Student Health Insurance Office
For questions regarding the UH Student Plan or insurance requirements for F-1 international students, please contact:
Student Health Insurance Office (SHIO)
University Health Services
Mānoa
University of Hawaiʻi
1710 East West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: (808) 956-5361
Email: shio@hawaii.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
Appointment recommended
UH Student Plan (HMSA)
If you are not a Student Plan member and have a question, need more information or want to apply, call HMSA's Sales Department at (808) 948-5555 option #1 or 1-800-620-4672 option #1.
If you are currently on the Student Plan and have questions regarding your benefits and claims, call HMSA's Customer Services at (808) 948-6111 or 1-800-776-4672. If you have questions regarding your bill, call HMSA's Membership Services at (808) 948-6140 or 1-800-782-4672.
Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA)
818 Keeaumoku Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Office hours: For office hours, go to www.hmsa.com/contact
Holiday schedule: For holiday schedule, go to www.hmsa.com/contact
UH Student Plan
The University has selected HMSA (Hawaii Medical Service Association, Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Hawaii) to provide medical health insurance for our students for the current academic plan year. For more information or to enroll on the UH Student Plan, please go to hmsa.com/student.
- How the Insurance Company and Plan is Selected
- Who Can Enroll (Eligibility)
- When to Enroll & Coverage Period
- Plan Options & Benefits
- Rates
- How to Enroll
- Providing Evidence of Enrollment to the Student Health Insurance Office (International students only)
How the Insurance Company and Plan is Selected
The Office of the UH Vice President for Student Affairs selects a benefit package to provide adequate coverage for both domestic and international students. Request for proposals are sent to numerous insurance companies, and each proposal received is reviewed carefully. In addition to the plan premiums and a comprehensive benefit package, UH also looks at the number of providers available and also makes sure that the insurance company provides quick claims payment and quality customer service.
HMSA, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a reliable name in Hawaiʻi health care. Established in 1938, they are the largest and most experienced provider of health care coverage in the state. Over half of Hawaiʻi's population has chosen HMSA for their health care coverage. HMSA was chosen as the current UH endorsed plan based on a combination of cost, benefits, claims payment and customer service.
Who Can Enroll (Eligibility)
Students must be enrolled in the University of Hawaiʻi system (Hilo, Mānoa, West Oʻahu and all community colleges) and taking a minimum number of credits: six credits for undergraduates or four credits for graduate students are required during the fall and spring semesters, and three credits required for all students during the summer sessions. One credit of thesis (700) or dissertation (800) research also meets the minimum eligibility requirement.
Exceptions: Students taking less than the minimum credits required may enroll on the plan if the class(es) being taken are all that is required to graduate. A letter from the student's department confirming this is required. Students should enroll online and email their exception request and letter to studentplan@hmsa.com
FOR VISITING SCHOLARS (POST-DOCS): The UH Student Plan is available to certain non-student individuals who are affiliated with the University.
If you are a non-student seeking eligibility to enroll in the student plan, please download the Request for Non-Student Eligibility for University Student Health Insurance Form (PDF) 
* and follow the instructions.
When to Enroll & Coverage Period
Enrollment is only accepted during the open enrollment dates for each semester. Once the deadline has passed, you will no longer be able to enroll until the next semester.
| Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment Begins | 7/22/24 | 12/9/24 | 4/21/25 |
| Enrollment Deadline | 9/27/24 | 2/7/25 | 6/20/25 |
| Coverage Period | 8/20 - 12/31/24 | 1/1 - 5/19/25 | 5/20 - 8/19/25 |
Plan Options & Benefits
*Repatriation coverage is required for international students.
| Plan Options | Covered Benefits |
|---|---|
| Option #1 | Medical with Drug |
| Option #2 | Medical with Drug, Repatriation, Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) |
| Option #3 | Medical with Drug and Dental |
| Option #4 | Medical with Drug, Dental, Repatriation, Life and AD&D |
NOTE: You may only change benefit options during the Fall semester (annual open enrollment period).
**For international students: Benefit options which meets the University's insurance requirements are: Option #2 (Medical with Drug, Repatriation, Life and AD&D), and Option #4 (Medical with Drug, Dental, Repatriation, Life and AD&D).
For more details on the plan benefits go to hmsa.com/student and click on Plans, scroll down to What are the Benefits and then click on Medical, Drug, Repatriation and Dental to see plan highlights. Click on View Plan Documents, for more detailed benefit information.
Rates
| Plan Options | Description | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option #1 | Medical with Drug | $1,999.12 | $2,088.64 | $1,372.52 |
| Option #2 | Medical with Drug, Repatriation, Life and AD&D | $2,012.78 | $2,102.90 | $1,381.90 |
| Option #3 | Medical with Drug and Dental | $2,134.10 | $2,229.66 | $1,465.20 |
| Option #4 | Medical with Drug, Dental, Repatriation, Life and AD&D | $2,147.76 | $2,243.92 | $1,474.58 |
*Rates listed above are for the student only. For 2-party or family rates, go to hmsa.com/student and click on Plan and scroll down to Rates.
How to Enroll
Online (hmsa.com/student)
- UH Student ID number is required to enroll online.
- Follow the instructions to complete online enrollment (application, beneficiary form & HIPAA form)
International Students: only option #2 or option #4 meets the requirements for international students - Print out the confirmation page for your records
International Students: You can submit this confirmation page to the UH Student Health Insurance Office for temporary health insurance clearance - Once you complete your enrollment
- You will receive your member ID card within 3-5 business days
- IMPORTANT: You will receive a hard copy bill within 5-7 business days
- Once you receive your bill, you can pay by mail, phone, in person, or online
Providing Evidence of Enrollment to the Student Health Insurance Office
(International students only)
See Insurance Clearance for instructions on how to submit proof of UH Student Plan coverage to the Student Health Insurance Office.
