Gallaudet Health Insurance Information
Frequently Asked Questions – International Students
I enrolled in an international health insurance plan that met the waiver requirements last year but is being denied this year, why?
Gallaudet made changes to its international student waiver requirements for the ‘21/’22 Academic Year. These changes included requiring that waiver plans must be an Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant plan to ensure international students have adequate healthcare coverage in the United States in case they experience a medical emergency or serious health condition. An ACA compliant plan must include coverage for essential benefits with no lifetime or annual benefit maximums and must adhere to the consumer protections built into the ACA. To be considered ACA compliant, the plan must be underwritten by a licensed carrier in the United States.
Why must international students enroll in plans that meet ACA requirements?
Many international plans offered in the United States do not provide comprehensive coverage if an international student were to experience a medical condition or a life-threatening accident or illness. In some cases, these plans do not provide basic coverage for doctor’s or specialist’s office visits. To ensure international students are enrolled in healthcare coverage that provides adequate benefits in the United States, we made the change to require enrollment in SHIP or other ACA compliant coverage. Information is available on the Gallaudet University SHIP website.
What are the exceptions for international student SHIP enrollment?
International students who are not returning to the United States and will be remaining in their home country due to COVID-19, will not be required to enroll in SHIP. Please notify your institution so that you can be removed from the insurance requirement.
Other plans that may be acceptable to be waived out of SHIP enrollment are those that are provided to sponsored students (for example: Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission, Kuwait, etc.) that is backed by the full faith and credit of the student’s home country. The plans will be reviewed, and a determination made regarding comparability to the University SHIP. If it is determined to be comparable or better, the plan will be accepted.
I purchased an international plan that did not meet the Gallaudet’s SHIP waiver standards, what do I do?
Most companies allow a refund during the first 14 days; however, that varies from company to company. The company might also request some sort of waiver declination record. Please use the waiver declination email you receive. If you need additional information or verification, please send a request to student.health.insurance@gallaudet.edu, and we will provide you with a letter stating the new requirements.
Is ISO a waiver-approved plan?
No, ISO has been determined not to be an approved plan to waive the Gallaudet SHIP because it is not an ACA compliant plan. Other non-compliant plans that are not approved are plans offered by GBG, Tokyo Marine, Medicover and PSI, as additional examples.
My plan is an ACA compliant plan and still being denied. Why is it being denied? What do I do?
An ACA compliant plan must be a plan based in the United States. Some international plans are claiming that they are ACA compliant, and they are not. Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk at 1-844-598-1939 can verify an ACA compliant plan using a national database in which all ACA compliant plans are registered. If you disagree with your waiver denial, please provide additional information to student.health.insurance@gallaudet.edu. Please provide your confirmation of coverage (COC) or verification of coverage (VOC)from your insurance provider that confirms your dates of coverage and specifies the benefits.
My current international plan includes additional coverage for travel insurance, rental insurance, and civil insurance. Does the Gallaudet SHIP plan include this coverage?
The Gallaudet SHIP plan’s main priority is to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage for students living in the United States attending Gallaudet University.
Why did Gallaudet make this change?
Gallaudet is changing the waiver standards to begin enforcing the mandatory SHIP enrollment guidelines which have been in place for several years. This change will ensure all students, including international students, will be enrolled in comprehensive healthcare coverage in case they experience a serious medical condition. There have been instances when international students enrolled in non-compliant plans needed care that was not covered under their plans, and they experienced high out-of-pocket costs.
My previous international insurance coverage provided coverage in my home country. Does the Gallaudet SHIP provide coverage internationally?
The Gallaudet SHIP coverage through Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk will not provide international coverage while you are traveling in your home country.
International Student Health Insurance Waiver Standards
To be eligible to waive the SHIP, the student’s existing insurance plan must meet the following 3 requirements and one of the plan description requirements.
Coverage includes effective dates spanning the entire period for which the waiver is requested.
Fall - 08/01/2022 through 07/31/2023
Plan must cover repatriation and medical evacuation, or coverage should be purchased separately to supplement the Health Plan used to waive the SHIP.
If a fully insured plan, the plan must be approved as a health insurance plan by the State Insurance Department (Travel Policies, Disability policies, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Only Policies, and other limited benefit polices are not acceptable).
International Student Waiver Standards - Plan Description
Coverage is provided under an employer-sponsored group plan that is ACA compliant as described above. In this case, it is likely that the insured may supplement the health plan with separate repatriation and medical evacuation coverage.
A plan provided to sponsored students (for example: Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission, Embassy of the State of Kuwait, Royal Thai Embassy, Sultanate of Oman, etc.) that is backed by the full faith and credit of the student’s home country may be acceptable. The plans will be reviewed, and a determination made regarding comparability to the Gallaudet SHIP. If determined to be comparable or better, the plan will be accepted.
A plan provided by a pre-approved United States Cultural Exchange Program, e.g., Fulbright Programs, etc.
If you have questions about the Gallaudet SHIP program through Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk, or a general question about the plan or coverage, please contact Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk at 1-844-598-1939 or by visiting the Customer Service contact page at gallagherstudent.com/Gallaudet.
If you have questions about the Gallaudet SHIP program waiver process or denial, please contact student.health.services@gallaudet.edu