The 2026-2027 plan will be provided by Aetna. The plan starts on August 16, 2026. 

Starting around September 1, you can create an account with Aetna through their app or on their website. Learn more about Aetna coverage here. You can also request printed copies for in-person pickup. 

Dental coverage is provided by Delta Dental; view the Delta Dental Summary

The Graduate Insurance requires a renewal process every January and August to verify that graduate students are returning for each semester. Please be aware that this renewal process may temporarily delay the active status of your coverage in the insurance company's records; however, it does not indicate that you lack coverage.

We recommend ensuring that your prescriptions, annual preventative and dental appointments are filled and scheduled before August 16th and January 1st. In the event of an urgent or unforeseen illness or injury during this period, please reach out to the Student Insurance Specialist at Cougar Health Services. They can assist you with emergency enrollment, provided you have proof of urgency and eligibility. If you require immediate medical attention, seek the necessary services first, and then contact the Student Insurance Specialist to finalize your enrollment.

If you are deemed eligible for coverage, it will retroactively take effect from the beginning of the insurance term. Emergency enrollment is expected to activate your coverage within 24 business hours, with prescriptions potentially taking 48 to 72 hours to process.

The Student Insurance Specialist can be contacted at student.insurance@wsu.edu or by calling the billing and insurance office at Cougar Health Services 509-335-3575 option 1 and then option 4.

2026-2027 Plan Documents and Benefits

• 2026 - 2027 Washington State University - Graduate and Health Sciences SBC (PDF)
• 2026 - 2027 Plan Design and Benefits Summary (PDF) - Plan-specific information on services the plan covers, deductibles, premium rates, enrollment and waiver deadline dates, plan limitations and more.
• 2025 Aetna Pharmacy Drug Guide: Advanced Control Plan - Aetna (PDF)

The following students are eligible for the graduate student insurance plan: 

• Graduate student assistants who are enrolled for 10 or more credit hours and who have an assistantship stipend of at least 50% for an academic semester or more.
• Full-time graduate research fellows/trainees who are paid a stipend of at least $800 per month and who are engaged in research similar to that of a research assistant. 
• Graduate students defending in the final semester of a degree program enrolled in 2-6 credits who were enrolled in the graduate insurance plan the previous semester. Please email us at student.insurance@wsu.edu with your request to enroll by the 13th day of classes. 
• Graduate students enrolled at the University on internships as part of their course of study who were covered the previous semester (must be enrolled in at least 2 credits). Please email us at student.insurance@wsu.edu with your request to enroll by the 13th day of classes. 

If you are on summer assistantship and require coverage through the end of summer until the regular enrollment period, contact our billing and insurance staff to determine insurance plan eligibility and associated costs.

The benefits listed below are for WSU International Students, Graduate Assistant Students, and Health Sciences Students who choose to opt in.

• One routine eye exam each academic year (August 16th to August 15th of the following year) is covered at 100%. There is no deductible or copay.
• $200 hardware benefit each academic year.  Hardware includes eyeglass frames, eyeglass lenses, contact lenses, and prescription sunglass lenses.
• Medical eye appointments in the CHS Vision Clinic are covered at 100%.  Deductible does not apply.

If receiving care outside of Cougar Health Services Vision Clinic:

• 1 routine eye exam each academic year covered up to $100.00.
• $200 hardware benefit each academic year.
• Medical eye appointments are subject to a $300 deductible.

Note: Definitions of bolded insurance terms below can be found on our Understanding Insurance page.

The 2026-2027 plan is a preferred provider organization plan, or “PPO.”  It provides a higher level of coverage when covered medical expenses are received from healthcare providers who are part of the plan’s network of “preferred providers.” The provider network for this plan is "Choice. "

The plan also provides coverage when covered medical expenses are obtained from health care providers who are not preferred providers, known as “out-of-network providers.” However, a lower level of coverage may be provided when care is received from out-of-network providers, and you may be responsible for paying a greater portion of the cost.  

To receive the highest level of benefits from the plan, you should obtain covered services from preferred providers whenever possible.

The best place to start is at your campus health center. If you need additional help or resources, please use Provider Search or Teladoc (PDF)* for 24/7 response.

Your insurance benefits include access to many different services to support your health and well-being, including: 

• Teladoc: A 24-hour telehealth service that connects you with a board-certified physician via phone or video chat for a consultation, diagnosis, and treatment—a great option for WSU Pullman students to use on evenings, weekends, or holidays when our medical clinic is closed! This service also provides national virtual counseling that lets you get the help you want, the way you want it. You can access psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors via ongoing text communications, live chat, phone, video, or groupinars. 

• Well-being Resources

  Aetna is committed to supporting you in your pursuit of holistic well-being and putting you at the center of your care. Well-being is more than just staying physically healthy, mental health is just as important. We want to give you the tools to keep your whole being healthy.

  • Physical Health
  • Emotional Health
  • Depression & Anxiety
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Stress
  • Eating Disorders
  • Substance Use

  • LGBTQ Resources
  • Relationship and Sexual Violence
  • Financial Health
  • Purpose
  • Character Strengths
  • Social Connectedness

Please review the 2026-2027 GSA Rate Table for specific information on costs for students, spouses/partners, and dependents. Printed copies of this document are available upon request. 

Premium rates are informational only. Most graduate students on the GSA plan do not pay this premium; the University pays the premium as a benefit to the student. 

If you’re unsure who is responsible for paying the premium, check in with your home department or graduate coordinator, or contact us at student.insurance@wsu.edu or 509-335-3575. 

If you’ve paid out of pocket for a medical expense, you can request reimbursement.

If the Provider does not file the claim directly with Aetna Student Health, then you can file the claim by submitting an Aetna Claim Form along with an itemized bill and proof of payment (if you paid for the service) immediately after treatment to us. Always retain copies for your records.

All customer service inquiries, including Provider network questions, should be directed to Aetna Student Health. Visit the Contact Us page to call or email.

Spouses, domestic partners, and children may be enrolled at your request. The enrollment/cancellation deadline is the 13th day of classes for the fall and spring semesters and the 5th day of classes for the summer sessions.

Dependent enrollment must be completed every semester.

Enroll your dependents in a medical plan. You’ll need your school-issued student ID number.

If you have Washington State Medicaid coverage through Apple Health, that plan may still pay part of your medical bills even if you have gained coverage under WSU’s GSA plan. 

If you have coverage under Medicaid, it is important to let the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) know that you have Primary Insurance coverage. 

For more information, visit the Washington Health Care Authority. 

Graduate students who begin their studies during the summer session can enroll in summer medical insurance until the fall semester begins. You can see rates and dates for Summer 2024 on the enrollment form. 

To locate tax forms, log into your Aetna account, select "Messages" and look in the "Letters and Communications" tab.

Aetna customer service can provide a translator to be on calls with students and the customer service representative. 
Call 1-877-480-4161 and request Language Assistance.