International Student Insurance Waiver Policy and Procedure

Transcription

1 International Student Insurance Waiver Policy and Procedure SBHE Policy 505: State Board of Higher Education International Student Health Insurance 1. All international students not exempt or granted a waiver from this policy must carry the group health and accident insurance plan approved by the Chancellor beginning on or before the date they commence studies or, if earlier, the date they reside in campus housing at an institution under the jurisdiction of the Board of Higher Education until termination or completion of their studies. The approved plan must meet the minimum requirements for health insurance plans established by the United States Department of State for persons in J-1 or J-2 status. 2. International students means students having non-immigrant status for the primary purpose of studying in the United States, including students holding an F, J (Student Categories) or M visa. 3. Canadian and Norwegian students are exempt from this policy. In addition, the Chancellor may by procedure exempt students from countries with a mandatory national health insurance plan covering all students from that country that is comparable to the plan required by this policy. NDUS Procedure 505: Student Health Insurance 1. Institutions may not permit commencement of studies or continued enrollment of an international student, or permit an international student to reside in campus housing, who does not have insurance as required under SBHE Policy Citizens of Canada and Norway are exempt from the policy. 3. Institutions shall adopt procedures for approving waivers and refunds for students who withdraw or complete their studies prior to the end of a premium period. 4. International students not exempt and not granted a waiver must have coverage under the group health and accident insurance plan approved by the Chancellor upon registration or enrollment. a. Institutions shall charge all international students not exempt the approved group insurance premium not later than the beginning of the term. b. Institutions shall collect required premiums from the students and submit student payments to the insurance provider not later than the end of the sixth week of a regular fall or spring term or equivalent date for a summer term or classes outside a regular term. Absent documentation of coverage under a comparable plan, institutions shall cancel enrollment of students who fail to pay required premiums by the end of the sixth week, resulting in cancellation of coverage under the approved plan. c. Institutions may not pay such premiums or costs using state or institution funds and institution officers and employees shall not represent that institutions will pay or are responsible for payment of such premiums or costs.

2 d. Upon receipt of documentation an international student is already covered under the approved plan or a comparable plan, the institution shall cancel the premium billing for that student. 5. Waivers may be granted: a. To students with documentation of comparable insurance coverage; b. To students denied coverage under the approved plan with documentation of comparable coverage; or c. For other compelling reasons as defined under institution procedures and documentation of comparable coverage. Williston State College International Student Health Insurance Waiver Procedure Fall 2016 Timeline Waiver requests must be received by the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs on or before Wednesday, August 24, Individuals will be informed whether or not the waiver request is approved by the end of Friday, September 4, If a waiver is not granted, full payment for NDUS designated insurance policy will be due to the WSC Student Finance Office by Wednesday, September 7, Frequently Asked Questions When might a waiver be granted? A few examples of when waivers might be granted are listed below. The alternative coverage must meet all of the criteria listed in the Waiver Form on page Students already covered through an employer s insurance (such as F-1 students, on OPT, or J-1 students on academic training) 2. Students already covered through a spouse or parent s U.S. employer insurance 3. Students who otherwise demonstrate proof of an alternative insurance coverage that is comparable to the NDUS designated plan. Note: If medical evacuation and repatriation of remains benefits are not included in the above mentioned cases, coverage for those services, with an aggregate limit of 1 million dollars, must be purchased. International SOS is one company that offers this benefit. Check out: Who decides if an insurance plan is comparable? The North Dakota University System (NDUS) defined what insurance plans must include in order for an international student to be eligible for a waiver, and provided institutions with the Waiver Form on page 5. Williston State College s Vice President for Student Affairs will make recommendations to approve or deny each waiver request that is submitted for review, following the NDUS guidelines.

3 Where can I find a list of insurance companies licensed in the State of North Dakota? A list of insurance companies licensed to do business in the State of North Dakota can be found at: When does coverage on my comparable plan need to be effective? Insurance coverage must be in place and effective on the first day of the semester (August 24, 2016) through December 31, 2016 in order to be considered for a waiver. Students whose alternative coverage will end before December 31, 2016 are not eligible for a waiver. Who can help me with the waiver process? The WSC Student Affairs Office staff can provide advice on basic questions about the waiver form, required supporting documentation, and the waiver application process. However, Williston State University employees will not advise students in the choosing of an insurance plan, or where to find information regarding alternative insurance options. What is important to know if I apply for a waiver? Granting of a waiver is not guaranteed. Demonstration of funds to cover the approved NDUS international insurance plan will be required as a part of the international student financial verification paperwork for F-1 and M-1 students regardless of waiver status. Williston State College will not be held liable for any health or insurance related issue given a pending waiver request. What is important to know if I am granted a waiver? You are responsible for maintaining health insurance coverage through the end of the last month of your last semester of enrollment at WSC. If for any reason you lose your coverage, you must contact the Vice President for Student Affairs immediately and will be enrolled in the NDUS policy. If you fail to carry coverage during your enrollment at WSC, you will be immediately dropped from your classes, terminating your WSC student status, as well as resulting in violation of your F-1 or J-1 student status. Williston State College will not be held liable for any health or insurance related issue given an approved waiver. If a waiver is granted, how long is it valid? Students must submit a new waiver request every semester, as long as comparable coverage remains in place.

4 Instructions Waiver requests complete with all required documents must be received by the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs on or before Wednesday, August 24, Students requesting a waiver must provide ALL of the following: 1. Waiver request form on page five (5) every section must be filled out. Incomplete forms will be returned. 2. Proof of coverage* in the form of: a. Certificate of coverage issued by the insurance company; or b. Insurance card * Proof of coverage must include coverage start and end dates and the policy/member ID Number. Documentation must be submitted in English or as a certified English translation. 3. Letter from the student s alternate insurance company certifying that all criteria listed in the Waiver Form are met by the current policy. 4. Detailed policy description/explanation of benefits. The student is responsible for highlighting or marking the policy details that correspond with each of the criteria listed on page three (3) of this document. The waiver request form and all required documents should be submitted to the Vice President for Student Affairs at wsc.studentaffairs@willistonstate.edu or faxed to (701) All requests will be reviewed and final determination will be made by WSC s Vice President for Student Affairs. Individuals will be informed whether or not the waiver request is approved in writing via Williston State College by the end of Friday, September 4, If a waiver is not granted, full payment for NDUS designated insurance policy will be due to the WSC Student Finance Office by Wednesday, September 7, 2016.

5 OFFICE USE ONLY Waiver: Approved Denied Waiver effective: Approved by: Student ID: Request for Student Health Insurance Plan Waiver In accordance with State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) Policy 505, all North Dakota University System (NDUS) students in F-1, J- 1, or J-2 status are required to carry the student health and accident insurance plan approved by the Chancellor. Citizens of Canada and Norway are exempt from this policy. Waivers may be granted to students with documentation of comparable insurance coverage. This form is to be completed to request a waiver. First Name: Last Name: Address: Phone Number: Mailing Address: Visa F-1 J-1 J-2 Other Please enter your student health insurance plan information: Insurance Company Name: Policy Number or Member ID: Plan Start Date: Policy Administrator Phone Number: If policy for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains is separate, please indicate the following: Insurance Company Name: Plan Start Date: Policy Number or Member ID: Policy Administrator Phone Number: Your student health insurance plan must meet all of the following criteria to be considered comparable: Yes No Is your insurance company licensed in the state of North Dakota? Yes No Are providers local to your NDUS campus in network under your Preferred Provider Organization? Yes No Is your Preferred Provider Organization deductible $500 or less? Yes No Is the maximum policy expense $500,000 or higher? Yes No Is there 100% coverage at Student Health Services with no deductible? Yes No Is there 100% coverage for preventative care services with no deductible? Yes No Is the prescription co-pay $10 or less? Yes No Is there coverage for pre-existing conditions with no exclusions or waiting period? Yes No Is maternity covered as any other condition (required for women and family, may be omitted for single male policies)? Yes No Is there coverage for repatriation of remains and Medical Evacuation at 100% with no maximum? Yes No Is there coverage of emergency and non-emergency health care? Yes No Is there coverage of inpatient and outpatient mental health services, including substance abuse? I attest that I have read the policy documents thoroughly and that my health insurance plan meets all of the above requirements to receive a waiver in accordance with SBHE Policy 505. I attest that I am fully responsible for ensuring that my plan is considered comparable and I understand that NDUS personnel are not able to advise me on the choosing of an insurance plan. I understand that if I have already paid for the NDUS student health insurance plan, no refunds on unused premium are allowed. I realize that I am responsible to maintain health insurance coverage through the end of the last month of my last semester of enrollment as a NDUS student. If for any reason I lose health insurance coverage (including due to becoming unemployed), I agree to contact my NDUS campus immediately. I understand that failure to inform my NDUS campus of any unapproved changes in my insurance situation may affect my legal F-1, J-1 or J-2 and NDUS student status. Name: Signature: Date: International Student Waiver Form BL :43PM