University of Cincinnati Health Insurance for Students and Faculty

The University of Cincinnati offers health insurance options for students and faculty, including the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and the Faculty and Staff Health Insurance Plan.

The SHIP is a mandatory health insurance plan for international students, while domestic students can opt-out if they have existing health coverage.

The University of Cincinnati requires international students to enroll in the SHIP, unless they can provide proof of equivalent coverage.

Domestic students can waive the SHIP if they have health insurance that meets the University's minimum requirements, which include a $5,000 deductible and $500,000 maximum coverage.

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If you're an international student at the University of Cincinnati, you're required to carry the UC Student Health Insurance policy unless you can prove coverage equal to or greater than the policy.

To qualify for a waiver, you'll need to meet minimum credit hours or other eligibility requirements, which are listed on the health insurance website. If you change your visa status or transfer to another institution, you must contact the UC Student Health Insurance office immediately to avoid reimbursement for your insurance premium.

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The UC Student Health Insurance policy has a list of requirements that other insurance policies must meet in order to qualify for a waiver, including medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness and a deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

UC Student Health Insurance offers a range of services, including primary care, which extends beyond preventive services to include women's health, lab work, and x-rays. There's no limit on primary care visits to UHS, and there's no charge for primary care.

Mental health visits have a 0% co-insurance due, although this may change dependent on services received. You can refer to UHS-Mental Health for more information on mental health services available.

Prescriptions are $15, $30, or $60 for tier 1, tier 2, or tier 3 drugs, respectively. You can call the pharmacy at 513-556-6091 for assistance with prescription needs.

Services are available to students only by referral from a UHS provider, and there's a 20% co-insurance per visit, typically ranging from $16 to $61 dependent on services received.

Here's a list of covered vaccines and immunizations available through UHS:

If you're a University of Cincinnati student with a pre-existing medical condition, you're in luck - the university's health insurance plan offers coverage for pre-existing conditions, as long as you enroll during the open enrollment period or during a qualifying life event.

The University of Cincinnati health insurance plan covers 80% of medical expenses for pre-existing conditions, leaving you with a manageable 20% out-of-pocket cost.

Students with disabilities may also be eligible for additional support services and accommodations through the university's Disability Services office.

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If you're covered under someone else's insurance, it's essential to review the policies with your parents or partner to understand the terms and conditions.

You may be able to waive UC Student Health Insurance if you're already enrolled in a comparable plan. To do this, submit an online waiver by the deadlines listed on the UC Student Health Insurance website.

Not all international visitors qualify for UC benefits, so it's crucial to understand your specific situation. J-1 recipients who will receive UC medical benefits need to know how their UC insurance meets the regulations.

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If you're a J-1 exchange visitor with a faculty position, you'll need to select the PPO option, not the HDHP option, when choosing your plan.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires individuals to maintain "minimum essential healthcare coverage" to avoid additional payments to the IRS. UC students and employees covered by the UC Student Health Insurance Plan or employee benefits are exempt from this requirement.

However, if you're not covered by a compliant plan, you may need to enroll in one or make additional payments to the IRS. This applies to students who don't qualify for the UC Student Health Insurance Plan and nonimmigrant visa holders who are not UC employees.

Your tax residency status determines whether you must carry ACA-compliant insurance or pay the tax penalty. F-1 and J-1 students are generally considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes for the first 5 years in the U.S.

J-1 scholars are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes for the first two years in the U.S.

If you're unsure about your tax residency status or have questions about waiving insurance, you can contact International Medical Group at 1.317.655.4500 or 1.800.628.4664.

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If you experience a loss of coverage in the middle of the term, you may be eligible to enroll in coverage as a Qualifying Life Event.

Students who experience this situation can take advantage of this opportunity, as long as they meet the requirements.

You're not exempt just because you're a university employee with benefits at the beginning of the term - you're actually exempt from this process and ineligible for benefits.

Dependents of university employees, on the other hand, are not exempt, and will need to submit a waiver if they meet the eligibility requirements.

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