Finding an insurance policy that meets both your personal and school qualifications can be tough. Luckily the waiver process is easy.
Waivers 101
It is common for colleges and universities in the U.S. to allow their international students to “waive” a school-sponsored health insurance plan, and instead purchase a plan of their own choosing – provided that it meets a list of school-mandated requirements.
In order to prove to your school that you’ve purchased an insurance plan meeting their guidelines, your school may require that you complete a waiver form. Of course all waiver forms are different, but typically includes the following:
- A student section, requiring your name, date of birth and signature
- A list of benefits that your alternative plan must include, such as coverage for sports, maternity and mental health
- The specific dates that your insurance coverage needs to be active
- A section to be completed by the insurance company, which typically requires a signature and date
For reference, these waiver forms tend to be between 1-2 pages long and can be downloaded from your school’s website, or provided from the health services or international office on campus.
Now that you know what a waiver is and what it’s used for, let’s get into our 4 tips for an easy insurance waiver process!
Tip 1: Start Early!
The trick to getting your waiver completed and back to your school on time is simply starting the process as quickly as possible. After you’ve taken the time to track down a plan that meet your school requirements, it’s important to keep in mind that sections of your waiver form may need to also be completed by the insurance company. For reference, this process generally takes between 2-3 business days (meaning that weekends don’t count!), so don’t forget to add in a few extra days when creating a timeline for your waiver form.
Read Your Waiver Carefully!
Before you begin the search for your insurance plan, be sure to read and re-read your waiver requirements. Oftentimes schools won’t accept your waiver if it’s overdue, or if every requirement isn’t met, so knowing what your school will accept ahead of time can make a huge difference!
Tip 3: Don’t Forget to Sign!
The majority of waivers aren’t complete without your signature! Oftentimes waivers have a section for the insurance company to complete as well as a student portion – which requires your name, insurance policy number, as well as your date of birth and of course, your autograph. Keep in mind that the form can’t be completed until the ‘student portion’ of your waiver is filled out, so be sure to include your signature to avoid delays.
Tip 4: When in Doubt, Ask for Help!
We know first-hand how confusing health insurance terminology can be, so when in doubt, contact us! Our licensed health insurance agents can help you find the best plan for your budget and can help confirm which of our plans will best meet your school requirements. It’s also important to remember that simply buying a plan that your school will accept isn’t nearly as important as knowing how to use your insurance in case you need it. We’re available Monday through Friday to help answer your insurance questions, find a doctor that will accept your plan, and explain your out of pocket expenses.
Now that you’re armed with these helpful tips, be sure to find a plan that meets all of your insurance waiver requirements, and don’t hesitate to contact us for help.
Category: Insurance Explained, International Student Health Insurance, School Requirements
Tags: 4 Steps for an Easy Waiver Process, how to do an insurance waiver, insurance waiver for international students, international student insurance waiver, waiver process
hi, I go to east carolina university and the insurance is too expensive, i was wondering if i can waive it with your insurance.
Hi Gabe,
Thanks for your blog comment.
It looks like your school has a school plan that they require you to buy but they do say that students in some instances can waive. I’ve sent you an email with further information.