Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP)

Public Health
Wellbeing Initiatives
Immunization & Insurance Requirements

Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP)

Offered through Aetna Student Health, PSIP meets Penn’s insurance requirement. For students in most graduate and professional programs, the cost of the health insurance plan is already incorporated into the cost-of-attendance budget used for purposes of financial aid and student loan eligibility. All students who enroll in PSIP will also be charged the clinical fee in order to access Student Health and Counseling as your primary care provider. Please check with your program’s financial aid office for details.

PhD students may be eligible for grants to assist with purchasing selected plans. Please review the PhD Grants Webpage to be sure you understand which plans are eligible and the full grant details. 

For undergraduates, the Federal Direct Loan Program and Parent Loan Program (PLUS) are available to help meet this expense, as long as the student has completed a FAFSA. In some cases, depending on the individual student’s level of financial need, grant assistance may be available to aided students.  If you have any questions, contact Student Financial Services.

Visit the Aetna Student Health Site

 Enroll or waive in PSIP


PSIP Details for 2024-2025 

Specific claims questions regarding PSIP can be directed to Deborah Olson, Aetna Student Health, at debolson@upenn.edu or by calling 215-746-0808. She is available to meet with students, as well. Those enrolled can print their insurance card by going to the Aetna Student Health website.

PSIP Plan Enroll/Waive Period

The Insurance Portal opens and closes at various points throughout the year:

  • July 1 - August 31 for Fall semester enrollees
  • December 1 - January 31 for Spring semester enrollees
  • April 15 - May 31 for Summer semester enrollees

The Clinical Fee and the Student Health and Counseling eligibility periods match these schedules, as well.

PSIP Rates
Single student coverage: 
  • Annual: effective August 1, 2024 - July 31, 2025: premium rate $4,412
  • Spring semester: effective January 1, 2025 - July 31, 2025: premium rate $2,563
  • Summer semester: effective May 1, 2025 - July 31, 2025: premium rate $1,112

Enrollment deadlines:

  • Fall semester deadline: August 31
  • Spring semester deadline: January 31
  • Summer semester deadline: May 31

Supplemental Coverage for July 2024

Graduate students starting University programs in July may enroll in the summer plan at a prorated premium for the month of July. Please contact the Immunization and Insurance Navigators at 215-746-WELL (9355), or email us at wel-shsinsur@pobox.upenn.edu for more information and to obtain an application between June 17, 2024 - July 15, 2024.

The rate and coverage period: July 1 – July 31: premium rate $357

Note: If you are in a program that is paying for your insurance, please check with your school to make certain they will cover this supplemental coverage.

Students on Leave of Absence (LOA)

Students on approved LOA who would like to purchase the health insurance plan offered through the University must reach out directly to our Insurance Navigators for a LOA Insurance application by calling 215-746-WELL (9355) or emailing wel-shsinsur@pobox.upenn.edu.

Dependent Rates
Dependent coverage for 2024-2025: 
  • Annual: effective August 1, 2024 - July 31, 2025
    • Premium rate for spouse/domestic partner: $4,412
    • Premium rate for one child: $4,412
    • Premium rate for two or more children: $8,824
  • Spring semester: effective January 1, 2025 - July 31, 2025
    • Premium rate for spouse/domestic partner: $2,563
    • Premium rate for one child: $2,563
    • Premium rate for two or more children: $5,126
  • Summer semester: effective May 1, 2025 - July 31, 2025
    • Premium rate for spouse/domestic partner: $1,112
    • Premium rate for one child: $1,112
    • Premium rate for two or more children: $2,224

Dependent premiums are paid directly to Aetna Student Health. They are not posted to student bursar accounts. Rates do not include single student base premium.

Enrollment of Dependents

Penn students utilizing the Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP) may enroll their lawful spouse/domestic partner and unmarried dependent children under age 26 who reside with, and are fully supported by, the covered student for the same coverage. Student must be enrolled in PSIP before they can enroll spouses or dependents.

Dependent enrollment is processed online at www.aetnastudenthealth.com/upenn. All spouses and domestic partners must have a Penn Guest Card to determine dependent status. Students will need to submit a Dependent Enrollment Application with payment directly to Aetna. Contact Aetna at (800) 841-5374 with any questions regarding dependent enrollment. Dependent premiums may be paid in full or in monthly installments.

  • Fall semester deadline: August 31
  • Spring semester deadline: January 31
  • Summer semester deadline: May 31

The Dependent Enrollment Application and premium will not be accepted after the deadline unless there is a qualifying life event, including the following:

  • involuntary loss of health insurance
  • marriage
  • entry into the US

A certificate of credible coverage stating the date of the involuntary loss of health coverage, marriage certificate or stamped passport along with a signed application must be submitted to Aetna Student Health within 31 days of the qualifying life event. After the 31 days, the dependent would no longer eligible for enrollment in the current policy year.

Newborn Infant and Adopted Child Coverage

A child born to a Covered Person shall be covered for Preventative Care, Accident, Sickness, and congenital defects, for 31 days from the date of birth. At the end of this 31 day period, coverage will cease under the University of Pennsylvania Student Health Insurance Plan. To extend coverage for a newborn past the 31 days, the covered student must:

  1. Enroll the child within 31 days of birth, AND
  2. Pay the additional premium, starting from the date of birth

Coverage is provided for a child legally placed for adoption with a covered student for 31 days from the moment of placement provided the child lives in the household of the covered student, and is dependent upon the covered student for support. To extend coverage for an adopted child past the 31 days, the covered student must:

  1. Enroll the child within 31 days of placement of such child, AND
  2. Pay any additional premium, if necessary, starting from the date of placement.

For information or general questions on dependent enrollment, contact Aetna Student Health at (800) 841-5374.

Dental Coverage for Students

For academic year 2024-2025, students may voluntary enroll themselves and their dependents in the Penn Student Dental Plan or the Aetna Student Dental Plan.

Penn Student Dental Plan

  • Please go to www.mypenndentist.org for details. Note: All services for this plan are rendered by Penn Dental Family Practice and this plan cannot be used elsewhere. This is plan is not affiliated with Aetna or PSIP. 

Aetna Student Health Dental Plan

  • You don’t have to be enrolled in PSIP to enroll in the Aetna Student Dental Plan. You can use this plan nationwide. Please go to the Aetna Student Health website for details.

Vital Savings Discount Program

  • Aetna offers the Vital Savings Discount Program as an option for students to purchase on a voluntary basis. This is a discount program, not insurance. Please note: Penn Dental Family Practice does not accept this discount program. Please go to Aetna Vital Savings | Aetna Student Health for more information. 
Aetna Vision Preferred

For academic year 2024-2025, students may voluntary enroll themselves and their dependents in the Aetna Vision Preferred Plan. This  plan is open to all students, you don’t have to be enrolled in the PSIP insurance plan to enroll in the vision plan. View the Aetna Summary of Vision Benefits.

Additionally, PSIP includes a vision allowance of $125 in 2024-2025. Students can apply this allowance to eyeglasses and/or contacts. This is open to all students enrolled in PSIP.

Student Health Insurance Advisory Committee (SHIAC)

The Provost of the University of Pennsylvania sponsors the Student Health Insurance Advisory Committee (SHIAC) with cross-University representation and health insurance expertise. SHIAC comprises students, faculty and staff from across the campus and is chaired by the Vice Provost for Education. The Committee’s primary responsibility is to review, evaluate and negotiate the renewal of the Penn Student Health Insurance Plan (PSIP) on an annual basis. SHIAC also serves as a forum for discussing issues relevant to the provision of the best possible health insurance plan to meet the needs of the students and the University. Periodically, SHIAC works with other University offices and consultants as appropriate to solicit competitive bids from student health insurance carriers to ensure a plan that is priced appropriately with a rich benefit structure and service structure. Given a rapidly changing health insurance market and regulatory environment, SHIAC continues to evaluate the diverse needs of the student population and advocate for solutions to complex health insurance issues that arise.

Anyone from the Penn community can email their suggestions and questions to SHIAC at shiac@pobox.upenn.edu.

Personal Navigator Program for Transgender Students

The Personal Navigator program connects student directly to one single point of contact to assist in all non-clinical, clinical, and behavioral health resources. This program helps to reduce barriers many transgender students may face in accessing the care, services, and procedures needed.

The Personal Navigators are accessible through the regular Customer Service number (800-841-5374). Members who contact our customer service center with questions about gender affirming care will be referred to one of the specially trained Navigators. Once connected, the student will have the opportunity to work directly with their Navigator as their single point of contact. The Navigators will help with the following:

  • Answering member benefit, claim, and network access questions
  • Monitoring pre-certification requirements and authorizations
  • Supporting members on their journey and connecting them with clinical, behavioral, and trans-knowledgeable resources
  • Connecting members to Aetna Case Managers and the Behavioral Health team
Other Resources

Affordable Care Act FAQ
Transgender Care 
Student Health and Counseling Forms
Doc Find