Students who have insurance comparable to the Student Medical Plan may waive the coverage. It is each student's responsibility to ensure that their alternate coverage is adequate.
Definition of Comparable Coverage
- Plan is provided by a company licensed to do business in the United States, with a U.S. claims payment office and U.S. phone number.
- Plan has unlimited annual and lifetime benefits (i.e. no policy maximum).
- Coverage is currently active and the student agrees to maintain health coverage throughout the entire policy year.
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions with no waiting period.
- Plan provides coverage in Northeast Ohio or where enrolled in CWRU classes.
- Plan provides emergency and non-emergency inpatient and outpatient (laboratory, diagnostic services, primary and specialty care and physical therapy) and inpatient and outpatient mental health/substance abuse as any other condition.
In addition to meeting the above criteria, international students must:
- Have coverage for emergency medical evacuation in the amount of at least $50,000 (medical evacuation is emergency transportation to the nearest, most qualified treatment facility).
- Have coverage of at least $ 25,000 for repatriation (repatriation provides transportation to the student’s home country in the event of death).
Plans not accepted
Starting with the Fall 2026 waiver, the following plans will not be accepted for students studying in Ohio, as they do not provide coverage in Northeast Ohio:
- Kaiser Permanente
- Out of State Medicaid (information for enrolling in Ohio Medicaid can be found on the Ohio Department of Medicaid website)
Maintaining Coverage
Per university policy, all students who waive the Student Medical Plan are required by university policy to maintain alternate coverage that meets CWRU’s waiver criteria throughout the entire academic year. If your coverage lapses or is found to be inadequate, you will be automatically enrolled in and charged for the Student Medical Plan to ensure uninterrupted access to healthcare.