[2025 – 2026 ] TNS Student Insurance Waiver Guide
The New School Fall 2025-2026 Insurance Waiver Deadline
September 09, 2025, 11:59:59 PM EST
100% waiver approval rate with eligible Student Medicover insurance plans,
save up to $3,071 a year from your insurance cost!
Navigation
1. What is an Insurance Waiver?
The university requires all international students to enroll in medical insurance while studying abroad in the United States. In your TNS student account, you will see that the New School has automatically posted fee for the university’s Student Health Insurance Plan.
However, international students have the option to enroll in a more affordable plan designed specifically for them. TNS’s insurance plan costs $4,310 a year. Alternatively, health coverage for international students can be as low as $1,239 a year.
An insurance waiver is an application to opt out of the school-provided plan and go with the plan that better fits your needs. For school-specific waiver regulations, please refer to your school’s website.
2. Why are Alternative Health Insurance Plans More Affordable?
The insurance costs are calculated based on the risk factors; demographic factors are essential to the health insurance cost. Health insurance plans offered by universities or colleges are usually more expensive because the plans serve a broader range of the population, including international and domestic students.
In comparison, Student Medicover provides medical insurance specifically for international F1 students and J1 Scholars. While offering quality health insurance, Student Medicover insurance plans can often save students $1,000-$3,000 per year, with comparable or better benefits.
3. How to Pick a Health Insurance Plan?
A good insurance plan protects you from minor illnesses, as well as serious injuries and diseases. When you’re looking for a plan, consider the following factors:
- The Cost
Some plans are much more cost-effective than others. But the cost is not the only factor you need to take into consideration. Cost should be compared at the same level of coverage and benefits. A plan with limited coverage can lead to catastrophic financial loss.
- Insurance benefits
Read the insurance policies carefully, especially the schedule of benefit and exclusion sections. A good insurance plan should have a low deductible, high coinsurance, low copays, and a low out-of-pocket maximum.
- Provider network
The Provider network is a group of care providers partnering with the insurance company to provide you with pre-negotiated rates. A powerful network allows you to find trustworthy doctors, clinics, urgent care centers, pharmacies, and hospitals wherever you need them.
Overall, it’s important to carefully compare the coverage and benefits of any health insurance plan before making a decision, as too cheap of a plan usually comes with trade-offs in terms of coverage or access to care.
4.Student Medicover Insurance Plan vs. TNS Insurance Plan (Fall 25-26)
TNS Plan
- $150 Deductible
- 85% Coinsurance
- $20 Copay Physician Visit
- $9,100 Out-of-pocket Maximum
- $200 Adult Vision Benefit
- $1,600 Value Add-On Benefits
Supreme
UHCSR Top Level Coverage Plan
Add-on medical and insurance benefits
- $0 Deductible
- 90% Coinsurance
- $20 Copay Physician Visit
- $5,000 Out-of-pocket Maximum
- $300 Adult Vision Benefit
- $800+ Value Add-On Benefits
Elite
Deductible Low to $0
Coinsurance Up to 90%
- $0 Deductible
- 90% Coinsurance
- $25 Copay Physician Visit
- $6,350 Out-of-pocket Maximum
- $300 Adult Vision Benefit
- $500+ Value Add-On Benefits
Prime 100
Affordable Deductible
$200 Adult Vision Benefit
- $100 Deductible
- 80% Coinsurance
- $25 Copay Physician Visit
- $6,350 Out-of-pocket Maximum
- $300 Adult Vision Benefit
- Add-On Benefits
Prime 500
100% Cover Preventive Care
School Vaccinations in Preferred Providers
- $500 Deductible
- 80% Coinsurance
- $75 Copay Physician Visit
- $7,350 Out-of-pocket Maximum
- $300 Adult Vision Benefit
- Add-On Benefits
By waiving TNS-sponsored Student Health Insurance with Student Medicover you can save up to $3,071!
Note:All benefits shown are for services rendered at in-network providers. The premium rates are shown for insured under the age of 25, please contact us or visit our home page www.smcovered.com for the premium rates or plan options for other age groups.
5. Limited Time Summer Campaign – The More You Refer The More You Get!
6. How do TNS Students Stay Covered with Student Medicover?
SM Users Insurance Claims Cases
Other Student Medicover Insureds Testmonials
7. How to Purchase Student Medicover Insurance?
01
Enroll in Student Medicover Insurance Plan
– Visit the homepage to enroll: www.smcovered.com
– Type or Choose Your Education Institution: The New School
– Choose Visa Type
– Choose your Birthday
– Enter Referral Code if any
02
Select the Insurance Plan that Best Fits Your Needs
– Choose Coverage Period
TNS Insurance Coverage Period:
2025-08-20 – 2026-08-19
We recommend selecting the Annual coverage period to avoid any coverage gaps.
– Choose A Plan
After entering your school information, the system will automatically match you with insurance plans accepted by your school. The premium is calculated based on the coverage duration.
We recommend the Supreme Plan, which includes unlimited routine checkups in the U.S., a full physical exam package from iKang, coverage for over-the-counter medications and supplements, shipping services, and short-term travel insurance benefits.
03
Create a Student Medicover Account or Log In
– If you already have an account, simply log in.
– If you are a new user, create an account by providing your personal details.
If you do not have a US-based address, please check the box labeled “I don’t have a US-based address.”
– Check the box at the bottom
– Click “Next”
04
Choose Your Add-On Package
– Select any add-on package you wish to purchase.
The Supreme plan includes the complimentary $399 Ultimate Abroad Package;
The Elite plan includes the complimentary $299 Ultimate Arrival Package.
For more comprehensive pre-arrival benefits, Elite members can upgrade to the Ultimate Abroad Package for just $99, adding a full iKang routine physical check-up and short-term travel insurance, ensuring a smoother and safer transition.
After selecting, click “Confirm”. (If you don’t wish to add a package, click “Skip This Benefit”.)
05
Complete the Payment to Finalize Enrollment
– Choose your preferred payment method and complete the payment process.
*If you are paying with a VISA card from your home country’s bank, please use your home country address for the billing address.
06
Access Your Insurance Documents（Proof of Insurance）
- Confirmation Letter and Policy Certificate
-Click the “LOGIN” button at the top right corner of this page and enter your account credentials to log in.
– Open the Authenticator App
– You can download “Duo Mobile,” “Google Authenticator,” or similar apps from the app store.
– Use the Authenticator App to scan the QR code displayed on the login page.
– Enter the code from the app to complete the login verification.
(If you encounter any login issues, please contact the assistant at the end of the blog for personalized guidance.)
– Click on “Document Center” to download the Confirmation Letter and Policy Certificate.
*If the new insurance plan has not yet taken effect, please download the documents from the “Future Coverage” section.
- Official Insurance Card
-To download your official insurance card, please visit www.uhcsr.com. Click here to view the detailed process of downloading your insurance card.
8. How to Waive TNS-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan?
01
Visit The New School Insurance Waiver Website
– Visit TNS Waiver System Website：
– Log In by entering your DOB and Student ID.
Fill out the form according to the instructions below (using the 2024 form as an example).
02
Complete and Submit the Waiver Form to The New School
03
Done!
The waiver will be reviewed and approved in 5-7 business days. Once approved, pending insurance charge will be removed from your student account balance. Any paid school insurance premium will be refunded to your student account!
9. Contact Us for 1-on-1 waiver assistance.
