Student Health Insurance Plan

As a student of the University of Texas at El Paso, you have access to health insurance. The University of Texas System is pleased to offer Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Blue Cross Blue Shield and is administered by Academic Health Plans (AHP).

This insurance protects students at school, home, and while traveling or studying abroad. This plan includes comprehensive coverage compliant with the Affordable Care Act at the gold level. Please click here to view plan highlights.

Eligibility

All fee paying students at a UT System institution who are taking credit hours are eligible to enroll in SHIP. This includes undergraduate students, graduate students, visiting scholars, and fellows.

Below is the cost of coverage for all fee-paying students, the cost of coverage will be paid directly to AHP at the time of enrollment. If you wish to enroll or get more information on the plan, cost, or information about adding dependents, call AHP at 1-855-247-2273, or click here.

Domestic / International Students

Graduate Student Employees (Summer 2018)

A Graduate Student Employee (GSE) who received health insurance coverage in Spring 2018, will have the option to continue coverage under Academic Blue at no cost through the summer (June 1, 2018 - August 14, 2018) contingent with their enrollment by June 18, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. MST (no exceptions). Eligibility requirements are not required to be met.

Graduate Student Employee FAQ

International Students (Summer 2018)

An International Student who will be returning to their home country for the entire summer, is requested to please not apply for coverage. International Students taking courses in the summer and extending their coverage under Academic Blue, will be charged a health insurance fee on their student account.  This fee will be removed by the Office of Human Resources (Benefits) through process of a health insurance waiver, contingent with their enrollment by June 18, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. MST (no exceptions). 

Academic Blue
Is a Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) underwritten by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) and administered by Academic Health Plans. This comprehensive plan meets the requirements of the Affordable Care Act at a Gold Level of coverage. Monthly premium paid by UT El Paso.

To enroll click here

Health Insurance Waiver (Summer 2018) 

This email will guide you through the University’s policy relating to health insurance coverage and the waiver criteria.  All international students are required to have health insurance. Students holding comparable coverage may be eligible to waive enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). 

The online waiver request form must be completed every semester by the waiver deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted and the waiver will not be applied.  If you do not submit a waiver or if your waiver submission is not approved, you will automatically be enrolled in SHIP and the cost will be included on your student account.

Insurance waivers granted in the past may not meet the new requirements of the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). To learn more about UT health insurance requirements and PPACA please visit: http://www.utsystem.edu/board-of-regents/rules-regulations/rules/50402-health-insurance-requirements-international-students 

You must meet one of the following criteria to submit a waiver request:

1. Student is sponsored by the United States government.
2. Student is sponsored by a foreign government recognized by the United States or certain international, government-sponsored or non-governmental organizations, and covered under a health plan that is compliant with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
3. Student is enrolled in an employer-provided group health plan or individual plan that is compliant with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
4. Student is enrolled in the UT System Employee Group Health Plan.

If you meet the criteria above and plan to submit evidence of your insurance, your alternative health insurance plan coverage must meet all the following minimum requirements:

• Provides the Essential Minimum Benefits required by the PPACA with no annual limits.
• Contains no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
• Covers 100% of Preventive Care as defined by the PPACA.  
• Imposes a deductible that does not exceed $500 per year.
• Imposes no provisions for co-insurance that exceed 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness.
• Is underwritten by an insurance carrier that meets the requirement of 22 CFR 62.14(d)(1) or offered or underwritten by a federally qualified HMO or competitive Medical Plan as determined by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• Proof of Repatriation expenses in the amount of no less than $25,000.
• Proof of expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the insured to the insured’s home country of no less than $50,000.
• Dates of coverage must meet or exceed the semester dates. 

If you meet criterias, please submit evidence of your alternate health insurance coverage and apply for a waiver by June 18th, 2018 11:59 p.m. MST (no exceptions) through the link below (Step by Step Instruction Guide):

WAIVER

Once you have successfully submitted your waiver request you will receive an on-screen confirmation and an automated email confirming receipt of your request. Please make sure you receive this submission confirmation email, and print it for your records.  Should there be any problems with your waiver, you will need this confirmation email which contains your waiver request ID number. This automated email does not constitute granting of a waiver; a separate email as to whether your waiver request has been approved or denied will be sent from Academic Health Plans within seven business days.

For additional information or waiver assistance please contact Academic Health Plans Customer Service at 855-247-7587.