
Plan year 2024-2025 costs and dates are as follows:
Graduate, Law, and International Students
- Fall - $1,388.00 - August 16, 2024 to January 11, 2025
- Spring - $2,015.00 - January 12, 2025 to August 15, 2025
Nursing Students
- Fall - $1,137.00 - September 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
- Spring - $1,119.00 - January 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025
- Spring Early Batch - $838.00 - January 31, 2025 to April 30, 2025
- Summer - $1,147.00 – May 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025
School of Medicine Students
- Annual - $3,199.00 - July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025
School of Dental Medicine – Orthodontics and Pediatrics Students
- Annual - $3,199.00 - July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
School of Dental Medicine – DDS and DMD Students
- Annual - $3199.00 - August 25, 2024 to August 24, 2025
Dependents can be added to your plan for an additional cost. See separate section below.
ID cards can be obtained directly from the insurance carrier’s website.
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 benefits summary, rates (SHI cost), deductibles, and copay amounts can be found in the following pamphlets:
- Graduate, Law, International, 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 and in the Aetna Student Health Plan Design and Benefits Summary 2024-2025.
Dental coverage is optional and available for an additional cost. Visit Aetna Dental Plan for more information.
Vision benefits are included at no extra cost. Visit Aetna VSP Direct for more information.
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), 1-855-850-4192, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Pacific), or visit online:
There are two types of Student Health Insurance refunds:
Opt-out Waiver Approved Refund
Once an opt-out waiver is approved, the insurance rate cost will be removed from your tuition. Refund of amounts already paid will be issued by UNLV Cashiering & Students Accounts, typically within 7-10 business days.
Non-waiver Refund
Non-waiver refunds are granted only in the following two (2) qualifying events:
- You’ve withdrawn from the university or dropped below the minimum required credit hours within 31 days from the start of your student insurance effective dates.
- You’ve entered the Armed Forces.
If you do not meet one of the above two (2) qualifying events, you are not eligible for a non-waiver refund. If you meet one of these qualifying non-waiver refund events, contact the UNLV student health insurance broker, Academic Health Plans (AHP) at 1-855-850-4192, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Pacific).
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