All international students holding a visa are required to enroll in University of North Texas Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) unless a waiver is submitted and approved. The cost of the insurance coverage is not included in your tuition or fees and will appear as an additional charge on your account. International students can request a waiver to SHIP but must demonstrate that they have equivalent, alternative health insurance coverage. In order to be approved for a waiver, your alternative health coverage must meet or exceed the requirements as set forth below and be submitted prior to the waiver deadline. Notification of acceptance or rejection of this request will be sent to your school’s email within seven business days.
- Criteria to submit a waiver request:
- Student is enrolled in a U.S. employer-provided group health plan that is PPACA compliant OR student is sponsored by a foreign government recognized by the United States or certain international, government-sponsored or non-governmental organizations, and covered under a health plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
- If the health plans above do not include medical evacuation and repatriation, a rider must be purchased providing coverage at equal limits to SHIP.
- The alternative coverage must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Provide the Essential Minimum Benefits required by the PPACA with no annual limits. A list of the Essential Minimum Benefits can be found here: https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/essential-health-benefits/ .
- Contain no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
- Covers 100% of Preventive Care as defined by the PPACA. A list of these preventive services can be found here: https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits/.
- Policies annual Deductible of no more than $2,000
- Medical evacuation coverage without a cap.
- Repatriation coverage without a cap.
- Dates of coverage meet or exceed the requirement for the school semester.
- If your alternate coverage meets the above minimum requirements, submit electronic copies of the following documents with your online waiver request:
- A scanned copy of the front and back of your health insurance ID card indicating the student as a covered member.
- A scanned copy of your Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) or other policy documentation that includes coverage amounts, exclusions, and limitations in English using US dollars.
- A scanned copy of your medical evacuation and repatriation coverage (if you have this coverage).
NOTE: Travel plans or plans that require you to pay for treatment yourself and then apply for reimbursement will NOT be accepted by the University for waiver approval.