Welcome to Suffolk University!

Click here for more information on Health and Wellness Services requirments before you arrive to campus! 

The Health & Wellness Services website has a wealth of information that you will find useful before you arrive on campus and during your time at Suffolk.  Please take the time to check it out.

This page will summarize some of the important things new students need to know.

If I get sick, what should I do to get access to health care?

1.  Students should always go Suffolk Health & Wellness Services first, for any health care needs. Health & Wellness Services is available for appointments and urgent care issues for all students, no matter what health insurance you have. In some cases, you are more likely to be seen at Health & Wellness Services, than at your own doctor's office. 
For those students who are enrolled in the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP), Health & Wellness Services can serve as your primary care physician. With this in mind, the hospital emergency department should only be used for life-threatening injuries or illnesses. 

2.  Students should always carry their insurance card. Most hospitals, doctors and pharmacies work directly with insurance companies for payment. Without your insurance card, you may be required to pay the cost yourself and then apply to be reimbursed by the insurance company.   

3.  Students should complete insurance claim forms accurately and respond promptly to any requests for additional information. The staff in the Suffolk Health Services Office works directly with the SSHIP provider and may assist students with the paperwork.

4.  Students should read and become familiar with their health insurance policy terminology and benefits. Important words to know and understand are: Deductible, Co-pay, Preferred Provider, Primary Care Physician, and Pre-existing Condition. These and other important terms and concepts are described in the policy brochure.  

What paperwork do I need to submit to Health & Wellness Services before I arrive?

1.  Obtain documentation of immunizations and send to Health & Wellness Services.  Click here for the immunization requirements for Suffolk.  Visit the Health & Wellness Services website regularly because the state of Massachusetts is in the process of adding additional required immunizations to the list, and this may affect you.

2.  Complete the Health History & Immunization form and send to Health Services.  It is important that we have your immunization records and health information on file and available in case you are involved in an accident, illness or injury.  Failure to comply with this regulation will result in the student being blocked from registering for classes.

3. Enroll or Waive the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP).  If you are waiving the SSHIP, please see the waiver eligibility requirements.

What type of health insurance coverage do I need at Suffolk?

To comply with Massachusetts state law, all Suffolk students (domestic and international) who are enrolled in 9 credits or more per semester must have health insurance.  

The Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP) is a health insurance plan that meets a specific level of benefits as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  If you are enrolled in 9 or more credits you will be automatically enrolled in the SSHIP, although if you are already covered under an existing comparable U.S.-based insurance plan you can waive** the SSHIP enrollment online.

If you are already covered by a comparable insurace plan provided by a U.S. based carrier, you must complete and submit the online waiver form, annualy, in order to decline the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP).   If you do not complete this form before the last day of the Add/Drop period you will automatically be enrolled in the SSHIP for the remainder of the policy year and will be responsible for the cost of that insurance.  Please make sure that you print out and save the waiver confirmation page, as this will be the only proof you have that you waived the insurance.  If you are not sure if your current insurance plan is eligible, please click here for waiver eligibility.

I can still be on my parent's health insurance, should I still enroll in the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP)?

The Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SHHIP) provides a plan to students who do not already have a plan that meets the requirements.  Massachusetts law permits students to stay on their parent’s employer’s health insurance until the age of 26 while in school.  In most cases this plan will provide better benefits than the SSHIP. 

The SSHIP is designed to provide a cost-effective option for students in order to meet the minimum standards to comply with the law.  It is important to understand this is not designed to be a comprehensive health insurance plan with benefits to cover routine preventive care.  It is offered to help mitigate the potential for large health care costs of an unforeseen injury or illness.  If you know you have a chronic medical condition or need ongoing or expensive care, you may best be served by purchasing an alternative plan. 

If you choose to stay on your current insurance plan, you must make sure to waive the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP).  If you fail to waive the SSHIP by the deadline, you will be automatically enrolled in the SSHIP, and are charged the premium rate.  Click here for more information on how to enroll or waive the SSHIP.

Do I need to purchase health insurance if I have a dependent (child or spouse)?

Dependents are required by law to have health insurance, but are not required to have the Suffolk insurance; only the student is required to purchase the SSHIP. Since only students may be treated at Health Services, students should locate a physician or clinic for their dependents as soon as possible so that if/when they become ill or injured, they know where to go for health care.

There is a hold on my registation from Health & Wellness Services, what should I do?

A hold was placed on your registration because Health & Wellness Services records show that you have not met all of the listed immunization requirements.  Either we do not have documentation of your immunization records, the documentation is incomplete, or you are missing or have an expired immunization.  We will send you notification prior to the registration period.  If you have any questions about what information we are missing, please call 617-573-8260.    

Click here to learn more about Health Insurance Requirements
Click here to learn more about, enroll in and/or waive the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP).