Student Health Coverage

The University of Oklahoma maintains a self-funded student health plan (SHP) for certain students enrolled in its Norman-based programs. Specific eligibility requirements for all student categories are found in the SHP plan document. All international students must enroll in the OU SHP, or provide evidence of suitable alternative health coverage to receive a waiver. Dependents of international students are currently eligible to enroll in the OU SHP, but students are not currently
required to enroll their dependents in the OU SHP as a condition to enroll as a student at OU.

The SHP has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as Minimum Essential Coverage
(MEC). The CMS approval means that students (and their dependents) who are enrolled in the SHP will have met the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) shared responsibility rules for maintaining health coverage. Every US citizen, and persons living, working, or studying in the US under certain visas, are required to maintain MEC, or pay a tax penalty under the ACA shared responsibility (sometimes referred to as the individual mandate).

International Students are automatically enrolled in the SHP. All international students are required to maintain coverage that meets the minimum requirements of their visa, and also complies with requirements of the ACA. The OU SHP meets all of these requirements.

Health care coverage for International Students must meet the ACA requirements for MEC (Minimum Essential Coverage). Such coverage must provide, at a minimum:

1. MEC as required by the ACA with no annual or lifetime limits,
2. No exclusions for pre-existing conditions,
3. Preventive care and women's health care as required by the ACA covered at 100%,
4. An annual deductible not greater than $500, 
5. Coinsurance that does not exceed 30% of allowable charges under the plan,
6. Policy must include a list of the exclusions,
7. Policy must be in English,
8. Policy must be in US dollars, and
9. International Students must also maintain coverage for repatriation of remains to their home country and medical evacuation to their home country. The benefit for repatriation may not be less than $25,000, and the benefit for medical evacuation may not be less than $50,000.
10. Plan must provide coverage beginning on or before the start date of the semester and ending on or after the last day of the semester (see chart below).  

Short-term Limited Duration plans (sometimes referred to as "travel plans"), or other similar health plans created for the purpose of providing coverage to International students or non-immigrant visa holders, do not meet the requirements for International Students health coverage.

International Students may be granted a waiver from enrolling in the OU SHP for any semester that the student:

1. Is eligible for, and enrolled in, the OU employee group health plan, or other employer sponsored ACA compliant group health plan,
2. Provides evidence that the student is eligible for, and enrolled in, ACA compliant individual coverage purchased through the Exchange (HealthCare.gov), or other ACA compliant individual coverage purchased from an coverage carrier that is based in the United States,
3. Provides evidence that the student is eligible for, and enrolled in, coverage that is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor's home country and is provided through an ACA compliant plan or policy in writing in English,
4. Is sponsored by the US government or other sponsoring entity that has guaranteed payment of all of the students medical expenses, and repatriation and evacuation expenses, in writing in English,
5. Is enrolled exclusively in distance learning classes at the university.

International Students who have been granted a waiver from coverage under the OU SHP and who lose coverage at any time during the semester for which the waiver has been granted must immediately report any loss of healthcare coverage to Academic Health Plans, ou.myahpcare.com. Failure of an International Student to maintain coverage as required under this policy is a violation of OU's student code of conduct and is grounds for disciplinary action.

Review the full Student Health Plan Coverage Requirements Policy

Follow these instructions to request a waiver of the university coverage plan and fees:

• You must meet the requirements described above in "Waiver Eligibility."
• You must complete the waiver application on the Academic Health Plans website.
• A university-approved committee will review your request and supporting documents. Waivers that meet minimum criteria will be approved, and the fee for the OU Student Health Plan will be credited to the student bursar account.
• The waiver process must be completed for each semester in which you wish to waive the OU Student Health Coverage Plan.
• Check your waiver status on the Academic Health Plans website by clicking the waiver link for your visa type.

1. I have my own coverage and do not wish to purchase OU's Student Health Plan. Do I have to purchase OU's coverage?All international students on a F-1 or J-1 Visa must buy OU's Student Health Plan unless they have coverage that meets one of the requirements below. If you have coverage that meets the requirements described above in the "Waiver Eligibility" section, you may apply for a waiver of the OU Student Health Plan. 
2. Can I complete my waiver application outside of the enrollment period? No. If you missed the deadline for applying for a waiver, you must purchase OU's coverage for the current semester and then apply to waive the next semester at the beginning of the next semester.
3. How do I find out if my waiver has been approved? You should receive an email from Academic Health Plans approximately 10 days after you submit your waiver application. It will state if your waiver was approved or denied. If denied, there will be a reason and a list of additional documentation that may be required. You can also go to the Academic Health Plans website and click either "J-1 International Waiver" or "F-1 International Waiver" depending on your type of visa.
4. I was approved for a waiver of OU's Student Health Plan in the fall, do I need to reapply in the spring? Yes. You must apply for the coverage waiver during each fall and spring semester. Your waiver does not carry over from semester to semester.
5. If I only want the Student Health Plan, do I need to enroll online? All international students are enrolled in the Student Health Plan by default, so there is no need to enroll online. 
6. I am going back to my home country before June. I want my summer health coverage fee refunded. What should I do? If you will leave the country before the start of the summer coverage AND will not return in the fall you may submit an email from your adviser or department stating that you are graduating in May requesting to remove the summer coverage and charges. You must complete the Change Form and return it to the Student Health Plan Office, NEL 205. You must notify International Student Services that you do not plan to return to the University of Oklahoma. The Student Health Plan Office will confirm with International Student Services that you plan to leave the US. Your coverage will be adjusted to end at the end of the spring period and a credit will be applied to your Bursar account.

The following enrollment options are available for eligible Graduate Assistants.

• You will be automatically enrolled in the Student Health Plan. No action is required. Click here for Enrollment and Plan Details. 
• Add your spouse or children for an additional cost. Dependents are not automatically re-enrolled at the end of their coverage period. You must re-enroll them to continue coverage. (Note: To change coverage after the enrollment period, you must go to the Student Health Plan Office, NEL Room 205 and complete a Change Form.)
• Costs for additional coverage are deducted from each of your paychecks during the school year, from September to April.

Graduate Assistants who have alternate coverage may opt out of the OU Student Health Plan. You will be required to login with your university credentials and upload a pdf or jpeg copy of your alternate insurance ID card (front and back).

1. Why is the enrollment system asking me to agree to pay for the Student Health Plan, when the university should be paying for this? You are correct. The university pays for your Student Health Plan. To complete the enrollment process you must accept this charge and click through this section of the enrollment process. But, the $2,437 cost of the Student Health Plan WILL NOT be charged to you or your Bursar account and it WILL NOT be deducted from your paycheck. If you choose coverage for dependents, the additional cost will be deducted from your paychecks through the year.
2. What kind of graduate assistant appointment allows me to get my medical coverage paid by the university? You must have a 0.5 FTE appointment. This usually means you work 20 hours per week.
3. My GA appointment includes medical coverage paid by the university. Do I need to enroll online? Only if you'd like to add coverage for your dependents. You will be automatically enrolled in the Student Health Plan at the beginning of the enrollment period.
4. My GA appointment includes medical coverage paid by the university. However, according to my Bursar account, I still need to pay for health coverage. What should I do to get this corrected? Human Resources verifies your GA appointment before completing your coverage enrollment. Your graduate assistant appointment paperwork may be in process or not fully updated yet. We recommend that you check with your hiring department to make sure your employment paperwork has been completed. If the paperwork is complete and you still see a charge in your Bursar account, contact Human Resources to request a review of your appointment and student charges. Be sure to include your full name and student ID.
5. In the fall, I enrolled in the annual Student Health Plan and paid the full premium. I have now been appointed as a GA for the spring. Will I get a refund for part of the coverage fee? Please notify the Student Health Plan Office (shp@ou.edu), NEL 205, or 325-1826) of your new appointment. Remember to include your full name, student ID, and Employee ID if known. Your information will be verified and a credit applied to your Bursar account as necessary.
6. Is there dental coverage available for students? There is an optional dental and an optional vision plan available to students through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Dependents of Graduate Teaching and Research Assistants who are under 19 years of age are provided pediatric dental insurance through OU's Student Health Plan.
7. Does the university's Student Health Plan offer dental or vision coverage? The university offers a voluntary dental and vision plan available to eligible students by enrolling online through Academic Health Plans (AHP). Dependents of students enrolled in the University's Student Health Plan who are under 19 years of age are provided pediatric dental and vision coverage through OU's Student Health Plan.