Office of International Affairs International Student & Scholar Services Health Insurance FAQs

Non-Immigrant Student Health Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please click on the question for the answer.

1. Why does Texas Tech University (TTU) require non-immigrant students to have health insurance?
  The United States Government has certain requirements for all persons applying for a non-immigrant visa (e.g., student visas) to enter the United States. These include certain financial qualifications – such as being able to meet all personal financial liabilities while in the US, and not becoming a “public charge” while in the US. Given the extraordinarily high cost of medical care in the US, TTU requires that all non-immigrant students have health insurance coverage as a condition of enrollment. This helps assure that non-immigrant students comply with United States Government financial responsibility requirements cited above.
2. Who is covered by this requirement?
  All enrolled students at TTU in any non-immigrant status (not U.S. citizens, not Permanent Residents, not Refugees)
3. Why has TTU selected only one insurance company for this insurance?
  TTU undertook a competitive and open process in accordance with governing law and regulation to solicit bids from interested insurance carriers. Based on the competition, Academic HealthPlans was awarded the contract.  The contract is reviewed annually with periodic bidding required.
4. Are there any waivers?
  Yes, the insurance premium will be waived for nonimmigrant students sponsored by the United States Government, a foreign government recognized by the United States of America, or certain international, government sponsored or non-governmental organizations. Such waivers will be based on the government or organization guaranteeing payment of all health care expenses including evacuation and repatriation.

The insurance premium will also be waived for students who provide documented evidence of health insurance coverage, including evacuation and repatriation, by an employer. Nonimmigrant students employed by TTU and eligible for both employer-provided insurance and international student health insurance may select between the two, as long as the insurance selected includes evacuation and repatriation coverage.

Note: Medical evacuation and repatriation insurance can be purchased to supplement employer provided health insurance from Academic HealthPlans. (See the enrollment form.)
5. Why are waivers limited?
  Waivers are limited to assure that non-immigrant students at TTU maintain adequate insurance coverage to pay for potential expenses arising from unexpected medical issues. Otherwise, such expenses could jeopardize the student's ability to cover her/his expenses while in the visa status, as well as make the student vulnerable to becoming a "public charge" (which is a factor precluding qualifying for a non-immigrant visa) while in the United States.
6. When are waiver applications due?
  Waiver applications must be submitted by the 12th class-day of a semester (4th class-day of a summer session).
7. What is the procedure for submitting waiver requests?
  Students who meet one of the waiver criteria may obtain the waiver request form by downloading from http://www.ttuhsc.edu/studenthealth/healthinsurance.aspx or picking up at the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at the International Cultural Center (ICC). The completed form should be submitted at OIA (drop box by reception). OIA will then forward the form to the appropriate offices and the student will be informed by campus email of the final decision by Student Health Services.
8. How long does it take to get a waiver decision?
  Routine waiver decisions will be completed within ten business days.
9. How can I appeal if my waiver request is denied?
  Appeals can be submitted in writing to the Vice Provost for International Affairs, Office of International Affairs, Box 1036, TTU. The appeal must explain for which of the waiver categories the student believes s/he qualifies. Appeals must be filed within 10 business days of an initial denial. Appeal Form
10. Do I have to apply for the waiver every semester?
  Yes.
11. Now that I've enrolled - where can I get my insurance card?
  Insurance cards will be mailed by the insurance company to the student's address. Temporary cards will be available from OIA or Student Health Services once the student has paid for the health insurance.
12. If I have to pay for the insurance, can I get the Medical Service fee waived from my tuition bill?
  No - The Academic HealthPlans Policy premiums are based on student utilization of Student Health Services at Thompson Hall for routine medical appointments. The insurance policy provides coverage for prescription medicines, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and medical care, subject to policy provisions, rendered outside Student Health Services.
13. Do I need to pay the medical services fee to be eligible for medical care at Student Health Services?
  Yes. See Item 17 below for further information.
14. Where can I find information about AHP insurance?
  http://www.AHPCare.com/ttu
15. How do I pay and when must I pay by?
  The cost per semester during the 2007-2008 academic year is $625, and it will be charged to your student tuition and fee account. Students need to pay for their insurance at the same time they pay their other fees to the University. Deadlines for payments to the University are available at www.sbs.ttu.edu.
16. How does the plan work - can I see any doctors?
  The TTU plan is a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan. Student Health Service (SHS) physicians and a referral nurse can assist you in locating a physician. The Student Insurance plan pays for prescriptions medicines. Students can also access a doctor outside the health center by logging on to http://www.AHPCare.com/ttu.
17. Does the Texas Tech University student insurance plan cover 100% of my medical bills?
  The plan provides benefits for covered expenses for a loss due to an injury or sickness up to $100,000 per policy year. There is a $250 annual deductible and benefits are paid at 80% for services rendered by in-network providers. It is important that the students pay their medical services fee so they can receive routine medical care at Thompson Hall. Student Health services include doctors' visits, well woman exams, laboratory tests, and x-rays. At the Student Health Services Pharmacy, the deductible expense is waived and prescription co-pays are $15 for generic drugs and $20 for name brand drugs. Outside of the Student Health Services Pharmacy, the prescription co-payments are $20 for generic drugs and $40 for name brand drugs.
18. What is the difference between the TTU Employer (RA/GA/TA) Plan and the Student Plan?
  The TTU employer plan is administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield and has some higher benefits. The TTU employer plan does not include medical evacuation and repatriation. The Student Plan is geared for students and while it does not have as broad coverage it meets the needs of most students and includes medical evacuation and repatriation and is less expensive then the employer plan.
19. What are the dates of coverage for academic year 2007-2008?
  Fall Semester: August 16, 2007 to December 31, 2007
Spring/Summer Terms: January 1, 2008 to August 15, 2008.
20. Can a non-immigrant student elect to pay the annual payment and receive a discount?
  No. The $595 payment per semester is already at the discounted annual rate of $1190.
21. If a student elects to use the TTU employer-based insurance (RA/TA/GTA), what must be done during the 90 day waiting period?
  Students may purchase a short-term policy to cover the 90 day waiting period. Academic HealthPlans offers such a policy. It is important for health insurance not to lapse for more than 30 days in order to avoid claims being denied due to a pre-existing condition.
22. The student plan is underwritten by Unicare. Can other Unicare policies be substituted for the TTU policy?
  No. The TTU Student Health Plan is administered by Academic HealthPlans.
23. Does the non-immigrant student insurance requirement apply to Post-Doctoral fellows?
  No. Only enrolled students are eligible to participate in the TTU Student Health Insurance Plan. Post-Doctoral fellows who are employed by the University are eligible for TTU employee insurance.
24. What financial assistance may be available to assist students challenged by the cost of health insurance?
  The Gelin Loan (guidelines at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/gelin_intro.htm) is available to assist graduate students. (Please note that Gelin Loan program is a loan, not a grant, and must be repaid.) The International Student Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) application is available through the OIA at: http://www.iaff.ttu.edu/Main/ISSS/CurrentStudentScholars/TPEGInfo.asp to international students.
25. Why does the University require non-immigrant students to purchase a higher level of coverage than domestic students?
  There is only one level of insurance available on the 2006-2007 Student Insurance Plan which is available to both international non-immigrant and domestic students. Non-immigrant students do have the extra requirements to meet the conditions of their visas.
26. Is a student required to buy insurance for a dependent spouse and/or child?
  No. The TTU requirement only applies to an enrolled student; however, it is strongly recommended that dependents have health, evacuation and repatriation insurance. Students in J-1 status must have insurance for any J-2 dependents under rules of the U.S. Department of State.
   

For Additional Information Please Contact: Debbie Carpenter