International Student Insurance

This section is solely for the students of the University of North Texas. Any specific information that is needed should be referred to the University of North Texas personnel or the insurance company by which you are covered. You have a major responsibility in your own health and the selection of your health insurance. If you have questions or concerns about your insurance, please contact the UNT Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) Billing Department at (940) 565-2792.

The University's Responsibilities

UNT must enforce the requirement that you have adequate health insurance coverage continuously during UNT residence. UNT residence is defined as that continuous period from initial orientation and enrollment or employment including holidays through graduation or final separation from the university.

Your Responsibilities

  • You are required by the University to provide proof of adequate health insurance coverage each time you register.
  • You may waiver out of the University endorsed student insurance policy in only three instances:
    • An international student has a government sponsored plan.
    • An international student has employment insurance.
    • An international student has obtained coverage through the employment of a parent or relative in the US.
    • The three waiver instances must also include $7,500 repatriation and $10,000 medical evacuation. This is available as a separate policy through the University endorsed insurance carrier.
    • Link to purchasing additional coverage.
  • You should carefully read and understand exactly what the policy covers and what it does not pay for. Any questions should be directed to a representative of the insurance company which provides your health coverage.
  • It is important that you understand and fulfill any requirements for coverage. For example, you may be required to get approval from the insurance company before checking into a hospital.
  • You have to make sure that all necessary paperwork is completed and sent to the insurance company. You must pay a portion of medical bills not covered by your insurance.
  • If you do not pay these bills, you will be contacted by collection agencies and your credit rating will suffer.
  • You can contact the Student Money Management Center for tips on managing payments and other financial matters. Their office is in suite 313 of Chestnut Hall and you can set up an appointment by calling (940) 369-7761 or e-mailing moneymanagement@unt.edu.
  • If you know you are going to have trouble adhering to payment deadlines and arrangements, contact the various doctors, hospital, etc. to which you owe, and request an appointment with a financial counselor to see what type of payment arrangements can be made that will suit your situation. If you cannot come to an agreement with the financial counselor, you may want to make an appointment with UNT student legal advisor - Kathryn McCauley whose office is in the University Union, room 322, or phone at (940) 565-2614.

Questions About UNT Health Insurance

Why must I have insurance?
As a condition of admission, the University of North Texas requires all non-immigrant international students to maintain medical/hospitalization insurance for the entire period of their UNT residence. The student insurance fee is automatically added to the student's tuition, and fees bill each semester unless the student provides alternate coverage and requests a waiver of the insurance fee. Under university policy, there are only 3 instances when you may waiver out of the University endorsed student insurance policy: (1) an international student has a government sponsored plan (2) an international student has employment insurance (3) an international student has coverage obtained through the employment of a parent or relative in the US.

What if I am a Teaching Fellow, Teaching Assistant, or Graduate Research Assistant?
Students who serve as Teaching Fellows, Teaching Assistants, Graduate Research Assistants, and Graduate Services Assistants - under budget codes 0800, 0810, 1361, and 1792 only - are eligible for regular university staff insurance. It is the student's individual responsibility (1) to sign-up for University staff insurance coverage at the Human Resources Office in Marquis Hall, Room 150 immediately upon receiving notice of the assistantship and (2) to bring the HR department "Benefits Form" to Chestnut Hall, room 206 to request a waiver of the student insurance fee. Students are also required to provide insurance covering at least $7,500 repatriation and $10,000 medical evacuation. Students can obtain a separate policy that covers repatriation and medical evacuation through the University endorsed insurance carrier.

Will my insurance qualify for a waiver?
Students without University staff insurance may receive a waiver of the UNT student insurance fee by providing evidence of alternate insurance coverage. The student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) Billing Department will handle waivers for alternate coverage from (1) employment insurance or (2) the employment of a parent or relative in the US. Insurance waivers for alternate coverage from government sponsored insurance will be handled by Sponsored and Special Programs, located at Kendall Hall, Room 231.

The alternate coverage must also remain in force for the Fall semester (August to January), Spring/Summer semesters (January to August), or a full academic year (August to August). The fee waiver must be provided to the appropriate department for each semester with proper documentation from the student. Proper documentation includes any of the following:

1. Copy of insurance policy showing benefits and the student's name.
2. Memorandum from insurance agent verifying coverage and expiration date.
3. Letter from your INS-authorized employer (or spouse's employer) on letterhead stationary indicating coverage.

For frequently asked questions about waivers click here.

For Waiver Request Form, click here.

Bring the proper documentation to the SHWC Billing Department in Chestnut Hall, Room 206, before 5 p.m. on the last day of late registration or 5 p.m. the 2nd class day. Waivers (or request for refund fees already paid) are received Monday through Friday. During registration week, waivers or refunds are processed during the hours of 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Chestnut Hall, Room 324A. Failure to provide proper documentation by the deadline each semester will result in the automatic billing for the university's student health insurance. Insurance waivers cannot be processed and refunds cannot be provided after the specific deadline of each academic term. Please note that the UNT student health insurance policy provides specific and valuable insurance coverage for pregnancy and maternity expenses, medical evaluation and repatriation.

Students with government sponsored insurance will take their proper documentation to the Sponsored and Special Program Center, Kendall Hall, Room 231.

CAUTION!
It is extremely important that you don't just ask your friends about health insurance matters. Everyone's situation is different, and what may apply to your friend may or may not apply to you.

Do not accept public health care! Non-immigrant students jeopardize their lawful immigration status if they accept any form of free public medical care in the United States, including any medical care for pregnancy or maternity.

Health care in the United States:

  • It is expensive
  • The cost is generally not covered by the government
  • The individual is responsible for any bills
  • Health care is a business and unpaid medical bills adversely affect an individual's credit rating

Enrolled students who have paid the Medical Service Fee and also have the University endorsed student insurance policy are advised to use the Student Health and Wellness Center. Students with other insurance policies have the option of also going to their primary care doctor, but should check with their insurance carriers regarding their specific policy. The choice would need to be made according to the urgency of the illness. If you anticipate having tests or x-rays run in regard to the illness or accident, it would be in your best financial interest to use the Student Health and Wellness Center. The Student Health and Wellness Center is an in-network provider for the University endorsed student insurance policy. If you would like to consult with a doctor, you may use the Student Health and Wellness Center at no cost. If the doctor prescribes medication for you, you may have the prescription filled at a pharmacy which files on your insurance.

Health Insurance Coverage

  • There are many insurance companies and many kinds of coverage available.
  • You usually get what you pay for: a policy with a relatively lower cost will normally provide basic, more limited coverage than a policy which costs more.
  • Every policy has requirements that must be met before the company will reimburse any expenses.
  • Getting the insurance company to pay its share of a bill generally requires paperwork, sometimes including complicated forms which must be filled out.
  • NO insurance policy will have full coverage for medical costs.
  • Keep in mind that you will not receive full coverage. UNT's student insurance policy has some specific dollar limits on particular services they will pay for. It is your responsibility to meet the financial obligations of the doctors, SHWC, anesthesiologists, and hospitals, etc. This responsibility includes not only a claim that has been denied, but any amount that the insurance company does not pay. The deadlines and payment arrangements for the various bills must be adhered to (even if you leave the country). Failure to do so can create credit problems for you in the future and you could begin receiving calls by bill collectors. If you are out of the country, it could ruin your chances of ever re-entering.

Adding A Spouse or Child(ren) to an Insurance Policy

  • You are urged to purchase supplemental coverage for your spouse and children.
  • Dependent health care costs can affect a student's financial ability to continue a study program.
  • Students who accept any form of public medical funds may jeopardize their immigration status.
  • If you choose to insure your spouse or child(ren) under the student insurance policy:
    • Consult the SHWC Billing Department at Chestnut Hall Room 206.
    • You will fill out an application for insurance to include your family.
    • You will pay for the insurance with a personal check or credit card.

Having No Comparable Insurance

  • Carry an insurance ID card with you at all times
  • Read the student insurance policy.
  • If ill, go the UNT Student Health and Wellness Center first, unless:
    • it is a medical emergency; the student must return to the SHWC for follow-up care.
    • the SHWC is closed.
    • service is rendered at another facility during break or vacation periods.
    • medical care received when the student is more than 20 miles from campus.
    • medical care obtained when a student is no longer able to use the SHWC due to a change in student status, or maternity.

Making a Claim

The Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) will help you file a claim.

  • See the SHWC Billing Department at Chestnut Hall 206.
  • Keep copies of all statements and claim forms for you own files.
  • Keep your address and phone changes current with the Registrar's office at all times.

If you are unhappy with the claim results, you can:

  • Appeal to the insurance company in writing
  • File a claim report to the insurance company within 30 days after visiting a doctor or hospital.

General Health Insurance Issues

Medicare and Medicaid

In the U.S. there are two types of federal insurance plans that are offered to help special populations. Medicare is available for people 65 years and older. Medicaid is offered to low-income populations, blind and disabled people, low-income people 65 years and older, members of families with dependent children, and children of low-income families.

WARNING! As an international student, you are NOT eligible to use the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The use of these federal programs may jeopardize your immigration status. Always consult with your international advisor or an immigration lawyer before using any federally funded welfare programs.

Insurance Terminology

As an international student using health care services in the U.S., you may have heard insurance terminology that may not be familiar to you. This section attempts to explain some of the most commonly used terms related to health insurance and some tips you can use to better understand health insurance in the U.S.

Carrier

An insurer or insurance company

Claim

1)A formal request for payment of a loss under an insurance contract or bond. 2) The actual amount of the final statement.

Claimant

One who seeks reimbursement for loss under the terms and conditions of his/her insurance contract.

Co-payment

The portion, either a percentage or a fixed dollar amount, of a medical bill that a patient pays. The insurer pays the rest.

Coverage

A term usually referring to the type and extent of benefits provided by an insurance contract.

Deductible

The amount of loss paid by the policy holder before the insurance policy benefits become payable.

Evidence of insurability

Any statement or proof of a person's physical condition, occupation, etc., affecting his acceptance for insurance.

Exclusion

Specified hazards for which a policy will not provide benefit payments. They are often called exceptions.

Fee for service

The traditional model for health insurance, in which patients go to the doctor or hospital of their choice, and the insurer pays the largest portion of the bill.

Health insurance

Protection against the cost of hospital and medical care or lost income arising from an illness or injury. Sometimes called Accident or Sickness Insurance, Accident and Health Insurance, or Disability Insurance.

Insurance

A system to protect persons against the risks of financial loss by transferring the risk to a large group who share the financial losses.

Insurer

The company offering protection through the sale of an insurance policy to an insured.

Managed care

A health plan that places limits on which treatments and which doctors, hospitals and other providers a member can use and still receive full coverage. Generally under managed care an insurer negotiates lower fees with doctors, hospitals, laboratories, for instance, who join in a network that members of the plan are encouraged to use. Frequently, members of a managed care plan can use health care providers outside the network, but they must pay a greater share of the cost.

Medicaid

A federal-state program that helps pay for health care for the needy, blind and disabled and for low-income families with children.

Medicare

A federal health care insurance program for people age 65 and over, and for the disabled.

Pre-existing condition

A physical condition of an insured person which existed prior to the issuance of the policy.

Repatriation

The return of mortal remains to theirhome country.

Risk

The chance of injury, damage, or loss.

Underwriting

Process of examining, accepting, or rejecting insurance risks, and classifying those selected, in order to charge the proper premium for each.

Universal Life Insurance

A flexible premium policy that combines protection against premature death with a savings account that typically earns a money market rate of interest.

Workers Compensation Insurance

Pays for medical care and physical rehabilitation of injured workers and replaces their lost wages while they're unable to work.

Source: Glossary of Insurance Terminology