Health Insurance

Federal and state laws require that international students maintain adequate health insurance while attending the University of Washington. While many other countries bear the expense of health care for their residents, individuals in the United States are responsible for these expenses themselves. A single day of hospitalization can cost thousands of dollars. A good insurance policy gives you access to excellent medical facilities and provides protection against the enormous costs of health care.

All matriculated international students in F-1 or J-1 status are required to purchase the UW Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan. Please review the details of the plan carefully, including the effective dates of coverage. We urge you to purchase this insurance for the entire year so that you will be covered whether or not you are enrolled each quarter. If you arrive in the U.S. before the effective date of the UW insurance plan, you should buy supplemental insurance during this uninsured period. Make every effort to be insured during your entire stay in the U.S., including your vacation quarters and after graduation if you stay for a period of Optional Practical Training or Academic Training.

The requirement that you purchase the UW Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan may be waived only if you meet certain eligibility criteria and have comparable insurance that is valid in the U.S. Only students who fit into one of the following categories are eligible for an insurance waiver:

• Exchange or “Visiting” student attending UW through an official exchange program sponsored either by a UW academic department or the UW Office of International Programs & Exchanges.
• Student funded by his or her government, or the U.S. government. Funding agencies include but are not limited to DAAD and Fulbright.
• Student receiving health insurance benefits provided by the U.S. employer of his or her parent, spouse or domestic partner.
• Student enrolled at UW but doing research outside the United States.
• Student working in the United States and receiving health insurance benefits through his or her employer.

The insurance must provide a monetary minimum of $200,000 or more per medical (accident & sickness) condition, per policy year. (Fulbright students must meet minimum insurance requirements set by the U.S. Department of State.)

Complete an Insurance Waiver Form and submit it, along with the proof of coverage, to the Office of International Students & Scholars (ISS), 459 Schmitz Hall no later than 1 pm on the 7th calendar day of the quarter (if this is a weekend, turn the form in by the preceding Friday, as the ISS is not open on weekends).

If you receive a graduate Research or Teaching Assistant appointment, you may be eligible for the Graduate Appointee Insurance Plan (GAIP). If you enroll, this will automatically replace the Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan and no waiver is required.

For circumstances in which you are ineligible for UW insurance you should research individual plans through companies that insure international students in the U.S. It is important to consider what type of coverage will be needed and who will be included on the plan. Policy costs vary, depending on coverage. For example, some policies exclude coverage of pregnancies, or coverage for care received in your home country. Before choosing a plan, carefully consider your personal and family health needs and weigh them against each insurance option. Some policies are listed for consideration below.

Note that the UW maintains no association with the companies listed. You are responsible for procuring and maintaining suitable health insurance and for any required correspondence.

• Gateway USA
• Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI)
• Compass Benefits Group
• International Student Organization
• CMI

To review a policy that provides medical evacuation and repatriation benefits only, visit International SOS

The University of Washington maintains a professionally staffed Hall Health Center, conveniently located on the UW campus, to provide treatment for basic medical conditions for current UW students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community. It does not, however, provide major surgery, major illness or overnight care. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Twenty-four hour care is available at several nearby hospitals, including the University of Washington Medical Center. For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911 on any telephone (9911 from a UW campus telephone).