Health Insurance and Student Health Services

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. 

BCBSTX 24/7 Nurseline

Blue Access for Members

Find a Doctor or Hospital

Find a Pharmacy

Summary of Benefits

Tips for Using the SSHIP

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.

1. Student is sponsored by the United States government;
2. Student is sponsored by a foreign government recognized by the United States or certain international, government-sponsored or non-governmental organizations, and covered under a health plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If the health plan does not include medical evacuation and repatriation, a rider must be purchased providing coverage at equal limits to the SHIP;
3. Student is enrolled in an employer-provided group health plan that is compliant with the ACA. If the health plan does not include medical evacuation and repatriation, a rider must be purchased providing coverage at equal limits to the SHIP;
4. Student is involved in intercollegiate athletics and coverage for all medical insurance is provided through a policy as part of the current sports accident medical policy approved by System Risk Management.

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:

1. Students will need to allow Academic Health Plans (AHP) up to ten business days to process waiver requests.
2. Fall Students will be automatically enrolled for Early Arrival Coverage.
3. It is your responsibility to provide any additional documents to AHP regarding your waiver request.
4. The ISSS will not review waiver requests.

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.  

Graduate Assistants Frequently Asked Questions

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.