Student Health Insurance
Patient Billing FAQS & The Student Health Insurance
What does the Student Health Fee cover?
The student health fee covers co-payments and co-insurance for visits to Health and Counseling Services (HCS), campus wide health promotion programs, and emergency preparedness activities, among other things.
What services at Health and Counseling (HCS) will be billed to my insurance?
Health and Counseling office visits, lab tests, procedures, and prescriptions will be billed to your health insurance plan. You will not be charged for co-pays or co-insurance, both of which are covered by the student health fee.
You may be responsible for additional charges that are not covered by your insurance. Visits to providers at UMass University Health Services or other local clinics or facilities will be billed to your insurance, and you will be responsible for co-pays, deductibles, out of network care, and other fees.
Do I have to pay for prescriptions I receive at Health and Counseling Services (HCS)?
Yes, pharmacy charges that are not covered by your health insurance will be collected at the time of pick-up. These charges may include co-pays, deductibles, and other out-of-network costs.
If I receive a bill for a Health or Counseling visit and I have a question, who do I contact?
Your first step will be to contact our office 413.559.5458. If we cannot answer your questions, we may reach out to the UMass University Health Services (UHS) billing office on your behalf. If you would like to contact them directly, you may call UHS Patient Accounts at 413.577.5256. (Outstanding bills can be paid by check or with a credit card, as indicated on the billing statement or online at www.umass.edu/uhs/billpay.)
What should I do if my health insurance changes after the school year starts?
Please notify the HCS office promptly if you have any changes in your health insurance. You may additionally upload a copy of your new health insurance card via the patient portal.
Do I need to bring my health insurance card with me to every appointment?
Yes. You will be asked to verify your insurance at every visit, so please bring your insurance card with you. We will also accept a cell phone picture of the front and back of your insurance card. You may upload a copy of your health insurance card via the patient portal.
Which health insurances are not accepted at HCS or UMass UHS?
All enrolled Hampshire College students are eligible to receive care at HCS and UHS. No students will be turned away. Students waiving the Hampshire student health insurance with any plan not accepted by HCS/UHS may be responsible for expenses not covered by your plan.
Plans not currently accepted: Out-of-state Medicaid plans, MassHealth Limited, Health Safety Net, Children's Medical Security Plan, Emergency/hospital-only coverage plans, Fallon Direct, Harvard Pilgrim Quality HMO, Mass Health MCO & ACO Plans, Medicare, Closed Network Plans and Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) Plans, and most other HMO plans. Keep in mind, this list is not exclusive and may change prior to website updates. Please confirm your health insurance with our office staff prior to your appointment.
To request a copy of your Hampshire Student Health Insurance card (BCBS):
Call 800.253.5210 or request it online.
Student Health Insurance Plan Information
- For more detailed information, please review the student health insurance plan page here.
- To comply with State regulations, all students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the student health insurance plan through Gallagher Student Health and Special Risk. If you are currently enrolled in a comparable plan and can provide your policy information, you may be able to waive the College's plan, and your student account will be credited.
- Prior to waiving the College insurance, please be sure your insurance plan will provide comprehensive coverage for you in Massachusetts. Most local mental health offices and medical facilities (including Hampshire Health and Counseling Services and UMass University Health Services) are in-network providers with the Hampshire student health plan (Blue Cross Blue Shield.)
Deadlines
- The deadline for waiving the Hampshire College Student Health Insurance Plan is August 6, 2025.
- Between August 7 and September 16, 2025, waiving is only considered under appeal with an online Petition to Waive.
- Coverage begins August 15. If insurance is utilized at any time after coverage commences, waiving is no longer an option.
- Please call the HCS office at 413.559.5458 if you have questions about whether your family health insurance will cover services at Hampshire Health and Counseling Services, UMass University Health Services, or surrounding medical facilities.
Special Circumstances
- Foreign medical insurance coverage is not acceptable under Massachusetts law. Therefore, you cannot waive coverage unless you are currently enrolled in an U.S.-based insurance company comparable to the Hampshire College student medical insurance plan.
- In some circumstances, students taking a leave are eligible to have the student health insurance coverage continue. Please contact studentaccounts@hampshire.edu for information regarding health insurance coverage while on leave.
- Hampshire students going on exchange or field study (outgoing) are required to have insurance. Students can waive the insurance if their private carriers will cover them out of the United States. This must be approved via Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.’s waiver plan.