Health Insurance for F-1 International Students
As of Fall 2023 Elmhurst University requires all F1 international students enroll in the school sponsored plan offered by ISO* during when enrolled in courses or living on-campus for the duration of their academic program in the U.S.
The insurance requirement is in place for all international students in the Fall and Spring semesters, as well as required for any student that is either enrolled in courses or living on-campus during Summer semesters.
Why is continuous coverage important? The high cost of healthcare in the U.S. puts international students at financial risk in the event of injury or sickness. Requiring all international students to enroll in the school sponsored plan offered by ISO helps insure you against incurring high costs of medical expenses and unnecessary interruptions in your academic program due to unexpected costs. Elmhurst University is committed to ensuring our students are best set-up for success, both academically and in overall health and wellness.
Coverage Periods Information and Costs
FALL
Period: August 1st through December 31st
Cost: $600
Required: All international students
SPRING
Period: January 1st through May 31st
Cost: $600
Required: All international students
SUMMER
Period: June 1st through July 31st
Cost: $240
Required: All international students either enrolled in Summer courses or living on-campus.
Billing and Payments
Students will be automatically enrolled during the Fall and Spring semesters; any student that is enrolled in any coursework or living on-campus during a Summer semester will also be automatically enrolled. The cost of the medical insurance will be billed to your student account and payment will be required by University set due dates.
For more information about billing and payments please reach out to the Office of Student Financial Services (SFS@elmhurst.edu or (630) 617-3015).
Students can also find information find information about Payment Options online.
*Waiver/Opt-Out Exceptions
While the insurance requirement applies to all international students and cannot be waived, students in certain circumstances may be eligible for a waiver to hold their own insurance.
In order to qualify for a waiver, your health insurance plan must provide coverage throughout the entire length of your enrollment at Elmhurst University and meet the following requirements:
- Unlimited annual and per injury/sickness maximum
- Pre-existing conditions should be covered up to plan maximum, without a waiting period
- Deductible not to exceed $150 annually
- Maximum out-of-pocket expenses $6,350 annually
- 100% coverage for preventative services
- In-network co-insurance of at least 90%
- Coverage for inpatient/outpatient treatment including mental health, lab Tests & x-rays, hospitalization, emergency room care and prescriptions drugs
- Repatriation coverage at least $50,000
- Medical evacuation coverage to home at least $100,000
- Insurance company must be operating in the US with a US claims address and accessible customer service telephone number
- A U.S. Insurance Carrier having an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above; a McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor Claims-paying ability rating of “A-” or above; a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B+” or above; a Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of “A-” or above; a Moody Investor Services rating of “A3” or above; or such other rating as the U.S. Department of State may from time to time specify.
Students that meet the criteria listed above should apply for a waiver here before the waiver deadline: 09/04/2023
Waiver requests will be received, reviewed, and decided by ISO. You should also submit all relevant documents that are requested by ISO in order to adjudicate your waiver. Any approved waiver will stay on file for the full academic year. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain active insurance coverage at all times during the academic year when Elmhurst University insurance is waived.
Students who are enrolled in and taking courses while abroad (not in the US during the period of coverage) are not required to enroll in the medical insurance plan. This applies to students that take a leave of absence (LOA) and depart the US.
OPT Coverage
Once a student has graduated and been authorized by USCIS to engage in post-completion Optional Practical Training, they can view and enroll in dedicated plans cover them during their OPT experience. Plans start on the 1st and 16th of the month.
F-1 students will be enrolled and billed upon automatically for this insurance plan through your Elmhurst University student accounts.
If you have any questions, you can contact ISO Student Health Insurance at (800) 244-1180 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. CST) or email customercare@isoa.org.