International Student Health Insurance

Return this SIGNED form to:
Louisiana Tech University
Office of Purchasing
PO Box 3157
208 Keeny Circle, RM 408
INVITATION TO BID
Ruston, Louisiana 71272
DO NOT SHIP BASED UPON THIS BID
Bid Number: 50012-653-26 Bid Title: International Student Health Insurance
Bid Schedule:
Pre-Bid Conference: Bidder agrees to comply with all
conditions below and attached to this
N/A
request.
Bid Submission Deadline / Opening: Prices are to be complete and the
FOB point is to be Louisiana Tech
June 1, 2026 @ 2:00 PM
University unless otherwise specified.
Bidder Information: (Bidder to provide all required information)
(Full Company Name)
(Full Street or Mailing Address)
(City) (State) (Zip)
(Phone) (Email) (Fax)
(Company Quote Number if Applicable)
PRICES MUST BE FIRM FOR AT LEAST 30 DAYS FROM BID OPENING DATE
FAILURE TO SIGN BELOW IN INK SHALL DISQUALIFY BID
Typed or Printed Name / Title Authorized Signature
The Louisiana Tech University Office of Purchasing is seeking SEALED BIDS for the following:
International Student Health Insurance
* A bid bond in the amount of 5% of the official bid or total premiums paid for the year is required to be submitted for this solicitation *
** MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS TO BID: The PPO network shall include Northern Louisiana Medical Center, an inpatient general hospital in Ruston, Louisiana
along with Allegience Medical Clinic, an inpatient and outpatient facility in Ruston, Louisiana within a ten-mile radius of Louisiana Tech University. The use of
the on-campus student health center is a $0 co-pay and is independent of the deductible being met. Protection from balance billing is also a minimum
requirement. When a student receives care at a required in-network hospital or clinic, any separately billing physician or provider associated with that visit must
be processed at no more than the student's in-network cost-sharing amount, and the student must be held harmless from balance billing. The company or
administrator is expected to make reasonable and timely efforts to enforce applicable No Surprises Act protections and to work directly with providers to resolve
balance billing issues without requiring the student to negotiate separately with the provider. **
**See Attached Bid Specifications for additional details**
ALL BIDS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF PURCHASING VIA MAIL OR IN PERSON.
The Bidder is solely responsible for ensuring that its courier service provider makes inside deliveries to our physical location. Louisiana Tech
University is not responsible for any delays caused by the bidder's chosen means of delivery.
For questions regarding specifications, please contact the Office of Purchasing at 318-257-4205 or purchasing@latech.edu. Please ensure that
the above bid number appears on all communications.
IMPORTANT: If bidding other than requested brand and product number (or style), enclose sufficient literature to determine compliance with specifications. Failure to comply with this
request may eliminate your bid from consideration. Any manufacturer's names, trade names, brand names, or catalog numbers used in the specifications are for the purpose of describing
and establishing general quality levels. Such references are not intended to be restrictive. Bids will be considered for any brand which meets or exceeds the quality of the specifications
listed for any items.
PUR2526028 Rev. 06/12/2025

The Louisiana Tech University Office of Purchasing is now accepting Sealed Bid solicitations for International Student
Health Insurance to provide sickness and accidental insurance coverage for the international students at Louisiana Tech
University beginning August 11, 2026.
Solicitation Timeline:
April 24, 2026 - Initial posting of the solicitation
May 8, 2026 @ 5:00 PM - Deadline for submission of questions
May 15, 2026 @ 5:00 PM - Deadline for answers to submitted questions to be posted as an addendum
June 1, 2026 @ 2:00 PM - Deadline to receive sealed bids and bid opening
The Base Bid for this solicitation shall include Student Health Insurance Plan (sickness and accidental coverage), mandated
for F-1 International Students with hard-waiver, available for J-1 Exchange Visitors (and the dependents of F-1 International
Students and J-1 Exchange Visitors). Also included in this Base Bid shall be Dental Coverage and Vision Coverage for eligible
students and eligible dependents, if covered under the plan. This insurance coverage shall cover the timeframe August
11, 2026 to August 10, 2027 with the option to renew for two (2) additional one (1) year periods if both parties mutually
agree.
Louisiana Tech University is a state supported university offering degrees at the associates, bachelors and graduate levels.
The student population comes from across the United States and roughly 64 foreign countries. Total enrollment is
approximately 12,000, with approximately 500 international students as of Fall 2025-2026. More than 95% of these
international students were on F-1 visas. There were also twelve (12) research scholars and five (5) international students
who were in Exchange Programs (J-1) and were not here for the full academic year.
The University has an on-campus student health center staffed by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), registered
nurses and certified nursing assistants from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Information related to the current contract is available in attachments to this solicitation. The following attachments are
also part of this solicitation.
Attachment A: Academic Calendar
Attachment B: Member Guide from current plan
Attachment C: Utilization Report
Attachment D: Enrolled students by country for Fall 2025
Attachment E: Bid Submission Checklist
Dates of Academic Periods (Quarters) - Subject to Change
Fall 2026 September 9, 2026 until November 21, 2026 (Coverage August 11 to Nov 29)
Winter 2026 December 1, 2026 until March 6, 2027 (Coverage Nov 30 to March 6)
Spring 2027 March 9, 2027 until May 22, 2027 (Coverage March 7 to May 29)
Summer 2027 June 2, 2027 until August 14, 2027 (Coverage May 30 to August 14)
Eligibility & Coverage Period:
PUR2526028 Rev. 06/12/2025

It is the policy of Louisiana Tech University that the following populations are required to have health insurance coverage
while they are engaged in educational activities:
F-1 students enrolled at Louisiana Tech University
J-1 exchange visitors sponsored by Louisiana Tech University (and J-2 dependents, if applicable)
Hard waivers will be granted to students who have insurance through their parents, government or other extenuating
circumstances. A qualified student under the policy will be covered in any country outside their country of citizenship and/
or usual domicile.
The policy will also allow the following individuals to purchase coverage, although it is not a requirement for them:
Spouses (F-2 or J-2) of F-1 students or J-1 exchange visitors.
Children under the age of 21, of a registered F-1 student.
The plan may also offer enrollment for F-1 students in the following categories:
F-1 students on 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) or 24-month STEM OPT extension, if permitted by
carrier underwriting and plan design.
A person who is eligible for coverage shall become an Insured Certificate Holder on the first day of the academic quarter
or the effective date specified by the Policyholder. Coverage should be in effect during the interim quarter break period,
provided the student reenrolls and pays the premium for the following quarter. Coverage is to be in effect during all
vacation and holiday periods during an academic period (quarter).
Coverage should remain in effect for an applicable academic period (quarter) even though a student may leave school,
unless the insured student enters military service, in which coverage would terminate upon entrance.
Students who institutionally withdraw (formerly resignation) after the premium is paid will be fully covered for the
remainder of the academic period (quarter). Should a student institutionally withdraw (formerly resign) from the
University while a claim is pending, the coverage should continue until payment of the maximum amount applicable or
until the student is fully recovered, whichever comes first.
Participation in intramural activities and club sports is to be covered. Intercollegiate activities will not be covered.
ID Cards and Claims Handling Procedure:
The Awarded Vendor shall provide health insurance identification cards. These cards should include the University's name,
the name and address of the Insurance Company, an insurance policy number and the telephone number of the Insurance
Company to be accessed by the health care providers.
The Insurance Company shall provide a toll-free number and have claims representatives available during normal working
hours. The Insurance Company shall agree to make a good-faith effort to process completed claim forms quickly and
efficiently. The claim form must be simple and easy to complete. The Insurance Company must accept bills and statement
forms generated by hospitals, clinics and attending physicians as supporting documentation.
The Insurance Company or administrator must maintain a clear process for identifying, escalating, and resolving potential
balance billing issues. The Insurance Company or administrator is expected to make reasonable and timely efforts to
enforce applicable No Surprises Act protections on behalf of covered students and to work directly with providers to
resolve such issues without requiring the student to negotiate separately with the provider.
PUR2526028 Rev. 06/12/2025

Deductible or Co-pay:
There shall be a deductible of no more than $300 per coverage year per insured student, scholar, or dependent. Services
provided by the on-campus student health center shall remain available at $0 co-pay and without application of the
deductible. If the insured is referred by the on-campus student health center, the plan shall provide reduced cost sharing
for such referred services.
Payment of Premium:
After the ninth class day each academic period (quarter), the University will remit a check equal to 90% of the insurance
premiums assessed along with a list of covered students. The University will remit the remaining 10% of the premiums,
adjusting for any changes after the ninth class day, after the academic period (quarter) has ended.
An invoice from the insurance company is preferred but not required.
Qualifications of Bidder:
The bidder shall submit, as part of their bid, proof of the following:
1. Evidence of successful operation in providing insurance coverage at other universities for at least the last five (5)
years.
2. Best Key Rating Guide of A- or better, which includes A, A+ and A++.
3. Evidence the insurance company is authorized to do business in the State of Louisiana.
4. Evidence the agent or agency submitting the bid is licensed to conduct insurance business in the State of Louisiana.
5. Evidence the following information pertaining to the Managing General Agency (MGA) is stated:
a. Years in business writing this program;
b. Number of years MGA has used present insurance carrier in the program.
6. "Insurance Company Declaration", as outlined below.
Insurance Company Declaration
Vendors shall submit all of the following as a part of their bid response. Failure to submit or provide the required
information as a part of the bid response shall cause the vendor's bid to be deemed as non-responsive. A Declarations
Page is provided as a part of this solicitation for the convenience of the vendor.
1. Name of insurance company.
2. Insurance company's address.
3. Insurance company's telephone number, toll free.
4. Best's policyholder's rating.
5. Best's financial size category classification.
6. List of each university or college insured during previous school year and attach a separate form listing the name
of each university or college; approximate premium volume for each university or college; and the name and title
of the administrator at each school responsible for the student health program. Denote those schools, which have
been insured for three (3) years or more. Individual schools may be contacted.
7. If the insurance company is paying claims, please provide/answer the following:
a. List the location of the office where claims will be paid;
b. List the name, title, telephone number, and years of experience in administering student claims, of the
persons responsible for the claim service;
c. List toll free number that can be used to call by the university in reference to any claims, questions or
problems.;
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d. Will claims' office provide copies of all claims status to the university?
e. Will claims' office provide information on all claims rejected and the reason(s) for the rejection?
f. What is the average time for a claim to be processed after the date the insurance company receives it?
8. What are the insurance company's procedures in processing claims when notice of claim is submitted beyond the
policy's time limit?
9. What are the insurance company's procedures in processing claims when written proof of loss is submitted more
than ninety (90) days after the date of such loss?
10. Will the insurance company furnish the school with a monthly listing of all claims paid, including
a. Claim
b. Insured's name
c. Date of claim incurred
d. Date of claim paid
e. Amount of claim
f. Company paid
11. Provide online access to claim forms and capability of submitting claims.
Medical Benefits:
Subject to the exclusions, limitations, and other provisions of the policy; covered medical expenses shall be payable in
accordance with the benefits, network provisions, and applicable cost-sharing terms of the plan when medically necessary
and otherwise covered under the policy. Covered expenses under the policy shall include the following types of services
and supplies, when prescribed or provided by a qualified healthcare provider for the diagnosis or treatment of a covered
injury or sickness.
- Charges for diagnosis and treatment by a doctor, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, registered nurse (not a
close relative of or with same legal residence as the Insured Individual), professional anesthetist, radiologist, or
physiotherapist.
- Charges for daily hospital room and board not exceeding hospital's average semiprivate charge and intensive care
unit charges. Charges or laboratory, x-ray, and other diagnostic examinations.
- Charges for prescription drugs required to be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist, including access to FDA-
approved generic medications and a generic substitution policy when clinically appropriate, except the Plan will
pay 100% of charges for such drugs used on an inpatient basis and 75% of charges for such drugs used on an
outpatient basis.
- Hospital charges which include recovery room, electrocardiograms, basal metabolism test, surgical dressing.
- Charges from outpatient services.
- Charges for evaluation and treatment of substance use disorder, including drug and alcohol-related conditions, on
an inpatient and outpatient basis, subject to policy terms.
- Charges for injuries arising from the use of bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, or similar personal transportation devices,
to be covered as accident injuries subject to policy terms
- Charges for STD/STI testing and treatment, including related diagnostic services and prescription therapy
- Charges for ACIP-recommended immunizations, including catch-up immunizations when medically indicated
- Charges for preventive and medically necessary women's health services, including annual well-woman
examinations, cervical cancer screening, breast screening and imaging, contraceptive services and devices when
prescribed, pelvic ultrasounds, evaluation and treatment of abnormal bleeding, endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian
cysts, colposcopy, and LEEP, subject to policy terms.
- Charges for emergency professional ambulance service by ground or air to a hospital
- Charges for the following listed types of orthopedic or prosthetic devices or hospital equipment
Man-made limbs or eyes for the replacing of natural limbs or eyes
o
Casts, splints, or crutches
o
Purchase of a truss or brace
o
PUR2526028 Rev. 06/12/2025

- Oxygen and rental of equipment for giving oxygen
- Rental of wheelchair or hospital bed
- Rental of dialysis equipment and supplies, and Colostomy bags and ureterostomy bags
- The policy shall not cover rental charges for equipment in excess of the purchase price of the equipment.
Dental Benefits:
The base plan shall include dental coverage for eligible students and eligible dependents, if covered under the plan. The
bidder shall describe the dental benefits included in the base plan, including covered services, deductibles, copayments,
coinsurance, annual maximums, frequency limits, exclusions, and network provisions.
Vision Benefits:
The base plan shall include vision coverage for eligible students and eligible dependents, if covered under the plan. The
bidder shall describe the vision benefits included in the base plan, including covered services, deductibles, copayments,
frequency limits, benefit maximums, exclusions, and network provisions.
Medical Evacuation Benefits:
The policy shall cover, up to a maximum benefit of (no more than) $50,000, charges of air evacuation of the injured or sick
Insured Certificate Holder to the individual's home country or country of regular domicile or to another medical facility,
provided the air evacuation (a) is upon the recommendation and agreement of the attending licensed physician, (b) results
from a covered injury or sickness, and (c) does not occur prior to the benefit approval.
Repatriation:
The policy shall cover, up to a maximum benefit (no more than) $25,000 in the aggregate, reasonable expenses which are
incurred in connection with the cremation or preparation and transportation of the body of a deceased Insured Certificate
Holder to the individual's place of residence in the individual's home country provided the individual's death occurred
outside their home country.
Affordable Care Act Compliance:
This policy does not need to comply with ACA (Affordable Care Act) requirements.
No Surprises Act / Balance Billing Protections:
Louisiana Tech University expects the Insurance Company and/or administrator to recognize, support, and make
reasonable and timely efforts to enforce applicable No Surprises Act protections and other balance-billing protections
available under law or provider contract. The Insurance Company and/or administrator shall work directly with providers
and facilities to prevent or resolve improper balance billing and shall not require the student to negotiate separately with
the provider as the primary means of resolution. For eligible services rendered at required in-network hospitals or clinics,
any separately billing physician or provider associated with that visit shall be processed at no more than the student's in-
network cost-sharing amount, and the student shall be held harmless from balance billing to the fullest extent permitted
by law and contract. For purposes of this solicitation, the University will not interpret No Surprises Act protections as
limited solely to ACA-compliant plans, and bidders taking a different position must clearly identify that exception in their
response and provide the legal or regulatory authority supporting that position.
PUR2526028 Rev. 06/12/2025

Pregnancy Benefit:
Covered expenses for pregnancy shall be payable on the same basis as covered expenses for any other sickness with
respect to an Insured Certificate Holder whether that individual is a student, scholar or covered dependent spouse. No
benefits are payable for any expenses which relate to the pregnancy of a dependent child. Elective abortion is not covered.
Newborn Infants:
A newborn child of an Insured Certificate Holder shall automatically be an Insured Individual for 31 days from the moment
of his/her birth only for covered expenses which are due directly to injury or sickness, premature birth, or a congenital
condition which exists at birth. In order to continue coverage of a newborn child beyond the 31st day following birth, (a)
notice of the birth of the child will be provided to the Company or its authorized representative within 31 days from the
date of birth, and (b) the required payment of the appropriate premium will be submitted.
Physiotherapy Expenses:
Covered expenses in connection with physiotherapy which are incurred while not confined in a hospital and which are
billed by a doctor or physiotherapist, should not exceed the maximum amounts listed below. Charges in excess of these
maximums should not be included as covered expenses in the policy.
Physiotherapy means treatment of sickness or injury by use of physical means, including, but not limited to, air, heat, light,
water, electricity, massage, manipulation, or active exercise.
The physiotherapy benefit per calendar year will be (no more than) $500.
Mental and Nervous Disorders/ Substance Abuse:
In-patient benefits are to be paid as any other covered illness up to an aggregate limit of 30 days in a 12-month period.
Out-patient benefits are to be paid like any other covered illness up to an aggregate limit of 10 visits in a 12-month period.
Coverage must include evaluation and treatment for substance use disorders, including drug and alcohol-related
conditions, on an inpatient and outpatient basis, subject to medical necessity and policy terms.
Exclusions:
Submit exclusions as defined by your policy
The University reserves the right to withdraw this solicitation at any time and for any reason, reject any and all bids, and
waives any informalities in the bidding process. Receipt of proposal materials by the University or submission of a proposal
to the University confers no rights upon the proposer nor obligates the University in any manner. The University reserves
the right to authenticate any and all information contained in the bid of each vendor. A contract based upon this
solicitation, may or may not be awarded.
Contract Changes:
No additional changes, enhancements, or modifications to any contact resulting from this soliciation shall be made without
the prior approval of Louisiana Tech University. Changes to the contract include any change in: compensation;
beginning/ending date of the contract; scope of work; and/or Contractor change through the Assignment of Contact
process. Any such changes, once approved, will result in the issuance of an amendment of the contract. Contract changes
may only be made after the first year of the contract.
PUR2526028 Rev. 06/12/2025

Any changes to premium rates or deductibles must be based on loss experience, must be reasonable in light of recognized
medical trend benchmarks, including PwC medical cost trend projections, and must be shared with Louisiana Tech
University via email to the Director of Purchasing at purchasing@latech.edu at least six (6) months prior to the intended
effective date of such change. Written notice of intention by the Underwriter to extend the contract for the additional two-
year period and to adjust premium rates for the next policy year shall be given to the Director of Purchasing and the
Director of International Student Services at Louisiana Tech University by February 1 of that year.
Contract Termination:
Louisiana Tech University reserves the right to terminate this contract at any time for cause based upon the failure of the
Awarded Vendor to comply with its terms and/or conditions of the agreement, or failure to fulfill its performance
obligations pursuant of the agreement, provided that Louisiana Tech University shall give the Awarded Vendor written
notice specifying the Awarded Vendor's failure. If within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, the Awarded Vendor
has not corrected such failure or, in the case of failure which cannot be corrected in thirty days, begun correction, then the
State may, at its option, place the Awarded Vendor in default and the Agreement shall terminate on the date specified in
such notice.
Remedies for Default:
Any claim or controversy arising from this contract shall be resolved by the provisions of LSA-R.S. 39:1524 through 1526.
Indemnification:
The Awarded Vendor agrees to indemnify and hold the University harmless from any and all claims, demands, liabilities,
lawsuits or damages in any way arising out of or based upon the activities or omissions of the Contractor, under this
Agreement, including without limitation claims for refund of fees. The University agrees to indemnify and hold the
Awarded Vendor harmless from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, lawsuits, or damages in any way arising out of or
based upon the activities or omissions of the University's personnel.
Auditors:
It is hereby agreed that the Legislative Auditor of the University and/or the Office of the Governor, Division of
Administration auditors of Louisiana shall have the option of auditing all accounts of Contractor which relate to this
contract.
Question Period:
This solicitation allows for a period for vendors to ask questions of the University. The University will accept questions via
email only to purchasing@latech.edu; please do not contact the Office of Purchasing by telephone with questions
regarding this solicitation. Vendors shall include the solicitation number in the subject line of their email. The deadline
for the University to receive questions will be May 8, 2026 @ 5:00 PM CST. Questions received after this date and time
will not be answered.
PUR2526028 Rev. 06/12/2025

The University will combine all questions received and provide a response by Addendum by May 15, 2026 @ 5:00 PM.
Proposal Submissions Requirements:
One (1) signed original bid form and all attachments and two (2) copies of the bid form and all attachments in a sealed
envelope or packaging must be received by June 1, 2026 @ 2:00 PM in the Office of Purchasing
(see below addresses).
The Bidder is solely responsible for ensuring that its courier service provider makes inside deliveries to our physical
location. Louisiana Tech University is not responsible for any delays caused by the bidder's chosen means of delivery.
For United States Postal Service delivery:
Louisiana Tech University
Office of Purchasing
PO Box 3157
Ruston, LA 71272
For UPS, Fedex, or other courier services delivery:
Louisiana Tech University
208 Keeny Circle, Room 408
Ruston, LA 71270
The outside cover of the package containing the proposal shall be marked:
Bid Number: 50012-653-26
Bid Name: International Student Health Insurance
Name of Bidder
Response Requirements:
1. Cover Letter- Letter summarizing response signed by an authorized representative of the company.
2. Table of Contents.
3. Company Background- Provide background information on your company, including a statement clarifying
whether the Vendor is a sole proprietor, a partnership, a corporation or other legal entity.
4. Plan Description- Provide a description of the proposed plan.
5. Premium- Provide a statement of the premiums for the proposed plan for the coverage period and as a quarterly
rate.
PUR2526028 Rev. 06/12/2025

6. Exclusions- Describe exclusions as defined by your policy.
7. References- Submit information to document successful and reliable experience and service, including reference
information. Each vendor must furnish a list of a minimum of five (5) clients currently begin provided international
student and scholar health insurance services.
8. Organizational Chart- Provide an organizational chart showing the staffing and lines of authority for key personnel
to be used.
9. Supporting Documents - Documentation not included elsewhere including but not limited to, Power of Attorney
certifying agent's authority to bind the vendor if response is submitted by an agent, a statement that vendor is
authorized to do business in the State of Louisiana and has properly registered to do so.
Vendors shall complete all pages of this Invitation to Bid, including the printed name and signature of the person
submitting the quotation and pricing on the Schedule of Items page. Bid received without this information shall be
deemed as non-responsive. Vendors are encouraged to include their own quote for an explanation of your proposed
pricing, BUT this vendor quote shall not be a substitute for this completed Invitation to Bid Form.
PUR2526028 Rev. 06/12/2025