Lori Meadows
International students in Texas are required to have health insurance coverage. This includes medical, evacuation, and repatriation insurance. Students can either enroll in their university's health insurance plan or request a waiver if they have comparable coverage from another provider. To obtain a waiver, students must submit proof of their existing insurance coverage, which must meet or exceed the university's coverage requirements. Waivers are typically valid for one semester, and students must reapply each semester. This guide will outline the process for international students in Texas to obtain an insurance waiver and provide an overview of the requirements and considerations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who needs to get insurance waivers? | International students in Texas with F1, F2, J1, or J2 non-immigrant visas |
| Who provides the waivers? | The University of Texas, Texas State University, and The University of Texas at Dallas |
| What is the waiver for? | To waive the mandatory Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) |
| Who is automatically enrolled in SHIP? | International students with the above visas |
| When to apply for a waiver? | Each semester, during the posted waiver period |
| Who is eligible for a waiver? | Students with existing health insurance coverage that meets or exceeds the university's standards |
| What are the requirements for the existing insurance coverage? | Must be compliant with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA); must cover the full waiver period; must include medical evacuation and repatriation; must have no out-of-pocket costs exceeding $9,450 per year for an individual or $18,900 per family; must cover preventative care at 100% in-network; must cover essential benefits as defined by the ACA (Affordable Care Act) with no internal caps |
| What documents are required for the waiver application? | Proof of coverage in English and with amounts in US dollars, copy of insurance card, copy of medical insurance policy |
| Where to submit the waiver application? | Through the university's electronic application system or email |
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What You'll Learn
International students with US employer insurance
International students in Texas with F1, F2, J1, or J2 visas are required to have health insurance coverage. This coverage is often provided by the university, such as the UT System Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) or the AHP University Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). However, international students who have comparable coverage may be eligible to waive enrollment in the university-provided insurance plans.
For international students in Texas with US employer insurance, there are a few things to keep in mind when considering a waiver:
- The insurance plan must be compliant with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). This is a requirement for all international students in Texas.
- The insurance plan must cover the full duration of the waiver period. If the insurance is not valid for the entire period, the waiver request will not be approved.
- Students must submit a waiver application each semester. The waiver must be submitted through the electronic waiver system during the posted waiver period.
- Students must provide proof of their US employer insurance. This includes submitting a copy of the health insurance card and the medical insurance policy.
- The insurance plan must meet certain coverage requirements. For example, out-of-pocket costs must not exceed certain limits, and essential benefits as defined by the ACA must be covered.
- If the insurance plan does not include medical evacuation and repatriation, a rider must be purchased to provide this coverage.
It is important to note that the specific requirements and processes for obtaining a waiver may vary depending on the university and the student's individual circumstances. Students should carefully review the waiver requirements and instructions provided by their university. Additionally, there are alternative insurance providers that offer plans specifically designed for international students, such as International Student Insurance (ISI) and IMG. These plans can be tailored to meet visa requirements and provide coverage that universities look for, such as mental health, sports, and maternity.
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Students graduating in the spring
If you are an international student in Texas graduating in the spring, there are a few things you need to know about your student health insurance and any possible waivers. Firstly, it is mandatory to have health insurance coverage as an international student in Texas, and this insurance must comply with the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). This requirement applies to all international students holding F1, F2, J1, or J2 non-immigrant visas.
If you are graduating in the spring, you must submit the 'Graduating in Spring' waiver to waive your enrollment in the summer student health insurance plan coverage. This waiver request must be signed by your academic department. It is important to note that insurance premiums are not automatically reversed for students who graduate without an approved waiver.
To be eligible for a waiver, you must demonstrate that you have equivalent or better health insurance coverage. This means that your alternative health coverage must meet or exceed certain standards. For example, out-of-pocket costs may not exceed $9,450 per year for an individual or $18,900 per year for a family. Additionally, your coverage must include preventative care at 100% with no cost-sharing, and essential benefits as defined by the ACA (Affordable Care Act) must be covered. If your plan does not include medical evacuation and repatriation, you must purchase a rider to provide this coverage.
Waiver applications must be submitted through the electronic waiver system during the posted waiver period, which varies by university and semester. For example, the fall waiver period for the University of Texas at Dallas in 2025 starts on July 22 and ends on September 10. If you do not submit a waiver or if your waiver is not approved, you will be automatically enrolled in the UT System Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) or the Texas State University Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), and the cost will be included in your tuition and fees.
It is important to note that you must submit a new waiver application each semester, as waivers are not carried over. Additionally, international students who withdraw from the university or are not enrolled in classes should maintain continuous health insurance coverage, including medical evacuation and repatriation coverage.
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Graduate students with a fellowship
International graduate students with a fellowship have a few options for health insurance coverage. Firstly, it is important to note that international students in Texas are typically required to have health insurance coverage that complies with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). As such, international students are often automatically enrolled in the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) or the Academic Blue Medical Insurance Plan, with the cost included in their tuition fees.
However, graduate students with a fellowship may have the option to waive this insurance and choose alternative coverage. To be eligible for a waiver, students must have a competitive fellowship valued at $10,000 or more per year. Students can submit a waiver through the Academic Health Plans (AHP) waiver platform. This platform is also used for students with a qualifying life event, such as transitioning to a fellowship from benefits-eligible AGS employment.
If you are transitioning from AGS employment to a fellowship, you have the following options to continue your coverage:
- Enroll in Voluntary UT SHIP coverage within 31 days of losing AGS UT SHIP coverage. Check your fellowship offer letter to confirm if your fellowship includes a supplement to offset the cost of UT SHIP.
- Enroll in UT SELECT, Delta Dental, or Superior Vision within 31 days of the start of your fellowship.
- Enroll in the university's employee insurance plans, including medical, dental, and vision options. To do so, submit a Graduate Student Fellow Insurance Enrollment Request within 31 days of the start of your fellowship.
It is important to note that waiver request forms and enrollment requests must be submitted within the specified deadlines and may require signatures from academic departments. Additionally, students should review the specific requirements and processes of their chosen university, as instructions and deadlines may vary.
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Students with government-sponsored insurance
International students in Texas with government-sponsored insurance can waive their university's student health insurance plan. This applies to students with insurance plans sponsored by the US government, a foreign government recognised by the US, or certain international government-sponsored organisations. To be eligible for a waiver, the sponsor must guarantee payment of all healthcare expenses in writing and provide coverage through a Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)-compliant plan.
The process for requesting a waiver differs across universities in Texas. At Texas State University, students should request a waiver through the AHP Portal before the tuition payment deadline. Students must submit proof of their insurance to AHP, including a copy of their health insurance card and a copy of their medical insurance policy. Texas State University also requires that the insurance plan meets specific minimum requirements, such as out-of-pocket costs not exceeding $9,450 per year for an individual or $18,900 per year for a family.
At the University of Texas at Dallas, students can apply for a waiver through the electronic waiver system during the posted waiver period. Students must submit a new waiver application each semester. The University of Texas System requires that the alternate insurance plan meets or exceeds the coverage requirements defined by Regent Rule 50402.
Students at Texas A&M University must follow the instructions provided to submit evidence of their alternate health insurance coverage. Texas A&M University requires that the insurance plan meets the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements and provides repatriation and medical evacuation.
It is important to note that the waiver criteria and requirements may vary across universities in Texas. Students should refer to their specific university's guidelines and instructions for accurate and up-to-date information on how to obtain an insurance waiver with government-sponsored insurance.
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Students with existing health insurance
If you are an international student in Texas 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, and automatically enrol students in their respective student health insurance plans, with the cost added to the student's tuition fee.
To waive this insurance, you must submit proof of your existing coverage. This proof must be in English, with all costs listed in U.S. dollars, and must demonstrate that your insurance meets or exceeds the requirements of the university's plan. For example, Texas State University requires that out-of-pocket costs may not exceed $9,450 per year for an individual or $18,900 per year for a family, and that there is coverage for preventative care at 100% in-network with no cost-sharing.
If your insurance is provided by a U.S. employer, it must also be compliant with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Waivers for plans with deductibles higher than $500 will only be approved if the policy meets other UT System Requirements, and students must submit an Employer High Deductible Exemption Acknowledgement Form and proof of access to a Health Savings Account (HSA).
Students with existing coverage must submit a waiver application each semester, during the posted waiver period, or they will be enrolled in the university's insurance plan automatically. Waivers can be submitted online, and Texas State University will notify students of acceptance or rejection of their waiver request within seven business days.
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Frequently asked questions
All international students holding F1, F2, J1 or J2 non-immigrant visas are required to have approved medical health insurance and repatriation/evacuation coverage.
International students seeking a health insurance waiver must provide proof of acceptable insurance coverage by the enrollment deadline. Students must submit the request for an insurance waiver and all insurance documents verifying acceptable insurance coverage to the health insurance administrator.
The alternate insurance plan must meet or exceed the coverage requirements defined by Regent Rule 50402. It must also comply with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
The deadline for submitting a waiver request is typically at the start of each semester. For example, the fall waiver period for the University of Texas at Dallas starts on July 22 and ends on September 10.
Exchange students at Texas State University are not eligible for a health insurance fee waiver. Additionally, students with an H-visa are not considered international students for insurance purposes and are therefore not eligible for an international student insurance waiver.
