Health Insurance for International Students
While
excellent health care is available in the U.S.A. and Austin, it is very
expensive. Health insurance is a very important way to make sure that you can
receive any care you need without having to pay extremely large amounts of
money for service. F-1 visa holders are
also required by visa regulations to have a minimum level of health insurance.
St. Edward's Health Insurance
To ensure
that you have the necessary coverage you will need, St. Edward’s University
will automatically enroll you in the health insurance plan offered through the
university. Plan coverage exceeds the required minimum, and is accepted in
Austin, throughout the U.S.A. and will cover you anywhere you go (except in
your home country). This means that you will still have coverage if you travel
to other countries or other parts of the U.S.A. while you are a student at St.
Edward’s University.
Health
insurance coverage begins on August 1st for the fall semester and
January 1st for the spring semester. Students enrolled in the health
insurance plan are covered year round, including during the summer vacation
period, until graduation.
Using Your Own Health Insurance Plan
If you plan to use your own health insurance plan, it must meet the following requirements:
- Have an address/phone number in the USA. Health care providers will not send information internationally to your health insurance company.
- Cover repatriation of remains and medical evacuation.
- Reimbursement plans are not recommended due to the high cost of care. If you are determined to use a reimbursement plan, it is recommended that you or your family keep at least $10,000 reserved in case of a medical emergency so that you have funds available to cover costs until your health insurance company reimburses you.
To waive the SEU health insurance charge, you must provide the following no later than the first week of classes in August every year and upon your first semester of enrollment:
- A copy of your insurance card or document verifying your enrollment in a suitable insurance plan
- A signed waiver form indicating that you do not need the SEU health insurance policy (available from the Office of International Education)
Please note: putting your insurance information in EdWeb is not sufficient to remove you from the SEU health insurance policy for the semester. You must submit the above information to the Office of International Education by the deadline.
