Health Insurance
Why You Need Insurance
SDSU requires you to have health insurance
Federal and State law, the California State University (CSU) system, and SDSU require international students to maintain adequate health insurance coverage throughout the duration of their academic program. All matriculated international students in F-1 or J-1 visa status are required to purchase the preapproved provided International Student Health Insurance Plan.
Medical care in the U.S. is costly
Medical care in the U.S. is extremely expensive. Treatment costs for a simple broken wrist can exceed $500. A routine surgical procedure, such as an appendectomy, can cost as much as $10,000. Without insurance, you might experience financial problems resulting from a serious accident or illness. Holding medical insurance could prevent you from needing to depart the U.S. and not completing your studies.
As an international student, you are not eligible for any federal or state welfare assistance, and if you are uninsured, you are held legally responsible for paying all your medical expenses.
Health insurance required for class registration
SDSU automatically places a Health Insurance Requirement Hold (also known as a Service Indicator) on your class registration each semester. This prevents you from being able to register for classes. To get your insurance hold removed, you must purchase the International Student Health Insurance Plan Policy. It will take 2 business days after the day you purchase the International Student Health Insurance Plan for your insurance hold to be cleared, which will then allow you to register for classes. Please plan appropriately to ensure you do not get blocked from registering due to having pending holds.
What are YOUR specific health insurance requirements?
Find information about health care requirements for:
F-1 students are required to purchase the pre-approved policy offered by International Student Health Insurance Plan in order to satisfy the California State University insurance requirement.
Purchase International Student Health Insurance Plan.
The policy that you purchase will be issued by the United Health Care insurance provider. All the information you need regarding the policy can be found on the International Student Health Insurance Plan and United Health Care websites. You will create an online account when you purchase the policy. Through this account, you can know the detailed policy coverage, print your insurance ID card and find a doctor or clinic that accepts the United Health Care insurance that you purchased through International Student Health Insurance Plan.
After purchasing the insurance you will be able to view and download your digital insurance ID card on the insurance start date or three weeks after enrollment, whichever is latest.
If you need to see a doctor before this time, please contact the ISC. We will reach out to International Student Health Insurance Plan to obtain the ID card information for you.
Refund Requests
Refunds for payments by credit card or debit card can be issued up to 120 days from the date of purchase or by the refund deadline, whichever is earlier. Refunds for payments by e-check can be issued by the refund deadline and in most cases offers more flexibility than credit card or debit card payments. For new students who are unsure if they will be able to obtain a visa in time to begin the SDSU program, it is advisable to wait until after the visa is issued to purchase health insurance.
TA with Health Insurance
In some cases, SDSU TA positions may offer health insurance. You will still need to clear your registration hold by emailing [email protected]. Not all TA positions provide health insurance. If you are unsure, check with your department. If your position did not offer health insurance, you will still be required to purchase the International Student Health Insurance Plan.
J-1 exchange students are required to purchase the pre-approved policy offered by International Student Health Insurance Plan in order to satisfy the California State University insurance requirement.
Purchase the International Student Health Insurance Plan
The policy that you purchase will be issued by the United Health Care insurance provider. All the information you need regarding the policy can be found on the International Student Health Insurance Plan and United Health Care websites. You will create an online account when you purchase the policy. Through this account, you can know the detailed policy coverage, print your insurance ID card and find a doctor or clinic that accepts the United Health Care insurance that you purchased through International Student Health Insurance Plan.
After purchasing the insurance you will be able to view and download your digital insurance ID card on the insurance start date or three weeks after enrollment, whichever is latest.
If you need to see a doctor before this time, please contact the ISC. We will reach out to International Student Health Insurance Plan to obtain the ID card information for you.
Refund Requests
Refunds for payments by credit card or debit card can be issued up to 120 days from the date of purchase or by the refund deadline, whichever is earlier. Refunds for payments by e-check can be issued by the refund deadline and in most cases offers more flexibility than credit card or debit card payments. For new students who are unsure if they will be able to obtain a visa in time to begin the SDSU program, it is advisable to wait until after the visa is issued to purchase health insurance.
Cost of Insurance and Purchasing
- Learn what the costs are for the plan and how to purchase the International Student Health Insurance Plan at this weblink.
Alternate Health Insurance Coverage
- No alternate health insurance, from any vendor, country, or provider will be accepted. All matriculated international students in F-1 or J-1 visa status are required to purchase the preapproved provided International Student Health Insurance Plan.
What's Next?
- How to create your account on uhcsr.com
- ID cards and online account access will be available on the insurance start date or three weeks after enrollment, whichever is later.
- How to access your insurance ID card
Orientation
Watch the health insurance orientation video on our YouTube channel!
