Medical Requirements

Medical Report Requirements

Massachusetts requires that all incoming students document immunity against certain infectious diseases. Vaccination information and all other required medical information must be submitted before registering for classes. Specific deadlines for each term are listed on the MIT Health website.

Registration will not be permitted for any student who has not complied with the immunization requirements stated above.

MIT Health

To meet the health care needs of MIT community members, MIT Health offers an array of health care services and an extensive roster of health and wellness promotion programs. Members of the MIT community and their families have convenient, on-campus access to a broad range of medical and dental services, delivered by highly qualified health care professionals. Working in conjunction with Boston's leading hospitals, our clinicians can also refer patients with more serious conditions to the most appropriate specialists. MIT Health is located in Building E23. MIT community members should call 617-253-4481 day or night for medical advice.

MIT Health's Urgent Care service is available seven days a week. See the MIT Health website for hours of operation. MIT Health's Student Mental Health & Counseling Service aids students dealing with behavioral health concerns, including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and stress. They provide evaluations and consultations, brief treatment, referrals, and group counseling. All services at the Student Mental Health & Counseling Service are available free of charge to enrolled MIT students.

Visit the MIT Health website for more information about our services, including operating hours, phone numbers, and clinician profiles.

Health Insurance Requirements

All MIT students must have health insurance that meets Massachusetts state requirements. Students with J-1 visas under MIT sponsorship must have insurance that also meets US Department of State regulations for themselves and their spouses and children who accompany them. Visit the MIT Student Insurance Office website for more information about health insurance requirements.

MIT Student Health Insurance Plan

Most services provided at MIT Health, including primary care, many medical specialties, seven-day-a-week urgent care, student mental health and counseling, and other services, are all included as part of your tuition fees. Registered MIT students paying tuition to MIT are automatically eligible to receive these services without additional costs.

For selected services at MIT Health, and services available off campus, you will need health insurance. The MIT Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) meets state and federal health insurance requirements and J-1 visa requirements. SHIP provides coverage for hospitalization, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, surgery, prescription medication, and obstetrical care. Since health insurance is mandatory under Massachusetts state law, all regular students and special students registered with at least 75 percent of the full-time academic requirement, including students on a J-1 or F-1 visa, are automatically enrolled in the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan, unless they elect to waive coverage.

Before each academic year begins, students can submit an online request to waive MIT SHIP, if they demonstrate they have coverage that meets Massachusetts requirements for student health insurance. A waiver request is required each academic year and waiver applications are reviewed annually before the fall semester (or in the winter for students who first enroll during the second semester).

All waivers must be submitted before the designated deadline to avoid a late fee. J-1 students under MIT visa sponsorship may waive MIT SHIP only if their policies meet both the Massachusetts requirements and specified United States Information Agency (USIA) requirements. Massachusetts state law requires coverage through an insurance carrier based in the United States.

Other types of students, including visiting students and special students taking two or more subjects but registered at MIT for less than 75 percent of the full-time academic requirement are eligible to purchase MIT SHIP, but are not enrolled automatically.

Student spouse/partner and dependent enrollment

Students can enroll their spouses or partners and children in MIT SHIP, including full access to the health care services available at MIT Health. To enroll family members, students must complete the MIT SHIP enrollment form during the enrollment period and pay the required premium amount. Spouse/partner and dependent enrollment are not automatic. Students must sign up for spouse/partner and/or dependent coverage each academic year.

The deadline for submitting enrollment forms is August 15 for the fall term, January 15 for the spring term (new students only), and June 15 for the summer term. Waiver forms are due by August 15.

Visit the MIT Student Insurance Office website for more information about MIT SHIP, including benefits, rates, and information on enrollment or waiver processes.

Please contact the MIT Student Insurance Office with enrollment or waiver questions.