Mandatory Insurance for Medical School Students

Students providing care to patients poses inherent risks of acquiring a communicable disease; therefore, all students enrolled at the School of Medicine (SOM) are required to maintain continuous health insurance coverage that provides benefits to meet the established minimum standards. Prior to orientation, and annually thereafter, students will be automatically enrolled in the University of Texas System Health Insurance Plan, unless they show proof, via waiver, that their current insurance provides the benefits that meet the established minimum standards. Such insurance coverage shall be maintained continuously throughout a student’s attendance at the SOM. Students are responsible for immediately notifying the SOM’s Office of Financial Assistance, should the status of their health insurance coverage change for any reason (e.g., voluntary change in policy, non-payment, etc.). The University of Texas System SHIP covers preventive care services, inpatient and outpatient care, as well as laboratory, radiology, pharmacy, and rehabilitative services. Urgent care and emergency care, mental/behavioral health services, and substance abuse treatment services are also covered. Preventive services, including immunizations, are generally covered at 100%, while students are typically responsible for a co-pay and/or co- insurance for most other services. Referrals are not required, and students will experience a cost savings for choosing in-network providers. Deductibles and maximum coverage limits are competitive with other available insurance products.