Health Insurance

Why is Health Insurance Required?

All F-1 and J-1 international students issued an I-20 or DS-2019 by a Seattle campus Designated School Official (DSO) and are enrolled in an academic program at the UW, are required to purchase the UW’s health insurance plan. Federal and state regulations require F and J students maintain healthcare coverage for the duration of their academic studies while studying in the U.S. Unlike in many other countries, individuals in the U.S. must pay for their own health care. The UW’s ISHIP insurance gives you access to quality medical care and protects you from the high out of pocket costs of treatment.

UW Health Insurance Programs

International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP)

F-1 and J-1 international students enrolled in degree program classes at the UW are automatically required to select and enroll in ISHIP coverage each quarter. Students can select Annual Coverage instead of quarterly coverage, which ensures 12 months of continuous ISHIP coverage, regardless of whether you take time off during the 12 months, enroll in summer classes, or you will graduate before the end of the academic year. Annual coverage is from September through August each year. Keep in mind the following:

• Consult the ISHIP web page for plan details, including covered benefits as well as the start and end dates of coverage each year.
• Maintain continuous health insurance coverage by enrolling in ISHIP each quarter or selecting the ISHIP annual coverage option. Unless you have selected and paid for the 12-month annual coverage, you will not be eligible for quarterly insurance if you are not registered for classes, including the summer quarter. You can change your selection from quarterly to annual coverage anytime until the payment deadline for spring quarter. 
• F-1 or J-1 students who are registered for credits while remaining outside of the U.S. for study or research, can request an ISHIP waiver. Review the ISHIP waiver eligibility requirements and then submit a request if you qualify.
• Maintain health insurance throughout your stay in the U.S., including vacation quarters and post-graduation if participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT).

Questions about ISHIP? Contact the ISHIP Counselor

Questions about the International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP) may be directed to:

Catherine Rock
stdins@uw.edu
206-543-6202
Husky Health Center: Room 304B

Graduate Appointee Insurance Plan (GAIP)

GAIP is insurance provided to all students who hold an eligible appointment as teaching assistant, research assistant, tutor, predoctoral researcher, and other academic student employees. International students who have GAIP-eligible appointments do not need to pay for ISHIP coverage. Contact the Benefits Office for questions regarding GAIP coverage.

Husky Health Center

The UW maintains a professionally staffed Husky Health Center, conveniently located on campus. Husky Health provides treatment for basic medical conditions for current UW students. It does not, however, provide major surgery, major illness or overnight care. Lifewise ISHIP is accepted at the Husky Health Center, and you receive additional benefits by going to the on-campus center that are not available through other medical facilities. 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.

J-1 Insurance Requirements

As a J-1 Exchange Visitor, you and your J-2 dependents are required to have sickness and accident insurance, including coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, for the duration of your J-1 program. This is a U.S. federal law. (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Title 22 Section 62.14). Willful failure to have insurance is a violation of this law and could result in the termination of your J-1 status.

Minimum coverage must provide:

• Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
• Medical evacuation to your home country in the amount of $50,000

The insurance policy:

• May include a reasonable waiting period for pre-existing conditions
• Up to 25% co-insurance allowed
• Must not exclude typical risks of your program activities

Any policy, plan, or contract secured to fulfill the stated requirements must, at minimum, be:

• Underwritten by an insurance corporation having:
  • an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above;
  • a McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor’s 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’s Investor Services rating of “A3” or above; or
• Be backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor’s home country; or
• Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor;
• Offered through or underwritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or eligible Competitive Medical Plan (CMP) as determined by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Be aware that you and any accompanying J-2 spouse and dependent(s) also may be subject to these requirements.

Health Insurance after Graduation

Coverage during Optional Practical Training (OPT) year: ISHIP coverage will not be available to you after graduation, unless you have purchased the 12-month annual insurance plan. ISHIP annual coverage is from September to August, so after graduation, alumni need to secure your own insurance. For students staying in the U.S. for OPT, review ISHIP’s information and options about insurance coverage after Leaving the UW. You are responsible for procuring and maintaining your own adequate health insurance if you will stay in the U.S. after you are no longer enrolled in classes at the UW.

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