Frequently Asked Questions

Opt-Out

If you do not want the Student Health Insurance Plan, you must decline or opt-out of coverage by submitting a waiver. You may only opt-out of coverage during the following Waiver Periods:

Summer Semester (2025-2026 Plan Year; coverage 06/01/2025 - 07/31/2025): 05/12/2025 - 06/30/2025

Fall 1 (coverage 06/01/2025 - 12/31/2025): 05/12/2025 - 06/30/2025

Fall 2 (coverage 07/01/2025 - 12/31/2025): 06/09/2025 - 07/31/2025

Fall 3 (coverage 08/15/2025 - 12/31/2025): 07/21/2025 - 09/15/2025

Per University of Oklahoma Regents’ Policy, all students enrolled in an OU Health Sciences Center program are responsible for maintaining health insurance and providing coverage information each semester of enrollment in their programs. A student who is found to be uninsured will receive notification from HSC Student Affairs and their academic dean’s office regarding lack of compliance and possible delay academic program, including clinical participation, advancement.

All students enrolled in an OU Health Sciences Center program who do not enroll in OUHSC Health Coverage must submit alternate coverage information through the Academic HealthPlans Waiver System by the deadlines respective to your program.

Domestic Students must provide proof of alternate coverage that meets the following criteria:

  1. Medical coverage must be currently active, list coverage dates that cover the entire coverage period being waived, be written in English, and premiums must be quoted in United States currency.
  2. Individual medical insurance coverage must be ACA compliant.
  3. Group Health Plan coverage, as a covered employee or covered dependent, must meet the ACA requirements for Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) and Minimum Value (MV) (at least a 60% actuarial value).
  4. All medical coverage must meet the Minimum Essential Coverage requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) including, but not limited to, a) no exclusions for pre-existing conditions, b) preventative care and women's health care as required by the ACA must be covered at 100%, and c) include no annual or lifetime limits.
  5. Tribal coverage, Military coverage, and Sooner Care are acceptable forms of insurance coverage. Students can upload their card or letter as evidence of coverage.
  6. Healthcare sharing groups do not meet the requirements for acceptable alternative health insurance. Membership in a healthcare sharing group will not be accepted for waiver approval.
  7. Any HSC student who has coverage as an employee or dependent of a University of Oklahoma or University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center employee will be deemed to have met the waiver requirements to waive coverage under the University of Oklahoma Student Health Plan.

International Students are eligible to submit a waiver if:

  1. Student is eligible for, and enrolled in, the OU Employee Group Health Plan, or other employer sponsored ACA compliant group health plan.
  2. Student provides evidence that they are eligible for, and enrolled in, ACA compliant individual coverage purchased through the Exchange (HealthCare.gov), or other ACA compliant individual coverage purchased from an insurance carrier based in the United States.
  3. Student is eligible for, and enrolled in, coverage that is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor’s home country and is provided through an ACA compliant plan.
  4. Student is sponsored by the US government or other sponsoring entity that has guaranteed payment of all health expenses, and repatriation and evacuation expenses.  
  5. Student is enrolled exclusively in distance learning classes at the university.

Health Insurance requirements:

  1. Minimum Essential Coverage as required by the ACA with no annual or lifetime limits,
  2. No exclusions for pre‐existing conditions.
  3. Preventive care and women’s health care as required by the ACA covered at 100%.
  4. An annual deductible* not greater than $500.
  5. Coinsurance that does not exceed 25% of allowable charges under the plan.
  6. Policy must include a list of the exclusions.
  7. Policy coverage dates must include the entire semester.
  8. Policy must be in English and in US currency/dollars.
  9. Policy must be active and in effect for the duration of the semester.  
  10. International Students must also maintain coverage for repatriation of remains to their home country and medical evacuation to their home country. The benefit for repatriation may not be less than $25,000, and the benefit for medical evacuation may not be less than $50,000.

*This requirement must be met, regardless of HSA account status/balance

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE IN ENGLISH AND IN US CURRENCY.

International Students who have been granted a waiver from coverage under the OU HSC SHP and lose coverage at any time during the semester for which the waiver has been granted must immediately report the loss of healthcare coverage by completing the ‘Qualifying Events Form’ located at ouhsc.myahpcare.com/enrollment. Failure of an International Student to maintain coverage as required under this policy is a violation of Regent’s Policy and can delay enrollment and program advancement.

If you have questions regarding your status, please contact OU HSC Admissions & Records at 1 (405) 271-2480.

If you have questions regarding the Waiver System, please contact Academic Health Plans at help.ahpcare.com or HSC Student Affairs at 1 (405) 271-2416.

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