2020-2021 Student Health Plan (PDF)
All F-1 and J-1 international students are required to have the Texas A&M University System Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP). For more information click on the links below.
The SSHIP is through Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBSTX) of Texas and Academic Health Plans (AHP) provides management and administrative services for A&M-Commerce. Students are automatically enrolled each semester and the insurance premium charge is placed on an international student's account as a separate charge with their tuition and fees the second week of classes. The ISSS does not set the cost of the insurance. The cost of the insurance is set by criteria and a bidding process at the Texas A&M University System. The SSHIP is for all Texas A&M University System universities.
A&M System Health Insurance Requirement
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX)
Academic Health Plans (AHP)
For general information about the System Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP) please review the ISSS frequently asked questions handout below.
SSHIP Frequently Asked Questions
Students also may find important information about the SSHIP by going to TAMUC MyAHPCare.
The Texas A&M University System has established the following circumstances in which an F-1 or J-1 international student can request a waiver of SSHIP and provide alternative health insurance coverage that is comparable to SSHIP.
Only students that meet one of the A&M System allowed exceptions on the Waiver Guidelines page may apply for a waiver. Although a student may have alternate health insurance coverage this does not mean the student is eligible for a waiver.
Early Arrival - 07/29/2021 - 08/20/2021
Fall - 08/02/2021 - 09/7/2021
Spring/Summer - 12/09/2021 - 02/01/2022
Summer - 04/19/2022 - 06/03/2022
Please note the following:
Students who fail to submit a waiver by the deadline will be required to pay the SSHIP charge on their student account and no refunds will be issued for the student.
To submit a waiver go to TAMUC Waiver Request.
Students with a full-time assistantship that includes the Grad Plan insurance will need to submit the Assistantship Verification Form. Do not submit a waiver through the AHP website. The ISSS will use the information provided through the form to verify a student's Grad Plan coverage. Graduate assistants with Grad Plan insurance do not submit waiver requests.
Students with F-2 dependents who would like enroll in the SSHIP may contact Academic Health Plans at AHP Contact Us. The SSHIP coverage does not include dependents and a separate enrollment form will need to be submitted.
The A&M-Commerce Student Health Services office offers affordable health care to A&M-Commerce students and faculty/staff. Currently enrolled students may visit Student Health Services for free. There may be additional charges for labs, x-rays, minor procedures, etc.
Student Health Services is located in Henderson Hall (B19 on campus map) and they are open Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm (closed for lunch from 12pm-1pm). For more information or to schedule an appointment call 903-886-5853 or go to Student Health Services.