Insurance Clearance for F-1 Students

How to Receive Insurance Clearance

The documentation below is required in order to receive clearance for your health insurance requirement. You will be notified within 1-3 business days if your health insurance is approved, denied, or if further information is needed to make that determination.

Your Health Insurance Clearance documents can be sent via a secure email using FileDrop (see procedure below).

FileDropping (Securely emailing) Your Health Insurance Clearance Documents:
In order to send us your Health Insurance Clearance Forms, you will need to have web access and have your health information stored on the device that you're using (computer, phone, tablet, etc).

  1. From any web browser, go to https://www.hawaii.edu/filedrop.
  2. Click on the UH Login Here (green box).
  3. Login using your UH username and password.
  4. After you've logged in, you will be redirected to the "UPLOAD DETAILS" page.
  5. "UPLOAD DETAILS" Page
    • In the Recipient field, type: "SHIO"
    • In the Require Authentication field, check: "YES"
    • In the Expiration Timer field, select: "14 days"
    • In the Optional Message field, type: "Health Insurance Clearance"
    • Click Proceed.
  6. You will be redirected to the "FILE UPLOAD" page.
    • Click on Choose File / Browse button to attach your file (you may add a description, but it is not required)
    • Click the Start Upload button.
  7. You will be redirected to a confirmation page with the link to your uploaded file. You're finished!

IMPORTANT : Due to the large number of students who will be requiring insurance clearance each semester, students should submit their forms early to avoid not being able to register, add and drop courses. We recommend submitting your forms at least 1-2 weeks prior to your insurance hold date.

Documents Required to Receive Clearance

There are 3 kinds of insurance plans that you can purchase to receive clearance, the UH Student Plan, the UH Employer/Employee Health Insurance Plan (through EUTF) or another insurance company. The documents required to receive clearance are listed below:

UH Student Plan

If you choose the UH Student Plan, you will need to submit the following:

  1. F-1 Student Acknowledgement & Insurance Provider Certification Form (PDF) *
    1. Student needs to complete & sign the student section (TOP) of the form (DO NOT forward this form to the insurance company)
    2. Proof of Payment for the current semester's insurance premium - proof of payment (samples)
      1. Copy of HMSA Receipt, confirmation email or screenshot of your HMSA My Account showing PAID OR
      2. Confirmation letter from HMSA, the letter must include:
        • Subscriber name
        • Confirmation that you are on the UH Student Plan
        • Coverage start and end dates
        • Benefit option selected (example: medical, drug, repatriation)
        • Amount Paid

NOTE: If you just purchased this plan but have not paid yet, submit either your online confirmation or online enrollment form as proof that you enrolled and your hold will be moved forward a few days.

Once you have paid your insurane plan premiums, submit proof of payment to the Student Health Insurance Office (SHIO) to receive your "Health Insurance Clearance" for the semester.

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UH Employer/Employee Health Insurance Plan (through EUTF)

If you choose the UH Employer/Employee Health Insurance Plan, you will need to submit the following:

  1. For EUTF Members
    1. F-1 Student Acknowledgement & Insurance Provider Certification Form (PDF) *
      1. Student needs to complete & sign the student section (TOP) of the form (DO NOT forward this form to the insurance company).
    2. MEMO (for EUTF members) (PDF) *
      1. This memo needs to be completed and signed by your department
      2. This shows that you are on (or have applied for) the employer health insurance, which insurance plan you selected and your appointment start & end dates.

        EUTF Medical Plans that meet "most of" the minimum requirements:
        * none of these plans cover repatriation and medical evacuation; you have to buy this separately
        - HMSA 90/10 PPO Plan
        - HMSA 80/20 PPO Plan
        - HMSA 75/25 PPO Plan
        - HMSA HMO Plan
        - Kaiser Standard Plan
        - Kaiser Comprehensive Plan
    3. Proof of repatriation and medical evacuation insurance

      You have to purchase separate repatriation & medical evacuation insurance. Some companies that sell this type of insurance are: International SOS and Basic Emergency Travel Assistance (BETA); HOWEVER, you can purchase this coverage from any company of your choice as long as it meets the minimum requirements (at least $25,000 USD for repatriation & at least $50,000 USD for medical evacuation.

      Documentation (proof of insurance) should include:

      - Insurance company's name
      - Plan subscriber's name
      - Plan start and end dates
      - Dollar amounts of coverage (at least $25,000 for repatriation & at least $50,000 USD for medical evacuation

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Other Insurance Plan (other HMSA plans and all other insurance plans)

If you choose another insurance plan, you will need to submit the following:

  1. Other HMSA Plans (HMSA Individual Plans or other HMSA employer insurance plans)
    1. F-1 Student Acknowledgement & Insurance Provider Certification Form and Instructions (PDF) *
      1. Student needs to complete & sign the student section (TOP) of the form
      2. Insurance company needs to complete & sign the bottom of the form
        - Email form to HMSA at StudentPlan@hmsa.com
  2. All Other Insurance Plans
    1. F-1 Student Acknowledgement & Insurance Provider Certification Form and Instructions (PDF) *
      1. Student needs to complete & sign the student section (TOP) of the form
      2. Insurance company needs to complete (initial next to each requirement) & sign the bottom of the form

IMPORTANT : If your plan does not meet the minimum levels of coverage required or your insurance company will not complete and sign the F-1 Student Acknowledgement & Insurance Provider Certification Form, then your plan will not be accepted for health insurance clearance.

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