UPENN's Waiver Deadline Is August 31. Here's What You Need to Know Before Then!
- lori683
- Jul 31
- 4 min read
Enroll Today! www.visitinsurance.com/upenn
UPENN's waiver deadline is August 31. Miss it, and you're locked into the school plan for the full year — no exceptions.
Is the school plan actually mandatory, or can you waive it? That depends on whether your alternative coverage meets three things UPENN checks before approving.
Here's exactly what UPENN requires — and how VISIT's plans line up against it.
How Much Can You Save?
SAVE UP TO $3,992
Students who are automatically enrolled in the UPENN student health plan may be able to waive that coverage when they already have an alternative plan that satisfies the university's rules. A waiver can reduce the amount charged to your student account — but approval is never automatic. The alternative plan and every supporting document must match the school's current requirements.
Here is how the UPENN school plan compares to three of our most popular options for UCLA students. All three meet UPENN waiver requirements.
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| SAVE $3,992 | SAVE $3,599 | SAVE $3,022 |
COVERAGE | UPENN SHIP PLAN | |||
Price | FALL 2026 | FALL 2026 | FALL 2026 | FALL 2026 |
Age 17-24 | $5,018 | $1,025.65 | $1,419 | 17-24 $1,996 |
Age 25-27 | $5,018 | $1,496.50 | $1,923 | 25-29 $2,861 |
Age 28-29 | $5,018 | $2,507.56 | $3,376 | 30-35 $7,270 |
Medical Maximum | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Deductible | $400 | $500 | $100 | $0 |
Coinsurance | 100% - 70% depends on service | 80% | 80% | 100% |
Student Health Copay | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Urgent Care Copay | $35 | $50 | $50 | $50 |
ER Deductible | No deductible; $250 ER copay | 20% of Allowable Charges $300 Copayment (waived if admitted) | 20% of Allowable Charges $250 Copayment (waived if | 100% of Allowable Charges $300 Copayment (waived if admitted) |
Prescription copay | $20/$50/$75/$75 | $10/$20/$40 | $10/$20/$40 | $10/$20/$40 |
Maximum Out-of-Pocket | $1,500 | $8,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
Pre-existing conditions | No waiting period | No waiting period | No waiting period | No waiting period |
Mental Health | 100% (Outpatient: $0 copay) | 80% Outpatient: $30 copay | 80% Outpatient: $30 copay | 100% Outpatient: $25 copay |
Preventive Care | 100% In-Network | 100% In-Network | 100% In-Network | 100% In-Network |
Maternity | Deductible + coinsurance | Deductible + 80% Coinsurance
| Deductible + 80% Coinsurance
| Deductible + 100% Coinsurance
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Repatriation | Not listed | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 |
Medical Evacuation | Not listed | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
PPO Network | Aetna | UHC | UHC | UHC |
Review Coverage |
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ENROLL |
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VISIT® ROYAL 500 starts as low as $1025.65 for students ages 17–24 and is designed to meet UPENN's waiver criteria. ROYAL 100 offers a lower deductible at a higher premium. ROYAL Plus provides the most comprehensive coverage with no deductible. Review the current school plan rate on the UPENN insurance page before comparing.
UPENN Waiver Requirements
Review the university's current criteria before purchasing or submitting an alternative plan. The waiver administrator makes the final approval decision.
Please note: the Insurance Portal opens and closes at various points throughout the year:
July 1 - August 31 for Fall semester and annual plan enrollees
December 15 - January 31 for Spring semester enrollees
April 15 - May 31 for Summer semester enrollees
If you would like to waive, please obtain a copy of your plan’s benefits and review them to ensure your plan meets the necessary criteria. Please note that all waiver requests must be approved by the University. The University audits waiver requests and may contact your insurance company to verify that your plan meets the University’s insurance criteria. Alternate insurance plans found to not meet these criteria will not be approved.
It is your responsibility to inform us of any change in your insurance during the academic year. Insurance Navigation | Wellness at Penn
VISIT® ROYAL plans are designed to meet these criteria. Confirm that your selected plan and effective dates align with UPENN's current requirements before submitting.
How to Submit Your Waiver — Step by Step
Choose the appropriate VISIT® plan. Open the UPENN VISIT® page and review the ROYAL Plans or any of our ACA Comparable Plans options.
Enroll and collect your documents. Save your digital insurance ID card, confirmation, and certificate or benefit summary.
Open the university waiver portal. Sign in with your UPENN student credentials and enter the requested insurance information.
Upload and review. Upload all required documents, check every date and policy number, then submit before the deadline.
Keep the approval. Save the approval email or screenshot and confirm that the school-plan charge is removed or credited.
Do Not Miss the Waiver Deadline
2026–2027 deadline: August 31, 2026 for fall/annual enrollment or waiver. Submit early enough to correct missing documents or respond to a pending or denied application. The waiver administrator makes the final approval decision — plan accordingly.
Why Students Consider VISIT® Insurance
VISIT® Insurance has helped international students find health insurance options since 1979. The goal is not simply to select the cheapest plan, but to identify an option that fits the student's needs, budget, and university requirements.
Multiple plan choices designed for international students
Age-based pricing that may cost less for younger students
Fast online enrollment and digital documents
Help matching the plan to the university's waiver criteria
Refund support when a waiver is denied and the plan has not been used
Questions? VISIT® Is Here.
Email: info@visitinsurance.com | Phone: 703-660-9062
Money-Back Guarantee
If the school denies your waiver, you may request a refund within the period allowed by the applicable VISIT® terms, provided the plan has not been used. Send the denial notice promptly to info@visitinsurance.com. Review the current refund terms before enrollment.
Disclaimer: Benefits, premiums, deadlines, and waiver criteria are subject to change. Review the policy documents and the university's current requirements. Waiver approval is determined solely by the university or its waiver administrator.
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