(revised 10/14/2024)
What is the policy regarding health insurance at Rice University?
All degree-seeking students are required to maintain health insurance coverage while enrolled at Rice University.
What is the policy regarding health insurance for international students at Rice University?
Rice's International Student Health Insurance Policy states that all Rice-sponsored F-1 and J-1 visa international students must enroll in either 1) Rice's Student Health Insurance Plan by Aetna or 2) the Rice Approved Alternate Plan by Wellfleet.
When and why was this new Rice insurance policy instituted?
Beginning Spring 2011, all Rice-sponsored F and J visa international students are required to participate in the insurance program, which allows for either the Rice student health plan by Aetna or the Rice-approved alternate plan by Wellfleet. Just as Rice provides a quality education to all of its students, it must provide quality health insurance options for its students. Unknowingly, many students have chosen health insurance plans that have given little or no protection to international students or their families. Costs for unexpected medical/health needs have caused extensive problems for the students, their families, and other loved ones. Part of the cost of an education in the USA is a health insurance program that provides appropriate coverage. Rice's policy mirrors many universities' policies for international students for the same reasons.
Can you help me compare the two insurance plans?
Health insurance is a very personal issue, as it depends on one's personal medical history, needs, and particular situation. You can compare the costs and benefits of each plan by taking a look at the Health Plan Options sections at https://oiss.rice.edu/studenthealth.
What do Exempt and Non-Exempt mean and how do I know if I am Exempt?
Exempt: Students holding visas other than F-1 and J-1 are considered Exempt from the International Student Insurance Policy, and they can enroll in either the Rice Aetna plan or any other plan that meets the Rice waiver requirements and waive. The waiver requirements can be found at https://studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu/.
Non-Exempt: All international students who have a Rice-sponsored F-1 or J-1 visa are considered Non-Exempt, and they are required to enroll in either the Rice Aetna plan or enroll and waive the Wellfleet plan.
Click HERE to see if you are an EXEMPT or NON-EXEMPT student to complete your enrollment/waiver application.
How do I enroll in or waive Rice health insurance?
Students (new and returning) can visit https://oiss.rice.edu/studenthealth for detailed instructions on how to enroll and waive. Note: If you are a returning student, you must be enrolled in courses before you can access the enrollment and waiver application.
What is Open Enrollment Period?
It is the time at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters during which all students are required to enroll in the student insurance plan of their choice and waive if enrolled in an insurance plan other than Aetna.
I have a Hold on my record. How do I get that Hold removed if I want to enroll in the Rice Approved Alternate Plan by Wellfleet?
Upon enrolling in the Rice Approved Alternate Plan by Wellfleet, the Aetna charge on your student bill will be removed within a week.
By when do I need to decide which plan to take?
Please check Student Health Insurance and Office of International Students and Scholars for the health insurance enrollment deadline. You must either enroll in the Aetna or the Wellfleet plan by that date - after that date, you are automatically defaulted to the Aetna plan.
I am an international student with an H-1B visa. Am I subject to the Rice International Student Health Insurance Policy and therefore have to enroll in Rice's Student Health Insurance Plan by Aetna or the Rice Approved Alternate Plan by Wellfleet?
For insurance purposes only international students who are not with Rice-sponsored F-1 or J-1 visa are considered the same as domestic students. These students may be with H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, DACA, etc. They can either enroll in Aetna or use their insurance plan that meets the Rice waiver requirements. The waiver requirements can be found at https://studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu/.
I am an international student with a J-1 visa, and I am fully sponsored by the Government of my country. The Government provides health insurance as well. Am I required to purchase the Rice Aetna or Wellfleet?
Government-sponsored students can be exempt from enrolling in one of the two approved plans only if they provide OISS with supporting documentation that proves it. After they receive the OISS approval, they are required to apply for a waiver using their insurance plan that meets the Rice waiver requirements. The waiver requirements can be found at https://studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu/.
I am an international student with an F-1 visa, and I am planning to spend a year in Paris on a Study Abroad program. Am I required to purchase the Rice Aetna or Wellfleet while I am out of the country?
A student who is residing abroad and engaging in approved research or study abroad program can be exempt from the Rice International Student Health Insurance Policy. They are required to apply for a waiver using their insurance plan that meets the Rice waiver requirements. The waiver requirements can be found at https://studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu/.
I am an international student with a J-1 visa, and I am planning to switch to an H-4 visa starting the next semester. Am I required to purchase the Rice Aetna or Wellfleet when I am in H-4 status?
A student who is no longer on a Rice-sponsored F-1 or J-1 student visa can be exempt from the Rice International Student Health Insurance Policy. They are required to apply for a waiver using their insurance plan that meets the Rice waiver requirements. The waiver requirements can be found at https://studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu/.
When I leave Rice, will I lose my health insurance?
Once you enroll in an insurance plan and keep it for at least 31 days, you will have it for the duration of the term, even if your student status ends. The annual health insurance is effective from August 1st to July 31st of the following year; the fall-only coverage is effective from August 1st to December 31st; the spring/summer coverage is from January 1st to July 31st.
I heard there is a Rice subsidy for insurance. Do I qualify for the medical insurance subsidy?
The medical insurance subsidy is available to full-time doctoral students in their first 8 years of doctoral study at Rice who enroll in the Rice Aetna medical plan. For more info, see Health Insurance Subsidy for Doctoral Students.
Do I qualify for Payroll Deduction? If so, how do I pay by Payroll Deduction?
Only students who meet certain criteria have the option to place their Medical Insurance premium on payroll deduction. Qualifying students must be enrolled in the annual Rice Aetna medical insurance plan. Payroll deduction of insurance premiums is available to full-time graduate students (Master’s or Doctoral) receiving a Rice stipend of at least $5,000 per academic year, over both the fall and spring semesters. For more details, see Payroll Deduction for Health Insurance.
How do I file a claim?
The doctor's office usually files a claim for you. If your doctor's office does not file the claim directly with your insurance company, you can file the claim yourself. Please see the Filing a Claim section at https://oiss.rice.edu/studenthealth.
What is the difference between the Emergency Room and the Urgent Care Facility?
Emergency Rooms (ER) treat life-threatening medical conditions. If the medical condition is not life-threatening, Urgent Care facilities can be a less costly and faster alternative to the ER. There may be shorter wait times at Urgent Care facilities as well. Most Urgent Care facilities are open after hours, while some may be open 24/7. Emergency Rooms are always open 24/7.
If I have questions regarding the details of the Rice Alternate Plan by Wellfleet or if I have claim processing issues, who can I contact?
Please see https://oiss.rice.edu/studenthealth for contact information for Aetna and Wellfleet.