Ibrahim Gardner
Students at the University of Texas have a few options when it comes to health insurance. The University of Texas at Dallas offers its students the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP), a Blue Cross Blue Shield policy. Domestic students may elect to purchase UT SHIP, while international students are automatically enrolled and assessed the UT SHIP fee. The University of Texas at Austin also offers a Student Health Insurance Plan, which is mandatory for international students but optional for others. Texas State University offers a Student Health Insurance Plan with Aetna as its carrier for the 2024-2025 plan year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University | University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas, Texas State University |
| Insurance Name | UT SHIP (Blue Cross Blue Shield), Aetna |
| Insurance Type | Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Liability Insurance |
| Student Type | Domestic, International |
| Student Level | Undergraduate, Graduate |
| Eligibility Criteria | Enrollment status, Credit hours, Face-to-face hours |
| Enrollment Period | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Enrollment Process | Online |
| Payment Options | Student account, Payment plan, Balance transfer |
| Coverage | 100% for on-campus services, In-network and out-of-network benefits for off-campus services |
| Additional Benefits | Repatriation, Medical evacuation, Interim coverage letter, Digital ID card |
What You'll Learn
International students are automatically enrolled and billed for UT SHIP
International students at the University of Texas are automatically enrolled in the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP). This is a Blue Cross Blue Shield policy made available by the UT System. International students with F1, F2, J1, and J2 visas will be enrolled in UT SHIP automatically and assessed the UT SHIP fee when they enrol in classes. This fee is due at the same time as the tuition and fee bill.
The UT SHIP insurance plan, Academic Blue, is underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and is offered by Academic Health Plans. The annual deductible is waived, and benefits are paid at 100% of covered expenses incurred at Health Services. Prescription co-pays in the pharmacy are $15 for generic, $30 for preferred brand-name, and $50 for non-preferred brand-name prescriptions.
International students are required to enrol in UT SHIP or a comparable health insurance plan. Students in this category will automatically be enrolled in the annual student health insurance program. However, international students may be eligible to waive the cost and coverage of UT SHIP if they can present an alternative insurance policy that provides comparable benefits.
International students do not need to take any further action to enrol in UT SHIP beyond enrolling in classes.
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Domestic students may elect to purchase UT SHIP
Domestic students at the University of Texas may elect to purchase the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP). The UT SHIP is a Blue Cross Blue Shield policy made available by the UT System. The insurance plan, Academic Blue, is underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.
Domestic students can enrol in the UT SHIP by visiting http://uta.myahpcare.com/enrollment. If you enrol in UT SHIP before the coverage start date, your plan will become effective on the plan coverage start date. If you enrol after the coverage start date, your plan will become effective the day Academic Health Plans receives the premium payment. If you do not enrol by the last day of the enrolment period, you must wait until the next semester's open enrolment period.
The UT SHIP is an affordable and comprehensive insurance plan. The annual deductible is waived and benefits are paid at 100% of covered expenses incurred at Health Services. Prescription co-pays in the pharmacy are $15 for generic, $30 for preferred brand-name, and $50 for non-preferred brand-name prescriptions.
Students who have purchased UT SHIP will no longer be required to make a payment at the time they receive services at the Student Health Center. Blue Cross Blue Shield sends one insurance card per school year to policyholders. The card is mailed to the address on record in Orion as of Census Day and should arrive two to four weeks after Census Day.
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Students can enrol online
Students at the University of Texas can enrol in health insurance online. The University of Texas at Dallas offers the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP), a Blue Cross Blue Shield policy made available by the UT System. International students with F1, F2, J1, and J2 visas are automatically enrolled in UT SHIP and assessed the fee when they enrol in classes. Domestic students at UT Dallas may also elect to purchase UT SHIP.
Students can enrol in UT SHIP online by visiting the enrolment page and selecting "Enrolment, Enrol Online". After reading and accepting the Terms & Conditions, students enter their 10-digit UTD-ID and date of birth. They then select the main campus and academic year, followed by their student type and the number of semester credit hours they are enrolled in. Next, students enter their demographic information and continue to the next page, where they enter their remaining details and create an online account with a user ID and password. Finally, students select their coverage period and place their order.
Dependent enrolment must take place at the same time as student enrolment, and dependent eligibility expires concurrently with that of the insured student. Non-student dependents are not eligible for services provided by the UT Dallas Student Health Center. Students can enrol their dependents online by visiting the enrolment page. All students, both domestic and international, may renew dependent coverage online by logging into their student account.
Additionally, all students at the University of Texas at Dallas may enrol in dental insurance online. However, medical enrolment is required to enrol in dental coverage. Dependent dental insurance can be added to both domestic and international enrolment forms, and students may complete dependent medical plus dental enrolment online.
The University of Texas at Austin also offers a Student Health Insurance Plan, which is an optional, University of Texas System-sponsored health insurance plan available to currently enrolled students. Information and enrolment are available online. This plan is mandatory for international students, and the cost is included in their tuition bill each semester.
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Students can add spouse and/or dependent coverage
The University of Texas offers health insurance to its students. The Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) is a Blue Cross Blue Shield policy made available by the UT System. All students are encouraged to have health insurance coverage. While the plan is optional for domestic students, international students are automatically enrolled in the annual student health insurance program.
UT SHIP allows eligible students who purchase the policy to also insure their dependents. Students may add a spouse and/or dependent coverage through the UTD Student Health Center or directly with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Dependent enrollment must take place at the time of student enrollment and expires concurrently with that of the insured student. Non-student dependents are not eligible for services provided by the UT Dallas Student Health Center.
Dependents can only be added during the open enrollment period. Students must first activate their coverage before they can enrol their dependents in the insurance plan. Students can enrol their dependents by visiting the enrolment page. All students, both domestic and international, may renew dependent coverage online by logging into their student account.
Who counts as a dependent?
For voluntary UT Benefits plans, eligible dependents include:
- Your child(ren) under age 26, including stepchildren, adopted children, and children for whom you are the legal guardian or who are the subject of a medical support order
- Your grandchild under age 26, if the child qualifies and is claimed as your dependent for federal tax purposes
- Certain children over age 26, who are determined by the UT System Office of Employee Benefits (OEB) to be medically incapacitated and unable to provide their own support
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International students may waive the insurance fee if they have comparable coverage
International students at the University of Texas are automatically enrolled in the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) and assessed the UT SHIP fee. This is a Blue Cross Blue Shield policy made available by the UT System.
However, international students may waive the insurance fee if they have comparable coverage. To be eligible for a waiver, students must present an alternative insurance policy to the International Student and Scholar Services that provides benefits comparable to the Student Health Insurance Plan. This policy must be in place no later than September 1 for the fall semester and February 1 for the spring semester.
The University of Texas requires international students to have health insurance before enrolling in classes. This is because the United States does not have universal healthcare, and a simple doctor's visit can turn into an insurmountable expense without health insurance.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, all students at the University of Texas are encouraged to have health insurance coverage. Domestic students at UT Dallas may elect to purchase the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP). International students are automatically enrolled.
Students can enrol in the UT Student Health Insurance Plan online.
The UT Student Health Insurance Plan covers 100% of all services at University Health Services and includes in- and- out-of-network benefits for off-campus providers and facilities.
The cost of the UT Student Health Insurance Plan varies depending on the student's specific circumstances. For international students, the cost is included in the student's tuition bill each semester.
