Opt-Out/Waiver

Waiver Periods

Fall - 06/01/2022 - 09/09/2022

Spring/Summer - 11/02/2022 - 02/03/2023

Undergraduate and graduate students at USC Columbia enrolled in 6 or more credit hours, graduate students with graduate assistantships, students in the School of Medicine enrolled in 1 or more hours, and international students will be required to show proof of health insurance as a condition of enrollment. Students must either enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan or waive the plan by showing proof of their own health insurance.

Students enrolled at the University of South Carolina that wish to opt-out of the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) must submit alternate coverage information through the Academic HealthPlans Waiver System. In order to be approved for a waiver, your alternate health coverage must meet the requirements listed below and be submitted with proof documentation prior to the September 9, 2022 deadline.

Please review these prior to submitting your waiver request.

Domestic Students must be enrolled in a health plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA):

1. Provide the Essential Minimum Benefits required by the PPACA with no annual limits. A list of the benefits can be found here: https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/essential-health-benefits/ .
2. Contain no exclusions (or waiting periods) for pre-existing conditions.
3. Covers 100% of Preventive Care as defined by the PPACA. A list of these preventive services can be found here: https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits/.

**Special Note:  Students submitting Medicaid plans, please include a recently dated coverage letter with your waiver request.**

NOTE: The following plan(s) will NOT be acceptable for waiver approval:

• Short-term coverage plans are not accepted.
• Financial Assistance plans are not accepted.
• Travel plans or plans that require you to pay for treatment yourself and then apply for reimbursement are not accepted

Click Here to Enroll or Waive the Student Health Insurance Plan

International Students must be enrolled in a health plan that meets the following minimum requirements:

1. Medical coverage must have an unlimited maximum benefit per policy year per covered person.
2. Contains no exclusions (or waiting periods) for pre-existing conditions.
3. And provide the following coverage benefits:
   • Ambulatory (i.e. Outpatient) patient services
   • Emergency Services
   • Hospitalization
   • Maternity and newborn care
   • Mental health and substance use disorder services
   • Prescriptions drugs
   • Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
   • Laboratory services
   • Chronic disease management

4. Out-of-pocket expenses must not exceed $8,700 (individual) and $17,400 (family).
5. Plan must provide coverage in the South Carolina area.
6. Repatriation expenses in the amount of no less than $25,000.
7. Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the insured to the insured’s home country of no less than $50,000.

If the health plan does not include medical evacuation and repatriation, a rider must be purchased providing coverage at equal limits.

NOTE: The following plan(s) will NOT be acceptable for waiver approval:

• Short-term coverage plans are not accepted.
• Financial Assistance plans are not accepted.
• Travel plans or plans that require you to pay for treatment yourself and then apply for reimbursement are not accepted.

Click Here to Enroll or Waive the Student Health Insurance Plan

AHP Waiver System - Student Training

Student Quick Reference Flyer