<p>I'm starting this discussion for those of us who are having issues getting Rice's health insurance requirement waived. Since Fall 2014 bills came out this week, it looks like they're giving us until September 9th to get the waiver done or we will be charged $2,109. Their requirements haven't changed, but some of their language has. Is a $3,000 deductible requirement really an ACA requirement? I don't think so. ( We have a high deductible health plan so our deductible is higher.)</p>
<p>Anyway, I've already put 2 calls in, one to the person who helped me last year and one to the voice jail box that is the "Student Health Insurance Office." Also sent an email.</p>
<p>Would love to hear from parents who have success in finding the right person at Rice to push through a waiver. </p>
<p>Last year this was a huge headache. They requirements were confusing and no one would answer a phone message or email. I was hoping they would improve the process this year! </p>
<p>There is an online form that you have to fill out. l did this yesterday and sent them a check for the amount less $2109 they had included in the bill. </p>
<p>Good for you, Cupskdad! It sounds like your policy fit within Rice’s requirements. Most policies don’t provide repatriation benefits.</p>
<p>Our own situation is that we carry a high-deductible health plan. Rice’s deductible requirement is less than our son’s plan; hence, the waiver did not go through. Yesterday I was able to make contact with someone, fortunately, who pushed my waiver through. The requirements are still fuzzy, and Rice admin is still not returning phone calls or emails.</p>
<p>I’m glad son is graduating next May so we don’t have to deal with this again!</p>
<p>My kid goes to a school with an insurance waiver requirement, and they require a per person deductible of $1,000 or less. BUT, they don’t really tell you this, they have a form you can sign telling the college you agree that you can afford the higher deductible if it must be paid, and then they give you the waiver. No idea if this works at Rice (but from the post just above this it sounds like it might). Problem sounds like it is finding out who to talk to there…</p>
<p>@JustTryHarder - I’m sorry that I just saw your post. This is my third year to deal with this, even before the ACA went into effect (and complaining, but obviously not at a high enough level to see any changes). By choice, we also have a high deductible plan (HDP), with a deductible much higher than $3k.</p>
<p>So, I did a little experiment last year. For one child’s waiver application, I stated that our plan met the deductible. No issues. For our other child, I stated that our deductible was higher than Rice’s requirement. It took a few days, but Rice granted the waiver. Make of that what you will.</p>
<p>I’ve been doing the same thing that @CUPKSDAD does - file the waiver and pay the tuition bill less the insurance amount.</p>