Understanding Student Health Insurance Payment Plans At Ut Austin

how do i pay my student healthcare insurance plan utexas

Students at the University of Texas have a few options for health insurance. The UT System Board of Regents requires students to have a valid major medical insurance policy. If a student does not have their own health insurance, they may enroll in the student health insurance plan selected by the UT System. This plan is mandatory for international students and the cost is included in the student's tuition bill each semester. Students can also choose to enroll in the AcademicBlue UT Student Health Insurance Plan, which is available to students in an F- or J- immigration status, and those applying for a change of status to F- or J-. Students who enroll in this plan voluntarily will pay AHP directly for insurance premium fees. Students can also purchase the UT SHIP plan, which is available to domestic students at UT Dallas.

Characteristics Values
Who is eligible for the Student Health Insurance Plan? Students in an F- or J- immigration status, and those applying for a change of status to F- or J-
Who is automatically billed for insurance? Students in an F- or J- immigration status, and those applying for a change of status to F- or J-
Who has the option to purchase the AcademicBlue UT Student Health Insurance Plan? Students in any other visa category
Who is the Student Health Insurance Plan mandatory for? International students
Who can waive the cost of the Student Health Insurance Plan? International students who can present an alternative insurance policy that provides comparable benefits
Who can waive the cost of the AcademicBlue student health insurance plan? Students who can present a comparable plan in accordance with the UT Board of Regents waiver policy
Who can pay for the AcademicBlue UT Student Health Insurance Plan premiums directly to AHP? Students who elect to enroll in this plan voluntarily
Who enrolls themselves in the student health insurance plan? Students
How do students enroll in the student health insurance plan? Selection of the student health insurance plan through the student portal to be billed with tuition; Enrolling directly with Academic Health Plans during the open enrollment period
Who is the Student Health Insurance Plan available to? Currently enrolled University of Texas at Austin students
Who can continue coverage for themselves and dependents for up to 3 months? Graduating students currently enrolled in the Student Health Insurance plan

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Enrolling in the student health insurance plan

Students who are enrolled through the student center will have their payment and information sent to the insurance company after their first class day. It is important to ensure that your address, phone number, and email address are current and accurate, as ID cards and other notifications about your plan may not reach you otherwise. You will receive an insurance card in the mail to your home address, so it is important to maintain the correct address. If you need medical attention before receiving your insurance card, you can send an email to the relevant department so that they can send your payment to the insurance company earlier.

For graduating students, continued coverage for up to 3 months is an option. To enroll, complete the online form and submit it with payment to AHP. For students with dependents, the dependent must have the same coverage as the student. To enroll, complete the Enrollment Form and send it with payment directly to AHP.

For students at the University of Texas at Dallas, the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) is managed by the Student Health Insurance office. Domestic students may elect to purchase UT SHIP, while international students are required to enroll in UT SHIP or a comparable health insurance plan. Students at the University of Texas at Austin are offered the AcademicBlue UT Student Health Insurance Plan, with information sessions offered during Fall Orientation. Students in an F- or J- immigration status are automatically billed for insurance. Students in other visa categories have the option to purchase AcademicBlue UT and pay AHP directly for insurance premium fees.

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Payment methods

The University of Texas offers two methods for students to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan. The first is to select the student health insurance plan through the student portal and be billed with tuition. The second is to enroll directly with Academic Health Plans (AHP) during the open enrollment period. Students who enroll directly with AHP must do so during the open enrollment period or wait until the next one (unless there is a qualified change of status).

Students who are graduating and are enrolled in the Student Health Insurance plan are eligible for continued coverage for themselves and their dependents for up to 3 months. To enroll, they must complete an online form and submit it with payment to AHP. Students can also enroll their family members by completing a dependent Enrollment Form and sending it with payment directly to AHP.

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. Students who have chosen not to purchase UT SHIP will be required to make payment at the time they receive services.

For students who enroll through the student center, payment and information are sent to the insurance company after the student’s first class day. Students will receive an insurance card in the mail to their home address in the student system. If a student needs medical attention before receiving their insurance card, they will need to send an e-mail to: [email protected] so the office can send their payment to the insurance company earlier.

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Maintaining your contact information

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date contact information is essential for ensuring you receive important communications about your student health insurance plan. Here are the steps to maintain your contact information:

Update Your Address:

  • If you have moved or changed your mailing address, it is crucial to update your address in two places: your Galaxy account and your Academic Health Plans (AHP) account at myahpcare.com.
  • By updating both accounts, you can ensure that you receive your physical member ID card and any other correspondence from Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBSTX) at the correct address.

Update Your Contact Details:

  • Keep your address, phone number, and email address up to date in your student center.
  • If your contact information changes, remember to update it promptly to avoid missing any vital notifications about your student health insurance plan.
  • Additionally, contact AHP at (855) 247-2273 or help.ahpcare.com to update their records as well.

Insurance Card Mailing:

  • Maintaining the correct home address in the student system is vital because your insurance card will be mailed to that address.
  • If you need medical attention before receiving your insurance card, send an email to [email protected] so that the office can expedite your payment to the insurance company.

Remember to periodically review and update your contact information to ensure you stay informed about your student health insurance plan and receive all necessary communications without delay.

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Insurance waivers

The Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) is a University of Texas System-sponsored health insurance plan that is optional for currently enrolled University of Texas at Austin students and mandatory for international students. The cost is included in the student's tuition bill each semester.

International students may be eligible to waive the cost and coverage of the Student Health Insurance Plan if they are able to present an alternative insurance policy that provides comparable benefits. International students holding individual U.S. insurance plans compliant with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) may submit a waiver through the AHP waiver platform. The insurance policy must comply with the following requirements, or the waiver request will not be approved:

  • The insurance must be active for the full duration of the specified term.
  • Only policies underwritten by PPACA-compliant, U.S.-based insurance providers will be considered. Travel, international, or short-term plans are not accepted.
  • Medical evacuation and repatriation insurance cannot be waived.

Students who wish to waive enrollment in UT SHIP based on their own existing health insurance policies are required to provide proof of adequate Student Evacuation and Repatriation coverage. ESL students enrolled in the English Language Center can submit the ELC insurance waiver form, provided they have personal insurance that meets or exceeds the UT System requirements. J-1 exchange students are not eligible for insurance waivers.

Exchange students with U.S. citizenship are not automatically enrolled in UT SHIP, nor are they automatically charged for insurance fees, so they do not need to submit a waiver to be exempted from these fees. If graduating at the end of the spring semester, students must submit the Graduating in Spring waiver to waive enrollment in the summer student health insurance plan coverage.

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Insurance for graduating students

The University of Texas at Austin offers a range of insurance options for graduating students. The options available to you will depend on your status as an employee, fellowship holder, or self-funded graduate student. Graduating students currently enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) are eligible for continued coverage for themselves and their dependents for up to 3 months.

AcademicBlue SHIP

AcademicBlue SHIP is a default insurance option for benefits-eligible academic graduate student employees. If you are transitioning from an AGS employee to a graduate student fellowship, you can enrol in voluntary AcademicBlue SHIP coverage within 31 days of losing your AGS employee coverage. You can also enrol in this plan if you have a competitively awarded fellowship valued at $10,000 or more. Many UT Counseling and Mental Health services are free if you are covered by AcademicBlue SHIP.

UT Select, Delta Dental, and Superior Vision

If you have a competitively awarded fellowship valued at $10,000 or more, you can enrol in UT Select Medical, Delta Dental, and/or Superior Vision plans within 31 days of the start of your fellowship. You may enrol in Delta Dental and/or Superior Vision even if you enrol in AcademicBlue SHIP for your medical plan.

Federal Marketplace

All graduate students at UT Austin also have the option to purchase a plan of their choosing through the Federal Marketplace at Healthcare.gov. Premiums for plans purchased through the Federal Marketplace must be paid by the student.

Frequently asked questions

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. You can make payments directly to Academic Health Plans (AHP).

Students can enroll in the student health insurance plan using one of two methods: selecting the student health insurance plan through the student portal to be billed with tuition, or enrolling directly with Academic Health Plans during the open enrollment period.

International students are automatically billed for insurance. The cost is included in the student's tuition bill each semester.

Graduate student employees can view their My Insurance Premium Calendar in Workday to confirm how they will pay their insurance premiums.

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