Health Center

Health Insurance Resources

Waiving or Early Enrollment in Student Health Insurance

All students are required to have and maintain current health insurance coverage in the Georgetown, Texas, area as a condition of enrollment at Southwestern University. 

PLEASE NOTE
All students who do not waive the University’s student health insurance plan prior to the waiver deadline will automatically be charged the student health insurance plan annual premium for the academic year. This is a 12-month coverage policy through EIIA from August 10th of this year to August 9th of the following year. For policy questions please go to www.eiia.org or call 1-888-255-4029.

Waiving Health Insurance
Early Enrollment for Health Insurance
How to Waive or complete Early Enrollment

 Waiving Health Insurance

Students that already have health insurance that provides coverage in Georgetown, Texas, may choose to “waive” the University Health Insurance Plan by providing the following information at the waiver link prior to the waiver deadline:

  • Your student ID number
  • Your primary insurance information including your insurance carrier name, phone number and ID number

See How to Waive or Complete Early Enrollment for more information.

 Early Enrollment (Strongly Recommended):

If you do not have health insurance coverage or choose to use the Southwestern University student health insurance policy, you are strongly encouraged to complete early enrollment online so that your insurance card will be available on the effective date of coverage, August 10.  

Things to know about enrolling early:

  • We highly recommend enrolling early into the plan so you will have access to your ID card the day coverage is effective. 
  • If you choose to enroll early, once coverage is effective on August 10 and you are insured for 31 days or incur a medical claim, coverage cannot be terminated.
  • Enrolling is easy – you just need your personal information including your social security number and student ID number.
  • Once coverage is effective you will receive an email from United Healthcare so you can set up your account and print your ID card.

If you do NOT enroll early:

  • If you choose not to enroll early online, you will not receive your insurance card until mid- to late-September.
  • Your insurance card may not be available should you have a condition requiring medical attention or emergency at the beginning of the policy coverage period until it arrives in September.
  • If you enroll on or after the effective date of coverage, it may take up to 48 hours from the receipt of the enrollment application to be able to access your insurance card.

See How to Waive or Complete Early Enrollment for more information.

 How to Waive or complete Early Enrollment

Step 1. Go to https://www.eiia.org/institution/southwestern-university/

Step 2. Take one of the following actions:

  • To WAIVE coverage, click on “Waive.” This will take you the First Student website waiver page.
  • To complete EARLY ENROLLMENT so that your ID card will be available by the effective date, click on “Enroll” to find the section for enrolling. Click the “Enroll Now” to be directed to the enrollment page.
  • To ENROLL IN THE ATHLETIC SPORTS POLICY, click on the “SU Athletes Only - Enroll in Individual Primary Sports Plan” link which will take you to an enrollment screen specifically for students that do not have the required primary insurance coverage for intercollegiate sports. 
Learn More About My Benefits or Waive My Coverage

Health Insurance Terminology

Co-payment: Also referred to as a “co-pay”, this is the amount you pay up front before you see a medical provder. This amount is determined by your specific insurance policy. Typically, you will pay a higher co-pay at an emergency room, or for a specialist, compared to a primary care provider. 

Deductible: This is the amount you must pay out of pocket BEFORE your health insurance begins paying toward your health care. For example, if you have a $200 deductible, you must pay $200 out of pocket before the insurance will begin paying their share of the costs. If you have a high deductible, such as $3000, you must pay $3000 of your own health care costs before the insurance begins paying anything. The deductible resets at the end of the 12 month policy period. 

Co-insurance: This is the percentage you continue to pay out of pocket AFTER your deductible has been met. For example, if you have 80/20 coverage, your health insurance policy will pay 80% of your bill, and you will be responsible for the remaining 20%. 

Premium: This is the amount you pay per month or per year for the health insurance policy. High deductible plans will often have a lower premium, while low deductible plans will have a higher premium. 

Formulary: The list of prescription medications your insurance plan will cover and the pharmacy co-payment amount. 

Explanation of Benefits (EOB): This is not a bill, but an explanation of what services were done, and what you may owe the provider. It is sent after the insurance has paid their part, to the permanent address on file with your insurance company. 

Visit the Texas Department of Insurance for more information: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb005.html