UH Student Health Insurance Plan
Pre-screened plans
Repatriation and medical evacuation plans
UH Student Health Insurance Plan
The Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA) is the insurance provider for the UH Student Health Insurance Plan, which provides very comprehensive coverage and is widely accepted by nearly all doctors and hospitals in Hawaiʻi. Any J-1 exchange visitor (EV) who meets the requirements below may enroll in the UH Student Health Insurance plan. J-2 dependents may also enroll in this plan as long as the EV is enrolled.
EVs and their J-2 dependents may enroll in the plan if:
- The EV is not receiving a salary from UH (stipend or other types of payments are allowed);
- Their Form DS-2019s are valid for at least three months;
- They will not be offered any other UH insurance plan (i.e., EUTF);
- They are enrolling within 15 days after the EV‘s program start date or during the open enrollment period (every July-August); and
- They pay the full premium for the semester during which they enroll. If they are enrolling after the semester starts or will complete the program before the semester ends, upon notification, HMSA will mail the EV a refund check for the overpaid portion.
Information about the medical insurance benefits, premiums, and the application form are available on HMSA‘s student health plan website.
How to apply for the UH student plan
At least two weeks before the coverage start date, the EV must complete these procedures:
- Complete a Request for Non-Student Eligibility Form and attach these documents:
- Copies of the EV‘s and J-2s’ Form DS-2019s, and
- Invitation letter stating program dates from the UH department
- Use UH FileDrop to submit the eligibility form and the supporting documents to the UH Student Health Insurance Coordinator. Use syoda@hawaii.edu for Recipient email.
- The UH Student Health Insurance Coordinator will issue the EV a Notice of Decision.
- If the request is approved, the Student Health Insurance Coordinator will issue the enrollment forms. The EV must complete the HMSA student health plan application, beneficiary form, and HIPAA Authorization for Release of Information form, and return the completed and signed forms to the Student Health Insurance Coordinator. On the application, the EV must:
- Select an option that includes repatriation coverage, and
- Select “Non-Student” as the classification on the application form
- The EV needs to keep copies of the Notice of Decision, the completed application form, beneficiary form, HIPAA Authorization for Release of Information form, and proof of payment for their personal records.
Submit evidence of health insurance to FSIS
After enrolling in the UH student plan, the EV must submit a completed and signed Health Insurance Compliance Form to FSIS, checking off the “UH Student Health Insurance Plan” box in Section A on page 2 of the form. FSIS will confirm enrollment directly with the UH Student Health Insurance Coordinator.
Pre-screened plans
If an exchange visitor (EV) or J-2 dependent decides not to enroll in the UH student plan, they must choose a health insurance plan that provides the minimum coverage meeting the U.S. Department of State’s (DOS’s) minimum requirements. Below is a list of pre-screened plans that appear to meet the DOS requirements. FSIS does not endorse or recommend any specific plan. The EV and J-2 dependent need to carefully review each plan to select one that meets both their needs as well as the DOS requirements.
- International Student Organization: J1 Exchange or J1 Exchange Superior.
- Compass Benefits Group: J-Savings Plan, J-Benchmark Plan, J-Enhanced Plan, or J-Superior Plan.
Submit evidence of health insurance to FSIS
After enrolling in a plan, the EV must submit a signed Health Insurance Compliance Form to FSIS and attach an enrollment confirmation from the insurance provider showing their name, J-2 dependents’ names, the type of plan, and the dates of coverage.
If none of the above plans suit the EV‘s needs, any other plan that meets the DOS‘s requirements may be purchased instead. After enrolling in the plan, the EV must submit a Health Insurance Provider Certification Form and the required attachments to FSIS.
Repatriation and medical evacuation plans
If an exchange visitor (EV) or J-2 dependent enrolls in a health insurance plan that does not provide medical evacuation coverage of at least US$50,000 and/or repatriation coverage of at least US$25,000, they must enroll in a separate repatriation and medical evacuation plan to supplement the primary plan. The UH EUTF plans do not provide repatriation and medical evacuation coverage, so any EVs or J-2 dependents who have insurance through EUTF must purchase a separate repatriation and medical evacuation plan.
Here are a few supplemental repatriation and medical evacuation plan options:
- BETINS International Health and Travel Insurance medical evacuation and repatriation plans
- International Student Insurance medical evacuation and repatriation coverage
- International SOS Scholastic Traveler or Global Traveler plan
- International Student Organization Global Emergency Services – contact FSIS for enrollment form.
If none of the plans above suit the EV‘s or J-2 dependent’s needs, any other plan that meets the DOS‘s requirements may be purchased instead.
Submit evident of health insurance to FSIS
After enrolling in a plan, the EV must submit a signed Health Insurance Compliance Form to FSIS and attach an enrollment confirmation from the insurance provider showing their name, J-2 dependents’ names, the type of plan, and the dates of coverage.