Opt-Out/Waive

Students who are already covered by another health insurance plan that meets the requirements below may complete the waiver to opt-out of the WVU-sponsored student health insurance plan. This includes students at WVU (Morgantown), PSC (Keyser), WVU Tech (Beckley), and WVU Online. You may only opt-out of coverage during the following Waiver Periods:

• The waiver will be available following enrollment in classes and you will receive a registration email.

Waiver Criteria for Domestic Students

In order to opt out of the WVU Highmark student health insurance plan, your current plan must meet the following criteria:

• Provides in-patient and out-patient medical care coverage in West Virginia (coverage for emergency only care in WV does not satisfy this requirement);
• Provides in-patient and out-patient mental health and substance abuse care in West Virginia;
• Provides pharmacy coverage;
• Is not a Medicaid plan provided by any state other than West Virginia;
• My plan is currently active, and I agree to maintain health insurance coverage throughout the entire 2026-2027 academic year. If you should lose your current coverage you are required to notify the WVU Student Insurance Office as you are required to maintain comparable coverage while enrolled in 6 or more credit hours.

Note: Catastrophic plans and Medicaid plans that do not provide coverage in the state of West Virginia will not satisfy these criteria.

Waiver Criteria for International Students

In order to opt out of the WVU Highmark student health insurance plan, your current plan must meet the following criteria:

• Provides coverage in West Virginia;
• Is expected to be in force for the entire 2026-2027 academic year;
• Provides in-patient and out-patient coverage in your campus area;
• Provides pharmacy coverage;
• Annual individual out-of-pocket maximum is not greater than $8,350;
• Provides at least $1,000,000 per accident or illness in coverage payable in U.S. Dollars;
• Provides coverage for pre-existing conditions if the member has prior creditable coverage and does not rider or exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions;
• Provides in-patient and out-patient mental health and substance abuse care in your campus area;
• Provides at least $25,000 coverage for Repatriation & at least $50,000 coverage for Medical Evacuation (repatriation provides transportation to your home country in the event of death; medical evacuation is emergency transportation to the nearest, most qualified treatment facility);
• Has a U.S.-based claims address;
• Is not a Medicaid plan provided by any state other than West Virginia.

Note: Catastrophic plans, travel policies, policies without a US based claims office and Medicaid plans that do not provide coverage in the state of West Virginia will not satisfy these criteria.

Please contact your insurance provider if you are not sure if your plan meets the requirements.