University of Chicago Health Insurance Waiver Guide for International Students (2026–2027)
How to waive the University of Chicago Student Health Insurance Plan (UChicago SHIP), meet every UChicago waiver requirement, and get comprehensive, UChicago-qualifying coverage from Kimber Health for less.
What is a University of Chicago health insurance waiver?
If you are an international student at the University of Chicago 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.
The University of Chicago automatically enrolls all registered international students in the University of Chicago's Student Health Insurance Plan (UChicago SHIP), administered through Choice Plus PPO, and bills it to your account. A waiver is simply how you tell the University of Chicago: “I already have qualifying coverage, so please remove the UChicago SHIP charge.”
If your alternate plan meets the University of Chicago's requirements and you submit before the deadline, the university removes the UChicago SHIP charge from your student account.
Why do international students waive the UChicago SHIP?
The UChicago SHIP is a solid plan backed by Choice Plus PPO. But it is priced as a flat, one-size-fits-all rate regardless of age. At $5,517 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 the University of Chicago's waiver requirements, with full in-network access near the Hyde Park 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 UChicago waiver process so the submission is done correctly the first time.
A plan built specifically for international students can deliver all four.
UChicago waiver requirements (2026–2027)
To waive the UChicago SHIP, your alternate coverage must meet the University of Chicago'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 Hyde Park 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 UChicago 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 Chicago area. These plans are purpose-built to meet the University of Chicago’s specific waiver requirements for international students, rather than structured as traditional ACA-compliant plans.
UChicago waiver deadline
Submit your 2026–2027 waiver request before the deadline below. Submitting early avoids any risk of remaining enrolled and billed for the UChicago SHIP.
October 16th 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 UChicago waiver process works
UChicago 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, 25–27, and 28–29. Verify your exact rate at kimberhealth.com before enrolling.
| School Plan | Kimber Health — UChicago Plans | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feature | UChicago SHIP Yearly |
Kimber Elite Recommended |
Kimber Premium Strong coverage |
Kimber Core Most Popular |
Kimber Basic Most affordable |
| Annual premium | $5,517 (all ages) |
$1,997 (17–24y) $2,774 (25–27y) $3,092 (28–29y) |
$1,310 (17–24y) $1,628 (25–27y) $1,989 (28–29y) |
$975 (17–24y) $1,365 (25–27y) $1,456 (28–29y) |
$920 (17–24y) $1,299 (25–27y) $1,365 (28–29y) |
| In-network provider | Choice Plus PPO | UnitedHealthcare Options PPO | UnitedHealthcare Options PPO | UnitedHealthcare Options PPO | UnitedHealthcare Options PPO |
| Maximum insured amount | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Deductible | $400 | $0 | $180 | $600 | $1,500 |
| Co-insurance | 90% | 100% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Student health center | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Urgent care | 90% of Allowed Amount after deductible |
$50 copay per visit | $50 copay per visit | $50 copay per visit | $50 copay per visit |
| Emergency services | $100 copay then 90% of Allowed Amount after deductible |
$300 copay waived if admitted |
$250 copay waived if admitted |
$300 copay waived if admitted |
$250 copay waived if admitted |
| Prescriptions (Tier 1/2/3) | $10/$25/$40 | $10/$20/$40 | $10/$20/$40 | $10/$20/$40 | $10/$20/$40 |
Data from the University of Chicago SHIP and Kimber Health plan documents. Verify current rates at kimberhealth.com and with UChicago before enrolling.
What that means in savings (ages 17–24)
Compared with the UChicago SHIP rate of $5,517, here is what you save for the youngest age bracket:
| Plan | Annual premium (17–24y) | Deductible / co-insurance | You save vs. UChicago SHIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimber Elite Recommended | $1,997 | $0 / 100% | ~$3,520 |
| Kimber Premium | $1,310 | $180 / 80% | ~$4,207 |
| Kimber Core Most Popular | $975 | $600 / 80% | ~$4,542 |
| Kimber Basic | $920 | $1,500 / 80% | ~$4,597 |
Comprehensive, not just cheap
Kimber Elite has no deductible and 100% co-insurance, meaning you pay nothing for eligible in-network care, while still saving roughly ~$3,520 per year (ages 17–24) compared to the UChicago SHIP rate. Even at Kimber Basic, you keep a fully UChicago-qualifying plan at a fraction of the school’s cost.
Why can Kimber Health be so much cheaper?
Lower price, same UChicago-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 the University of Chicago's requirements.
Kimber Health’s UChicago plans are purpose-built to closely align with the university’s waiver criteria, meeting the University of Chicago'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimber Elite | $1,997 | ~$499 | ~$1,498 |
| Kimber Premium | $1,310 | ~$328 | ~$982 |
| Kimber Core | $975 | ~$244 | ~$731 |
| Kimber Basic | $920 | ~$230 | ~$690 |
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 the University of Chicago 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 the University of Chicago'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 UChicago waiver process so there is no guesswork.
- Options for every budget, four plan tiers ranging from Kimber Basic to Kimber Elite, so you choose the right balance of premium and deductible.
UChicago waiver FAQ
Do international students have to have health insurance at UChicago?
Can I waive the UChicago SHIP with an outside plan?
Is an outside plan as comprehensive as the UChicago SHIP?
What is the UChicago waiver deadline for 2026–2027?
Where do I submit the UChicago SHIP waiver?
Is Kimber Health a real, UChicago-qualifying option?
How much can I save by waiving the UChicago SHIP?
What is the difference between Kimber Basic, Core, Premium, and Elite?
Ready to waive and save?
Kimber Health provides step-by-step waiver guidance and helps the University of Chicago international students explore affordable, UChicago-qualifying coverage with confidence.
Get started at kimberhealth.com →
