International Student AHP Insurance Guide

Health Insurance Requirements per UT System

The UT System has established criteria in which an international student can request a waiver of the student health insurance plan by providing alternate health insurance coverage. In order to be approved for a waiver, your alternate health coverage must meet or exceed the requirements as set in the system regulation.

Click here to read more about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

Click here to read more about the University of Texas Board of Regents regulations.

Steps to access your health insurance:

Step One: Create your AHP account: https://myahpcare.com/register

Step Two: Create BCBSTX Account: Blue Cross Log In (if new, click on "Register Now")

Step Three: Obtain your digital insurance card

• Digital Insurance Card
• Insurance through BCBSTX App

If applying for an insurance waiver: https://utsa.myahpcare.com/waiver 

Waiver Requirements 

(This is to remove UTSA health insurance if you have alternative U.S. based coverage)

For waiver consideration you must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Sponsored Plan (US Government, Foreign Government, Embassy)
   • Must be ACA compliant
   • Must guarantee payment of all health care expenses in writing
2. UT Employee Group Health Plan (must be ACA compliant)
3. U.S. Employer Plan (must be ACA compliant)
4. U.S. Individual Plan purchased from the Exchange (must be ACA compliant)
5. Enrolled exclusively in distance learning programs

If you meet one of the above criteria, then your alternate health insurance coverage must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Provides the essential minimum benefits required by the PPACA with no annual limits
2. No pre-existing condition limitation
3. $500 or less deductible per condition
4. Covers 100% of preventive care as defined by the PPACA
5. Imposes no provisions for co-insurance that exceed 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness
6. Policy dates must coincide with UT SHIP determined dates.

Medical evacuation and repatriation coverage requirements:

1. Medical evacuation coverage of $50,000 or more
2. Medical repatriation coverage of $25,000 or more

If your alternate coverage meets the above criteria and requirements, submit the following with your waiver request:

1. Copy of your insurance card, front and back.
2. Copy of your insurance policy benefits summary, in English, that identifies you as a covered individual, provides the dates of your coverage, and clearly indicates that the coverage meets or exceeds the minimum requirement. Coverage amounts must be in US dollars.
3. Copy of your proof of medical evacuation and repatriation coverage (if you have this coverage).

•    If you qualify for a waiver of our UT System medical insurance plan but you do not have medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, you will automatically be enrolled in the UT System offered Academic Emergency Services (AES) plan.  The AES covers the medical evacuation and repatriation requirement.

Waiver Period and Process

The Spring/Summer insurance waiver system will be open December 6, 2023 through February 6, 2024. All documents must be submitted to AHP no later than 11:59 p.m. CST.

Need Help? Please see the Waiver Submission Quick Reference Guide.

Online Waiver System

1. Go to  http://utsa.myahpcare.com/waiver
2. Review the requirements
3. On the Login page, enter your UTSA BANNER ID number (exclude @, examples 01234567 or 00123456)
4. Enter your date of birth as the Password (format MMDDYYYY, example 01011990)
5. Click on the red waiver link found under “NO, I do not want the insurance.” section on the waiver home page.
6. Enter your insurance information and attach proof documents.
7. Select the ‘Submit Waiver’ button at the bottom of the waiver form.

Following Your Waiver Submission

1. If your waiver request is complete and your policy meets the minimum requirements including sufficient medical evacuation/repatriation coverage the UT SHIP fee is waived in full.
2. If your waiver request is complete and your policy meets the minimum requirements excluding sufficient medical evacuation/repatriation coverage, the medical insurance fee is waived and a fee for repatriation/evacuation coverage is assessed in your UTSA tuition and fee bill.
3. If your waiver request is incomplete or your policy does not meet the minimum requirements you will receive an email indicating that you are not eligible for a waiver.
4. If you receive an email stating your waiver is approved, check your myUTSA Account account. The insurance waiver will be applied to your UTSA tuition and fee balance within 7-10 business days. If your tuition and fees are already paid in full, the insurance fee will be reimbursed by the UTSA Fiscal Services through direct deposit or check within 10 days after your account adjustment.

Insurance Resources & Coverage Add-Ons

Information HUB: https://utsa.myahpcare.com/

UTSA AHP Benefits Page: https://utsa.myahpcare.com/benefits

Enrollment Page: https://utsa.myahpcare.com/enrollment (Scroll down to "Online Enrollment" and click on "International and Graduate Students")

• Add dependents
• Dental
• Vision

Blue Access for Members

Access an electronic ID card, view claims information, and more

• Blue Access for Members (BAM) Login
• Information on Blue Access for Members (BAM)
• How to Register/Login for Blue Access for Members (BAM) 
• ID Card Flyer
• BCBSTX Mobile App
• BCBS Quick Start Guide
• Single Sign On Brochure
• Find Group and Member ID

Important Health Requirements to be completed before enrolling at UTSA

Health Requirement 1:

Health Requirement 2:

TB Screening/Test

All international students are required to submit proof of Tuberculosis Screening to UTSA Wellness360 on or after March 1 for the summer or fall semesters and on or after September 1 for the spring semester.

What documentation do I need?

It is highly recommended that you obtain a TB blood test in your home country. Student Health Services accepts the following blood tests:

• AQuantiFERON GOLD
• T-Spot

If your test result is in a language other than English, please have a translation service translate Records into English prior to submission to UTSA Wellness360.

UTSA does not accept these tests:

• ELISA
• IgG
• IgM
• Other forms of rapid testing
• PPD from other countries

How do I submit proof of TB screening/test?

• Fax at (210) 458-4151
• Email to wellness360@utsa.edu.

Health Insurance Options After Graduation

Continuation of Coverage is available to insured students who have graduated or are no longer eligible for coverage under the UT System plan at UTSA. Covered students must have been insured for at least six (6) continuous months. Your premium must be received by Academic Health Plans within 30 days after your UTSA Student Health Insurance Plan terminates. Eligible students may purchase an extension of coverage for up to a maximum of 3 months. Per AHP, continuation of coverage is only available once and cannot be renewed (example: purchase 1 month extension, not able to extend for additional 2 months). Contact Academic Health Plans for more information, if needed.