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:

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 2018: Monday, July 9, 2018 - Friday, August 31, 2018

Spring 2019: Monday, December 3, 2018 - Friday, January 18, 2019

Health Plan Options

Aetna - Rice Student Plan (click for details)

Short Brochure and Summary Flyer

Click here for Short brochure and Summary flyer

Current Rates

Click here for Current Rates

How to Enroll

Visit http://studenthealthinsurance.rice.edu
Click on Health Insurance Application
You will be redirected to Aetna's website where you may complete the application form
Upon submission, your enrollment will be complete
You will pay your insurance premium on your student bill

ID Card

Click here for instructions on how to Request and Print your ID Card

Filing a Claim

Click here to File a Claim

Preferred Providers

Click here to Find a Preferred Provider (In-Network Doctor)

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for Aetna FAQ's

Contact Aetna

For plan specific and network provider questions, please contact Aetna Student Health directly at 1-877-480-4161 or click here to visit the website.

If your doctor's office is closed and you do not know whether your condition is life threatening, you can call one of the Nurse Health Lines listed below. This is a free service available 24/7. You will be able to speak to a trained Nurse that can advise you on the best place to seek treatment based on your symptoms.
Aetna Nurse Health Hotline: 1-800-556-1555 (ONLY available to students enrolled in the Aetna insurance plan)

Memorial Hermann Nurse Health Line: 713-338-7979 or Toll Free at 1-855-577-7979

Rice Student Health Center: 713-348-4966

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

Short Brochure and Summary Flyer

Click here for Short brochure and Summary flyer

Current Rates

SAS current rates as of April 2018 (*all charges subject to change*)
Insurance For:	Annual 8/15/2018 - 8/14/2019	Fall 8/15/2018 - 12/31/2018	Spring 1/1/2019 - 8/14/2019
Student only	$1,433/year	$546	$887
Spouse	$1,433/year	$546	$887
Each child	$1,433/year	$546	$887
3 or more children	$4,299/year	$1,638	$2,661

Please note that the doctoral subsidy is only applied if a doctoral student enrolls in the Rice Aetna plan. For information on the doctoral student health insurance subsidy, please click here.

How to Enroll

Go to the SAS website to complete the SAS Insurance Enrollment Form (click here)
Submit your premium payment online by credit card (a mail-in version is also available for payment by check)
Upon successful submission, you will see a confirmation page to print out for your records

ID Card

Click here for instructions on how to Request and Print your ID Card

Filing a Claim

Click here to File a Claim and view the Claim Status

Preferred Providers

Click here to Find a Preferred Provider (In-Network Doctor)

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for SAS FAQ's

Contact SAS

Contact:
Enrollment Issues: SAS
Benefits and Claims Issues: Consolidated Health Plans

SAS Website: http://www.sas-mn.com/
SAS Customer Service Phone: 1-800-328-2739
Direct Contact for Rice University: Paul Fisher (Phone: 877-626-0360; Email: paul@psihealthplans.com)

Consolidated Health Plan: http://www.chpstudent.com/
2077 Roosevelt Ave. Springfield, MA 01104
Phone: 800-633-7867 (8am - 5pm)

Office of International Students & Scholars:
Email: oiss@rice.edu
Phone: 713-348-6095

Additional Services Included in your SAS plan

CareConnect - Behavioral Health Hotline 888-857-5462

24/7 telephone access to professional assistance by licensed mental health professionals for concerns like drug abuse, alcohol-related concerns, transition and/or adjustment issues, stress related to coursework and careers, cultural diversity issues, eating disorders and body concerns, anger management issues, suicidal r homicidal ideations, relationship problems. 24/7 telephone access to professional assistance by licensed mental health professionals for concerns like drug abuse, alcohol-related concerns, transition and/or adjustment issues, stress related to coursework and careers, cultural diversity issues, eating disorders and body concerns, anger management issues, suicidal or homicidal ideations, relationship problems.

24 Hour Nurseline 800-634-7629

Phone-based, reliable health information response to health concerns and questions. Assistance in decisions on the appropriate level of care for an injury or sickness. This program is not a substitute for doctor visits or emergency response systems. It does not answer health plan benefit questions. For health plan benefit questions call 800-633-7867.

Emergency Medical and Travel Assistance

Program that will arrange emergency medical and travel assistance services, repatriation services and other travel assistance services when you are traveling. If you are travelling and need assistance in North America, call 877-488-9833 or other countries +1 609-452-8570.

Vision Discount Program – Davis Vision Discount Program

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 15 - August 14 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.