Graduate Student Health Insurance

Good health is a necessary component of academic success. To help you maintain yours, the University of Memphis has partnered with Wellfleet Insurance Company to offer a robust and student-focused insurance policy to meet the needs of graduate students on campus. The Wellfleet plan is ACA (Affordable Care Act) compliant and for international graduate students, it meets the Department of Homeland Security requirements for F1 and J1 students.  For information on graduate assistantship health benefits, please visit: https://www.memphis.edu/gradschool/current_students/graduate_assistantship_health_benefits.php  

Domestic Graduate and Law Students

Who is eligible to purchase health insurance? Domestic graduate students (including law students) who are degree seeking and enrolled in 6 or more graduate credit hours, domestic Master’s students in their last semester of coursework who were previously full-time, and late-stage PhD students who are enrolled in dissertation for at least one hour are eligible to enroll on a voluntary basis during open enrollment periods.

In order to enroll, please register for classes first. Eligibility is determined on the basis of class registration.  

What are the coverage period dates, costs, and deadlines for voluntary enrollment? 

The open enrollment period typically begins a month before the coverage start date and ends two weeks into the semester.  Be sure to complete your enrollment on or before the enrollment deadlines. Visit the Wellfleet site for plan details or to enroll, https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268.  

Where can I find detailed information about the plan and what it covers? For more information visit: https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268

What are the open enrollment dates?

Open enrollment begins roughly one month before the coverage period open. Specific dates are available on the Wellfleet website:  https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268

What if I have other health insurance? Although enrollment is voluntary for domestic students, we advise graduate students to carefully consider the overall benefits of the University of Memphis student health insurance plan in comparison with other individual or group insurance. This plan is designed to stand alone or be coordinated with any existing health plan. If your present coverage seems inadequate, we strongly suggest that you consider enrollment in this program.

Can I extend the Wellfleet Student Health insurance coverage after I graduate? No, Wellfleet does not offer COBRA coverage to the plan. However, if you graduate in May, your spring coverage will continue until the end of the plan year 7/31/2024.Your end of coverage date under this plan may constitute a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) for mid-term enrollment in another ACA plan. Please check with the other insurance company for details about enrollment after a QLE.  

How do I get an insurance card? Once enrolled, you may print a copy of your insurance card from the Wellfleet Student website athttps://www.studentinsurance.com/MyAccount/Account/Index/2268  Please allow 24-48 hours to obtain card after enrollment.

How do I enroll/register? Do I need to do anything to have coverage? Eligible domestic graduate students may enroll on a voluntary basis during open enrollment periods. You must be registered for classes in order to enroll.  

To enroll, students may visit https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268 and follow the link to “Enroll or Waive” coverage.

Once you submit a request for enrollment, the University will verify your eligibility, and if approved you will receive a payment link within 2-3 business days. Premium for the period selected will be due in full to complete your enrollment. 

Can I purchase coverage for my spouse and children? Dependent enrollment for voluntary domestic graduate students is not currently available.  

How will the premium be collected? Domestic student premiums will be paid directly to the carrier at the time of enrollment. 

How can I get a copy of the plan? Visit Wellfleet Student on the web at https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268 and follow the link to “Discover your benefits”.

How do I know if my doctor is in the Wellfleet/Cigna PPO network? 

Visit https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268 and select “Find Health Professionals.”

Is pregnancy covered? Yes, pregnancy is covered under the same benefits as any other condition.

Am I covered during the summer? Yes, if you are enrolled in the plan during the Spring semester, you are also enrolled during the summer, until July 31.

Why does the Spring term include Summer when I may not be enrolled? The Spring/Summer term extends through July 31^st so that students can maintain continuous coverage even when they are not enrolled in summer classes. The Fall term will begin August 1^st.

Will the University of Memphis Health insurance plan impact domestic student’s ability to receive a marketplace subsidy or obtain an ACA plan through the marketplace?Student health insurance offered through a University is not consider employer insurance and as such it will not affect a student’s ability to receive a marketplace subsidy or their ability to obtain an ACA plan through the Marketplace.  

I am a graduate assistant. Does the University of Memphis offer health care benefits/coverage to graduate assistants? 

Please visit our Graduate Assistantship Health Benefits webpage for details: https://www.memphis.edu/gradschool/current_students/graduate_assistantship_health_benefits.php 

International Graduate Students

The University of Memphis has contracted with Wellfleet to provide a comprehensive health insurance option for our international students. This is an ACA compliant (Affordable Care Act) plan and provides annual coverage.

All international students (holding F or J visas) are automatically enrolled in the Wellfleet system upon registering for classes each semester and fees are posted to your tiger express account.

To set up your account, review your benefits, find a doctor, and receive your insurance card go to: https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268

International students have the option of waiving this insurance. Conditions for the waiver are explained below. 

When does my insurance coverage begin? 

The Fall period is effective August 1-December 31

The Spring/Summer period is effective January 1 – July 31. 

Summer: May TBD-July 31

NOTE: Summer enrollment is for students enrolling at the University of Memphis for the first time during the summer months.  

How much does the Health Insurance cost? 

2024-2025 premiums 

Annual premium: $2,249            
Fall payment: $943                       
Spring/summer payment: $1,306              
Summer payment (for students entering first semester summer): $376 (end of May TBD—July 31)

What if I am enrolled in IEI (Intensive English for Internationals)? 

You will be enrolled in the University of Memphis Student Health Insurance Plan during your IEI term, and the cost will be as follows:

• Summer 2024  May 8, 2024 – July 31, 2024  $631
• Fall 1, 2024:     August 1-October 17 $481
• Fall 2, 2024:     October 18 - December 31 $462
• Spring 1, 2025: January 1- March 13 $444
• Spring 2, 2025: March 14- May 7 $339
• Summer, 2025: May 8- July 31 $523

How is the payment billed? 

International students will have their premium billed each semester to their Tiger express account at the same time as tuition and other fees are assessed. 

Can I pay monthly rather than all at once?

The University of Memphis has an installment plan that students can enroll in which will spread their payments across four months. There is no installment plan for summer enrollment. For more information about the payment plan, please visit the University & Student Business Services website: https://www.memphis.edu/usbs/payments/.

How do I obtain a waiver?

International students can request a waiver from participation if they have purchased other insurance that meets the University’s waiver requirements. Proof of ACA compatible coverage must be submitted to waive the University of Memphis plan. 

Requests for waivers can only be submitted during the open enrollment period.  For open enrollment dates please go to: https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268

What are the waiver requirements?

• Plan must be compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
• Unlimited medical coverage for both preventive and emergency care
• Include pregnancy benefits
• No waiting period for coverage
• Pre-existing conditions MUST be covered
• Deductible of $500 or less J1 requirement
• Requires student to pay 25% or less per accident/illness
• Repatriation coverage of at least $25,000 USD
• Medical evacuation coverage of at least $50,000 USD.
• A.M. Best rating of “A-“ or better OR Standard & Poors rating of “A-“ or better
• Information must be provided in English and in US dollars.

What documents do I need to provide in order to show proof of ACA compatible insurance?

A front and back copy of your current health insurance ID card as well as a benefit summary of your other health insurance plan, also known as a Certificate of Coverage notice. The benefit summary/Certificate of Coverage must include the policy number, plan name, your effective and termination dates, and a contact number for the other insurance company. 
You will visit https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268 to complete the waiver process.

Here you will create an account and upload a pdf, jpeg, or other file formats as listed in the Upload Document section of the Waiver.

A waiver is considered approved upon the receipt of the “Waiver Approved” confirmation email. The waiver status is also shown in the student’s Wellfleet online account.

What is ACA compliant and why does the university require ACA complaint coverage?  ACA-compliant refers to a health insurance plan that meets the requirements of the Affordable Care Act, https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-aca/index.html. The University of Memphis has this requirement in place to ensure better coverage for its students. 

Please be aware that companies will try to sell you "ACA comparable" insurance that is not ACA compliant.  These plans have restrictions on pregnancy and pre-existing conditions. Please read the fine print!

Can I extend the Wellfleet Student Health insurance coverage after I graduate? No, Wellfleet does not offer COBRA coverage to the plan. However, if you graduate in May, your spring coverage will still continue until the end of the plan year 7/31/2025.

How do I get an insurance card? Once enrolled, you may print a copy of your insurance card from the Wellfleet Student website at https://www.studentinsurance.com/MyAccount/Account/Index/2268

How do I enroll/register? Do I need to do anything to have coverage? 

If you are an international student, you will be automatically enrolled in the insurance plan and you will continue to be enrolled in the plan as long as you are an enrolled student at the University. You can check your benefits, get your insurance card, find a doctor by going to https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268, click on the menu in the right hand corner and go to Login and create an account.  

This automatic enrollment process is handled by the University of Memphis. Waivers are handled by Wellfleet.

Can I purchase coverage for my spouse and children? Yes, international students can enroll their dependents. If you purchase additional plans for spouse or dependents, you will do so directly with the Wellfleet Student Health Insurance Company when completing your enrollment through their web site https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268. Choose "enroll/waiver" and select "Enroll Dependents." Payments will not go through the University. Instructions for dependent/spouse enrollment will be made available within student account once enrolled in the plan.  

Am I covered during the summer? Yes, if you are enrolled in the plan during the Spring semester, you are also enrolled during the summer, until July 31. The Spring/Summer term extends through July 31^st so that students can maintain continuous coverage even when they are not enrolled in summer classes. The fall coverage will begin August 1^st.

Why is the University of Memphis requiring a full year (annual) coverage?

We have many international students and although some do travel home during the summer for some period of time, the majority of students do not spend the summer months in their home country. In addition, annual coverage ensures that students do not have breaks in coverage between fall and spring semesters. 

How can I get a copy of the plan? Visit Wellfleet Student on the web at https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268and follow the link to “Discover your benefits”. 

How do I know if my doctor is in the Wellfleet/Cigna PPO network? Visit https://www.studentinsurance.com/Client/2268 and select “Find Health Professionals.”  

Is pregnancy covered? Yes, pregnancy is covered under the same benefits as any other condition.  

How long will my waiver last? At the beginning of each fall and spring semester students will need to request (or renew your request) for a waiver of participation in the University of Memphis Student Health Insurance Plan. If you show proof of purchase of a full year of coverage, your waiver will be approved for a full year. 

I have health insurance coverage through my spouse’s employment plan. May I provide proof of coverage to waive out of the Wellfleet plan?

Waivers may be approved for employer health insurance plans that are ACA compliant and underwritten by a US insurance-based company. Medicare, out-of-state HMO’s, Medisave, travel plans, and individual marketplace plans will not qualify for a waiver. Students who waive out with an employer plan are required to provide separate insurance coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation. See the requirements below:

• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000

• Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000

What if I am an International Graduate Assistant? 

Starting in the fall of 2024, all full-time graduate assistants will receive 100% coverage of the annual graduate student health insurance premium if they do not have other ACA compliant coverage.

Please visit our Graduate Assistantship Health Benefits webpage for details: https://www.memphis.edu/gradschool/current_students/graduate_assistantship_health_benefits.php 

As an international student who is also a full-time graduate assistant, once you opt-in to the health insurance benefit and your eligibility is confirmed, we will switch your enrollment in the Wellfleet system from “International” to “Supported Grad” and the health insurance charges will be reversed on your Tiger express account. This can take up to 7 business days. Be sure to opt-in early prior to payment deadlines.