Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) Make Sure Your Health Is Covered

The following mandatory students are required to have health insurance that fully meets university requirements:

Mandatory students automatically have the cost of the SHIP added to their Point Park student account (tuition bill) every fall and spring semester.  

It is the student's responsibility to take action and determine whether they have insurance that meets university requirements, and either enroll in or waive (opt-out) of the SHIP.  Students are also responsible for reading all information and instructions and following the proper procedures and meeting all deadlines.

Mandatory students who do NOT want to enroll in the SHIP:

• Have insurance that fully meets all University requirements, AND
• Successfully submit their online request to waive the SHIP every academic year they are mandatory, AND
• Have the waiver approved by the deadline.
• Students who miss the waiver deadline or whose request is denied and cannot be resolved will be enrolled in the SHIP and the charges will remain on their student account for the year.
• No late waivers or early termination requests are accepted unless there is a qualifying life event. 
• See SHIP Waiver for more information and to waive.

Mandatory students who DO wish to enroll in the SHIP:

• Take action! Do not wait for the university to enroll you!  In the fall this does not take place until the end of September, and access to your benefits will be delayed.  Submit your online enrollment request as soon as possible to have access to coverage as early as August 1 when the plan year begins (February 1 for spring-only coverage).
• SHIP costs for mandatory students are billed and paid through the student’s Point Park student account.
• Re-enroll each academic year you wish to continue coverage in the SHIP; renewal is NOT automatic.
• See SHIP Enrollment for more information and to enroll.

While the University recommends that all students have health insurance, if you are not mandatory for insurance, you do not submit the online request to waive the SHIP.

• It is the student's responsibility to be aware of their insurance status.
• See Mandatory vs. Voluntary Status section.
• Eligible students may enroll in the SHIP but are not required to do so.
• Dependent coverage is available; student must also be enrolled
• Students must re-enroll each academic year they wish to continue coverage in the SHIP; renewal is NOT automatic.
• See SHIP Enrollment for more information and to enroll.

• Athletes must submit their online waiver request if they do not want the SHIP and they already have health insurance that meets university requirements.
• The SHIP waiver process is not the same as providing an insurance card or information to the Athletics Department or the athletic trainers as part of the medical information required for participation in the student’s sport.  

Students who receive correspondence containing information specifically related to mandatory students, or which indicates they have been billed for the health insurance fee, need to be aware the university has classified them as mandatory for insurance.

If a student believes they have been incorrectly classified as mandatory or voluntary, it is their responsibility to contact QM Services in writing at university@qmservicesinc.com and explain why they believe they have been incorrectly classified.  This should be done as soon as possible so there is sufficient time for the information to be reviewed and to allow for the completion of the enrollment or waiver process by the deadline if it is determined the student is mandatory.

Point Park University has purchased an athletic and performing arts accident insurance policy that  provides secondary insurance coverage for accidents incurred by student athletes and performing artists (dance and theatre majors--all concentrations) while participating in official University-sponsored athletic or performing arts rehearsals/performances. This policy does not provide coverage for illness, pre-existing conditions, dance or performance class injuries, or non-athletic/performing arts-related injuries.

There is no additional cost for this coverage, and there are no enrollment forms to complete; however, in order to be eligible for this coverage, the student must meet the following criteria:

Students who do not meet the above criteria are not eligible for the secondary accident insurance coverage.

It is important to note that due to policy deductible ($1,000) and limitations, full reimbursement may not be provided for all out-of-pocket expenses, especially for those students with high-deductible health insurance plans and/or low dollar medical claims.

Injury Reporting and Claims

• The Athletic Training Office handles all injury reports and secondary accident insurance claims.
• Injuries must be reported within the timeframe set by the insurance policy, currently 30 days. 
• The trainers will determine eligibility for secondary accident insurance coverage based on the injury report and policy coverage available.
• If the injury is deemed eligible for coverage, a claim will be opened and information will be provided to the student on how to submit medical claims.
• Medical claims are must first be submitted to and processed by the student's health insurance.  The student, family, or medical provider is responsible for submitting the medical claims to the student's health insurance.
• An EOB (explanation of benefits) or similar document issued by the student's health insurance (after the claim has been processed) is required for all claims submitted to the secondary accident insurance. 
• A balance due invoice received from a medical provider or facility is not sufficient for submitting a claim to the secondary accident insurance company.  It must be accompanied by an EOB (explanation of benefits) or similar document from the student's health insurance.

The Athletic Training Office is located on the 3rd floor of the Student Center.  Appointments are made online and are highly recommended.  There may be a wait time for walk-ins.

Other questions regarding this coverage should be directed to the Office of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@pointpark.edu 

The official method of communication with students is through Point Park email.  It is the student's responsibility to make sure their email is working, check their email on a regular basis, fully read the emails they receive, and respond or take action as appropriate.

If you are not receiving emails related to the SHIP, make sure to check your spam/junk folder.  Also, if you have Focused Inbox turned on, check the Other tab/folder.

For Point Park email issues such as login and password, contact the IT Helpdesk at 412-392-3494 or helpdesk@pointpark.edu.

For assistance with the SHIP contact QM Services at 1-800-273-1715 ext. 2 or university@qmservicesinc.com 

Accessing health services on campus is not affected by or dependent upon SHIP enrollment.  In other words, students are not required to be enrolled in the SHIP in order to be seen in the Student Health Center or the University Counseling Center.  

Visit the Student Health Center or University Counseling Center pages for more information on university services, as well as community resources available to students.

Students are eligible to participate in the SHIP if they are,

• Registered for fall and spring classes for annual enrollment; spring classes for spring-only coverage, and
• Enrolled in a degree-seeking program, and
• Considered to be attending full-time in their program, OR
• Required to participate in the SHIP due to mandatory insurance status and are unable to successfully waive (opt-out of) the SHIP.

Dependent Eligibility

• Dependents (spouse, domestic partner, children, etc.) of eligible students are eligible to enroll in the plan. The student must also enroll in the plan. 
• Dependents may only be enrolled during the open enrollment period, unless there is a qualifying life event.  See Late Enrollment and Early Termination for more information.
• See the benefit book for who qualifies as a dependent.

Late Enrollment Requests (enrollment after the deadline) 

Late enrollment requests will be accepted when related to a qualifying life event that causes an involuntary loss of insurance coverage.  Enrollment in the plan must take place within 30 days of the loss of insurance coverage.  Proof of the qualifying life event and certificate of coverage from the student's (or dependent's) previous insurance will be required. Costs will be charged on a pro-rated basis, based upon the enrollment date. Please direct late enrollment requests to QM Services at university@qmservicesinc.com or call 1-800-273-1715 ext. 2

Examples of qualifying events for late enrollment requests:

• Student reaches the age limit for coverage through another plan after the open enrollment deadline
• Student loses their insurance coverage because of a job loss or divorce
• Student's dependent(s) lose insurance coverage because of a job loss or divorce; student must already be enrolled, or qualify for late enrollment.*
• Student has new dependent(s) because of a birth, adoption, marriage, or new domestic partner*

*Dependent(s) may only be added to a student's coverage during an open enrollment period unless there is a loss of coverage due to a qualifying life event.

Early Termination Requests (before July 31) 

The SHIP is a term insurance policy. Once enrolled in the plan, students are required to remain enrolled until the end of the plan year (July 31), unless there is a qualifying life event that results in a change in insurance coverage. 

Examples of events that qualify for early termination:

• New eligibility for insurance coverage because of a new spouse or domestic partner.
• New eligibility for insurance coverage because of a new job or position (same or different company)
• Remove dependent(s) from SHIP coverage because of a divorce or domestic partnership termination
• Mandatory students enrolled in the SHIP for the fall semester, who do not return for the spring semester, will be automatically terminated effective January 31.  
• Complete withdrawal from all classes during a semester of SHIP enrollment.

Examples of events that do not qualify for early termination:

• University holiday or break periods, including winter or summer break.
• New coverage because of an open enrollment period, such as through a current employer, the Marketplace, etc.
• Change in financial circumstance

Students requesting early termination because of a qualifying life event must do so in writing (email) within 30 days of the event. Proof will be required of: 1) the qualifying life event, and 2) new insurance, and 3) coverage that meets university requirements if student is mandatory. Early termination requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, and may not be granted if there are claims against the policy.  If a refund is due it will be issued based on the method of billing/payment. Please direct early termination requests in writing to QM Services at university@qmservicesinc.com 

There is a $105 late waiver penalty for waivers requests submitted/approved after the posted deadline.

There is a $105 early termination fee for SHIP coverage terminated due to a qualifying life event after the open enrollment deadline.

For mandatory students, annual coverage is billed in 2 installments: 

Fall semester       $1,149.72 1st installment
Spring semester $1,044.72  2nd installment
Total                     $2,194.44

Students who ARE required to have health insurance (mandatory students) automatically have the cost of their individual coverage billed to their Point Park student account. To view or pay the student account visit the Office of Student Accounts web page.  Mandatory students who enroll dependents pay for the dependent coverage at the time of SHIP enrollment directly to QM Services; see Eligibility for more information.

Students who are NOT required to have health insurance may choose to voluntarily enroll themselves and their dependent(s) in the SHIP:

• Payment for the full year (12 months) is required at the time of enrollment.  
• To use financial aid to pay for coverage, send a written request to QM Services at university@qmservicesinc.com before submitting the enrollment request. 
  • Requests are reviewed for availability of financial aid funds.
  • If approved, the cost of insurance is billed to the Point Park student account for the fall and spring semesters (same as mandatory students).
  • To view or pay the student account, visit the Office of Student Accounts page.
  • Once this option is elected, it cannot be changed until the next academic year. 
  • Use of financial aid must be requested and approved each academic year.

SHIP Enrollment is coordinated by QM Services Inc.

Please direct all questions regarding enrollment to QM Services at 1-800-273-1715 Ext. 2 or university@qmservicesinc.com 

Continuing coverage from year to year

Students must re-enroll in the SHIP every academic year in which they wish to participate before the July 31st yearly plan termination date in order to avoid a gap in coverage.  Renewal of coverage is NOT automatic from year to year.

Important Notes

• Until the application is successfully processed, check email and voicemail regularly for any requests for additional information.  Failure to respond to a request for information will result in a delay or inability to complete the student's enrollment.
• It may take an additional 24-48 hours from the time of enrollment for all benefits to be fully activated in Highmark's system.
• Students will receive an auto-generated email from Highmark once coverage is active to log into your account and confirm your email.  This email is time-sensitive so read the email and follow the directions as soon as you receive it.

Which address should be used on the enrollment application?

• This is the address to which Highmark (insurance company) will send the insurance card and any other SHIP correspondence.
• US addresses only; international addresses are not accepted
• If using your school address, your name must be associated with the mailing address in order for the USPS or the university's Mail Center to be able to deliver the insurance card, otherwise the mail will be returned.   

• Enroll online as soon as possible so you have access to coverage as early as August 1 when the plan year begins, or February 1 for spring-only enrollment.
• Take action! Do not wait for enrollment by the university.  In the fall, this does not take place until the end of September and this will delay access to your benefits.  
• To enroll, visit the QM Services website to get started.   
• Log into the portal (register if it's your first visit). Complete and submit the enrollment application.
• Cost is billed to your student account; no payment is due at the time of enrollment unless enrolling dependents (see Payment above).
• See also Important Enrollment Notes (above)
• Students who choose to continue their SHIP coverage from year-to-year must re-enroll each academic year; renewal of coverage is NOT automatic from year-to-year.

• Voluntary students may enroll in the SHIP but are NOT required to do so.
• Payment for the full year (12 months) is due at the time of SHIP enrollment.
• To use financial aid to pay for coverage, send a written request before enrolling to QM Services at university@qmservicesinc.com 
  • Requests are reviewed for availability of financial aid funds.
  • If approved, the cost of insurance is billed to the Point Park student account (tuition bill).
  • Once this option is elected, it cannot be changed until the next academic year.
  • Use of financial aid must be requested and approved each academic year.
• Dependent coverage cannot be billed to the student account and payment is due at the time of SHIP enrollment.
• To enroll, visit the QM Services website to get started.   
• Log into the portal (register if it's your first visit). Complete and submit the enrollment application.
• See also Important Enrollment Notes (above).
• Students who choose to continue their SHIP coverage from year-to-year must re-enroll each academic year; renewal of coverage is NOT automatic from year-to-year.

• It takes about 7-10 days to receive the physical ID card in the mail at the address used on the enrollment application.  Make sure your name is associated with the address you used or the USPS or university's Mail Center will return the mail to Highmark.
• As sooon as enrollment is active visit Highmark's website to...
  • View, print, or download a virtual ID card
  • Request a new (physical) card
  • Fax a copy of the card from Highmark's site; for example, to a healthcare provider's office.
  • View coverage and claims information
  • Find a medical provider
• See Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield - Website Registration (below).
• If you do not receive your insurance card and are unable to access it on Highmark's website, contact QM Services for assistance at university@qmservicesinc.com or 1-800-273-1715 ext. 2

The best way to activate your account with Highmark is with the welcome email from Highmark--make sure to check your junk/spam folder if you aren't seeing it after your enrollment has been activated.  

You can also go to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield's website and click on Register.  For additional registration information, see also Highmark Member Portal Registration (PDF).  Note the following:

• Member ID: Enter Highmark ID number from the insurance card (numbers only; no letters or spaces) or Social Security Number.
• International students without a Social Security Number will need to have the Highmark ID number.
• Student's first and last names, date of birth, and address need to match enrollment information.
• Email address and phone number do not need to match enrollment information.

Troubleshooting and Assistance

• Enrollment may not be active in Highmark's system, or the registration information entered does not match Highmark enrollment records.
• First, contact QM Services at university@qmservicesinc.com to verify active and accurate enrollment information. 
• If still unable to complete online registration, request assistance from Highmark website technical assistance at 1-877-298-3918. Coverage must be active.  This number cannot assist with enrollment, termination, benefits, or claims.

Mandatory students who were registered with the University in the fall semester and were unable to successfully waive the SHIP by the September 15 deadline, may NOT attempt to waive the SHIP in the spring semester.

There is a $105 late waiver penalty for requests submitted/approved after the posted deadline.

University Requirements for Insurance (PDF)

Before submitting your request to waive (opt-out), students are responsible for making sure their insurance plan meets all applicable requirements below.  Information about insurance benefits can typically be obtained calling, emailing, or visiting the website of your insurance company or human resources department website. A summary of benefits and coverage (SBC), benefit grid, or other similiar document will usually provide the information needed.  To get an idea of what these documents might look like, view the SHIP Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) or SHIP Schedule of Benefits below under Important Links for SHIP Members.  

Waiver information and insurance coverage is subject to verification.  If a waiver request fails to fully meet the requirements, or insurance coverage is not able to be verified, the waiver will not be approved. Waivers that are not approved by the deadline will result in the student being enrolled in the SHIP for the academic year, and the charges will remain on the student's account for the year.

Requirements for International Students

Requirements for Athletes

Requirements for Dance and Theatre Majors (All Concentrations)

Requirements for All Mandatory Students

SHIP waivers are coordinated by QM Services Inc. 

Please direct all questions regarding SHIP waiver to QM Services at university@qmservicesinc.com or 1-800-273-1715 Ext. 2.

Students who are NOT required to have health insurance (voluntary students) do not submit a request to waive the SHIP.  A voluntary student who believes they have been incorrectly classified as mandatory and charged for the insurance needs to take action.  See Mandatory vs. Voluntary Status above.

Students who ARE required to have health insurance (mandatory students) automatically have the cost of the SHIP added to their Point Park student account every fall and spring semester.  

It is the student's responsibility to take action and determine whether they have insurance that meets University requirements, and either enroll in or waive (opt-out of) the SHIP.  Students are also responsible for reading all information and instructions, follow the proper procedures, and meet all deadlines.

Mandatory students who do NOT wish to enroll in the SHIP:

• Have insurance coverage that fully meets all applicable University requirements, AND
• Successfully submit their online request to waive the SHIP every academic year they are mandatory, AND
• Have the waiver approved by the deadline.
• Students who miss the waiver deadline or whose request is not approved by the deadline will be enrolled in the SHIP and the charges will remain on their student account for the year.
• No late waivers or early termination requests are accepted unless there is a qualifying life event.

How do I submit the waiver? 

• Visit the QM Services website to get started.   
• Log into the portal (register if it's your first visit). Complete and submit the enrollment application.

NOTE:  You may NOT submit a request to waive (opt-out) if your insurance is the SHIP!  Waiver requests that have the SHIP as their insurance will be denied.  You must have other insurance coverage that meets university requirements.  How can you tell if it's SHIP coverage?  The card will be show Highmark group 017242-1x (last number varies) and the ID begins with YYM.

Waiver processing time: It generally takes 14 days from the time the waiver is successfully submitted. If additional information is needed to process the waiver the student will receive additional email correspondence. Not responding to a request for information can result in delay or denial of a waiver request.

View your student account to see if the the charge has been credited.  Also, see below After Submitting the Waiver, and Waiver Denial for more information.

An email confirmation from QM Services is sent upon successful submission of the waiver.  If no email confirmation is received (after checking spam/junk box), login to the QM portal to check the status, or contact QM Services at university@qmservicesinc.com or 1-800-273-1715 ext. 2

Waiver information and insurance coverage is subject to verification.  It is the student’s responsibility to check their email, including the spam/junk box, on a regular basis for additional information requests until the waiver is approved or denied.

QM Services provides weekly status updates to Point Park, and student accounts will be credited accordingly. It is the student’s responsibility to check their university student account to make sure they’ve received the credit, and to follow up with QM Services in a timely manner if they do not.

Once the waiver is approved and the credit has posted, the waiver process is completed for the academic year. A new waiver needs to be submitted every academic year the student is mandatory and does not want to enroll in the SHIP.

Waivers that are unable to be approved must be resolved before the waiver deadline, or the student will be enrolled in the SHIP, and the charge will remain on the student account for the remainder of the academic year.

No waiver requests or appeals will be accepted beyond the posted deadlines.  

To check the status of your waiver, login to the QM portal.  

If the there is a request for a copy of the insurance card or other insurance document, you must provide the requested information.

If your insurance does not meet University requirements, you must provide documentation that shows your insurance meets the specifically denied criteria.  For example,

• If your insurance coverage shows that it is terminated, you must provide proof that it is currently active.
• If your coverage shows your deductible exceeds the allowed amount of $5,000 per individual, per policy year, you must provide proof that your deductible is no more than the allowed amount.

If you are unable to resolve the issues preventing approval of your waiver request:

• Enroll in the SHIP as soon as possible so you have access to coverage as early as August 1 when the plan year begins--February 1 for spring-only enrollment (see SHIP Enrollment above)
• If you have not already done so, make arrangements for payment of the insurance charge on your Point Park student account.
• If you do not enroll, you will be enrolled by the University, but your enrollment will not be active until after the waiver period closes in mid-September.