Health Insurance for F-1 International Students

Health insurance is required for all F-1 International Students at Elmhurst University. Students are automatically enrolled in the school sponsored plan offered by ISO* while enrolled in courses or living on-campus for the duration of their academic program.

Insurance is required for all international students in the Fall and Spring terms, and for any student that is either enrolled in courses or living on-campus during Summer term.

ISO International Student Health Insurance for Elmhurst University

ISO Plan Access & Use

ISO will send you an email with a copy of your health insurance card and access to their insurance portal when you are enrolled. You will be assigned a Member ID and the first time you log in you will use your eNumber as your temporary password. After logging in you will be prompted to set your own password. You can use the ISO portal to check for in-network coverage, plan benefits, file claims, etc.. In addition, you can easily locate nearby doctors and hospitals by viewing the school sponsored plan page and clicking “Find doctors and hospitals” on the right side of the page under the plan brochure.

The ISO plan does not include coverage for injury sustained while participating in intercollegiate athletic competitions.

ISO Student Health Insurance Contact

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 [email protected].

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.

Helpful Resources

• Why Continuous Coverage is Important Video
• Insurance Terminology Definitions Site
• Common Insurance Terms Video
• School Sponsored ISO Plan Site & Brochure
  • Hover over terms for definitions
  • Click PDF icon on site for PDF Brochure
• Find Doctors & Hospitals Site
• ISO videos Site
• ISO Account Password Reset Site

Coverage Periods Information and Costs

FALL

• Period: August 1 through December 31

• Fall 2026 Cost: $650

• Required for all international students

SPRING

• Period: January 1 through May 31

• Spring 2027 Cost: $650

• Required for all international students

SUMMER

• Period: June 1 through July 31

• Summer 2026 Cost: $250

• Only required for international students if:

• • Enrolled in in-person Summer term course(s) or

• • Living on-campus for Summer term

• Students who will not take Summer term courses but will Fall term courses can enroll in optional coverage here by 6/10/2026. Being covered at all times while in the U.S. (or if you are under treatment) is always recommended.

Billing and Payments

Students will be automatically enrolled during the Fall and Spring terms; 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, [email protected] or 630-617-3015.

Students can also find information find information about Payment Options online.

*Waiver/Opt-Out Exceptions

Waiver Request Form

CLICK HERE

• Fall Semester
  • Fall Waiver Opens: 06/23/2026
  • Fall Waiver Deadline: 09/08/2026
• Spring Semester
  • Spring Waiver Opens: TBD
  • Spring Waiver Deadline: TBD

While all international students must be enrolled in health insurance during their academic career at Elmhurst University, students that meet the below waiver eligibility requirements apply for a waiver to hold a plan other than the school sponsored plan offered by ISO.

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 semester deadline. 

Waiver requests will be received, reviewed, and decided by ISO. You should also submit all relevant documents requested by ISO to decide 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 during the academic year if Elmhurst University ISO insurance is waived.

Students enrolled in courses abroad and therefore are not in the U.S. during the coverage period are not required to enroll in the medical insurance plan. This applies to students that take a leave of absence and depart the U.S.

Optional Dental & Vision Insurance (not through ISO)

Interested in optional Dental and/or Vision insurance? While dental and vision coverage is not required by Elmhurst University, students can enroll and pay for dental and vision coverage directly through HUB International. Please note: ISS does not endorse nor facilitate any specific dental or vision coverage, only the health insurance plan offered by ISO.

OPT Coverage

Once a student has graduated and been authorized by USCIS for post-completion Optional Practical Training, they can view and enroll in dedicated plans to cover them during their OPT period. Plans start on the 1st and 16th of the month.

Elmhurst University Health Services

Visit the Wellness Center for medical care, wellness resources and support services. It’s open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is located in the lower level of Niebuhr Hall. Check out the Wellness Center’s webpage for additional information. Please note that the Wellness Center does not take insurance.