Lana Oconnell
International students in Texas are required to have health insurance coverage, which is often automatically included in their tuition fees. However, students with existing health insurance coverage may be eligible to waive this inclusion and opt-out of the student health insurance plan. To do so, they must submit a waiver application and provide proof of their existing insurance coverage. This coverage must meet specific requirements, including complying with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and providing medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. Students with US employer-provided insurance or government-sponsored insurance may be eligible for a waiver, but they must still meet certain conditions. Graduate students with fellowships or academic assignments may also have different waiver processes and requirements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for a waiver? | International students with an existing health insurance policy that meets or exceeds the required standards. |
| Required standards of the insurance policy | Must cover the full coverage period to be waived, must be compliant with the PPACA, must include medical evacuation and repatriation, and must meet minimum requirements for out-of-pocket costs and essential benefits. |
| Additional requirements for students with U.S. employer insurance | Waivers for plans with deductibles higher than $500 will only be approved if the policy meets UT System Requirements. Students must submit an Employer High Deductible Exemption Acknowledgment Form and proof of access to a Health Savings Account (HSA). |
| How to apply for a waiver | Students must submit a waiver application through the electronic application system each semester, along with proof of acceptable insurance coverage. |
| Deadlines | Deadlines vary by university and semester. For example, at the University of Texas at Dallas, the fall waiver period for 2025 is from July 22 to September 10, 2025. |
| Consequences of not submitting a waiver or having it approved | Students will be automatically enrolled in the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) or the AHP University Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), and the cost will be included in their tuition and fees. |
| Students who are exempt from the insurance requirement | Students who are graduating at the end of the spring semester, graduate students with a benefits-eligible TA/AI or GRA assignment, and graduate students with a competitive fellowship valued at $10,000 or more per year. |
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What You'll Learn
International students with US employer insurance
International students in Texas with US employer insurance can waive their student health insurance plan by submitting a waiver application. This is applicable to students whose insurance is provided either through their own employment or through the employment of their spouse or parent/guardian. The waiver must be submitted through the AHP waiver platform.
To be eligible for a waiver, the student's insurance plan must meet specific criteria. Firstly, it must be valid for the full duration of the dates specified by the university. Secondly, it must comply with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Additionally, for plans with deductibles higher than $500, a waiver will only be approved if the policy meets the UT System Requirements, and the student submits an Employer High Deductible Exemption Acknowledgment Form and proof of access to a Health Savings Account (HSA).
The process for submitting a waiver may vary slightly depending on the university. For example, at the University of Texas at Dallas, international students must apply for a waiver each semester through an electronic application system. They will receive instructions via email each semester. On the other hand, Texas State University requires students to submit proof of their existing health insurance policy to AHP, including a copy of their health insurance card and medical insurance policy.
It is important to note that waiver requests without proof of medical evacuation and repatriation will require the purchase of additional coverage. Additionally, the approval of waivers is at the discretion of the university, and students should carefully review the waiver criteria before submitting their request.
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Students with a graduate fellowship
If you are an international graduate student with a fellowship, you may be eligible to waive your student health insurance plan. At the University of Texas, graduate students awarded a competitive fellowship valued at $10,000 or more per year can purchase the UT Select group medical insurance plan. This includes basic medical coverage for fellows and their dependents, including dental and vision insurance.
If you have purchased UT Select based on your fellowship, you may submit a waiver to opt out of enrollment in UT SHIP through the AHP waiver platform. You must ensure that your insurance is valid for the full duration of your course. For example, for Fall/Spring, the deadline is the 10th-class day, 5 pm, and for Summer, it is the first day of the first summer session, 5 pm.
If you are transitioning to a graduate fellowship from benefits-eligible AGS employment, your UT insurance will continue automatically. No action is required unless you need to enrol your dependents in coverage, which must be done within 31 days of losing your AGS employee coverage.
At Texas State University, international students can request a waiver but must demonstrate that they have equivalent, alternative health insurance coverage. This coverage must meet or exceed the requirements of the student health insurance plan.
At the University of Texas at Dallas, international students can apply for a waiver if they are sponsored by the US government, a foreign government recognized by the US, or certain international, government-sponsored organizations. The sponsor must guarantee payment of all healthcare expenses in writing and provide coverage through a PPACA-compliant plan.
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Students with existing health insurance
If you are an international student at a Texas university with existing health insurance, you may be able to waive your university's student health insurance plan. The University of Texas and Texas State University both require international students to have health insurance coverage. However, if you already have a comparable or equivalent policy, you can apply for a waiver.
To be eligible for a waiver, your existing insurance must meet or exceed the following standards:
- It must be valid for the full duration of the waiver period.
- It must cover medical, evacuation, and repatriation.
- Out-of-pocket costs may not exceed $9,450 per year for an individual or $18,900 per year for a family.
- It must cover preventative care at 100% in-network, including immunizations, physical exams, and birth control with no cost-sharing.
- It must cover essential benefits as defined by the ACA (Affordable Care Act), with no internal caps on essential benefits, including mental health, pregnancy, prescriptions, surgery, emergency room visits, and doctor visits.
- It must be underwritten by an insurer with an established record of claims payment in the United States.
- The amounts of coverage must appear in United States dollars on the proof of coverage provided.
- For students with U.S. employer insurance, the plan must be compliant with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
To apply for a waiver, you will typically need to submit proof of your existing insurance coverage, such as a copy of your insurance card and your medical insurance policy. This documentation must be in English and must show that your coverage meets the requirements listed above. You may also need to submit additional forms, such as an Employer High Deductible Exemption Acknowledgment Form if your plan has a deductible higher than $500.
It is important to note that waiver periods and specific requirements may vary by university and semester. Be sure to review the waiver instructions and criteria provided by your specific university and submit your waiver application and documentation by the deadline. Late submissions or incomplete documentation may result in your waiver request being denied.
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Students with government-sponsored insurance
International students in Texas are typically required to have health insurance coverage. However, students with government-sponsored insurance may be eligible to waive this requirement. Here is some information on how to get an insurance waiver if you are an international student in Texas with government-sponsored insurance:
Texas State University
According to Texas State University, students with a US Government or foreign government-sponsored insurance plan recognized by the US may be eligible to waive the student health insurance plan. To do so, students should request a waiver through the AHP Portal before the tuition payment deadline. Students must also email [email protected] so that the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) can verify their insurance purchase with AHP. Once confirmed, the insurance premium will be removed from the student's account.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University System regulation requires international students on F-1 and J-1 visas to hold insurance that meets the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements and provides repatriation and medical evacuation coverage. International students are required to maintain approved health insurance coverage while enrolled. However, students with their own insurance can submit evidence of their alternate health insurance coverage to waive the System Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).
University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas at Dallas requires international students holding F1, F2, J1, or J2 non-immigrant visas to have approved medical health insurance and repatriation/evacuation coverage. Students with comparable coverage may be eligible to waive enrollment in the UT System Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP). To do so, students must submit a waiver through the electronic waiver system during the posted waiver period each semester. Instructions are sent via email each semester. Students with government-sponsored insurance can apply for a waiver if their sponsor has guaranteed payment of all healthcare expenses in writing and has provided coverage through a PPACA-compliant plan.
It is important to note that specific requirements and processes for obtaining an insurance waiver may vary across universities in Texas. Therefore, international students with government-sponsored insurance should refer to their respective university's guidelines and consult with the relevant offices to understand the specific requirements and procedures for obtaining an insurance waiver.
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Students with health insurance from a CPT employer
International students in Texas with CPT employer health insurance can waive their student health insurance plan by demonstrating that they have equivalent, alternative health insurance coverage. This means that the student health insurance plan is not mandatory for students with CPT employer health insurance.
To waive the student health insurance plan, students must submit a waiver application each semester. The waiver must be submitted through the electronic waiver system during the posted waiver period. Texas State University, for example, requires students to submit proof of their health insurance coverage, such as a copy of their health insurance card and their medical insurance policy.
The CPT employer health insurance plan must meet or exceed the coverage requirements defined by the university and the state. For example, at the University of Texas, the alternate plan must meet or exceed the coverage requirements defined by Regent Rule 50402. Texas State University requires that the coverage must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Out-of-pocket costs may not exceed $9,450 per year for an individual or $18,900 per year for a family.
- Coverage for preventative care at 100% in-network, including immunizations, physical exams, and birth control with no cost-sharing.
- Essential benefits as defined by the ACA (Affordable Care Act) must be covered, with no internal caps on essential benefits, including mental health, pregnancy, prescriptions, surgery, emergency room, and doctor visits.
It is important to note that the waiver process must be completed each semester, and approval for one semester does not guarantee approval for subsequent semesters. Students should carefully review the waiver criteria and requirements of their specific university and ensure that their CPT employer health insurance plan meets or exceeds those requirements.
Additionally, students should be aware of the waiver deadlines and ensure that all required documentation is submitted by the specified dates. Failure to submit a waiver or receive approval may result in automatic enrollment in the student health insurance plan, and insurance premiums may not be automatically reversed.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Texas requires all international students holding F1, F2, J1, or J2 non-immigrant visas to have approved medical insurance and repatriation/evacuation coverage.
International students in Texas can apply for an insurance waiver if they have comparable coverage that meets the UT System requirement. Students must submit proof of acceptable insurance coverage by the enrollment deadline.
Acceptable insurance coverage must meet or exceed the coverage requirements defined by Regent Rule 50402. This includes having no internal caps on essential benefits, such as mental health, pregnancy, prescriptions, surgery, and emergency room visits.
The waiver period dates are posted each semester, and students must submit their waiver applications during this time. For example, the fall waiver period for 2025 starts on July 22 and ends on September 10.
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