Otis College Health Insurance Policy
All degree seeking students enrolled in BFA and MFA programs are required to have health insurance. All currently enrolled students are automatically enrolled in Otis College's Student Health Insurance Plan, unless a waiver is completed.
Currently enrolled students and new, incoming Fall 2026 students, will receive weekly emails from Academic Health Plans (AHP) starting Spring 2026 with waiver instructions.
New incoming Spring 2027 students will receive an email from Academic HealthPlans (AHP) starting December 2026 with waiver instructions. NOTE: If you are a new incoming Spring student waiving the student health insurance plan, you will have to waive again Fall 2027.
Health Insurance Administrator and Plan Network
Otis College's insurance plan is administered through Anthem. It is a full service plan that utilizes the Anthem PPO Network. You are able to find insurance information regarding cost, benefits, claims, and more at otis.myahpcare.com.
Plan Perks and Highlights:
- All services at the Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) on campus are 100% at no additional cost (no co-pays or hidden fees)
- On-Site, Full-time Physician and Nurse Practitioner in the SHWC on campus
- Full-service PPO plan with a nationwide network
- Low co-pays and deductibles for off-campus services
- Student Health and Wellness Center provides benefit and claims assistance, referrals, and coordination of care
Discount Programs
Anthem Special Offers/Discounts
Dental and Vision Plans
Anthem also offers dental and vision plans that students can sign up for on their own. These plans are completely voluntary and paid directly to Anthem.
2026-2027 Pricing and Coverage Charts
BFA (undergraduate) and MFA:
| Term | Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (2026) | $1,212 (5 months of coverage) | 8/15/2026–1/6/2027 |
| Spring/Summer (2027) | $1,839 (7 months of coverage) | 1/7/2027–8/14/2027 |
| Annual Rate (2026-2027) | $3,051 | 8/15/2026–8/14/2027 |
Insurance rate is determined based on actual calendar days of the plan coverage.
Waiving: BFA (Undergraduate) and MFA
Fall Term: The waiver site will open on May 1.
| Term | Dates | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Waiving Link Will Be Available |
5/01/2026–8/01/2026 |
Students are eligible to waive once they are admitted, enrolled and registered at Otis College. |
| Waiver Deadline | 8/01/2026 |
If you have special circumstances please visit the Student Health & Wellness Center for more information |
Spring Term (New students): The waiver site will open on December 2.
| Term | Dates | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Waiving Link Will Be Available |
12/2/2026–1/16/2027 |
Students are eligible to waive once they are admitted, enrolled and registered at Otis College. |
| Waiver Deadline | 1/16/27 |
If you have special circumstances please visit the Student Health & Wellness Center for more information |
Dependent Coverage
You may enroll eligible dependents onto the health insurance plan as long as you are covered. For BFA (undergraduate) and MFA students, the Fall deadline to enroll dependents is 8/1/2026 (unless you are a new incoming Spring semester student, then the deadline is 1/16/2027).
If you would like to enroll dependents for the 2026-2027academic year, please visit the following site.
Leave of Absence and Not Re-Enrolling
The school's insurance plan covers you each semester that you are enrolled. Should your matriculation continue into the next semester, your coverage will also continue.
If you take a Leave of Absence within the first 30 days of the beginning of the semester, your insurance will be terminated.
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Example 1: You are enrolled for Fall 2026, but do not enroll for Spring 2027. Your coverage will end on the last day of Fall 2026 coverage.
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Example 2: You are enrolled for Fall 2026 and enroll for Spring 2027, but then take a leave of absence less than 30 days into the Spring semester. Your coverage be terminated back to the last day of Fall 2026 coverage.
If you decide to take a Leave of Absence after the first 30 days of the semester, you may either choose to keep the insurance until the last day of coverage or you may request to terminate the insurance and receive a pro rata refund for the period in which you are no longer covered. You are required to notify the college of termination of coverage at least 30 days before the effective date.*
*This change goes into effect July 1, 2026 based on California Assembly Bill 594.
Enrolling outside of the enrollment period
If you lose health insurance coverage partway through the plan year, you have the option to enroll in the school's health insurance plan for the rest of the plan year. Your coverage will be prorated so that you only pay for the months that you receive coverage.
SCENARIO: If you waived the school's insurance, then lost your outside coverage. If this applies to you, you are still obligated to have health insurance coverage while at Otis College. This most commonly occurs in the following scenarios:
- Students turn 26 and lose coverage under their parents
- Covered CA or Medi-Cal coverage is not renewed
- Parent loses coverage through work so student no longer under their plan
If you would like to get onto the school's insurance mid-year, or have questions about this policy, please contact the Student Health and Wellness Center at studenthealth@otis.edu or by phone at 310-846-5738.
Accident Insurance
All currently enrolled students are enrolled in a comprehensive Student Accident Insurance plan.
Accident Insurance Claim Form
(Download the form to fill it out online)