Cost if you take SHIP
The 2026-27 premium for the University of Houston Student Health Insurance Plan - AcademicBlue, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (administered by Academic HealthPlans) is $3,352.12 a year (student only). It is billed to your student account unless your waiver is approved.
New fall student: Fall (8/1-12/31/2026) $1,295.01 + Spring/Summer (1/1-8/31/2027) $2,057.11. Returning students start 9/1 at $1,033.39, or $3,090.50 per year. Same rate for international and domestic students.
Waiver deadline
Submit your waiver request before the deadline above. Universities rarely accept late waivers — if you miss it, you are auto-enrolled in SHIP and billed the full premium.
Waiver requirements
According to University of Houston, your alternative plan must meet these criteria (summarised — the official list is binding):
- Benefits equivalent to the UH plan with no annual limits
- No pre-existing condition exclusions
- Coinsurance no higher than 25%
- Medical evacuation of at least $50,000 and repatriation of at least $25,000
- Deductible max $1,500/year (F visa) or $500/year (J visa)
- Travel plans and healthcare.gov individual plans are not accepted
Private plans you could submit
These private US student health plans are in our comparison. None is automatically accepted — check the policy maximum, deductible, claims address and the other points above against the plan's terms before you buy:
- ISO Student Health Insurance — from $33/month
- WorldTrips StudentSecure — from $40/month
- Compass Student Insurance — from $43/month
- IMG Patriot Exchange Program
What a waiver can save
Your saving is the University of Houston SHIP premium ($3,352.12 a year) minus the price of a private plan the university accepts. Private plans in our comparison start at $33/month ($396/year) for the youngest age band; plans that meet strict waiver criteria usually cost more. Compare the real price of the plan you would submit before you decide.
- Premium: myahpcare.com
- Waiver deadline: uh.edu
- Waiver criteria: uh.edu