| Current
Students >> Insurance |
| |
Insurance
Requirements
Registration Holds
Purchasing A&M Insurance
Purchasing A&M Insurance Online
Using Alternative Insurance
How to File an Insurance Claim
|
|
| Insurance
Requirements |
|
| Medical services
in the United States are privatized. That means that the government
does not provide medical treatment, the patient is responsible
for all costs. Medical treatment can be very expensive, so
many Americans carry medical insurance to subsidize medical
costs.
International students at all Texas A&M
University campuses are required to carry medical, evacuation
and repatriation insurance during all periods of enrollment.
Medical insurance pays a percentage of the cost of medical
treatment for injuries and illness. Evacuation insurance helps
pay for medical transportation, should a student become so
seriously ill as to require hospitalization and want to be
transported to his or her home country. Repatriation insurance
provides money for transportation and related services if
a student dies. No one wants to think about such difficult
circumstances but being financially prepared for emergencies
will help the student and the student’s family avoid
unnecessary distress and debt.
Note: International students taking online
classes from outside the us are not affected by this requirement.
|
| Registration
Holds |
|
Registration hold from the International Student Services Office (ISSO) is placed on all
international student accounts prior to registration every semester to monitor students'
compliance with the university insurance requirement. ISSO staff can manually "waive"
the hold each semester when students provide proof of insurance coverage for that semester.
After international students complete one semester at TAMU-Commerce, the same hold returns
for the following semester. Proof of insurance is required again prior to
registration. Example, if in October (fall semester)
a student wants to early register for classes that begin
in January (spring semester), he/she must first purchase
insurance for the entire spring semester and provide that
proof to the ISSO. This can be done by email, fax or in
person. ISSO staff will then waive the hold and the student
can register for classes. Under the current computer
system, students who already have insurance coverage for the entire academic
year must still contact the ISSO by phone or email
each semester to prompt ISSO staff to waive the hold for each semester.
|
| Purchasing
A&M Insurance |
top |
|
Graduate students who are employed as graduate
assistants are eligible to purchase insurance coverage through
the university Human Resources Department. This is a highly
economical option as the university pays part of the cost
of the policy. Visit Pat Kropp in Human Resources in person
to enroll in this plan.
For new students in the first semester at TAMU-Commerce, you
are required to take the A&M insurance unless
you have a valid and comparable insurance coverage from another
company which has been reviewed and approved by the international
student adviser before the orientation day.
A&M insurance will be available for purchase with check
or money order on the orientation day.
However, it is also available for online
purchase if you have a valid credit or debit card.
|
Purchasing
A&M Insurance Online
|
top |
| |
| |
| Using
Alternative Insurance |
top |
To use coverage
purchased from an alternative company, you must:
|
| 1. |
Verify that your policy meets coverage
minimums. Coverage must be pre-paid for the entire semester
of enrollment. Monthly installment plans are not acceptable. |
| 2. |
Present the following to an International
Student Services adviser: |
| |
a. Proof of coverage (card/letter
with policyholder name and coverage dates)
b. Policy information (highlighting coverage amounts that meet
minimums) |
| |
If the adviser determines that your
coverage is inadequate, you will be required to purchase the
A&M insurance before registering for classes. |
| 3. |
If you have an acceptable medical coverage that does not include
repatriation and medical evacuation, you must purchase a supplemental coverage.
A stand alone repatriation and medical evacuation policy is available at a nominal cost.
Click here to purchase online The Texas A&M University System
International Student Insurance Plan.
|
| How to File
an Insurance Claim |
top |
When you visit
a clinic or hospital you will be asked for proof of insurance.
You must present the card issued by the insurance company that states
your policy number, your name, coverage dates
and other information. If you have insurance coverage through A&M system,
the card can be found on the front
page of your policy brochure or you can print one online from the online brochure The Texas A&M University System
International Student Insurance Plan. After you had received treatment, the doctor’s
office or hospital may tell you that they will file a claim
for you. That means that they will send a bill in your name
to the insurance company. When you receive a statement or
a bill from the doctor’s office or hospital, you must
personally contact your insurance company for assistance and
instructions. Questions regarding your claims must be directly
answered by your insurance company. The ISSO are not allowed
to handle or negotiate the claim for you.
Important Note: Most insurance
companies will not pay 100% of your bill. You are responsible
to pay the deductible amount and some portion of your bill.
|
