The University of Arizona requires all international students on a nonimmigrant visa to purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna) through Campus Health. You will be automatically enrolled and billed for insurance every fall and spring semester within 3 business days of registering for classes for that term.
Health Insurance
The Student Health Insurance covers a broad range of services including general medicine, women’s health, psychiatric services, prescription drugs, and emergency and urgent care.
When you need care, the UA Campus Health Service is your Primary Care Provider (PCP) and your first stop. They can provide many of the routine health services you need. In general, for non-emergency services that cannot be provided by Campus Health, you must first receive a referral from Campus Health. A referral is a recommendation by a health care professional for specialized care.
If you are outside Tucson and need medical care, follow these steps to find a participating provider:
-
Go to www.uhcsr.com/arizona (Or you can use: UnitedHealthcare|StudentResources)
-
Click on “Find Providers” and select the type of provider: “Medical or Behavioral."
-
Update your location (zip, city, county or state in the U.S.).
-
Start your search by name or “Find Care by Category”.
-
Select from the options for the appropriate medical provider to meet your needs.
ID cards can be printed 1 week prior to the effective date of coverage, in most cases, at www.uhcsr.com/arizona and establishing your member account. If an error message appears, and you verified your enrollment through UAccess, try again in 3-5 days. ID cards will not be mailed unless requested through your UHCSR "My Account". You may also request a card by calling UnitedHealthcare Customer Service at 1-866-654-7445.
The cost for the health insurance will be billed to your UAccess account. If you want to pay for insurance in installments through a payment plan, you must submit an application to Campus Health before the end of the open enrollment period.
In the U.S., health insurance covers the majority of costs, but for most services people are still required to pay a small predetermined amount at the time of the visit. The amount you pay is called a “copay.” Your copay can range from $5 to $25, depending on the service. At Campus Health, you pay the copay with cash, check, Visa, MasterCard or American Express. You can also charge the copay to your Bursar’s account in UAccess. Pay the charges to your UAccess as soon as possible to avoid registration holds, cancellation of classes or other inconveniences.
For services outside of campus health, you must carry your insurance ID card. Remember that for non-emergency services, your insurance may not cover the cost unless you have a referral from Campus Health.
Campus Health does not approve exemptions for individual policies. Follow the link below for eligibility requirements and semester deadlines.
If you still have questions, contact the Campus Health Insurance Office.
Location: 1224 E. Lowell Street (second floor)
Office Hours: M-F 8-4:30 and W 9-4:30 Closed 12-1:00
Phone: 001-520-621-6486
Email: chs-insurance@distribution.arizona.edu
If you are in J-1 status, you must have health insurance during your entire stay in the U.S. If you have dependents in the U.S on J-2 visas, they are also required to carry health insurance. Not carrying insurance that meets the minimum requirements is a violation of your status and can result in termination of your SEVIS record.
Below are the minimum requirements that the health insurance plan for you and your dependents should meet according to the immigration regulations (22 C.F.R. § 62.14). These requirements are also explained on page 2 of the Form DS-2019.
-
Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
-
Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
-
Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of exchange visitors to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
-
Deductibles not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
J-1 Students: You will be insured through Campus Health. The coverage plan offered meets the minimum requirements.
J-2 Dependents: J-2 spouses and children cannot be insured through Campus Health. You must purchase private insurance for them. When purchasing a private health insurance plan you must make sure it meets the requirements above. Most insurance plans do not include repatriation and medical evacuation, so you might have to purchase additional coverage.
As an international student, regardless of visa type, you are required to purchase the UA sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan. F-1 students on post-completion OPT, F-2 and J-2 dependents are not eligible for the UA health insurance plan. If you do not have health insurance through your family or an employer, we strongly recommend you purchase private insurance.
For informational purposes only, here are some examples of health insurance providers that offer plans tailored to international students. ISS does not endorse or monitor these insurance companies or their plans.