How to Choose Health Insurance as an NYU International Student

For international students at NYU, health insurance isn’t optional - it’s a university requirement. This means students must decide between enrolling in NYU’s school sponsored plan or waiving with an alternative that meets the university’s coverage standards.

If you’re new to the U.S., this concept may seem completely foreign - but it’s important to be informed so you can protect yourself from medical debt in the future. In this article, we aim to provide all the information needed to understand NYU’s waiver process and what to look for when picking a plan.

What Is an NYU Health Insurance Waiver for International Students?

To begin, let’s start defining what a health insurance waiver is. All NYU students including both domestic and international are automatically enrolled in NYU’s school sponsored plan.

NYU allows international students to waive out of the plans as long as you have an alternative plan that meets school waiver requirements.

If your alternative plan meets NYU’s standards, your waiver will be approved and the university will remove the $4,000 insurance charge from your tuition bill. If you don’t submit a waiver by the deadline or if it’s denied, then you’ll be required to keep and pay for the NYU plan.

What Are NYU’s Waiver Requirements?

To be approved, your alternate insurance must meet specific coverage and benefit guidelines. Some of key benefits NYU requires include:

• Active coverage for the full academic year (or the full semester, if applicable)
• Has no accident/injury benefit maximum
• Includes inpatient and outpatient options in the NYC area
• No more than a $1,500 deductible per policy year
• No waiting period for pre-existing conditions
• Covers prescriptions, lab tests, and hospitalization
• Medical evacuation of at least $50,000
• Repatriation of at least $25,000

Looking for a plan that meets these requirements? ISO offers three pre-approved plans for NYU students.

How do I Waive the NYU Insurance Plan?

Waiving NYU’s insurance is simple and just in few steps:

Step 1: Enroll in an alternative plan

Purchase your desired insurance plan and gather all relevant insurance documents. NYU requires proof of coverage, so you cannot submit a waiver prior to purchasing a plan.

Step 2: Fill out your waiver form

NYU requires students to fill out a waiver compliance form, which has information that must be filled out by both you and your insurance company.

Step 3: Submit your waiver online to NYU

Log into your NYU Student Health Insurance portal and upload the waiver form. Be sure to fill out any required fields and double-check that your plan dates match NYU’s coverage period.

Step 4: Wait for approval

NYU will review your submission. If approved, they’ll remove the insurance charge from your student account. If you have already paid for the insurance charge, they will refund the fees to your student account. This may take a few days, but you’ll be fine as long as you submit your waiver before the deadline.

What is NYU’s Fall 2025 Waiver Deadline?

The waiver deadline for Fall 2025 is September 30, 2025. If you haven’t submitted your waiver and received approval by this date, you will automatically be enrolled in and billed for NYU’s student plan, even if you later purchase other insurance.

To meet the waiver deadline, make sure your policy is active starting no later than August 21, 2025. You will need to purchase a plan to cover the full school year, unless you are graduating at the end of the Fall semester.

Should I Enroll With NYU or a Private Insurance?

Overall, your plan selection will be based on you and your health care needs. View the table below for a general comparison:

For a majority of international students, they often opt for an alternative private insurance plans - such as ISO Student Health Insurance.

Why do NYU students enroll with ISO?

Guaranteed Waiver Approval

ISO offers three NYU-approved plans (Share, Care, Care Elite) that meet all waiver requirements. After enrolling, you receive a pre-filled waiver form for easy waiver submission.

Quick and Simple Enrollment

Enroll online in under 5 minutes with no documents required. Your insurance ID card and waiver form are emailed instantly after enrollment.

Huge Savings Compared to NYU’s Plan

The NYU plan costs around $4,000 per year - while ISO plans start at $79/month, saving students over $3,000 annually without compromising on coverage.

Comprehensive Benefits That Meet Student Needs

ISO plans include coverage for doctor visits, emergency room, urgent care, prescriptions, mental health, and preventive care. Student-friendly features include low deductibles, no copays at NYU SHC, up to 90% coverage, and evacuation/repatriation benefits.

Access to a National Network of Providers

ISO uses Aetna PPO network, giving access to doctors and hospitals across the U.S.- including NYU Langone, CityMD, Mount Sinai, and the NYU SHC. Use ISO’s ”Find Doctors and Hospitals” tool to search before enrolling.

Multilingual Support from a Student-Focused Team

ISO’s team of former international students offers culturally aware, multilingual support. You can reach ISO through phone, email, WhatsApp, WeChat, or social media platforms.

Looking to enroll? It takes less than 5 minutes to purchase with ISO and get all your needed documentation. Learn more about our plan offerings and complete your enrollment today at https://www.isoa.org/schools/new-york-university