Dear International Students & Scholars: I wanted to inform you regarding changes to the rates for the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UTSHIP) for the 2018-2019 Academic year. Please see the new rates below. Fall Spring/Summer Summer 8/15/2018 1/1/2019 5/15/2019 through through through 12/31/2018 8/14/2019 8/14/2019 Medical Student $ 954.00 $ 1,550.00 $ 631.00 Spouse $ 954.00 $ 1,550.00 $ 631.00 Children $ 1,527.00 $ 2,483.00 $ 1,011.00 Dental Student $ 90.00 $ 146.00 $ 59.00 Spouse $ 90.00 $ 146.00 $ 59.00 This is a 7% increase from Academic Year 2017-18. These rates include the $12.00 per student per year for Academic Emergency Services Global emergency package including repatriation, medical evaluation and a $25,000 accidental death benefit. Plan Design Enhancements for the 2018-2019 Policy Year: 1. Added benefits at the Student Health Centers only for nutritional counseling and nutritional group appointments - paid at 100% 2. Discounts for weight loss programs will be available including: a. Nutrisystem b. Weight Watchers c. Jenny Craig d. Retrofit 3. Added medical benefit and expanded the prescription benefit for acne (now includes all RX not just generic) 4. Reduced the in network deductible from $500 to $350 for individuals and from $1,500 to $1,050 for family 5. Reduced copay for Urgent Care from $75 to $35 6. Removed the exclusion for Sleep Disorders 7. Added benefit for Alopecia for Medical Necessity 8. Added benefit for multi-site testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections at the Student Health Centers Benefits Value Advisor Beginning with in Fall 2018, all UTSHIP participants (students and their enrolled dependents) will have access to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) Benefits Value Advisor (BVA), to help maximize the UTSHIP benefit plan. Through the BVA program, when students and their enrolled dependents are in need of healthcare services, they will have the opportunity to speak with a specially-trained advisor about their options for receiving care. Students will always be directed to the Student Health Centers if they are open. If it is not during business hours, students will be directed to the place which can best help in whatever situation the student is in. In some cases, that might even include a virtual visit with a telemed doctor. The advisors will help them better understand how UTSHIP benefits work, provide them with a cost estimate for specific health care services or procedures, assist them with pre-certification of benefits when necessary, and even schedule appointments with their selected provider.