Orlando Harmon
The University at Buffalo (UB) is making changes to its health insurance requirements for Fall 2024. UB will no longer provide a domestic health insurance plan for its students, and health insurance will no longer be mandatory for domestic students. However, international students and scholars, as well as intercollegiate athletes, will still be required to have health insurance. UB previously selected an optimal insurance plan for its students, billing them through their student accounts. Now, students will have to navigate the process of obtaining health insurance on their own, which has raised concerns about the cost and accessibility of alternative insurance options.
How to get rid of UB medical insurance
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can get rid of UB medical insurance | Domestic students at the University of Buffalo |
| Who cannot get rid of UB medical insurance | International students, intercollegiate student athletes, students in health-related academic programs, and medical students at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences |
| When can domestic students get rid of UB medical insurance | From Fall 2024 |
| How to get rid of UB medical insurance | UB will no longer mandate health insurance for domestic students |
| What to do if you are an international student and want to opt out of UB medical insurance | Complete a waiver and have your department sign it. The completed form must be uploaded to the Haylor, Freyer and Coon portal. |
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What You'll Learn
UB will no longer provide a domestic health insurance plan for students
The University at Buffalo (UB) will no longer provide a domestic health insurance plan for its students from Fall 2024. This means that UB will also no longer require health insurance for its domestic students. However, health insurance will still be mandated for specific groups of students, including international students, students studying abroad, and intercollegiate athletes. The UB Department of Athletics will administer the health insurance requirement for athletes from Fall 2024.
The decision to discontinue the domestic health insurance plan and eliminate the health insurance mandate for domestic students was made after a comprehensive review. UB has stated that there has been a consistent decline in participants for the UB domestic health insurance plan, along with rising health insurance costs and the availability of alternative insurance options.
UB has notified the students enrolled in the university plan about the discontinuation and is supporting them in locating alternate insurance coverage. Students can seek assistance from the UB Health Insurance office in 1Capen, which can provide guidance on finding suitable insurance plans, primarily through the New York State of Health Individual Marketplace.
It is important for students to be aware of their health insurance requirements and options. While UB will no longer offer a domestic health insurance plan, students may need to obtain their own insurance coverage. Students should review their academic program's specific health insurance requirements and plan their insurance arrangements accordingly.
Additionally, students should stay informed about any updates or changes to UB's health insurance policies. More details regarding the health insurance mandate for athletes and other health-related programs will be announced by UB as they become available.
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International students must carry health insurance coverage
As an international student, it is important to carry health insurance coverage. Most universities and colleges in the United States require international students to obtain a minimum level of medical coverage for their enrollment period. This is to ensure that, in the event of an illness or injury, international students can access and pay for quality care. While employer-based health insurance covers over 60% of the US population, this may not be available to international students.
There are many options for international students to secure health insurance coverage. Firstly, you can check with your university to see if they offer a health insurance program. Some universities, such as the University of Buffalo, offer a health insurance plan for international students, with premiums billed biannually. However, it is important to note that UB will discontinue its domestic health insurance plan for students effective Fall 2024. Other universities, such as those in Massachusetts, may require students to enroll in their health insurance plan, as they do not allow students to enroll in any other plan.
If your university does not offer a health insurance plan or allow you to enroll in their plan, you can explore other options. One option is to look into health insurance marketplaces or plans provided at the state level. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides access to an insurance marketplace with various insurance plans that can be purchased. These plans fall under different tiers, making it easier to compare the potential cost of coverage. Additionally, the ACA drives standardized coverage for essential health benefits and requires coverage for preventative services.
Another option is to seek insurance through a private insurer. The international student office at your university may be able to guide you to reputable insurers. When choosing a private insurer, it is important to look for certain features, such as coverage for evacuation and repatriation of remains if you pass away while in the US. You may also want to consider a plan that will cover you if you travel outside the US during your studies. Additionally, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to ensure that your plan includes COVID-19 coverage to provide the best medical care if you contract the virus.
International student health insurance plans are specifically designed to meet the needs of international and study abroad students. These plans offer a mix of benefits, value, and coverage to keep students safe and healthy while studying abroad. They may also provide solutions for physical health, mental wellness, financial protection, crisis support, and personal property. When choosing an international student health insurance plan, it is important to research and understand the terms and coverage of the policy. While the cost of the plan is an important consideration, choosing the cheapest plan may not always be the best option, as it may not offer sufficient coverage.
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Intercollegiate athletes must have health insurance
As of Fall 2024, the University at Buffalo (UB) will no longer offer a domestic health insurance plan to its students and will also no longer mandate health insurance for domestic students. However, intercollegiate student athletes are still required to have health insurance, with this mandate being administered by the UB Department of Athletics.
To ensure adequate protection, intercollegiate athletes and their parents should meet with the athletic director of the college to understand the college's current policies regarding insurance protection for students. It is important to get these policies in writing and, if necessary, purchase additional insurance for the athlete. There are companies that specialize in providing insurance for intercollegiate athletes, and these policies can be customized to provide the correct level of coverage.
It is worth noting that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has certain rules regarding insurance for athletes who play intercollegiate sports. While the NCAA does not mandate a national policy, most colleges and universities now require that students who play sports have their own insurance policy before joining a team. The NCAA also requires institutions to certify insurance coverage of medical expenses for injuries sustained by student-athletes while participating in NCAA events. This has led to many NCAA institutions purchasing secondary insurance policies for their student-athletes, with athletic trainers handling athletic medical claims.
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UB health insurance refunds
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers health insurance to its students, with automatic enrollment for international students and scholars, as well as athletes and students on health-related academic programs. UB has selected an optimal plan for its students, and the premium is billed and paid through student accounts.
From Fall 2024, UB will no longer offer its own health insurance plan to students and will also no longer mandate health insurance for domestic students. This means that UB students will need to seek alternative health insurance coverage.
If you are an international student and you wish to opt out of the UHCSR health insurance plan, you can do so by completing a waiver form. This form must be signed by your department and uploaded to the Haylor, Freyer, and Coon portal. If your waiver is denied, you will be notified by email. If your waiver is approved, but your current insurance plan has insufficient medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, your student account will be refunded for the full plan premium.
To initiate the enrollment process for UB health insurance, international students must contact Haylor, Freyer, and Coon by email with a copy of their current insurance carrier's termination letter.
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UB email reminders for open waive/enrollment periods
As a student at the University of Buffalo, you will receive frequent reminders to your UB email during the open waive/enrollment period. It is your responsibility to check your UB email account for these notifications.
International Students
All international students taking one or more credit hours (and their dependents) must carry health insurance coverage available through SUNY (or comparable coverage) for the duration of their academic registration at UB. These policies also apply to J-1 student interns and are set by SUNY Administration. International students are billed and enrolled in the SUNY health insurance plan once registered for at least one credit hour due to their student visa.
International students can opt out of the UHCSR health insurance plan by completing a waiver form and having their department sign it. The completed form must be uploaded to the Haylor, Freyer and Coon portal. If your waiver request is denied, you will be notified via email.
Domestic Students
Effective Fall 2024, UB will no longer provide the domestic health insurance plan to its students, and health insurance will no longer be mandatory for domestic students. However, certain programs, such as the MD program and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, will continue to require health insurance for their students.
Athletes and Scholars
All intercollegiate student-athletes are required to have health insurance, effective Fall 2024. This mandate will be administered by the UB Department of Athletics. Additionally, all international scholars are required to have health insurance coverage.
Study Abroad
Students studying abroad or participating in UB-related activities abroad must have health insurance coverage through the university.
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Frequently asked questions
Starting Fall 2024, UB will no longer provide a domestic health insurance plan to its students, and the mandate for health insurance coverage will no longer apply to domestic students. International students, however, are still required to have health insurance coverage.
If you are remaining in your home country and would like to opt out of the international student health insurance UHCSR, you can complete a waiver form and have your department sign it. The completed form must be uploaded to the Haylor, Freyer and Coon portal.
All international students taking 1 or more credit hours (and their dependents) must carry health insurance coverage available through SUNY (or comparable coverage) for the duration of their academic registration at UB.
