All OWU students are required to have health insurance that provides access to healthcare resources when needed and protects them from unexpected medical costs that could disrupt their education.
Below are answers to some common questions:
What if students don't have have health insurance coverage?
To ensure that students have adequate insurance, students are automatically enrolled in coverage and a health insurance fee is posted to their accounts for each semester. OWU has partnered with Academic HealthPlans (AHP) to provide coverage through Wellfleet Insurance and access to a national network of healthcare providers within Cigna's PPO Network. Coverage is from August 1 to July 31 of the following year.
How much is the health insurance fee?
The Fall 2025 fee is $968, which provides coverage from August 1 to December 31, 2025. The Spring 2026 fee is $1,342 and will provide coverage from January 1 to July 31, 2026.
Can students waive the health insurance fee?
Students who have other comparable health insurance coverage can submit a request for a waiver. For the request to be approved, students whould need to verify that they have access to healthcare providers in Central Ohio and that their coverage is ACA-compliant. This waiver process is facilitated by AHP and details about this process are emailed to students and parents. Additional details about the waiver process can also be found at .
Can international students waive the health insurance fee?
Only ACA plans offered by employers or embassies that include medical evacuation and repatriation coverage will meet the waiver guidelines for international students. The OWU Student Health Insurance includes this coverage.
Do students need to request a waiver each year?
Yes. An approved waiver is only valid for that academic year. If the health insurance fee is waived for Fall semester and coverage remains active, however, the waiver will remain valid for the upcoming Spring semester and the fee will not be posted to the student's account. Please note that if the student's coverage changes at any point during the academic year, AHP will need to be notified so that the fee waiver can continue.
What does the University-sponsored coverage include?
The includes helpful resources for:
The Wellfeet insurance plan provides medical coverage for OWU students. For students interested in adding dental coverage, please visit AHP's Enhanced Benefits page.
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Questions about OWU's student health insurance program can be directed to the Dean of Students Office at deansoffice@owu.edu or by calling 740-368-3135.