International Health Insurance Requirement
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International Health Insurance Requirement
All MSU Denver Students taking 9 or more credit hours in the Fall or Spring are required to have health insurance that complies with the University Requirement. As an International Student there is specific information relevant to you covered below that you need to be aware of.
F1 VISA Students
International students on an F1 visa are automatically enrolled in the University sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) upon registering for 9 or more credit hours. This plan will provide you with quality health insurance while attending MSU Denver.
International students with an F1 visa cannot waive SHIP with a health insurance plan issued outside of the United States of America (i.e., plans issued by foreign countries, unless it’s a government or embassy sponsored plan) and will be automatically enrolled with SHIP.
Please note that only students who have an insurance plan that is compliant with the MSU Denver University Health Insurance Standards, can waive out of SHIP. F1 International students are not eligible to purchase an individual U.S. based health insurance plan that is compliant with the University Requirement, therefore will be automatically enrolled on SHIP.
J1 VISA Students
Students can meet the Health Insurance Requirement by fulfilling option A or B.
Option A:
J1 Students can accept automatic enrollment in the University-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). There is no need to take any action or to sign up for SHIP.
Enrollment in SHIP is automatic when a student registers for 9 or more credit hours in the Fall or Spring. The SHIP premium is automatically added to a student’s tuition and fee account.
J1 Students who register for 9 or more credit hours, but subsequently drop below 9 credit hours before the waiver deadline, will automatically have the insurance charge removed from their tuition bill and will not be covered by SHIP for the semester.
Option B:
J1 Students insured by a health plan can submit an online health insurance waiver form by the deadline to opt-out of the University sponsored SHIP. The online waiver is required for each semester of attendance.
J1 students who register for 9 or more credit hours, and have a healthcare plan meeting the waiver requirements (below), can opt-out of SHIP as long as they do so by the deadline on Coverage Dates, Premiums & Deadlines.
Students who do not opt-out by the deadline will have a health insurance premium charge showing on their tuition and will be automatically enrolled on SHIP with no option of a waiver refund after the deadline.
University Student Health Insurance Waiver Requirements for J1
MSU Denver, as your Sponsor, follows the US State Department required minimum health insurance coverage for J1 Visa. The waiver requirement follows the State Department’s minimum required coverages. J1 students who have health coverage and it meets the minimum coverages listed below are eligible to submit an Opt-Out Waiver.
- A deductible of no more than $500 per accident or illness
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of remains coverage in the amount of $25,000
- Emergency Medical Evacuation Expenses in the amount of $50,000
Note: The University’s SHIP Benefits meet all U.S. State Department’s minimum coverage requirements for a J1 Visa. Please see SHIP Premium & Coverage Dates for specifics.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Students
Students who select to participate in the “Optional Practical Training” program (OPT) upon graduation can choose to continue SHIP coverage for up to two years after graduation. If you decide to participate in the OPT program, contact the MSU Denver Student Insurance office to complete the required paperwork.
Please note that to participate in this special “after graduation option” you must request this coverage prior to your graduation date AND be enrolled on SHIP during your last semester of attendance at MSU Denver.
