Health Insurance

F-1/J-1 Students

Health care in the United States is extremely expensive (one visit to the Emeregency room can cost US $3000). It is important that international visitors purchase adequate health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay in the United States.

International students on F-1 and J-1 visas who register for classes in the fall and spring semesters are automatically enrolled in and covered by the University-sponsored Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan.  The cost for this coverage is included on students' Bursar accounts in both the fall and spring semesters. Students enrolled for classes in the fall will have coverage from 8/12/05 through 1/22/06, and students enrolled in the spring will have insurance benefits extended through 8/12/06.

International students who are able to prove that they have comparable coverage under an American health insurance plan may waive this requirement. Proof must be in the form of a statement of coverage or insurance card for the applicable period of enrollment and submitted to the Student Health Insurance Office (University Center, Room 200) within five class days from the start of the entering semester for each academic year. Students should not purchase insurance from their home countries, as it will not meet the University's requirement.

For further information, please visit http://www.usfca.edu/hps/studentinsurance/index.htm. The USF Student Health Insurance Office is located in University Center, Room 200. You may also contact the office at (415) 422-6809 or studentinsurance@usfca.edu.

International Scholars/Researchers on the J-1Visa

J Visa Exchange visitors are required as a condition of their J-1 status in the United States to carry health insurance for themselves and their accompanying family members. By government regulation minimum coverage must provide up to $50,000 per accident or illness or illness; up to $7,500 for repatriation of remains: up to &10,000 for medical evacuation to the home country: and a "deductible" not to exceed $500 per accident or illness. Coinsurance payable by the exchange visitor program. The company providing the insurance must have an A.A. Beset rating of "A-" or higher, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-1" or higher, a Standard & Poors Claims-Paying Ability rating of "A-" or higher, or a Weiss Research , Inc. rating of "B+" or higher.

Exchange visitor professor and research scholars who do not obtain their own insurance before arriving at this institution should have the funds available to purchase it, for themselves and their dependents, no later then the day they arrive on campus.

In the United States certain kinds of elective medical care, such as eyeglasses or dentistry, are ordinarily not covered by insurance, and they are very expensive. To the extent possible exchange visitors should take care of such needs before leaving home.

Below are some health insurance providers. ISS does not endorse or affiliate with these companies. It is always to your benefit to compare two or more companies.