Academic Year 2025 - 2026
Health Insurance Requirements for All Students
The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System mandates health insurance for all students enrolled in any UT System health component. As such, each UTHealth Houston student who cannot provide evidence of coverage under another approved plan will be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) with Academic HealthPlans and assessed a health insurance premium. The health insurance premium is $3,438.00 for the academic year 2025-2026: Student Insurance Rates and Term Dates
For more information regarding the UTHealth Houston Insurance Plan provider, please visit uthouston.myahpcare.com. For MD Anderson students, visit utmdanderson.myahpcare.com/.
Before registering for classes each term, every student must complete the Health Insurance Certification process through his/her myUTH account. Through this process, students either receive a link to provide information about their own coverage or confirm their participation in Academic HealthPlans. For students who receive an approved waiver for coverage under another plan, the health insurance premium will not be assessed to their student account.
Open Enrollment
The time during which students may apply for or change coverage for himself/herself and/or his/her eligible spouse and/or dependents.
Qualifying Life Event
Eligible Students who have a change in status, and lose coverage under another Health Care Plan, are eligible to enroll for coverage under this Policy. Within 30 days of the qualifying event, the Student must complete the online Qualifying Life Event enrollment form and provide supporting documentation.
Refund of Premium
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is non-refundable on the first day of the coverage period. A pro-rata refund of premium will be made only in the event of:
- A Covered Person's death; or
- The Covered Person enters full-time active duty in any Armed Forces; and proof of such active-duty service is provided
*Please note: Acquiring a UTHealth Houston position that is eligible to participate in the employee group insurance program does not justify a refund of student insurance. Arrangements should be made to begin the employee insurance when the student insurance expires.
Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance for International Students
The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System also requires that all international students holding F or J non-immigrant visas and living in the United States carry coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation while enrolled at any component of The University of Texas.
The Student Health Insurance Plan premium assessed for health coverage with Academic HealthPlans includes coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation. Therefore, international students enrolled in Academic HealthPlans do not need to obtain additional coverage.
However, international students with outside medical insurance coverage must ensure that their coverage includes medical evacuation and repatriation. (Please note that the majority of outside insurance carriers do not provide medical evacuation and repatriation coverage.) If needed, international students can purchase supplemental coverage specifically for medical evaluation and repatriation through their student account at a cost of $96 per year.
Optional Family Coverage
Though not required by UT, health insurance is also available to purchase for students' spouses and/or children during open enrollment each registering period/term.. Contact Auxiliary Enterprises at [email protected] or 713-500-8400 for more information, or visit uthouston.myahpcare.com or utmdanderson.myahpcare.com for MD Anderson students to complete an online application for family coverage. Family coverage must match the coverage dates of the student.
Optional Dental Coverage
Dental Insurance is optional but available to all students, their spouses, and/or children during open enrollment. Please refer to the Academic HealthPlans website for information about BlueCare Dental For Student Health or you can contact Auxiliary Enterprises at 713-500-8400 or email [email protected] or visit uthouston.myahpcare.com. For MD Anderson students, please visit utmdanderson.myahpcare.com and complete the online enrollment form.
Optional Vision Coverage
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is pleased to offer you vision benefits administered by EyeMed Vision Care, a leading national provider of vision care programs. Please refer to the Academic HealthPlans website for information about AcademicBlue Vision Benefits For Student Health or you can contact Auxiliary Enterprises at 713-500-8400 or email [email protected] or visit uthouston.myahpcare.com. For MD Anderson students, please visit utmdanderson.myahpcare.com and complete the online enrollment form.
Continuation of Coverage
Continuation coverage is available for students who are no longer enrolled and do not meet eligibility. Student {and dependent(s)} must have been enrolled and covered under this Policy in the previous semester (at least four {4} months) to be eligible. All students and their dependent(s) can purchase three (3) months of additional medical coverage.
Enrollment must be made and applicable premium paid directly to Academic HealthPlans within 30 days of the expiration date of your current student coverage. For more information on the Continuation of Coverage, please contact Academic HealthPlans at 1-855-247-7587 or visit https://uthouston.myahpcare.com For MD Anderson students, please visit utmdanderson.myahpcare.com or you can contact Auxiliary Enterprises at 713-500-8400 or email us at [email protected].
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