UB will no longer mandate health insurance for domestic students and will discontinue the university-sponsored insurance plan offered to them effective next fall.

Health insurance, however, will still be required for UB’s international students, students studying abroad and intercollegiate athletes.

The decision to eliminate the health insurance mandate for domestic students and discontinue the insurance plan through UB comes after a comprehensive review, according to an email sent to enrollees.

Historically, UB has offered a health insurance plan for domestic students that has been able to customize benefits with them in mind while managing premium and other out-of-pocket costs. But due to rising health insurance costs and decreasing enrollment in the plan, UB is no longer able to continue this practice.

“Over the past several years the landscape of student health insurance has significantly changed,” according to the email. “At UB, we have experienced a consistent decline in participants for the UB domestic health insurance plan, coupled with the rising costs and the availability of a robust health insurance marketplace.

Earlier this month, the students enrolled in the university plan were informed that the insurance will be discontinued at the end of the current policy year, July 31, 2024.

The UB Health Insurance office in 1Capen is available to support students in locating alternate insurance coverage, mainly through the New York State of Health Individual Marketplace.

Despite eliminating the health insurance mandate for domestic students by fall of next year, the university still strongly recommends that all students carry health insurance to meet any unexpected expenses created by unplanned injury, illness or hospitalization.