Insurance waivers

You can submit a request to the ISSS office at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ to waive (cancel) your international health insurance by completing an International Student Insurance Waiver e-form. This form must be received by Oct. 15 for the fall semester and by Feb. 15 for the spring semester.

If you miss that deadline, it may be too late for our insurance team to cancel your coverage.

There are very limited circumstances under which a waiver of the United HealthCare StudentResources health insurance will be granted. Required insurance policy attributes necessary to qualify for a waiver review are available below.

F-1 and J-1 students may apply for a waiver review if their alternative plan meets or exceeds the level of coverage that the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Health Insurance Plan provides. This also holds true for J-2 family members.

If you are an F-1, J-1 or J-2 visa holder; on CPT with employer health insurance; OR have Private Insurance, your insurance policy MUST offer the following benefits:

  • Emergency and non-emergency medical care
  • Treatment for pre-existing conditions
  • Maternity services
  • In-hospital room and board
  • Inpatient and outpatient care for mental/nervous conditions
  • Outpatient alcoholism and substance-abuse coverage
  • Prescription drugs
  • X-rays and laboratory work
  • Ambulance service
  • Medical equipment rentals or purchase
  • Treatment for self-inflicted injuries and suicide-related services
  • Medical evacuation and repatriation (if your plan does not supply this, it can be purchased separately through ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ for a waiver to be granted)
  • $50 deductible 
  • Insurance directly pays the provider or pharmacy in the U.S. for services rendered. You do not reimburse the doctor directly.
  • Coverage benefit levels must meet or exceed those of the SUNY plan.

Medicaid coverage does not meet the requirements to waive the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ international health insurance plan and it does not cover services outside of New York state. In addition, as an international student, you must have enough funding for your stay in the United States. If you accept U.S. government assistance in the form of Medicaid, it is possible the U.S. government will later determine you have been a public charge. This could result in:

  • Denial of an F-1 or J-1 visa or renewal
  • Refusal to enter the U.S.
  • Denial of a future change of status or future benefits (such as OPT)

We therefore recommend that international students NOT enroll in Medicaid, and we cannot waive insurance coverage based on Medicaid enrollment. Remaining enrolled in Medicaid is at your own risk and will not exempt you from fees and enrollment in the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ international health insurance plan. If you wish to cancel your Medicaid coverage, contact the local Medicaid office or call the contact information on your Medicaid card. If you have additional questions, visit ISSS during walk-in advising hours.

The act of filing an application for a waiver of your current insurance is not a guarantee that you will be waived out of the mandatory insurance. An alternative plan must fulfill ALL New York state requirements to be eligible for a waiver.

All waiver requests must be submitted via the Health Insurance Waiver Request e-form in Sunapsis. A link to the instructions for submitting the e-form can be found at the bottom of this page.

The following table outlines eligibility requirements, required documentation and submission deadlines:

Waiver Eligibility Category Required Documents
(In addition to waiver form)		 Submission Deadlines Adjustment Pricing if Waiver is Granted
Graduate Student – Academic Assignment (E.g. TA/GA/RA) NONE. Your ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Employee Health Plan is acceptable. Fall: Oct. 15
Spring: Feb. 15		 Current semester fee for international health insurance is credited to your Student Account, less the charge for medical evacuation and repatriation insurance coverage and short-term international insurance needed until your employee benefits begin.
CPT with employer health insurance
  1. Copy of insurance policy (full version in English) specifying benefits and coverage.
  2. Front and back copy of your current insurance card showing name and coverage dates.
 Fall: Oct. 15
Spring: Feb. 15		 Current semester fee for international health insurance is credited to your Student Account, less the charge for medical evacuation and repatriation insurance coverage.
Visa other than F1 or J1 NONE. Proof of visa status may be requested. Fall: Oct. 15
Spring: Feb. 15		 Entire semester international health insurance fee is credited to your Student Account.
Student with private insurance
  1. Copy of insurance policy (full version in English) specifying benefits and coverage.
  2. Front and back copy of your current insurance card showing name and coverage dates.
 Fall: Oct. 15
Spring: Feb. 15		 Current semester fee for international health insurance is credited to your Student Account, less the charge for medical evacuation and repatriation insurance coverage, unless your private insurance provides for it.

Effective fall 2020, students are not automatically eligible for a waiver of the international health insurance fee based on remaining in their home country. Waivers may be approved if students meet the following criteria:

  • You are in your home country AND do not have an active SEVIS record, OR
  • You are in your home country with an active SEVIS record AND have a health insurance policy that meets the SUNY and federal minimum requirements.

For instructions on submitting a Health Insurance Waiver Request, go online.