F-1 and J-1 International Student Health Insurance
UPDATE: Texas State University UPPS 07.09.04 International Student Health Insurance, requires all enrolled international students with non-immigrant F-1 and J-1 visa classifications to purchase coverage under the designated international student health insurance policy as a condition of enrollment. Students must maintain continuous health insurance coverage from the time of enrollment to the time of completion of their degree program at Texas State.
Starting spring semester 2021, the UPPS will be updated and you will be required to purchase the combined spring/summer coverage. The cost for this plan year is $1,109.00.
See more information in the "Summer Insurance Refund Request" section below.
Academic Health Plans: Why Should You Buy Student Insurance/Understanding Care Coverage
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Academic HealthPlans (AHP) - COVID-19 Resoruces
Review the Academic HealthPlans website for COVID-19 Support and Updates: https://txstateintl.myahpcare.com
Here you will see information on
- Student Assistance Program
- Claim Questions
- Virtual Visits
- Emotional-Support Help Line
Further specific questions about coverage, please call UHC Customer Service at 800-767-0700.
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AHP Virtual Orientation
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Benefit Services Included in Student Health Insurance Plan
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HealthiestYou provides remote access to licensed medical and mental health professionals who can help with a diagnosis, treatment, and prescription anytime, anywhere, via text/phone/video.
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All international students on F-1 and J-1 visas are required by university policy to have health insurance coverage while enrolled in classes at Texas State. International students must either purchase the international student health insurance plan or submit a waiver for each semester that they are enrolled at Texas State. Health insurance will NOT be added to an international student's university bill and students must either self-purchase the plan or submit a waiver for approval.
1. Purchase the United Healthcare Student Health Insurance plan endorsed by the university, or
2. Request a waiver by submitting proof that student has health insurance coverage that is:
- Student is covered by a U.S. employer health insurance plan or by a parent/spouse's U.S. employer health insurance plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
- Student's sponsored plan (US Government or Foreign Government) is recognized by the U.S., and the sponsor guarantees payment of all healthcare expenses including medical evacuation and repatriation, and are in compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
If you are eligible to waive the student Health Insurance Plan, you should request a waiver through Insurance Portal. Please do not email your Health Insurance Benefit to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
Students whose insurance policy does not include Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation MUST purchase the Academic Emergency Services (AES) through the AHP portal.
Exchange students MUST purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan and ARE NOT eligible to request a waiver.
Students will receive an e-mail with instructions each semester. The e-mail will go to the student’s Texas State e-mail address. The e-mail will have a web link for students to use to either purchase the plan or submit an online waiver request. The first e-mail will be sent out at the start of the open enrollment period (see table below).
If you have not received an e-mail by the first day of open enrollment, e-mail ISSS at intlhealth@txstate.edu for further instructions.
2020-2021 Premium Costs and Coverage Periods For F-1 & J-1 International Students and Their Dependents
Coverage Periods |
Spring & Summer Combined Plan 01/11/2021 through 08/22/2021 |
Summer (New Students Only) 05/24/2021 through 08/22/2021 |
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Open Enrollment |
10/21/2020 through 02/26/2021 |
03/25/2021 through 06/15/2021 |
Student |
$1,109 | $451 |
Spouse |
$1,109 | $451 |
Child |
$1,109 | $451 |
*Dental and Vision are not available. For Discount program information, visit AHP to learn about add-on coverage options.
*Payments by credit card include a 3% credit card processing/administration fee not to exceed $40.
All payment is made directly to Academic HealthPlans. ISSS does not facilitate or process health insurance enrollment or payment.
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Health Insurance Enrollment and Waiver Deadlines
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Student Health Insurance Plan Coverage
Please review the International Student Brochure-Certificate of Coverage for an overview of coverage and expenses.
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Student Health Insurance Plan Benefits
Please review the International Student Health Insurance Flyer 2020-2021 for an overview of plan benefits.
Please review additional benefits and coverages from AHP here: https://txstateintl.myahpcare.com/benefits.
Review the Glossary of Health Coverage and Medical Terms.
Sponsored Benefits:
HealthiestYou - HealthiestYou offers 24/7/365 access to board-certified physicians via phone and/or video chat using HealthiestYou's nationwide telehealth service. Video chat consultations are available through an app on both Android and iPhone devices. During a physician consult, you will be able to speak to a physician for diagnosis and treatment of many different accute illnesses.
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How to Remove Your Health Insurance Hold
Present proof that you have enrolled and paid for the Student Health Plan to ISSS. Waiver requests will not be accepted.
- Send an email to ISSS (intlhealth@txstate.edu) with a copy of your payment receipt or email confirmation from AHP (Academic Health Plan). Do not bring a hard copy to ISSS.
- ISSS will confirm your enrollment in Health Insurance with AHP.
- Holds will be removed by 5pm the next business day.
Contact ISSS by emailing at intlhealth@txstate.edu
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Register Your Health Insurance Coverage
Create a membership account on both the Academic Health Plan and United Healthcare websites. This will give you access to review your coverage, benefits, bills, and more.
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Instructions for Purchasing Health Insurance
View the AHP Guide for purchasing health insurance: Online Enrollment Student Experience Guide
- Go to https://txstateintl.myahpcare.com
- Select the ‘Enrollment’ tab.
- Select the ‘Enroll Online’ link.
- Read the Terms and Conditions and if you agree select the ‘I Accept’ button
- Enter the following:
- Student ID - Texas State Student ID#
- Birth Date - Your date of birth in mm/dd/yyyy format
- Select the ‘International Medical Coverage’
- Complete the remainder of the requested fields
- Establish your individual payment method. After completing the multipage form, select the ‘Place Order’ button.
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Instructions for Requesting a Waiver
To WAIVE (you do not want the student health insurance plan because you have your own insurance*)
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Select the 'Waiver' tab.
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Select the ‘International Students: click here to submit your waiver request’ link.
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Enter the following:
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Login - Texas State Student ID#
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Password - Your date of birth in MMDDYYYY format (Unless you previously changed the password).
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Click on the red button from the "No, I do not want the insurance." section.
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Enter your insurance information and required attachments.
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Select the "Submit Waiver" button at the bottom of the waiver form.
Your own insurance must meet the following conditions for an approved waiver request and coverage must be active on the first day of classes for the semester the student submit a waiver and coverage must continue through the end of the coverage period semester.
Criteria:
International students required by this policy to have health insurance as a condition of enrollment may apply for an online insurance waiver each semester if they can provide proof of coverage with an insurance plan providing at least the minimum coverage specified in Sections 04.01 and 05.01. Acceptable proof of coverage is limited to (1) the university-endorsed student health insurance plan, (2) government-sponsored plan, or (3) U.S. employer-sponsored plan. The amounts of coverage must appear in U.S. dollars on the proof of coverage provided. The insurance must be underwritten by an insurer with an established record of claims payment in the United States. International students seeking to obtain an insurance waiver must provide the appropriate documentation by the published deadlines using the online waiver system provided by the health insurance administrator.
NOTICE: Student’s alternate insurance plan must be effective on or before the first day of classes for the semester in which the student applies for a health insurance waiver and covers through the end of the coverage period semester.
For more information on the University Policy see here.
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Graduate Assistantship Insurance Options
Graduate students employed in a benefits-eligible position are eligible to participate in the medical insurance and other optional benefits offered to Texas State employees through the Employees Retirement System of Texas. Benefits include:
- 50% contribution toward your medical premiums
- 60-day waiting period for medical coverage to begin and no waiting period for optional coverage such as dental, vision or term life.
If you choose to enroll in the employee health insurance plan and NOT the international student insurance plan, please email intlhealth@txstate.edu. Students who choose the employee health insurance plan must submit proof of health insurance coverage or intended coverage to inlthealth@txstate.edu after 60 days of employment start date otherwise a hold will be placed on the student's account.
See more from the Office of Human Resources: www.hr.txstate.edu/benefits/Insurance-Programs-/Comparison.html
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2019 United Healthcare Health Coverage Form 1095-B
2019 United Healthcare Health Coverage Form 1095-B
For more information, contact AHP at 1-855-850-4298 or United Healthcare 1-800-767-0700.
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Non F-1 and J-1 Students
For non F-1 and J-1 students, you are no longer subject to University Policy regarding Health Insurance and are not eligible to purchase the International Student Health Insurance Plan. Texas State University offers a Student Health Insurance Plan for all domestic students who are currently enrolled, please click here to learn more.
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Summer Insurance Refund Request
Texas State University UPPS 07.09.04 International Student Health Insurance, requires all enrolled international students with non-immigrant F-1 and J-1 visa classifications to purchase coverage under the designated international student health insurance policy as a condition of enrollment. Students must maintain continuous health insurance coverage from the time of enrollment to the time of completion of their degree program at Texas State.
Starting spring semester 2021, the UPPS will be updated and you will be required to purchase the combined spring/summer coverage. The cost for this plan year is $1,109.00.
This change was made to ensure international students meet the requirement of the UPPS and maintain continuous health insurance coverage during the summer even for students who do not enroll in summer classes.
In the event that you will 1) graduate in May or 2) return to your home country during the summer, you will be able to request a refund for the summer portion, if requirements are met.
Summer refunds are processed at the end of the Spring semester.
Submit a Summer Insurance Refund Request.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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If I am enrolled in a class during summer but not physically in the US, do I need to enroll in health insurance?
Although health insurance is not required you are encouraged to enroll in health insurance because the plan includes global coverage.
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I am enrolled in a class but on CPT and not in San Marcos, do I still need health insurance?
Yes. However, if your CPT employer is offering you health insurance, you may be eligible for a health insurance waiver.
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Can I enroll in only summer I?
Not if your course continues through summer II or you are enrolled in a summer II only course.
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I am on a study abroad program and I was required to purchase the study abroad insurance, do I still need to buy the Texas State health insurance plan?
No, the approved insurance plan for outbound Texas State students studying outside the US endorsed by the Study Abroad program will suffice. Please email intlhealth@txstate.edu with proof of your health insurance coverage.
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I am applying for a change/adjustment of status and my petition is pending. Do I need to enroll in health insurance?
Yes, you are still considered an F-1 students until a decision is made on your petition.
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If I dropped my courses for summer, do I still need to purchase health insurance?
No, if you are not enrolled in classes for the semester you are not required to purchase health insurance.
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I dropped my courses for the summer and now I have a hold. How can I remove it?
Email intlhealth@txstate.edu and explain that you are no longer enrolled in classes.
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If I dropped and already purchased the health insurance, can I get a refund?
No, there are no refunds for health insurance.
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I am approved CPT for the whole summer but my enrollment in class is only summer I. Which summer option am I required to purchase?
Student are only required to have health insurance coverage for the semester they are enrolled. Due to high cost for medical assistance in the US all students are encouraged to enroll in health insurance every semester.
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