Waiving Your University Health Plan: An Easy Guide for International Students

For thousands of international students studying in the United States, managing the costs of studying abroad can seem impossible at times. One of the lesser-known ways international students save money each year is by waiving their school’s expensive default health insurance plan.

Though purchasing insurance can be super simple, finding a plan that can meet your university’s requirements and submitting the waiver can be stressful if you’re navigating the process for the first time.

We’re here to help simplify this process – providing you a step-by-step guide on how to waive your school insurance as an international student.

1. Purchase an Alternative Insurance Plan

When submitting a waiver, you must show proof you’re insured elsewhere – meaning that you’ll need to purchase an alternative plan before you can attempt to start the waiver process.

Most schools have specific requirements that must be met by your insurance to guarantee you receive a sufficient level of benefits and maintain coverage throughout your studies. Before starting your search, make sure to find your school’s waiver requirements and keep them in mind when comparing insurance options.

You should also be aware that submitting your waiver and navigating the U.S. healthcare system can be complicated. Saving money is the goal but blindly choosing the most affordable plan you can find can cause headaches with waiver denials and medical debt in the future.

Need an affordable health plan that is accepted at over 3,200 schools across the U.S and has excellent customer service? ISO Student Health Insurance is the main choice for international students.

2. Gather Your Insurance Documents

Once you’ve purchased your insurance, you’ll receive important documents that are necessary for the waiver process. Typically, you’ll need:

• Your digital ID card
• A proof of coverage letter (often called a confirmation letter)
• The full plan brochure or benefits summary

Most schools require you to upload these documents to their waiver portal. If you’re using an insurance provider like ISO, these documents are usually sent immediately after enrollment. However, some insurance companies may take several days to process your enrollment, so be sure to plan ahead and purchase your coverage early to avoid last-minute stress.

3. Visit Your School’s Website to Find the Waiver Portal

The next step is to locate where to submit your waiver. Most universities have an online waiver portal, which you can typically find on your school’s student health, international student, or insurance webpage. Some schools may instead redirect you to a third-party plan administrator’s website, which handles waivers and insurance verification.

Make sure to carefully read any instructions provided by your university. Each school has its own deadline for submitting waivers, and missing this deadline usually means you’ll be automatically enrolled in (and billed for) the school’s plan.

Here are some examples of insurance pages at larger universities:

NYU - https://www.nyu.edu/students/health-and-wellness/student-health-insurance.html

UPenn - https://wellness.upenn.edu/immunization-insurance-compliance/insurance-compliance

University of South Florida - https://www.usf.edu/student-affairs/student-health-services/insurance/inscompliance.aspx

4. Submit Your Waiver

When you’re ready, complete your waiver form by uploading your insurance documents and answering any additional questions about your plan’s coverage. Many waiver forms ask detailed questions about specific benefits - like inpatient and outpatient coverage, prescription drugs, mental health services, and emergency care.

This part of the process can be confusing, so it’s smart to keep your plan brochure open while filling out the form. If you’re unsure about any answers, don’t guess. Reach out to your insurance provider to help clarify your plan’s benefits and ensure your waiver is filled out accurately.

5. Await Approval

After submission, your waiver will be reviewed by your school or their insurance administrator. Approval times vary: some schools process waivers in just a few days, while others can take several weeks. That’s why it’s crucial to submit your waiver well before the deadline and ideally before classes begin.

If your waiver is denied, review the reason provided by the school. It could be a missing document, insufficient dates of coverage, or simply an error in the submission. Contact your insurance provider immediately to see if they can help resolve these issues or provide additional documentation if needed.

Once Approved - You’re All Set!

Once your waiver is approved, you won’t have to worry about the school insurance plan for the rest of the waiver period. If you’ve already paid for the school insurance plan as part of your tuition or fees, your university should issue a refund once your waiver is accepted.

By taking these steps, you can secure quality health coverage at a lower cost and save potentially thousands of dollars each year. If you’re looking for an insurance plan designed specifically to help international students successfully complete the waiver process, visit isoa.org to explore your options.