Opt-Out/Waiver

If you do not want the Student Health Insurance Plan, you must decline or opt-out of coverage by submitting a waiver. You may only opt-out of coverage during the following Waiver Periods:

Domestic students must meet the following minimum requirements:

A. Criteria to submit waiver

1. Policy provides the essential minimum benefits required by the ACA.
2. Policy provides inpatient care (including mental health care).
3. Policy provides outpatient care (including office visits, outpatient mental health visits, emergency/urgent care, and ancillary procedures.) Coverage for emergency-only care does not satisfy this requirement. (Note: State funded Medicaid does NOT meet the minimum standard required as care is not covered outside the state of Texas.)
4. Policy provides coverage for prescription medications.

International students must meet the following minimum requirements:

A. Criteria to submit waiver

1. Student is sponsored by the United States government.
2. Student is sponsored by a foreign government recognized by the United States, and they guarantee payment of all health care expenses. Covered health plan must be compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
3. Student is enrolled in an US employer-provided group health plan that is compliant with the ACA.

B. The alternative coverage must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Policy provides the essential minimum benefits required by the ACA.
2. Policy annual individual deductible of no more than U.S. $1000.
3. Policy  imposes no provisions for co-insurance that exceed 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness. 
4. Policy contains no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
5. Proof of Repatriation expenses in the amount of no less than $10,000.
6. Proof of expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the insured to the insured’s home country of no less than $7,500.
7. If the health plan does not include medical evacuation and repatriation, a rider must be purchased providing coverage at equal limits to the SHIP.
8. Dates of coverage meet or exceed the requirements for the policy year.

If your alternate coverage meets the above minimum requirements, submit electronic copies of the following documents with your online waiver request:

1. A scanned copy of the front and back of your health insurance ID card indicating the student as a covered member.
2. A scanned copy of your complete policy, including coverage amounts, exclusions, and limitations in English using US dollars.
3. A scanned copy of your medical evacuation and repatriation coverage (if you have this coverage).