Insurance

Health Insurance for International Students

"J" Visa Insurance Requirements

US federal regulations requires that each visitor holding a "J" visa must have insurance in effect which covers the visitor for sickness or accident during the visitor's stay in the US. In order to comply with the regulations, the insurance must meet or exceed the following:

• Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
• Medical evacuation benefits of $10,000
• Deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
• Spouse and/or dependents of visitor must have same coverage

Any insurance policy meeting or exceeding the minimum requirements shown above may have:

• A reasonable industry standard waiting period for pre-existing conditions
• A provision for co-insurance up to 25% of the covered benefit
• Shall not have unreasonable exclusions
• Financial security provided by:
  1. an insurance company having a AM Best rating of A- or better
  2. the full faith and credit of the visitor's government
  3. a group health plan offered by the visitor's sponsor
  4. a DSHS qualified HMO or CMP
  5. a US federal or state self-insurance plan; or other security specifically approved by the US federal government

WWU's International Student & Scholar Healthcare PLUS Plan administered by HTH Worldwide meets the "J" visa requirements.

If you have any questions, please contact the International Programs & Exchanges at 650-3298 or WWU's Risk Manager at 650-3065.

"F" Visa Insurance Requirements

International Student & Scholar Health Insurance Information

Western Washington University strongly recommends that students and scholars who are outside their home country and studying at WWU purchase and maintain an adequate health insurance plan (except "J" visa holders are required to do so). Medical costs in the U.S. are extremely high and uninsured medical treatment can have serious, long-term financial consequences. So, although financial considerations may limit the ability to purchase a plan which meets the recommendations outlined below, the University feels the plan should have the following minimum amount of coverage:

• Medical expense coverage of $100,000 per injury or sickness.
• Accidental death & dismemberment indemnity in the amount of $10,000.
• Repatriation expense benefits of $15,000.
• Medical evacuation benefits of $50,000.
• Plan deductible waived for treatment at WWU Student Health Services.
• Exceed "J" visa minimum requirements.

Where can I purchase this kind of insurance?

• CISI

  1-800-303-8120 or their website, click on Plans for Individuals

• HTH

  1-800-242-4178 or their website. You will need to enroll under the Preferred Health or Healthcare Advantage Plans.

• IMG

  1-800-628-4664 or their website, click on Choosing the Right Coverage

• MEDEX Assistance

  1-800-537-2029 or their website

• WWU's Student Health Insurance

  1-800-853-5899 or their website after clicking on the link, click Enroll, then select Western and review the 02-03 Western Washington - Comb information.

Note: Not all plans meet the University's recommendations. Make sure that you become familiar with an individual plan's eligibility requirements, coverage, limits, exclusions and premiums before purchasing it. Be certain the plan meets your personal needs for health insurance coverage.

If you have any questions, please contact WWU's International Programs & Exchanges at 650-3298 or Risk Management at 650-3065.