Please note you need to follow the instructions emailed to you very carefully to avoid being charged.
YES, if you are in one of these categories but you have some form of health insurance, you must request a waiver each semester (with the exception of summer semester if enrolled during spring semester).
Once you have been registered for classes and your information uploaded to the UHC Website, you will receive an email from a University official with instructions as to how to submit your waiver.
Acceptable coverage may include a policy held by your parent or spouse, or a company or organization on an approved waiver list. Individual or association policies will NOT be acceptable forms of insurance coverage. You are responsible for determining and verifying that your coverage plan meets the minimum criteria. When your waiver has been submitted, you will receive an initial email and after review, you will be notified via your student email that your waiver was officially approved. Your receipt of this approved verification of coverage is crucial. Once a waiver has been approved, the waiver is applied to your student account or if the SHIP fee was already paid before the waiver was approved, the fee will be reimbursed via the Bursar's office.
While MGA’s SHIP representative does not need copies of your insurance card, international students are required to submit a copy of their insurance policy in English when submitting a waiver. Copies of your insurance policy or card may also be required by your academic program or division chair.
If it is determined, at any point in the semester, that your insurance coverage does not meet the requirements, the SHIP charge may be added to your student account. In addition to have the SHIP charges added to their accounts, students who falsify documents may also face Student Conduct charges.
The University System of Georgia requires all students in a mandatory category to have coverage that is in compliance with the Affordable Care Act or the USG sponsored PGH Plan. NOTE: ACA comparable plans do not meet the waiver criteria and will not be accepted.
For most nursing and health science students, your plan must:
- Include accident and sickness coverage of at least $500,000 per policy year
- Include a deductible of $3,250 or less and/or co-pay per individual, per year
- Be in effect and valid for the entire semester of enrollment
- Provide in-patient and outpatient mental and nervous disorder benefits
- Provide coverage for all pre-existing conditions
- Provide prescription drug coverage
For international students, your plan must:
- Include repatriation of remains in the amount of at least $25,000
- Include medical evacuation to one's home country in the amount of at least $50,000
- Include a deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness, per policy year.
- Include a maximum preferred provider total out-of-pocket expenses not to exceed $8,150 per member ($16, 300 per family)
- Provide in-patient and outpatient mental and nervous disorder benefits
- Provide prescription drug coverage
- Provide unlimited maximum benefit for covered medical expenses
- Provide preventive care for no cost-sharing for Preferred Providers
- Provide coverage for pre-existing conditions with no waiting period
- Provide pediatric dental and vision coverage
- Be in effect for the entire semester of enrollment
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - Beginning fall 2020, all international waiver requests will be reviewed for approval by UHC representatives and you are required to submit a copy of your insurance policy in English when submitting your waiver. If UHC determines your policy does not meet the waiver requirements, you will need contact your insurance provider to determine what information or documentation they may need to cancel your coverage so that you can enroll in an accepted coverage plan.
The University System of Georgia has provided Frequently Asked Questions for international students related to the recent changes in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and waiver process.
International student waiver standards:
- Coverage is provided under an employer-sponsored group plan that is ACA compliant as described above. In this case, it is likely that the insured may supplement the Health plan with separate Repatriation and Medical Evacuation coverage.
- A plan provided to sponsor students (for example: Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission, Embassy of Kuwait, Embassy of Oman, Thia Royal Embassy) that is backed by the full faith and credit of the student's home country may be acceptable. The plans will be reviewed, and a determination made regarding comparability to the USG plan. If determined to be comparable or better, the plan will be accepted.
- A plan provided by a pre-approved United States Cultural Exchange Program, for example, Fulbright Programs.
- State Colleges and Universities all enrollment in the UHCSR PGH plan to meet student health insurance requirements.
International students whose waiver is denied by UHC should review the 2020 USG Waiver Appeal Process and follow those directions very carefully.
Please note that no action (enrollment or waiver request) can be made until
- the enrollment and waiver period opens
- you receive an email notifying you are registered for classes and your information has been entered into the UHC database.
