Health Insurance / Medical Resources

Health Insurance Requirement

All non-immigrant visa holders and their dependents are required to carry insurance for the duration of their program. Health insurance is necessary for everyone in the United States, as medical costs are very high.

All students at Rice University are required to have health insurance coverage and show proof of coverage through the enrollment / waiver process before the semester deadline. In addition, all Rice-sponsored F-1 and J-1 visa international students are subject to the Rice International Student Health Insurance Policy that requires F-1 and J-1 students to enroll in:

1. Aetna (Rice's Student Health Insurance Plan) or
2. SAS (Rice's Approved Alternate Health Insurance Plan for International Students on F or J visas) - Press on "Find My School" - "Rice University - International Students - Health"

Failure to properly enroll or waive will cause a student to be automatically enrolled and charged for the Rice Aetna plan without the option for modifications.

Exempt or Non-Exempt

For health insurance enrollment and waiver purposes all Rice students are categorized as Exempt or Non-Exempt from the Rice International Student Health Insurance Policy.

Click HERE to see if you are an EXEMPT or NON-EXEMPT student to complete your enrollment / waiver application.

Open Enrollment Period

Students can enroll in these insurance plans during the Open Enrollment Period:

Fall 2020: July 1, 2020 - Friday, August 28, 2020

Spring 2021: December 10, 2020 - January 15, 2021

• Coverage will start August 1, 2020.
• Students who do not expect to arrive in the United States before August 28, will not be required to participate in open enrollment and will not be required to have health insurance until they arrive in the United States. When they move to the United States they will be required to enroll in the Aetna Student Health plan or the Alternative SAS plan. Both plans will be available for enrollment as a Qualifying Life Event based on the date of their arrival to the United States. The premiums will be prorated based on the date of enrollment.
• Students in the United States but not in the Greater Houston area before August 28, will be required to participate in the open enrollment process and must have health insurance that meets our waiver requirements with the exception of having non-emergency coverage in the Houston area. We will track students who meet the requirements other than the Houston area coverage. When they arrive on campus they are required to change their health insurance plan. They will be auto-enrolled in the student plan and the premiums will be prorated based on the date of enrollment.
• All students located in the United States who do not take action during Open Enrollment will be auto-enrolled for the annual plan.

The SAS enrollees are not required to apply for a waiver. The OISS and Student Insurance Office receive an official confirmation of your enrollment directly from the SAS. The Student Insurance Office remove the pre-billed Aetna amount from your account in about a week after your enrollment. 

Health Plan Options

Aetna - Rice Student Plan (click for details)

SAS - Alternate Insurance Plan for Students (click for details)

Press on "Find My School" - "Rice University - International Students - Health"

Dental and eye examinations

The health insurance charges listed above do not include routine dental and eye examinations, nor charges for dental work and eyeglasses. The normal charge for a full dental exam is about $100. Dental work is quite expensive. Eye examinations cost about $100. Glasses can cost $125 or more. It is highly recommended that you have your eyes and teeth cared for before coming to Rice.

Low cost Dental / Vision Options (These are all discount programs, not insurance)

Aetna enrollees click here. SAS enrollees can also use the services, except the Vital Savings on Dental Discount program which must be purchased.

SAS enrollees click here. Davis Vision Discount program is included in your SAS plan. Careington Dental Discount program is available for purchase as a separate dental plan.

Additional Important Notes

• **Meningitis vaccine requirement: All new undergraduates (including transfers) must complete the meningitis vaccine requirement 10 days prior to moving on campus. Students who fail to meet this requirement will not be allowed to move into on-campus housing. For more information about the requirement, please click here.
• For Rice University J-1 student visa holders: When you register with the OISS, you will be required to show proof that you have purchased one of the approved health insurance plans for you and your family. Failure to maintain adequate health insurance can, by law, result in the termination of your J-1 status. The Rice Aetna plan or the approved SAS alternate insurance plan meet the legal visa requirements for J-1 visa holders.
• For new students: The Health Data Form must be completed and mailed to the address below before June 1st (for undergraduate students) or July 1st (for graduate students). The form should be completed in your home country, as medical check-ups in the U.S. can be very expensive.
  RICE UNIVERSITY STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE
  6100 MAIN ST. MS#760
  HOUSTON, TX 77005
  USA
• Interim insurance for new students: Rice health insurance plans (Aetna and SAS) have an effective annual term from August 1- July 31 of the following year. If you will be arriving early or beginning your program in the summer, you will need to secure alternate insurance that will cover you until your school plan becomes effective. You are free to select the insurance company of your choice for this interim period. Atlas Insurance is an example of a good option, as it meets the minimum requirements for specific visa categories, such as the J-1, and has the flexibility of enrolling for the number of days that you need. For more information, please visit: http://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/travel-medical-insurance/
• For all students: A Health Service Fee of $241 per semester is also required by Rice University. This fee pays for your use of the campus health center service only. It is entirely separate from the health insurance which helps pay for hospital or physician bills off campus, and does not offer service to dependents.

Additional Resources

• Student Health Insurance Enrollment Process for F-1 and J-1 Students
• Rice Health Insurance Resources
• International Health Insurance Requirement Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• General Graduate Health Insurance Information
• Student Health at Rice
• After Hours Care
• Helpful Tips for Using Health Insurance & Health Insurance Basic Terminology
• Understanding Health Insurance in the U.S. (video)