You can find definitions for many health care terms at Glossary of Common Medical and Health Care Terms.
Additional Terms and Clarifications
4 Ever Life -The company that provides AES.
ACA -The Affordable Care Act; Federal law that requires most people in the U.S. to have health insurance that meets certain requirements. (link to ACA requirements); Also known as PPACA
Academic Blue - Another name for SSHIP/Grad Plan
Academic Health Plans (AHP) - The company that handles enrollment, waiver processing, and information on SSHIP and Grad Plan
AES - Academic Emergency Services; Insurance coverage that provides medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, among other services. It can be bought in addition to other health insurance to meet TAMU requirements.
Alternate Equivalent Coverage - health insurance coverage that is sufficient to grant a waiver from SSHIP
A.P. Beutel Health Center – College Station Student Health Center
Benefits - The services, treatments, and medical devices that health insurance will pay for. Benefits often require that the Insured pay co-insurance, a co-payment, and/or a deductible before the insurance will pay.
Blue Access for Members - Online web portal where those with SSHIP or Grad Plan can find information about their health insurance.
Blue Card – Program that provides you access to healthcare services and BCBSTX payment of benefits when outside the covered area. I.e. if you are traveling outside of Texas this program ensures that BCBSTX pays for your care as if you were in Texas.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) - The company that provides SSHIP and Grad Plan.
Coverage Period – The period of time that the insurance is in effect. This is usually for a period of several months. For example the SSHIP has coverage periods of 09/01/19 - 12/31/19 for Fall and 01/01/20 - 08/31/20 for Spring/Summer
Deductible - Amount that the Insured must pay Out-of-Pocket before benefits will be paid. When a deductible is "waived" it means that one does not need to pay it before benefits will be paid.
Dental Insurance – Insurance that covers most dental care. If enrolling in SSHIP or Grad Plan dental insurance must be purchased separately. This can be done at (link)
Dependent – A person, such as a spouse or child, that gets health insurance through another person. A student might enroll their spouse or children as dependents in SSHIP, Grad Plan, or other health insurance. Adding a dependent increases the premium and may affect the policy's deductible
Exclusions & Limitations – The medical expenses, treatments, services, devices, etc. that the plan will not pay for. These will be listed in your policy materials. Also called: Excluded Services
Fall Mandatory First Time On-Campus Arrival - The period of time that first-time students are required to be on campus before the beginning of the first coverage period. This period will require health insurance just like any other. SSHIP will automatically be billed to students but students can obtain a waiver through the standard waiver process.
- Students who are physically present and enrolled at Texas A&M University Main Campus in College Station, Texas will apply for a waiver though the College Station Waiver website at https://tamu.myahpcare.com/waiver
- Students who are physically present and enrolled at Texas A&M University at Galveston will apply for a waiver though the Galveston Waiver website at https://tamug.myahpcare.com/waiver
Grad Plan – The plan offered to students with a graduate assistantship. Enrollment in this plan will remove the fee for SSHIP if coverage starts on or before September 1st in the Fall coverage period or January 31st in the Spring/Summer coverage period. If enrollment occurs after these date the student will receive a refund for months of double coverage in the following semester.
- Students who are physically present and enrolled at Texas A&M University Main Campus in College Station, Texas will apply for a waiver though the College Station Waiver website at https://tamu.myahpcare.com/waiver
- Students who are physically present and enrolled at Texas A&M University at Galveston will apply for a waiver though the Galveston Waiver website at https://tamug.myahpcare.com/waiver
Graduate Student Employee – Any person who is both enrolled as a graduate student and working as a benefits eligible employee at Texas A&M.
Group Number - A number that identifies the employer or group plan that you are a member of.
HIPAA – Health Information Portability and Accountability Act; federal which protects your private health information from being shared.
Inpatient – You are an inpatient if you are staying at a hospital for treatment.
Member ID – A number that identifies you and your membership to a health insurance plan
Network Provider – A hospital, doctor, or other provider that an insurance company has a contract with. The intent of such contracts is to reduce costs. Receiving care at a Network Provider will be cheaper in most cases. Also called In-Network Provider
Open Enrollment Period – The period of time that a student or dependent can be enrolled in an insurance plan.
Out-of-Network Provider – Any hospital, doctor, or other provider that an insurance company does not have a contract with. Care at Out-of-Network Providers will likely be more expensive.
Outpatient – You are an outpatient if you receive care but are not admitted to the hospital, or if you receive services in an emergency, or any other circumstance where you are not considered an Inpatient.
Out-of-pocket – Cost of a service, treatment, medical devices, etc. that the insured is responsible for paying. This can include co-insurance, co-payments, and deductibles.
Qualifying Event – Qualifying events are the circumstances when you can enroll in health insurance or add a dependent outside of the open enrollment period. This potentially includes; getting married, the birth or adoption of a child, or the loss of insurance from another source.
Referral- A referral is formal way to recommend the services of a health provider. Some Providers only accept patients with a referral from another provider. Sometimes your Health Insurance Plan my require you get a referral to see certain providers.
Student Health Services - A collection of health services offered on-campus to Texas A&M students. Services obtained here are often free or cheaper for students. Services include prescription drugs, preventative medicine, physical therapy, doctor appointments, and Emergency Services among others. Note that Dependents of students are not eligible for services at Student Health Services.
System Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP) - The health insurance that all students are automatically enrolled in. This is done to ensure that students do not violate their visa status or TAMU system regulations by having gaps in health insurance coverage. The cost of the plan is charged to the student's tuition. Students who wish to not pay for SSHIP must show proof of equivalent coverage via the waiver process.
- Students who are physically present and enrolled at Texas A&M University Main Campus in College Station, Texas will apply for a waiver though the College Station Waiver website at https://tamu.myahpcare.com/waiver
- Students who are physically present and enrolled at Texas A&M University at Galveston will apply for a waiver though the Galveston Waiver website at https://tamug.myahpcare.com/waiver
Telemedicine – Telemedicine is when you receive medical services from a doctor or other health professional through telecommunication technology like video conferencing, Virtual Visits, or online chats.
Virtual Visits – Service offered by SSHIP and Grad plan to have non-emergency medical appointments and mental health counseling using telemedicine.
Waiver – Document you need to avoid an SSHIP fee or have it refunded. You can find more information on the process here:
- Students who are physically present and enrolled at Texas A&M University Main Campus in College Station, Texas will apply for a waiver though the College Station Waiver website at https://tamu.myahpcare.com/waiver
- Students who are physically present and enrolled at Texas A&M University at Galveston will apply for a waiver though the Galveston Waiver website at https://tamug.myahpcare.com/waiver
Worldwide Insurance Services Inc. - The company that administers AES