International Student Health Insurance Requirement

International Student Health Insurance Policy
Health Insurance Hold

Coverage Period Required
Health Insurance Evidence

Florida State University System (SUS) International Student Health Insurance Policy

Florida Board of Governors (BOG) Regulation 6.009 requires all F and J visa students enrolling at a Florida state university or college to have health insurance (medical) coverage that meets the minimum policy requirements .

F Visa Students are not required to have coverage for their dependents, but it is recommended.
- Students must submit evidence of coverage to International Student Services (ISS) before arriving in the United States (US).
J Visa Students are required to have coverage for their dependents (if they accompany them to the US).
- Students must provide evidence of coverage to their sponsoring organization.
Other NIV Students are not required to have coverage for themselves or dependents, but it is highly recommended.

Coverage must be continuous; it cannot lapse during school breaks or annual vacations, even if students return to their home country during the break.

This means students must have coverage for the entire year (see coverage periods).
To be eligible for enrollment, you must provide evidence of coverage for the full Fall and/or Spring semesters (at the minimum).

Can ISS, Admissions, or other university personnel help me select an insurance provider?

No. University personnel are unauthorized to assist with selecting health insurance providers; this is the student’s responsibility.

Please utilize the chart on page 2 of the Health Insurance Guide to identify required coverage and amounts; you may provide this summary directly to potential health insurance providers so they may confirm if they offer plans that meet the requirements.

Does Florida Poly offer health insurance?

No. Florida Poly does not provide health insurance.

The university has a health clinic offering general medical and counseling services, but this does not substitute for the international student health insurance requirement.

Health Insurance Hold

A hold is placed on all F-1 students’ accounts preventing registration and continued enrollment until evidence of coverage is received.

There are no exceptions or waivers; this hold cannot be removed until health insurance coverage is provided.

Coverage Period Required

Payment of health insurance benefits must be renewable and cannot lapse. F-1 students must have continuous coverage for the entire year; this includes annual breaks and summer sessions - even if returning to their home country during breaks.

Students may choose to pay month by month, per term, or year, but they must maintain continuous coverage, with no lapse.
For example, if a student purchases coverage for one semester, they must renew it each semester thereafter (at the minimum) until they complete their program of study.

Coverage must be effective at the start and end of each year or term (if payment plan is per term):

Fall: Students must be covered from the first day of the semester until December 31st.
Spring: Students must be covered from January 1st until the first day of the summer term (or May 31st).
Summer: Students must be covered from the end of the spring term until the first day before the Fall semester begins.

Health Insurance Evidence

To be eligible for enrollment, students must provide:

Evidence of Paid Coverage (this is a confirmation of payment and the effective date and periods of coverage - see an example );

AND
Evidence of Plan Coverage (often referred to as “Schedule or Explanation of Benefits” - see an example )