Thank you!

From: Elizabeth Sandoval <elizabeth.sandoval@utsa.edu>
Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2026 1:00 PM
To: rowdy.research@lists.it.utsa.edu
Subject: [Rowdy.research] FW: 2026-2027 Annual Rates for UTSHIP

 Good afternoon,

Academic Health Plan (AHP) has provided the annual rates for the UT Student Health Insurance Plan (UTSHIP) for the 2026-2027 Academic year are as follows:

            Student                   $3,707

            Spouse                    $3,707

            All Children           $5,946

The 7.9% rate increase is a result of a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

1. Specialty medications account for 17% of total plan paid claims and 54% of pharmacy paid claims with overall pharmacy claims increasing by 35% over prior year.  Top specialty conditions being treated are autoimmune, pulmonary, respiratory, digestive diseases, and cancer;
2. Overall claims increased by 24%. The leading diagnostic categories being treated are mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders, injury, musculoskeletal system, and cancer;
3. Numerous high-cost claimants incurring claims from $505,000 to $2M;
4. Student enrollment decreased by 17% over the past 2 years; 

The rates include the Academic Student Assistance Program (ASAP) as well as access to $0 out of pocket Virtual Visits through Academic Live Care.  Also included is the Academic Emergency Services (AES) global emergency package including repatriation, medical evaluation and a $25,000 accidental death benefit. 

Plan Design Change for the 2026-2027 Policy Year:

1. New parents covered under the plan will have up to 60 days to enroll their newborn.
2. Rx Lists will change to include the mandatory use of biosimilars for certain brand name drugs. The first two drugs affected will be Stelara and Humira. The name brand drugs will no longer be covered starting 5/1/26.
3. GLP-1 drugs are currently only covered for diabetic students meeting certain requirements. Starting on 5/1/26, GLP-1 drugs for those who have a qualified diagnosis will be filled for a 30-day supply only.
4. Several Outpatient lab services will no longer be covered without medical necessity. Please reach out to Sarah Pekar (spekar@utsystem.edu) should you have specific questions about this.

These rates will be for the full-time fully funded (FFDR) doctoral students for 2026-2027 academic year.

Kind Regards,

Ginger Hernandez, M. Ed.

Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Fiscal and Business Operations

The University of Texas at San Antonio

The Graduate School

Tel: (210)456-6878