Yeshiva University Health Insurance Waiver Guide for International Students (2026–2027)
How to waive Yeshiva University Student Health Insurance Plan (Yeshiva SHIP), meet every Yeshiva waiver requirement, and get comprehensive, Yeshiva-qualifying coverage from Kimber Health for less.
What is a Yeshiva University health insurance waiver?
If you are an international student at Yeshiva 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.
Yeshiva University automatically enrolls all registered international students in Yeshiva University's Student Health Insurance Plan (Yeshiva SHIP), administered through United Health Care Choice Plus, and bills it to your account. A waiver is simply how you tell Yeshiva University: “I already have qualifying coverage, so please remove the Yeshiva SHIP charge.”
If your alternate plan meets Yeshiva University's requirements and you submit before the deadline, the university removes the Yeshiva SHIP charge from your student account.
Why do international students waive the Yeshiva SHIP?
The Yeshiva SHIP is a solid plan backed by United Health Care Choice Plus. But it is priced as a flat, one-size-fits-all rate regardless of age. At $6,654 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 Yeshiva University's waiver requirements, with full in-network access near the Manhattan 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 Yeshiva waiver process so the submission is done correctly the first time.
A plan built specifically for international students can deliver all four.
Yeshiva waiver requirements (2026–2027)
To waive the Yeshiva SHIP, your alternate coverage must meet Yeshiva 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 Manhattan 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 Yeshiva 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 New York City area. These plans are purpose-built to meet Yeshiva University’s specific waiver requirements for international students, rather than structured as traditional ACA-compliant plans.
Yeshiva waiver deadline
Submit your 2026–2027 waiver request before the deadline below. Submitting early avoids any risk of remaining enrolled and billed for the Yeshiva SHIP.
October 9th 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 Yeshiva waiver process works
Yeshiva 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 for Kimber Elite and Kimber Premium. Royal 500 uses a combined 25–29 age band. Verify your exact rate at kimberhealth.com before enrolling.
| School Plan | Kimber Health — Yeshiva Plans | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feature | Yeshiva SHIP Yearly |
Kimber Elite Recommended |
Kimber Premium Strong coverage |
Royal 500 Most affordable |
| Annual premium | $6,654 (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) |
$1,026 (17–24y) $1,497 (25–29y) |
| In-network provider | United Health Care Choice Plus | UnitedHealthcare Options PPO | UnitedHealthcare Options PPO | UnitedHealthcare Options PPO |
| Maximum insured amount | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Deductible | $500 | $0 | $180 | $500 |
| Co-insurance | 75% | 100% | 80% | 80% |
| Student health center | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Urgent care | $50 copay | $50 copay per visit | $50 copay per visit | $50 copay per visit |
| Emergency services | $200 copay then 75% co-insurance after deductible |
$300 copay waived if admitted |
$250 copay waived if admitted |
$300 copay waived if admitted |
| Prescriptions (Tier 1/2/3) | $100 deductible then $25 / 20% / 30% co-insurance |
$10/$20/$40 | $10/$20/$40 | $10/$20/$40 |
Data from Yeshiva University SHIP and Kimber Health plan documents. Verify current rates at kimberhealth.com and with Yeshiva before enrolling.
What that means in savings (ages 17–24)
Compared with the Yeshiva SHIP rate of $6,654, here is what you save for the youngest age bracket:
| Plan | Annual premium (17–24y) | Deductible / co-insurance | You save vs. Yeshiva SHIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimber Elite Recommended | $1,997 | $0 / 100% | ~$4,657 |
| Kimber Premium | $1,310 | $180 / 80% | ~$5,344 |
| Royal 500 | $1,026 | $500 / 80% | ~$5,628 |
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 ~$4,657 per year (ages 17–24) compared to the Yeshiva SHIP rate. Even at Royal 500, you keep a fully Yeshiva-qualifying plan and save close to ~$5,628 per year.
Why can Kimber Health be so much cheaper?
Lower price, same Yeshiva-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 Yeshiva University's requirements.
Kimber Health’s Yeshiva plans are purpose-built to closely align with the university’s waiver criteria, meeting Yeshiva 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimber Elite | $1,997 | ~$499 | ~$1,498 |
| Kimber Premium | $1,310 | ~$328 | ~$982 |
| Royal 500 | $1,026 | ~$257 | ~$769 |
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 Yeshiva 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 Yeshiva 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 Yeshiva waiver process so there is no guesswork.
- Options for every budget, three plan tiers ranging from Royal 500 to Kimber Elite, so you choose the right balance of premium and deductible.
Yeshiva waiver FAQ
Do international students have to have health insurance at Yeshiva?
Can I waive the Yeshiva SHIP with an outside plan?
Is an outside plan as comprehensive as the Yeshiva SHIP?
What is the Yeshiva waiver deadline for 2026–2027?
Where do I submit the Yeshiva SHIP waiver?
Is Kimber Health a real, Yeshiva-qualifying option?
How much can I save by waiving the Yeshiva SHIP?
What is the difference between Royal 500, Kimber Premium, and Kimber Elite?
Ready to waive and save?
Kimber Health provides step-by-step waiver guidance and helps Yeshiva University international students explore affordable, Yeshiva-qualifying coverage with confidence.
Get started at kimberhealth.com →
