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.
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.
Students can enroll in these insurance plans during the Open Enrollment Period:
Fall 2019: Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - Friday, August 30, 2019
Spring 2020: Monday, December 2, 2019 - Friday, January 17, 2020
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.
Short Brochure and Summary Flyer
Current Rates
How to Enroll
ID Card
Filing a Claim
Find a Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Aetna
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
Press on "Find My School" - "Rice University - International Students - Health"
Plan Information and Summary Flyer
Current Rates
| Insurance For: | Annual 8/15/2019 - 7/31/2020 | Fall 8/15/2019 - 12/31/2019 | Spring 1/1/2020 - 7/31/2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student only | $1,456/year | $575 | $881 |
| Spouse | $1,456/year | $575 | $881 |
| Each child | $1,456/year | $575 | $881 |
| 3 or more children | $4,368/year | $1,725 | $2,643 |
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
ID Card
Filing a Claim
Find a Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact SAS
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)
Wellfleet/CHP Student: https://studentinsurance.com/
PO Box 15369 Springfield, MA 01104-5369
Phone: 877-657-5030 (8am - 5pm)
Office of International Students & Scholars:
Email: oiss@rice.edu
Phone: 713-348-6095
Additional Services Included in your SAS plan
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
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.
