Opt-Out/Waiver

If you do not want the Student Health Insurance Plan, you must decline or opt-out of coverage by submitting a waiver. You may only opt-out of coverage during the following Waiver Periods:

Fall - 08/01/2024 - 09/12/2024

Spring/Summer - 12/12/2024 - 02/06/2025

Summer - 05/15/2025 - 06/19/2025

The Spring/Summer waiver deadline ended 02/06/2025. The online waiver system can no longer accept new waiver requests.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENROLLMENT ACTIVATION AND WAIVER

Non-immigrant International students, who are carrying hours, will be automatically enrolled and charged for health insurance coverage each semester to satisfy the University policy regarding maintaining acceptable health insurance coverage.

ACTION REQUIRED:  All international students (F & J visas) must ACTIVATE their enrollment or submit a WAIVER each coverage period.

INSURANCE ENROLLMENT ACTIVATION (you wish to be enrolled in the UHS Student Health Insurance Plan):

You will need to ACTIVATE your enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan each coverage period.  It is recommended that you complete this ACTIVATION at least one week prior to the beginning of the new coverage period to ensure you have access to your insurance account. 

Failure to ACTIVATE your enrollment in a timely manner will result in a delay in your ability to use your Student Health Insurance Plan.  If you do not ACTIVATE your enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan, your enrollment will automatically activate after the close of Open Enrollment Period for the designated coverage period.

Once you login, select the ‘ENROLL – Click Here’ button under the “Yes, I want the insurance.” Section.

Your enrollment will be submitted to the insurance carrier for processing.  Allow 2-3 business days for completion.

WAIVER REQUEST:  A waiver of the health insurance fee may be requested online with proof of acceptable alternate insurance. In order to be approved for a waiver of enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), your alternative health coverage must meet or exceed the requirements as set forth below and be submitted by the waiver deadline date. Please be advised that the waiver request will be reviewed for compliance and verified active with the insurance carrier. Notification of acceptance or rejection of this request will be sent to your University email within seven business days. Late submissions will not be accepted.

A. An international student may request a waiver of this mandatory health insurance fee in the following instances with proof of acceptable alternate insurance.

1. 1. The student is sponsored by the U.S. government, the government of the student’s home country if recognized by the U.S. or by certain international, government-sponsored or non-governmental organizations, and if the sponsor has provided a plan equivalent to the SHIP or a letter guaranteeing payment of all health care expenses.
   2. The student is enrolled in an employer-provided group health plan which is equivalent to the SHIP.

If medical evacuation and repatriation that equals the amounts as compared to the SHIP are not included in an otherwise acceptable policy, a rider must be purchased

B. All International Students with “F” or “J” visa status Student Visa Holders must meet all of the following minimum requirements:

1. 1. Medical/preventative care benefits equivalent to the UHS-endorsed Student Health Insurance Plan with no annual limits.
   2. Contains no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
   3. Imposes no provisions for co-insurance that exceed 25% of the covered benefits.
   4. Medical evacuation coverage amount is no less than $50,000.
   5. Repatriation coverage amount is no less than $25,000.
   6. Dates of coverage meet or exceed the requirement for the SHIP coverage period.
      • Fall New Students: August 1^st – December 31^st
      • Fall Returning Students: August 27^th – December 31^st
      • Spring: January 1^st – August 26^th
      • Summer Only: June 1st – August 26^th

NOTE: Individual plans, travel plans, or plans that require individuals to pay for treatment before being reimbursed will NOT be accepted for waiver approval.

C. International “J” Student Visa Holders must have a policy whose deductible does not exceed $500 annually.

D. International “F” Student Visa Holders must have a policy whose deductible does not exceed $1,500 (individual)/$3,000 (family) annually.

If your alternate coverage meets the above minimum requirements, submit electronic copies of the following documents with your online waiver request:

1. A scanned copy of the front and back of your health insurance ID card indicating the student as a covered member.
2. A scanned copy of your complete policy, including coverage amounts, exclusions, and limitations in English using US dollars.
3. A scanned copy of your medical evacuation and repatriation coverage (if you have this coverage).

Once you login, select the WAIVE button under the “I Already Have Insurance.” Section.

Please see the ‘AHP Waiver System – Student Training’ link below for a video tutorial on how to use the Waiver System.