Drexel University Health Insurance Waiver Guide for International Students (2026–2027)
How to waive the Drexel University Student Health Insurance Plan (Drexel SHIP), meet every Drexel waiver requirement, and get comprehensive, Drexel-qualifying coverage from Kimber Health for less.
What is a Drexel University health insurance waiver?
If you are an international student at Drexel University on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you have likely seen a health insurance charge appear on your student account. The good news: you do not have to pay it.
Drexel University automatically enrolls all registered international students in the Drexel University Student Health Insurance Plan (Drexel SHIP), administered through UnitedHealthCare Choice Plus, and bills it to your account. A waiver is simply how you tell Drexel University: “I already have qualifying coverage, so please remove the Drexel SHIP charge.”
If your alternate plan meets Drexel University's requirements and you submit before the deadline, the university removes the Drexel SHIP charge from your student account.
Why do international students waive the Drexel SHIP?
The Drexel SHIP is a solid plan backed by UnitedHealthCare Choice Plus. But it is priced as a flat, one-size-fits-all rate regardless of age. At $3,178 a year, that charge adds up quickly. International students often look for an outside plan because they want:
Strong co-insurance, a manageable deductible, and the same quality of care as the school plan, without paying the school rate.
Closely aligned with Drexel University's waiver requirements, with full in-network access near the Philadelphia campus and a U.S.-based insurer.
Built around the actual profile of international students, not a flat campus rate that ignores age and individual needs.
Step-by-step help navigating the Drexel waiver process so the submission is done correctly the first time.
A plan built specifically for international students can deliver all four.
Drexel waiver requirements (2026–2027)
To waive the Drexel SHIP, your alternate coverage must meet Drexel University's minimum criteria. A qualifying plan must:
General criteria
Must qualify under ACA standards as Minimum Essential Coverage.
Unrestricted access to in-network physicians and hospitals within a reasonable distance of the Philadelphia campus.
Mental health and behavioral health benefits comparable to physical health coverage.
Must include prescription drug benefits with reasonable cost-sharing.
Additional requirements for international students
Plan must be written in standard English, with all benefits clearly expressed in U.S. dollars.
All claims must be processed and paid directly to U.S. providers from a U.S. office.
Must include medical evacuation benefits for coverage while outside the U.S.
Must include repatriation of remains coverage as part of international benefits.
The Kimber difference
Every Kimber Health Drexel University plan is designed to closely align with ACA standards, with a U.S.-based insurer, a U.S. claims address, and in-network access to providers across the greater Philadelphia area. These plans are purpose-built to meet Drexel University’s specific waiver requirements for international students, rather than structured as traditional ACA-compliant plans.
Drexel waiver deadline
Submit your 2026–2027 waiver request before the deadline below. Submitting early avoids any risk of remaining enrolled and billed for the Drexel SHIP.
September 30th comes up faster than most students expect, especially with orientation, housing, and visa requirements all happening at once. Enrolling early means one less thing to stress about.
How the Drexel waiver process works
Drexel SHIP vs. Kimber Health
Cheaper is only half the story. What matters just as much is how much you pay when you actually use your insurance, and that comes down to your deductible and co-insurance.
Kimber uses age-based pricing. Rates below are shown for ages 17–24 and 25–27. Verify your exact rate at kimberhealth.com before enrolling.
| School Plan | Kimber Health — Drexel University Plans | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feature | Drexel SHIP Yearly |
World Elite Plus Recommended |
World Elite 250 Most Popular |
World Elite 450 Most affordable |
| Annual premium | $3,178 (all ages) |
$2,460 (17–24y) $2,832 (25–27y) |
$1,909 (17–24y) $2,544 (25–27y) |
$1,621 (17–24y) $2,197 (25–27y) |
| In-network provider | UnitedHealthCare Choice Plus | UnitedHealthCare Options PPO | UnitedHealthCare Options PPO | UnitedHealthCare Options PPO |
| Maximum insured amount | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Deductible | $250 | No deductible | $250 | $450 |
| Co-insurance | 80% | 100% | 80% | 80% |
| Student health center | 100% | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Urgent care | $30 co-pay per visit | $50 copay | $65 copay then plan pays 80% co-insurance |
Deductible, then $50 copay |
| Emergency services | $150 copay waived if admitted |
$200 copay per visit | Deductible, then $200 copay per visit waived if admitted |
Deductible, then $200 copay per visit waived if admitted |
| Prescriptions (Tier 1/2/3) | $25/$80/$150 | $5/$40/$60 | $5/$50/$75 | $15/$40/$75 |
Data from Drexel University SHIP and Kimber Health plan documents. Verify current rates at kimberhealth.com and with Drexel before enrolling.
What that means in savings (ages 17–24)
Compared with the Drexel SHIP rate of $3,178, here is what you save for the youngest age bracket:
| Plan | Annual premium (17–24y) | Deductible / co-insurance | You save vs. Drexel SHIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Elite Plus Recommended | $2,460 | None / 100% | ~$718 |
| World Elite 250 Most Popular | $1,909 | $250 / 80% | ~$1,269 |
| World Elite 450 | $1,621 | $450 / 80% | ~$1,557 |
Comprehensive, not just cheap
World Elite Plus has no deductible and 100% co-insurance, meaning you pay nothing for eligible in-network care, while still saving roughly ~$718 per year (ages 17–24) compared to the Drexel SHIP rate. Even at World Elite 450, you keep a fully Drexel-qualifying plan and save close to ~$1,557 per year.
Why can Kimber Health be so much cheaper?
Lower price, same Drexel-qualifying coverage. Here is how:
We negotiate on your behalf.
As a licensed U.S. broker, Kimber shops and negotiates across multiple insurers to find competitive rates, then passes those savings directly to students.
We price by age.
University plans charge everyone the same premium regardless of age. Kimber uses age-based pricing, so younger students pay less and are not subsidizing others.
We specialize in international students.
International students often have a lower overall claims profile. A plan built around that reality can be priced more efficiently than a general campus plan.
Designed to meet Drexel University's requirements.
Kimber Health’s Drexel plans are purpose-built to closely align with the university’s waiver criteria, meeting Drexel University's specific qualifying standards for international students, rather than structured as traditional ACA-compliant plans.
Get money back after you graduate
Because student insurance plans are typically billed lump sum, if you graduate before your coverage period ends, you may be eligible for a refund for unused months, potentially around 25% of your annual premium back.
| Plan | Annual premium (17–24y) | ~3-month refund | Effective net cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Elite Plus | $2,460 | ~$615 | ~$1,845 |
| World Elite 250 | $1,909 | ~$477 | ~$1,432 |
| World Elite 450 | $1,621 | ~$405 | ~$1,216 |
Note: Refund eligibility and the exact amount depend on your plan terms, your cancellation or graduation date, and whether you have used your plan yet. Confirm terms at the time of enrollment.
Why Drexel University students choose Kimber Health
- Licensed, U.S.-based, and trusted, a real broker with a physical U.S. office, a U.S. claims address, and real human support (exactly what Drexel University's waiver rules require).
- Coverage across all 50 states, new city, new campus, same coverage.
- Step-by-step waiver guidance, we walk you through the Drexel waiver process so there is no guesswork.
- Options for every budget, three plan tiers ranging from World Elite 450 to World Elite Plus, so you choose the right balance of premium and deductible.
Drexel waiver FAQ
Do international students have to have health insurance at Drexel?
Can I waive the Drexel SHIP with an outside plan?
Is an outside plan as comprehensive as the Drexel SHIP?
What is the Drexel waiver deadline for 2026–2027?
Where do I submit the Drexel SHIP waiver?
Is Kimber Health a real, Drexel-qualifying option?
How much can I save by waiving the Drexel SHIP?
What is the difference between World Elite 450, World Elite 250, and World Elite Plus?
Ready to waive and save?
Kimber Health provides step-by-step waiver guidance and helps Drexel University international students explore affordable, Drexel-qualifying coverage with confidence.
Get started at kimberhealth.com →
