Health Insurance FAQ

All undergraduate degree-seeking students on non-immigrant visas and all visiting students (regardless of their immigration status) studying through one of UR’s partnerships are automatically billed by Student Accounts and enrolled in UR’s student health insurance plan through International Education. The premium charge is added to the general fees of the University as a separate line item each semester.

Students will be covered for the duration of their studies at Richmond with the following coverage periods and premiums:

Fall semester: August 1 to December 31 - $1,502
Spring semester: January 1 to July 31 - $1,502

A co-payment is the amount that the plan does not pay and is therefore the responsibility of the insured. The insured should pay the co-payment directly to the medical provider, never to the insurance company or to the administrator.

Most international students are not prepared to pay such high costs for medical care. The University is not financially responsible for costs related to accidents or illnesses of any student.

Demonstration of adequate financial resources is necessary for the issuance of the I-20/DS-2019 and maintenance of one’s F-1 and J-1 student status. Most people do not have disposable income to pay for health care associated with serious illnesses and accidents. Health insurance guarantees adequate resources in the case of a serious accident or illness.

The University has neither the staff time nor expertise to review policies from various countries or to review whether or not students are properly insured. In cases of emergency, policies outside of the United States are often difficult to use. Therefore, for the well being of the students and to protect the liability of the University and its employees, it is necessary to institute a mandatory health insurance plan.

Some international students do not keep their plans current. This policy will prevent lapses in health insurance coverage thus benefiting both the student and the institution should the student need health care.

A group plan makes health insurance affordable to all eligible students and/or non-immigrant dependents regardless of age.

Non-immigrant students who do not pay the health insurance fee will have a hold placed on their account and will not be permitted to register for classes. Registration holds will not be cleared until the fee is paid. Failure to register for classes is a violation of F-1 and J-1 student statuses.

Coverage is provided only as a result of dental injury or accident. Voluntary dental insurance is available for an additional fee.

J-2 dependents are required to have health insurance that meets the minimum U.S. Department of State requirements. F-2 dependents are not required to have health insurance but it is strongly recommended that they do so in case of accident or illness. International students and scholars are responsible for health insurance enrollments and payments for their dependents, which can be done on the University of Richmond health insurance website.

Students who graduate are no longer eligible for the University’s group insurance plan. Gateway, and Wallach & Co. are options for individual coverage after graduation.

As soon as the I-485 is approved and the green card is issued, the student’s status is no longer non-immigrant, and the student is eligible to enroll in the health insurance plan on a hard waiver instead of mandatory basis. Students should read the Domestic Students webpage of the Student Health Insurance Plan website to comply with the University’s health insurance requirement.

Whenever possible, you should ask your doctor and pharmacist if a generic brand of the medicine you have been prescribed is available. The generic medicine is usually less expensive and is the same medicine as the brand name.

Your medical records may be requested for a variety of reasons, including:

• To determine whether a claim is pre-existing
• When a physician lists multiple diagnoses
• In the case of accidents, medical records give a clearer picture of what may have happened.

Plese refer to the Student Health Insurance or the University of Richmond health insurance website.

Overview of the US Healthcare System for International Students

International students are exempt from purchasing the SHIP while studying abroad since they are covered by UR’s study abroad travel insurance plan and the SHIP provides coverage only in the U.S. International students will be automatically enrolled in and charged for the SHIP when they return to the U.S. after studying abroad. The study abroad travel insurance plan is specifically designed for international travel risk and provides a myriad of coverages, including (but not limited to) Medical Benefits for injuries and unforeseen sicknesses, Security Evacuation, Trip Cancellation, and Personal Liability. Please note that international students studying abroad in their home countries will not be enrolled in the study abroad travel insurance plan because they are expected to have applicable insurance coverage in their home countries.