Am I required to have health insurance?
Will I be automatically enrolled in the USF-sponsored health insurance plan?
I have the school insurance but I did not get my card, what can I do?
What is my Aetna Policy number?
I am not required to have health insurance, but I want it. How can I voluntarily enroll and pay for the University-sponsored insurance plan?
If I am not required to have the USF-sponsored health insurance, do I have to show proof that I have my own insurance?
I have my own insurance. Can I waive the health insurance requirement?
What coverage do I need in order to qualify for a waiver?
If I am enrolled in the plan when will I receive my insurance card?
I live in University-operated housing. What are my requirements?
How much does the USF-sponsored health insurance plan cost?
Are my dependents eligible?
What does the insurance plan cover?
How do I find a primary doctor?
Will I be covered by the USF-sponsored plan if I am traveling domestically?
Will I be covered by the University-sponsored plan if I am outside of the United States?
What are the deductible and co-pay amounts of the University-sponsored plan?
Are prescriptions covered?
Does the USF-sponsored health insurance plan cover dental visits, vision visits, eyeglasses, or contacts?
I don't have the University-sponsored insurance. Can I still go to the Student Health Clinic?
If I buy insurance for the Spring/Summer term and don't take summer classes will I still be covered?
When I graduate or leave USF what happens to my coverage?
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to have health insurance?
The health insurance requirement varies by population of student. Refer to the table below to view the requirement for each population:
| Level |
Population |
Registered for |
Requirement |
| Undergraduate: |
U.S. |
0-8 credit hours |
Not Required. Not eligible to purchase USF health insurance |
| |
U.S.* |
9+ credit hours |
Automatically enrolled in and charged for insurance |
| |
International |
Any number of credit hours |
Automatically enrolled in and charged for insurance
|
| Graduate: |
U.S., living off campus |
0-5 credit hours |
Not Required. Not eligible to purchase USF health insurance |
| |
U.S., living off campus |
6+ credit hours |
Eligible to purchase USF health insurance, if desired |
| |
U.S., living on campus |
Any number of credit hours |
Must purchase USF health insurance (you will not be automatically enrolled or charged) |
| |
International |
Any number of credit hours |
Automatically enrolled in and charged for insurance
|
| Intensive English: |
Intensive English (IEP) |
Any number of credit hours |
Must purchase USF health insurance (you will not be automatically enrolled or charged) |
*Note: Undergraduate domestic visiting students and Professional Studies students are not required to purchase health insurance unless they live on campus.
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Will I be automatically enrolled in the USF-sponsored health insurance plan?
You will be automatically enrolled if you are:
- a full-time undergraduate domestic student registered for 9 units or more
- an international student registered for at least 1 unit
If you are a graduate student or IEP student required to have health insurance, you will not be automatically enrolled. Instead, you must purchase the USF-sponsored health insurance. For more information on how to enroll, visit Health Insurance for Graduate Students or Health Insurance for IEP Students.
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I am not required to have health insurance, but I want it. How can I voluntarily enroll and pay for the University-sponsored insurance plan?
If you are a graduate student registered for at least 6 units, you can elect to purchase the University-sponsored health insurance plan. For more information on how to enroll in the USF-sponsored health insurance, visit Health Insurance for Graduate Students.
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If I am not required to have the USF-sponsored health insurance, do I have to show proof that I have my own insurance?
No, if you are not required to have the USF-sponsored health insurance plan, then you do not have to show any proof of another plan.
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What is my Aetna Policy number?
All student who have Aetna through USF have the same policy number which is 474887.
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I have the school insurance but I did not get my card, what can I do?
If you have not received your card, please call Aetna at 1-877-850-6036 to request a new card to be sent to your current address.
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I have my own insurance. Can I waive the health insurance requirement?
Students who are able to prove that they have coverage comparable to the University-sponsored plan under a United States-domiciled health insurance company may petition to waive the health insurance requirement.
Approved waivers are good through the end of that academic year (Fall to Spring). If submit a waiver in Fall and it is approved, it will apply to both Fall and Spring. If you submit a waiver in Spring and it is approved, it will apply only to Spring. If you plan on attending during the next academic year, you must submit a new waiver for that year.
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What coverage do I need in order to qualify for a waiver?
The criteria for U.S. citizens and permanent residents is:
- Policy must be underwritten by a U.S.-domiciled (U.S.-based) insurance company.
- Health plan must offer a maximum benefit of at least $100,000 in coverage per benefit year.
- Health plan must cover inpatient and outpatient medical care within the San Francisco Bay Area. Note: Emergency-only coverage does not satisfy this requirement.
- Health plan must cover inpatient and outpatient mental health care within the San Francisco Bay Area. Note: Emergency-only coverage does not satisfy this requirement.
- Health plan must be active and provide health insurance coverage throughout the academic year.
The criteria for international students is:
- Policy must be in English.
- Policy must be underwritten by a U.S.-domiciled (U.S.-based) insurance company or the company has an office/branch in the United States.
- Policy must include accident and medical coverage (include illness/preventive care, prescription, no limit on hospital stay/emergency room except for the co-insurance and deductible).
- Health plan must offer a maximum benefit of at least $100,000 in coverage per benefit year.
- Deductible no greater than $200 dollars.
- Medical evacuation minimum of $10,000 in coverage.
- Repatriation minimum of $7,500 in coverage.
- Pre-existing conditions must be covered.
- Includes provision for co-insurance that does not exceed 20%.
- Coverage cannot exclude benefits for perils inherent to the activities of the program in which the visitor participates.
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If I am enrolled in the plan when will I receive my insurance card?
Insurance cards are mailed after waiver/enrollment deadline. If you don't receive your card within one week after the deadline, contact Health Promotion Services:
Phone: (415) 422-5797
Email: hps@usfca.edu
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I live in University-operated housing. What are my requirements?
All students living in USF-operated housing are required to have health insurance. You must either purchase the USF-sponsored health insurance plan or provide proof of your own health insurance in order to petition to waive the requirement.
For more information on how to enroll in the USF-sponsored plan or how to waive the requirement, visit the following web pages:
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How much does the USF-sponsored health insurance plan cost?
For the latest information on cost, go to Student Plan and read the "Cost" section.
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Are my dependents eligible?
If you are eligible for the plan and have enrolled in the plan, then your spouse, LDA and/or children are also eligible.
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What does the insurance plan cover?
For information on the USF-sponsored health insurance benefits, go to Student Plan and read the "Benefits" section.
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How do I find a primary doctor?
For information on finding a doctor, go to Student Plan and read the "Finding a Doctor" section.
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Will I be covered by the USF-sponsored plan if I am traveling domestically?
Yes. Students who are enrolled in the USF-sponsored health insurance plan have benefit coverage throughout the United States.
To find a doctor in another part of the U.S., go to Student Plan and read the "Finding a Doctor" section.
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Will I be covered by the University-sponsored plan if I am outside of the United States?
The USF-sponsored health insurance plan offers coverage outside of the United States. As part of the benefits package, students have access to On-Call International at no additional cost.
For more information these benefits, go to Student Plan and read the "Benefits" section.
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What are the deductible and co-pay amounts of the University-sponsored plan?
The benefits of the USF Student Health Insurance Plan vary by coverage year. For complete information on the USF-sponsored health insurance benefits for the current benefit year, go to Student Plan and read the "Benefits" section.
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Are prescriptions covered?
Yes, prescriptions are covered. For complete information on how much is covered and what the copay is, go to Student Plan and read the "Benefits" section.
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Does the USF-sponsored health insurance plan cover dental visits, vision visits, eyeglasses, or contacts?
No, the USF-sponsored health insurance plan does not cover dental, vision, eyeglasses, or contacts.
Students who are members of the University sponsored Aetna plan, can also take advantage of vision services, discounts, and programs. These are not underwritten by Aetna. To learn more about these additional services and search for providers visit, www.aetnastudenthealth.com.
Students may also choose to purchase dental coverage through Aetna. Follow these steps to enroll:
- Go to the Aetna Member Navigator Website.
- In the left navigation menu, click on "Dental Plan: Enroll."
- Click on "Enroll: Aetna AdvantageTM Dental."
- Follow the prompts to enter all the necessary information to enroll.
- After entering all the necessary information, pay using a Visa or Mastercard.
For a list of other dental and vision insurance companies and resources available in the San Francisco Bay Area, click here.
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I don't have the University-sponsored insurance. Can I still go to the Student Health Clinic?
Yes. All currently enrolled students can be seen by a nurse practitioner at the USF Student Health Clinic. Students should bring their valid USF ID and insurance card.
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If I buy insurance for the Spring/Summer term and don't take summer classes will I still be covered?
Yes, your insurance coverage will be effective through end of July.
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When I graduate or leave USF what happens to my coverage?
A students' coverage terminates on the expiration date of the enrollment period. It is the student's responsibility to find alternate coverage before the expiration date.
Below are some resources that may help you find alternate coverage after graduation:
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