[Intl-stu] FAQ for insurance

[International Students]

As we have had a few questions let me clarify again, ALL F-1 and J-1
international students will be automatically enrolled in the A&M System
health  insurance plan this spring semester.  The ONLY exceptions are
provided at the end of the email.  New students were required to enroll
starting Fall 2010 and ALL students were required this Spring 2011
semester.  The ISSO sent out emails earlier last year and in October and
November making students aware of the changes.

 

Where can I find information about the insurance plan?

Please visit www.tamuinsurance.com, select our campus, and the plan is
the A&M Basic 50K International Insurance plan.  The A&M System
insurance company is Associated Insurance Plans, AIP.  

 

What if I already have insurance from another company this semester?

If you purchased health insurance from another company for the spring
semester you must email the company to request a cancellation and
refund.  They will most likely respond to confirm your reason and
verification from me.  Forward this email to
john_jones at tamu-commerce.edu.  If a company gives you any problems
regarding the cancellation please notify me immediately.  

 

What if I was a new student in the Fall 2010 semester, do I have to pay
again?

If you were a new student in the Fall 2010 semester you will pay the
premium again this semester.  Payments made in Fall 2010 for new
students provided coverage until the end of 2010.  Payment this semester
will provide coverage from January 1, 2011 until August 28, 2011.  Then
every Fall and Spring semester a premium will be due upon registration
of classes.   

 

How do I pay the insurance premium?

If you are not exempted or have not notified the ISSO of you exemption,
your student account will be charged $274 for the premium this semester.
This charge will be separate from any tuition or fee charges.  You must
pay this premium no later than the 20th day of class.  You MUST inform
the Bursar's office to apply your payment to the insurance charge by
calling 903-886-5050.  

 

What if the insurance premium does not show on my account?

If the $274 premium does not appear on your account please notify the
ISSO IMMEDIATELY as this will mean you do not have insurance coverage.  

 

What do I need to do if I have the charge but meet one of the
exemptions?

Please email john_jones at tamu-commerce.edu to discuss your exemption.  If
you have not provided information regarding any GA position or insurance
please do so as soon as possible.  It is not necessary for students from
Saudi Arabia to contact our office as we are aware that most students
from this country are exempted due to their government scholarship.    

 

How long is the insurance coverage?

Coverage began on January 1, 2011 and will continue until the start of
the Fall 2011 semester.  Coverage for new students who were enrolled in
the insurance plan in Fall 2010 continued on through the semester break
and was renewed the first day of this semester.  All students will be
charged the $274 premium in the Spring 2011 semester which will extend
coverage until the end of the year on August 28, 2011  The summer
semester is included in the payment for the spring and is non-refundable
even if you travel outside the U.S. or go home during the summer break.


 

When will I receive my coverage information?

Once we confirm the payment of the premium for all students (minus those
exempted), the ISSO will submit a final report after the 20th day of
class.  Your insurance card will be emailed to your university email
around February 21, 2011.  

 

What if I have an emergency or need information before this date?

Please contact AIP at 1-800-850-4556 or go to www.tamuinsurance.com to
discuss any medical needs or emergencies.  

 

What if I have a full-time graduate assistantship?

The ISSO has been attempting to work with the Human Resource (HR)
department for some time so we can correlate the students who have the
GA insurance but this process has not been finalized.  If you have not
reported your GA and insurance information to the ISSO, please have your
department email john_jones at tamu-commerce.edu to let me know you have a
GA and please provide proof of when your GA insurance was effective. 

 

Please understand that being awarded a full-time GA DOES NOT mean you
are automatically enrolled in the GA insurance.  If you are awarded a
full-time GA be sure to contact Pat_Kropp at tamu-commerce.edu in HR to
sign up for the GA insurance.  

 

What if I have enrolled in the GA insurance but it is not effective yet?

Once you enroll in the GA insurance there is normally a 90-day waiting
period before your insurance is effective.  You will still be required
to pay the insurance premium a the beginning of the semester during
which your GA insurance will become effective.  Once your GA insurance
is effective, please notify john_jones at tamu-commerce.edu and I will
notify the insurance company to make arrangements for any refund.  The
university uses AIP for both the mandatory enrollment requirement and
for the GA insurance.    

 

Who is exempted from the mandatory enrollment requirement?

Students who have the graduate assistant insurance, students who have a
government scholarship that provides insurance coverage that meets our
minimum requirements, and students who have a spouse employed in the
U.S., and are covered under their spouses insurance providing this
employer's  insurance meets our minimum requirements.   (Note if you
have employment based insurance you may need to purchase separate
repatriation and evacuation insurance through www.tamuinsurance.com.)

 

Please feel free to email john_jones at tamu-commerce.edu with any
questions or concerns.  

 

 

John Mark Jones, Director

International Student Services

Texas A&M University-Commerce

PO Box 3011

Commerce TX 75429

(P) 903-886-5097

(F) 903-468-3200

 

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