F-1 Student Health Insurance

The University of Hawai'i requires that students maintain health insurance that meets the following minimum coverage levels throughout their program:

May include a provision for co-insurance, but, if included, must pay at least 75% of covered medical expenses.

All F-1 students must provide proof of compliant health insurance coverage to the Student Health Insurance Office (SHIO) to update the health insurance hold (IH) and register for classes.

Visit the SHIO website for instructions and access to required forms. Submit proof of adequate health insurance coverage to SHIO.  SHIO will review your submitted documents to verify that your insurance meets university requirements.If you're requesting a waiver (e.g., conducting research abroad), refer to SHIO’s Forms and Memos section for details.

Once approved, SHIO will remove or update the IH hold on your student record. You must resubmit proof of adequate health insurance each time your coverage is renewed or changed. For questions, contact shio@hawaii.edu.

When comparing health insurance plans, you may come across the following terms:

• Premium: The amount you pay regularly to maintain your health insurance policy.
• Deductible: The amount you must pay before your insurance begins to cover costs. This may apply per illness/accident or per policy period.
• Coinsurance: The percentage of costs you share with the insurance after the deductible is met (e.g., you pay 25%, the insurance pays 75%).
• Co-payment (Co-pay): A fixed dollar amount you pay for a service, regardless of the total cost.
• Covered Expense: A medical expense that is eligible for reimbursement under your plan.
• In-Network Provider: A doctor or hospital that partners with your insurance to offer discounted rates.
• Pre-existing Condition: A health issue for which you received treatment or advice before starting a new insurance plan.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), often referred to as the “Affordable Care Act” (ACA), is a U.S. federal law intended to provide individuals with increased access to higher quality and lower cost health insurance through subsidies, exchanges, and the establishment of minimum coverage standards. It includes the Individual Shared Responsibility Provision, which requires each person who is subject to the ACA to comply with one of the following:

1. Have qualifying health coverage (minimum essential coverage);
2. Qualify for a health coverage exemption; or
3. Make a shared responsibility payment when filing his/her federal income tax return.

For more information on the ACA, see the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Care website.

You must purchase a health insurance plan that meets requirements for attending the University. Once enrolled, you’ll receive an insurance ID card to use when seeking medical care. Be sure to pay your insurance premiums as required—either by semester or annually—to maintain continuous coverage.

When you visit a doctor or hospital, they may either:

• Bill your insurance directly, or
• Ask you to pay upfront and submit a claim for reimbursement.

The insurance company will review the claim and either pay the provider directly or reimburse you, depending on your policy.

NOTE: Doctor offices or hospitals may or may not file claims on your behalf to your health insurance plan seeking payment for the cost of your medical visit.

• • If the doctor/hospital files a claim for you, it means the doctor/hospital is willing to wait for payment of the cost of your doctor visit from your health insurance plan.
  • If you must file your claim to your health insurance plan, it means that you will need to pay the total cost of the doctor visit at the time of your visit and you will need to wait for your health insurance plan to reimburse you the cost of your doctor visit, per the level of coverage in your health insurance plan.