Attending a US college can be financially stressful. The average fee to attend a private non-profit four-year university is $48,510 per year. For international students, the costs are even higher.
But do you know that you can save up to $3,230 a year with insurance waiver? Simply submit your waiver by 9/9/2019.
What is an insurance waiver?
On your tuition bill, you will see that UC Irvine has automatically enrolled you in the university’s Student Health Insurance Plan for UC Irvine (UCSHIP).
However, international students can enroll in a surprisingly more affordable plan designed specifically for them. Whereas the UC Irvine is $1,893/yr for undergraduate students and $4,377/yr for graduate students, health coverage for international students can be as low as $1,147/yr.
An insurance waiver is an application to switch your plan that better fits your needs. Simply enroll in an insurance plan that meets the school’s waiver requirements and submit an insurance waiver on the school’s website.
Why are alternative insurance plans more affordable?
The insurance costs are calculated based on the risks of the demographics. University health plans are usually more expensive because the plans serve a broader range of the population, including international and domestic students.
How to pick a health insurance plan?
A good insurance plan protects you from minor illnesses to serious injuries and diseases. When you’re looking for a plan, consider these factors:
The Costs Some plans are much more cost-effective than others. But the cost is the only factor you need to take into consideration. A plan with limited coverage can lead to catastrophic financial loss.
Insurance benefits Read the insurance policies carefully. A good insurance plan should have a low deductible, a high coinsurance, low copays, and a low out-of-pocket maximum.
Provider network Provider network is a group of care providers partnering with the insurance company to provide you with pre-negotiated rates. A powerful network allows you to find trustworthy doctors and hospitals wherever you need.
Can you recommend a good health insurance plan?
Student Medicover, a partner of UnitedHealthcare, offers the most cost-effective and reliable health insurance plans for international students in the market.
Reliable Coverage: Their coverage features low deductibles, high coinsurances, low copays, and low out-of-pocket maximums. Their plans offer substantial coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, prescription drugs, and many other treatments found in the policy brochures.
Find a trusted doctor anywhere in the country With Student Medicover, you can access accredited care providers in the nation’s leading network – UnitedHealthcare Options PPO. You will enjoy lower costs for in-network medical services with pre-negotiated prices.
Visit Student Health Center: Student Medicover offers in-network benefits for treatments received in any student health centers in the country, including Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center.
24/7 Customer Service If you have any questions, you can always ask a customer service representative through email, phone, WhatsApp, Facebook, and online support center.
Here is a brief comparison between UCSHIP and Student Medicover’s plans:
The chart is only a brief overview. Please refer to the policy brochures to learn more about the plans.
How to waive health insurance?
Completing an insurance waiver is very simple. It takes you only 15 minutes.
STEP 1: Enroll in an insurance plan
Visit Student Medicover, scroll down to “Enrollment”.
STEP 2: Download your confirmation letter and temporary insurance ID card
Click "login" at the top right corner and log in with the email and password you set when you enroll. Click "MY ENROLLMENTS" for your confirmation letter and "DOWNLOAD ID CARD" for your temporary insurance ID card.
Please be mindful that the temporary insurance ID card is for insurance waiver purposes. For official insurance ID card, please refer to smcoverd.com.
STEP 4: Download your policy brochure
Download the policy brochure of the plan you enrolled.
STEP 5: Submit your waiver Visit UC Irvine Insurance Wavier Portal and log in.
Choose the term you would like to waive. Then enter the information as below:
In the attach supporting documents section, upload your temporary insurance ID card, confirmation letter, policy brochure.
Finally, fill in the form with the following information:
Policy Holder information:
First Name (Policy Holder): Your First Name
Last Name (Policy Holder): Your Last Name
Member ID: the SR ID on your temporary insurance ID card
Insurance Company Name: United Healthcare
Member Service Phone #: 800-767-0700
Address: Enter your full address
After your application is approved, the school will either refund you or remove the health insurance fee on your tuition bill.