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 System Student Health Insurance Plan (UT SHIP) 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 SHIP.
The UT Student Health Insurance Plan meets and exceeds the requirements of the law, and we believe it is a good value for the depth of coverage it provides. Visit the UT Student Health Insurance Plan page for more information on the policy and explore how to use this health insurance plan 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 and required documentation, and follow instructions to submit your waiver by the deadlines listed below.
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.
- Exchange students with U.S. citizenship are not automatically enrolled in UT SHIP, nor are they automatically charged for insurance fees. As such, it is not necessary for U.S. citizens to submit a waiver to be exempted from these fees. If you would like to purchase UT SHIP, you can voluntarily enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan and the associated fees will be added to your Tuition Bill for the requested semester(s).
Students Graduating in Spring
If you are graduating at the end of the spring semester and wish to waive enrollment in the summer student health insurance plan coverage, you must submit the Graduating in Spring waiver as detailed below.
Please note: insurance premiums are not automatically reversed for students who graduate without an approved waiver, and waiver requests must be signed by your academic department.
2024-2025 Waiver Deadlines
| Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | Monday, Sept. 9 by 5 p.m. | Monday, Jan. 27 by 5 p.m. | Thursday, June 5 by 5 p.m. |
Submit a Waiver Application - Select the Appropriate Option for You
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Graduate Student with an Academic Assignment (TA/GRA/AI)
Apply for a 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 added 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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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 Spring Graduate Insurance Waiver (PDF) request form.
Submission Deadline:
- 1st class day, 5 p.m. of the first summer session
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Student With U.S. Employer Insurance (waiver processed by AHP)
International students holding insurance plans provided by a U.S. employer and compliant with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) may submit a waiver through the AHP waiver platform. (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.)
Waivers for plans with deductibles higher than $500 will be approved only if the policy otherwise meets the UT System Requirements. Students will also be required to submit an Employer High Deductible Exemption Acknowledgement Form (included with waiver application) and proof of access to a Health Savings Account (HSA).
Please note: Insurance must be valid for the full duration of the dates listed below or the waiver request will not be approved:
- Fall: September 1 – December 31
- Spring: January 1 – May 31
- Summer: June 1 – August 31
Submission Deadlines:
- Fall / Spring: 10th class day, 5 p.m.
- Summer: 1st class day, 5 p.m. of the first summer session
If you encounter technical issues with the AHP waiver submission process, please ensure that you have followed the AHP training https://www2.academichealthplans.com/training. If you continue to have problems, please contact AHP directly for assistance. Visit https://utaustin.myahpcare.com and click on the Chat icon to chat with an AHP representative and be prepared to provide a screenshot of your error with the website link in the screenshot.
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Student With Individual Insurance (waiver processed by AHP)
International students holding individual U.S. insurance plans compliant with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) may submit a waiver through the AHP waiver platform. The insurance policy must comply with the following requirements, or the waiver request will not be approved.
- Deductible cannot exceed $500.00
- Coinsurance cannot exceed 25%
- Insurance must be active for the full duration of the dates listed below in order to waive insurance for that term:
- Fall: September 1 – December 31
- Spring: January 1 – May 31
- Summer: June 1 – August 31
No travel, international, or short-term plans of any kind are accepted; only policies underwritten by PPACA-compliant, U.S.-based insurance providers will be considered. Medical evacuation and repatriation insurance cannot be waived.
Submission Deadlines:
- Fall / Spring: 10th class day, 5 p.m.
- Summer: 1st class day, 5 p.m. of the first summer session
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.
If you encounter technical issues with the AHP waiver submission process, please ensure that you have followed the AHP training https://www2.academichealthplans.com/training. If you continue to have problems, please contact AHP directly for assistance. Visit https://utaustin.myahpcare.com and click on the Chat icon to chat with an AHP representative and be prepared to provide a screenshot of your error with the website link in the screenshot.
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Spouse/Child of a UT Employee (waiver processed by AHP)
International students covered by a parent/guardian or spouse’s UT Select or UT SHIP (Academic Blue) staff insurance may submit a waiver through the AHP waiver platform.
Please note: Insurance must be valid for the full duration of the dates listed below or the waiver request will not be approved:
- Fall: September 1 – December 31
- Spring: January 1 – May 31
- Summer: June 1 – August 31
Submission Deadlines:
- Fall / Spring: 10th class day, 5 p.m.
- Summer: 1st class day, 5 p.m. of the first summer session
If you encounter technical issues with the AHP waiver submission process, please ensure that you have followed the AHP training https://www2.academichealthplans.com/training. If you continue to have problems, please contact AHP directly for assistance. Visit https://utaustin.myahpcare.com and click on the Chat icon to chat with an AHP representative and be prepared to provide a screenshot of your error with the website link in the screenshot.
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Graduate Student with Fellowship (waiver processed by AHP)
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 coverage for fellows and their 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 submit a waiver to opt out of enrollment in UT SHIP through the AHP waiver platform.
Please note: Insurance must be valid for the full duration of the dates listed below or the waiver request will not be approved:
- Fall: September 1 – December 31
- Spring: January 1 – May 31
- Summer: June 1 – August 31
Submission Deadlines:
- Fall / Spring: 10th class day, 5 p.m.
- Summer: 1st class day, 5 p.m. of the first summer session
If you encounter technical issues with the AHP waiver submission process, please ensure that you have followed the AHP training https://www2.academichealthplans.com/training. If you continue to have problems, please contact AHP directly for assistance. Visit https://utaustin.myahpcare.com and click on the Chat icon to chat with an AHP representative and be prepared to provide a screenshot of your error with the website link in the screenshot.
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.