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Enroll & Get Started

Healthcare needs can change instantly, so choose the plan ready to support you for all of life’s moments.

You focus on school, and we’ll focus on your health coverage.

Choose LifeWise Assurance.

ISHIP enrollment

Step 1 – Enroll in benefits

  • Enroll for coverage on the MyUW website and select the ISHIP plan. Be sure to follow UW registration deadlines.
  • LifeWise Assurance Company will receive enrollment information from the UW and will begin processing it the week prior to the start of the quarter.

Step 2 – Receive welcome details

  • You will receive an email welcoming you to LifeWise (usually within one business day after we receive your enrollment information from US).
  • Your email will provide instructions for how to log into the LifeWise web site to:
    • Enroll your dependents
    • Print temporary proof of coverage cards for your self and your dependents (and/or download our LifeWise mobile app (iOS | Android) to get digital ID card access)
    • Complete the Other Coverage Questionnaire

Step 3 – Receive your ID card

  • LifeWise will mail a physical ID card to you within 7 days of the date you receive your Welcome materials.
  • Physical ID cards for your dependents will arrive within 7 days of the date you enroll them.

Step 4 – Use your plan

  • Your medical, dental and pharmacy coverage begins on the start date of the quarter you enroll.
  • Your best benefits are at any campus clinic, but you are covered with a wide range of providers. See your benefit booklet for more details.

GAIP enrollment

Step 1 – Enroll in benefits

  • LifeWise Assurance Company (LifeWise) will receive enrollment information from the UW and will begin processing your enrollment in early each quarter that you are eligible for.
  • You will receive an email from LifeWise with information on how to log on to the LifeWise website.
  • If you have dependents, you must log on and complete enrollment / verification no later than the end of the month your coverage is effective.

Step 2 – Temporary proof of coverage

  • Print a temporary proof of coverage card for yourself.
  • LifeWise will mail physical ID cards within 7 days from the date you receive your enrollment materials.
  • Download our LifeWise mobile app (iOS | Android)  to get a digital ID card quickly.

Step 3 – Temporary proof for dependents

  • After your dependent enrollment has been processed, you can print temporary proof of coverage for them.
  • LifeWise will mail physical ID cards for your dependents within 7 days of the date you enroll them.
  • Download our LifeWise mobile app (iOS | Android) to find your dependents’ digital ID card.

Step 4 – Use your plan

  • Your best benefits are at Hall Health, but you are covered with a wide range of providers. See your benefit booklet for more details.
  • The Plan year medical, dental and pharmacy coverage begins on the start date you are eligible for.

Are you a GAIP member? Scroll down to see your enrollment information.

ISHIP undergraduate enrollment questions

How do I enroll myself for health benefits?

Use ‘MyUW’ to enroll for benefits during your class registration process.

I’ve enrolled my dependent. How do I make a correction to their personal information (name, birth date, address, credible coverage, etc.)?

Please call LifeWise Customer Service at 800-971-1491 for assistance with this request

What is a qualifying event?

A qualifying event allows you to enroll dependents outside of the regularly scheduled enrollment period. Examples of qualifying events are marriage and birth or adoption of a child.

I am enrolled in the ISHIP plan (annual or quarterly). How do I get my new spouse or baby added to the plan?

If the addition of a dependent is within the Family Tier you specified at time of enrollment:

 

UW Seattle

  1. Log on to the ISHIP Family Enrollment tool and add the necessary information. If the addition of a dependent requires you to change the Family Tier you specified at time of enrollment contact the ISHIP office and pay any additional money required.
  2. Fill out an enrollment form  and have the ISHIP office submit it to LifeWise Assurance Company (LifeWise).

UW Bothell/Tacoma

  1. Fill out an enrollment form and have the ISHIP office submit it to LifeWise Assurance Company (LifeWise).

You must enroll your new dependent within 30 days of marriage or domestic partner registration, or within 60 days of birth or placement for adoption.

 

If I enroll in “annual” insurance, what period of time does this cover?

The annual plan provides 4 quarters of coverage (autumn, winter, spring, and summer quarters).

If I don’t buy the annual plan in autumn quarter, can I buy it in a subsequent quarter?

Yes. If the plan is not selected during autumn quarter, it can still be purchased by registered matriculated students for the remainder of the year at a pro-rated cost. For example: the annual plan purchased at winter quarter is for 3 quarters of coverage (winter, spring and summer quarters); the annual plan purchased at spring quarter is for 2 quarters of coverage (spring and summer quarters).

Can I purchase summer quarter insurance if I didn’t select annual at an earlier quarter and I’m not a registered student during summer quarter?

You must be either enrolled in annual coverage at an earlier quarter or registered for classes in summer quarter in order to have coverage during summer quarter.

GAIP graduate enrollment questions

I have a TA/RA/SA appointment. Where do I get information regarding my appointment)?

The UW Benefits Office is the plan contact at the University of Washington and can handle questions regarding your appointment. Their phone number is 206-543-4444 and their email address is uwgaip@uw.edu. View general information about GAIP.

For questions about coverage or claims please contact LifeWise Customer Service at 800-971-1491.

I have a GAIP eligible appointment, but have already signed up for student insurance. What do I need to do?

Neither the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP) nor the International Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) allows for dual coverage. You can cancel the student insurance plan on MyUW or in person at the Student Fiscal Services Office prior to the 3rd Friday of the quarter. If it’s past the 3rd Friday of the quarter, you need to contact the Benefits & Work/Life and ask them to confirm that you do have a GAIP eligible appointment this quarter. If you’ve already paid for the student insurance, your student account will be credited; if unpaid, the charge will be dropped. There are some situations when the student insurance plan will automatically be canceled. Much depends on the timing of the TA/RA/SA appointment being entered in the payroll system. Important Note: if you purchased annual coverage under ISHIP you may not re-apply for the ISHIP plan until the next Fall quarter.

What is a qualifying event?

A qualifying event allows you to enroll dependents outside of the regularly scheduled enrollment period. Examples of qualifying events are marriage and birth or adoption of a child.

How do I add my spouse or baby to my plan?

Once you are enrolled with LifeWise Assurance Company (LifeWise) you will receive documentation on how to enroll your dependents via the web. To add a dependent based on a qualifying event, you must contact LifeWise directly within 30 days of marriage or domestic partner registration, or within 60 days of birth or placement for adoption.

I’ve enrolled my dependent. How do I make a correction to their personal information (name, birth date, address, credible coverage, etc.)?

Please call LifeWise Customer Service at 800-971-1491 for assistance with this request.