Health Insurance Requirements
Health insurance helps cover medical expenses should you become ill or get injured while in the U.S. International students and their dependents are required by Illinois law to purchase SIUE- approved health insurance during the entire length of enrollment at SIUE. Students are automatically enrolled.
SIUE has secured a medical health insurance policy for all students holding F-1 and J-1 visas. This is the only acceptable health insurance plan for international students attending SIUE. All F-1 and J-1 visa students are required to enroll in the plan if they are enrolled in (1) or more credit hours or are enrolled in University 500. The credit hours can be on-campus or off-campus. Your Bursar bill will automatically include this fee.
Students in an F-1 and J-1 status are required to have the SIUE-approved student insurance plan unless:
-
Student is sponsored by their home government and have a comparable policy that meets or exceeds the insurance requirements in the SIUE policy.
OR
-
Student is enrolled in a U.S. employer-provided group health plan that meets or exceeds the insurance requirements in the SIUE policy.
New International Students Arriving at SIUE Before May 24, 2022
All international students are automatically registered and billed for health insurance while studying at SIUE. For new international students, health insurance coverage begins May 24, 2022. If you arrive to SIUE on our ideal arrival dates of May 24 or 25, your health insurance will be in place.
If you choose to arrive earlier than May 24, it is recommended that you obtain short term travel insurance covering health issues between the date you leave your home county until January 1. Although there are many travel insurance companies, below is one company that may be useful. VISIT International Health Insurance: http://visitinsurance.com/ (Example: health coverage between Dec. 22 and Dec. 31 for a student from India is approximately $25US)
Insurance waivers are due by the 10 day of each semester. More information about health insurance enrollment can be obtained from SIUE Health Service.
Immunizations Requirement
Immunizations are required by Illinois state law for all students enrolled at SIUE. Immunization records must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation. Unfortunately, our office is not able to provide English translation services.
The Office of International Affairs strongly recommends that you complete your immunization requirements before you arrive at SIUE. The deadline to complete this requirement is the first day of class. If you do not have immunization records, you can get the immunizations once you arrive and they will be covered by SIUE's health insurance.
Please note that if you are not covered by SIUE's health insurance, you may be required to pay at the time you receive your immunization. The estimated cost in the United States can range anywhere from $0-$200.
Detailed Information about required immunizations can be found on the Immunization Requirement section of SIUE Health Service website.
For additional questions about immunization requirements or health insurance waivers, please contact the Health Service office at cougarcare@siue.edu or call 618-650-2842.
