Waiving the Student Health Insurance Plan
The University of Texas Board of Regents requires all international students in a F-1, F-2, J-1, or J-2 visa status to have health insurance coverage that complies with the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). For this reason, enrollment in the UT Student Health Insurance Plan is automatic at the time of registration, and the cost of the policy is included in the student’s tuition and fee bill. In certain cases, students holding comparable coverage may be eligible to waive enrollment in the UT Student Health Insurance Plan.
The UT Student Health Insurance Plan meets and exceeds the requirements of the law, and we believe it is a good value for the coverage it provides. More information is available on our insurance resources page about the UT Student Health Insurance Plan and using health insurance in the United States. More information about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Review the following waiver eligibility categories to determine your eligibility, required documentation, and submission deadline & submit via the insurance secure document uploader.
ESL and J-1 Exchange Students
- ESL students enrolled in the English Language Center can submit the ELC insurance waiver form to elc@austin.utexas.edu, provided they have personal insurance that meets or exceeds the UT System requirements (as detailed on the waiver form).
- J-1 Exchange Students are not eligible for insurance waivers. Please contact exchangeadvisor@austin.utexas.edu with questions.
2022-2023 Waiver Deadlines
| Fall 2022 | Spring 2023 | Summer 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | Fri., Sept. 2, 2022 by 5 p.m. |
Mon., Jan. 23, 2023 by 5 p.m. |
Thur., June 1, 2023 by 5 p.m. |
Download a Waiver Application
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Graduate Student with an Academic Assignment (TA/GRA/AI)
Apply for waiver online. Graduate students with a benefits-eligible TA/AI or GRA assignment are provided AcademicBlue staff health insurance and are eligible to waive the cost of the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) premium add to the semester tuition bill. If the hiring department has not begun to process your assignment by the 10th class day of the semester (1st class day during the summer), your waiver will be voided, and you will be billed for UT SHIP insurance fees. Submission deadlines:
Fall/Spring: 10th class day, 5 p.m.
Summer: 1st class day, 5 p.m. of the first summer session
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Spouse/Child of a UT Employee
International students covered by a parent or spouse’s UT Select or UT SHIP (Academic Blue) staff insurance may submit the UT Select Dependent Insurance (PDF) waiver of the UT Student Health Insurance Plan semester tuition bill premium.
Submission deadlines:
Fall/Spring: 10th class day, 5 p.m
Summer: 1st class day, 5 p.m. of the first summer session
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Student Graduating In Spring
If you are graduating at the end of the spring semester, you may choose to waive enrollment in the summer student health insurance plan coverage using the Verification of Graduation (PDF) waiver request form.
Submission deadline:
1st class day, 5 p.m. of the first summer session
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Graduate Student With Fellowship
Graduate students awarded with a competitive fellowship valued at $10,000 or more per year are eligible to purchase the UT Select group medical insurance plan (i.e. basic medical for the fellow and dependents, including dental and vision insurance). Please visit Human Resource Services' Insurance for Eligible Graduate Student Fellows page for more information. If you have purchased UT Select based on your fellowship eligibility, you may waive the student health insurance plan using the Fellowship Insurance (PDF) waiver request form.
Submission deadlines:
Fall/Spring: 10th class day, 5 p.m.
Summer: 1st class day, 5 p.m. of the first summer session
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Student With U.S. Employer Insurance
International students holding insurance plans provided by a U.S. employer and compliant with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) may submit the U.S. Employer Insurance waiver request (PDF) waiver form. (This waiver is applicable to students whose insurance is provided either through their own employment, or through the employment of their spouse or parent/guardian.)
Note that we will accept waivers for plans with deductibles higher than $500 only if the policy otherwise meets the UT System Requirements. In addition, students will need to submit a signed Employer High Deductible Exemption Acknowledgement Form (included with waiver application).
Submission deadlines:
Fall/Spring: 10th class day, 5 p.m.
Summer: 1st class day, 5 p.m. of the first summer session
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Student With Individual Insurance
International students holding individual U.S. insurance plans compliant with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) may submit the Private Insurance waiver request (PDF) form. The insurance policy must comply with all stated requirements, or the waiver request will not be approved. No travel, international, or short-term plans of any kind are accepted, and medical evacuation and repatriation insurance cannot be waived.
Please be advised that International Student & Scholar Services is not equipped to advise on the potential impact government subsidized healthcare can have on your non-immigrant visa status and tax filing obligation. We strongly recommend you consult with an immigration and/or tax attorney before purchasing a subsidized health insurance plan on the Marketplace Exchange.
Submission deadlines:
Fall/Spring: 10th class day, 5 p.m.
Summer: 1st class day, 5 p.m. of the first summer session
Processing Time
Waiver requests may take up to two weeks to be processed. You may check to see if your waiver request has been approved by viewing your tuition and fee bill. If you see insurance charges on your tuition and fee bill on the 10th class day (fall/spring) or 1st class day (summer I session), contact the Insurance Advisor immediately.
Questions?
Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page or email us at intlinsurance@austin.utexas.edu and include your EID in your message.