Frequently Asked Questions

Archive 2025-2026

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Advantages of Membership

These health management tools and resources can help you stay well and protect your health

Enroll/Cost

Am I Eligible to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan?

Online Enrollment Periods

Returning Students: 05/12/2025 - 05/25/2025

Incoming School of Health Professions (except Genetic Counseling Students): 06/17/2025 - 06/28/2025

Incoming Medical, Graduate, Genetic Counseling Students and Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Scholars: 07/21/2025 - 08/02/2025

Incoming DNP Students: 01/01/2026 - 01/12/2026

Online Enrollment

Your username will be your 6 digit BCM ID with 2 leading zeros.

Students with a Qualifying Life Event

Opt-Out/Waiver

If you do not want the Student Health Insurance Plan, you must decline or opt-out of coverage by submitting a waiver. You may only opt-out of coverage during the following Waiver Periods:

Returning Students: 05/12/2025 - 05/25/2025

Incoming School of Health Professions (except Genetic Counseling Students): 06/17/2025 - 06/28/2025

Incoming Medical, Graduate, Genetic Counseling Students and Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Scholars: 07/21/2025 - 08/02/2025

Incoming DNP Students: 01/01/2026 - 01/12/2026

All students will be enrolled in Baylor College of Medicine’s (BCM) Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), unless a waiver is submitted and approved by the enrollment period deadline. If students have alternative health insurance coverage, a waiver may be submitted.

To be eligible for a waiver, Baylor College of Medicine requires that students provide evidence of active coverage that meets all waiver criteria. Notification of acceptance or rejection of waiver requests will be sent to students’ BCM email address within seven business days.

To qualify for a waiver, your health insurance plan must meet all the requirements listed below.

  1. Plan provides in-network coverage in the greater Houston metropolitan area (unless you are a Distance Education Student, then your plan must provide in-network coverage in the area in which you reside).
  2. Plan does not provide emergency-only coverage
  3. Individual annual out-of-pocket maximum of $9,100 or less
  4. Plan meets minimum value standard of 60%, meaning that it has at least bronze medal status under the Affordable Care Act and is ACA compliant.
  5. Plan provides coverage for prescription drugs (prescription discount cards will not be accepted as coverage)

If your plan meets all the above criteria and you want to waive enrollment from the Student Health Insurance Plan, please acquire an electronic copy of the front and back of your insurance ID card and a copy your Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) or other policy benefit documentation.  Select the link below to submit your waiver request. Once you login, select the “WAIVE” button under the “I Already Have Insurance.” section.

Dental and Vision Options

Optional Dental Plan

Offered in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Optional Vision Plan

Offered in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Claims

View Claims Online

Access Medical, Dental, Prescription, and International* Claim Forms

*International Claim Form is used to submit claims for benefits for covered services received outside the United States

Regulatory Notices

Contact

Baylor College of Medicine

For student health insurance inquiries, students are to contact the BCM offices listed below. Please note we do not accept third party inquiries from parents, insurance vendors, brokers, pharmacies or doctor’s offices.

Student Benefits Office

General questions about coverage including waiver or enrolling, waiver denials, coverage while on leave of absence, etc.

[email protected]
1 (713) 798-1500

Student Account Services

Questions about Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) billing and credits.

[email protected]
1 (713) 798-4322

EyeMed

1 (844) 684-2255
Customer Service

BCBSTX Internet Help Desk

Call for questions about your Blue Access for Members account.
The Internet Help Desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Hours: Available 24 hours
Languages: English, Spanish
988
Dial 988 from any phone to be immediately connected