Insurance for International Students
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What company provides SHI for the System’s students and eligible dependents?
- How is the UT System (System) sponsored Student Health Insurance (SHI) vendor chosen?
- As a student, am I required to have SHI?
- Do I have to enroll in the UT System sponsored SHI plan?
- As a qualified student enrolled at a System institution, am I guaranteed coverage under the UT SHI plan?
- Who can I contact about determining whether a health insurance plan offers "comparable coverage"?
- Who can I contact to request additional information regarding the Blue Cross Blue Shield plan?
- How do I enroll in the System SHI plan?
- How do I obtain my insurance ID card or get a lost card replaced?
- Where is the student health center at UT Dallas?
- If I do not seek care from the Student Health Center at UT Dallas, how do I find a provider (doctors, hospitals, etc.) in my area who accepts SHI plan?
Definitions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What company provides SHI for the System’s students and eligible dependents?
Blue Cross Blue Shield—www.ahpcare.com
Q: How is the UT System (System) sponsored Student Health Insurance (SHI) vendor chosen?
The System drafts a request for proposal (RFP) to invite insurance companies to submit competitive bids to provide SHI to students and eligible dependents attending System institutions. System staff meets with the Student Advisory Council to discuss coverage and benefits to be offered under the plan. The various RFP's are systematically reviewed and a vendor is selected based upon specific criteria and the vendor's ability to provide comprehensive care at an affordable cost.
Q: As a student, am I required to have SHI?
The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System requires all international students holding non-immigrant visas and living in the United States to maintain approved health insurance while enrolled at component institutions of The University of Texas. This means all international students who are not lawful US Permanent Residents, US Citizens, or undocumented aliens.
In addition, every student at a System health related institution is required to have health insurance coverage. This coverage may be with the System sponsored plan or comparable coverage from another provider.
Q: Do I have to enroll in the UT System sponsored SHI plan?
No, students who are required to be enrolled in an insurance plan (see above) do not have to enroll in the United Healthcare plan as long as proof of comparable coverage can be provided.
Q: As a qualified student enrolled at a System institution, am I guaranteed coverage under the UT SHI plan?
Yes, students meeting the eligibility requirements are guaranteed to be accepted for coverage into the System SHI Plan.
Q: Who can I contact about determining whether a health insurance plan offers "comparable coverage"?
Please read Waiver to learn what the minimum requirements a comparable plan must meet. Questions regarding comparable coverage should be addressed to Student Health Center at (972)-883-2747 or at stuhealthinsurance@utdallas.edu.
Q: Who can I contact to request additional information regarding the Blue Cross Blue Shield plan?
Information is available through the Blue Cross Blue Shield website. Blue Cross Blue Shield Customer Service can be reached by calling (800) 521-2227.
Q: How do I enroll in the System SHI plan?
International students are automatically enrolled in the student health insurance policy at the time of registration for classes. US Citizen or PR students can apply online through www.academichealthplans.com/utdallas/2012-2013/.
Q: How do I obtain my insurance ID card or get a lost card replaced?
Your insurance card will be mailed to your address by the insurance company. Also, after creating an online account, ID cards or Replacement ID cards can be printed from the Blue Cross Blue Shield website.
Q: Where is the student health center at UT Dallas?
Student Health Center is located in the Student Services Building 4.700. To make an appointment or for questions please call 972-883-2747.
Q: If I do not seek care from the Student Health Center at UT Dallas, how do I find a provider (doctors, hospitals, etc.) in my area who accepts SHI plan?
After creating an online account on the Blue Cross Blue Shield website, you will have access to the Blue Cross Blue Shield network provider locator.
Definitions
The portion of your health care that you pay before the insurance company starts covering payments.
(Example: Your deductible is $300 per academic year. You would pay the full cost for doctor visits until you reach that $300, then the insurance would start paying 80% of your cost and you would then be responsible for 20%.)
A fixed dollar amount you pay at the time services are rendered. Typical co-pays are for office visits, prescriptions, or hospitalizations.
(Example: After the $300 deductible is paid, the 20% that you are responsible for would be considered the co-payment.)
A specified percentage of the cost of treatment the insured is required to pay for all covered medical expenses remaining after the deductible has been met.
(Example: The 80% that the insurance company pays, once your deductible has been paid, would be considered the co-insurance.)
