Health Insurance
Medical services in the United States are privatized. That means the government does not provide medical treatment and the patient is responsible for all costs. Medical treatment can be very expensive the in the U.S. so many Americans carry medical insurance to subsidize medical costs.
Insurance Requirements
All international students on F-1 or J-1 status at Tarleton State University are required to have the Texas A&M University System Student Health Insurance Plan during all periods of enrollment. The plan is automatically charged to an international student’s tuition and fee statement.
International students are covered by the Academic Blue Student Health Plan through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Please take a moment to review the health insurance information, coverage, and benefits by visiting the following link:
Enrollment in the Academic Blue Student Health Plan is mandated by the Texas A&M System Benefits Administration and applies to all universities of the Texas A&M University System. Tarleton State University does not determine the cost of this insurance. The plan is reviewed annually by the System Benefits Administration. You can find the System Student Health Insurance Regulation at the following link:
SYSTEM HEALTH INSURANCE REGULATION
Additionally, you may be interested in dental insurance. Dental insurance information can be found at the following link:
Insurance Rates (2024 – 2025)
For a detailed list for insurance rates for the 2024 – 2025 academic year, please refer to the following chart:
Students attending their first semester at Tarleton for fall will be subject to additional insurance for the month of August.
Waiver Guidelines
We understand if you wish to use your own insurance. The Texas A&M University System has established four circumstances in which an international student can request a waiver to the student health insurance plan by providing evidence of alternative health insurance coverage. Please review the circumstances under which you may submit a waiver request:
- Student is sponsored by the United States government
- Student is sponsored by a foreign government recognized by the United States or certain international, government-sponsored or non-governmental organizations, and covered under a health plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If the health plan does not include medical evacuation and repatriation, a rider must be purchased providing coverage at equal limits to the SSHIP.
- Student is enrolled in an employed-provided group health group that is compliance with the ACA. If the health plan does not include medical evacuation and repatriation, a ride must be purchased providing coverage at equal limits to the SSHIP.
- Student is enrolled in only distance learning programs
In order to be approved for a waiver, your alternate health coverage must meet the following requirements requirements as set in the System Regulation:
- Policy provides the Essential Minimum Benefits required by the PPACA with no annual limits.
- Policies annual deduction of no more than $500 USD (except for employer plans).
- Policy contains no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
- Proof of Repatriation expenses in the amount of no less than $25,000 USD.
- Proof of expenses associated with the medical evacuation to the insured’s home country of no less than $50,000 USD.
Submit your waiver with proof of documentation using the following link:
For support with your Waiver request, please contact your DSO at immigration@tarleton.edu or call 254-968-9632.
Graduate Assistantships
If you are a current graduate student employee you must opt-in to the Graduate Student Employee Health Plan in order to receive an insurance waiver on your Texan Bill Pay.
You are not required to apply for a waiver of SSHIP. The waiver will not be applied until your health insurance enrollment is confirmed by the International Student Services.
For additional information, please contact internationalstudents@tarleton.edu.