Overview
Health insurance is required for international students at CSUSB.
Health care in the United States can be expensive, and insurance helps protect you from unexpected medical costs. You must have active health insurance coverage throughout your program.
All students are required to purchase insurance through United HealthCare Student Resources (UHCSR). The only exceptions are:
- Students on government scholarships, which provide insurance coverage, must show proof to our office in CGI 301 in order to be excluded.
- Alumni on Optional Practical Training/Students on Curricular Practical Training with an employment-based insurance plan may qualify for a waiver as long as they show proof to our office in CGI 301 that their coverage meets the minimum requirements.
All J-1 Exchange Visitors and their accompanying dependents must have health and accident insurance that includes emergency evacuation and repatriation.
What You Need to Do
You must enroll in the CSUSB-approved health insurance plan unless you are eligible for a waiver.
- Access the United Health Care Student Resources enrollment portal.
- Note: If you have not yet created an account, you do not need to register for an account to purchase coverage. Please select Continue as "Guest" to enroll in the policy and follow the instructions below.
- Scroll down to “Medical – High Plan w/Dep” and click “Explore Policy”.
- Click “Get Started” and “Continue as Guest”
- If you have an existing UHCSR student account, simply log in.
- Choose the Insurance Category you are enrolling under and enter the required information.
- Select “I have read all applicable plan documents” and click “Next”.
- Choose the term you're enrolling for (i.e. Annual, Fall, Spring, or Summer) and click “Next”.
- Complete your demographic information and make payment.
- You will receive a Welcome Email after you have purchased coverage successfully.
- You may now create a UHCSR student account using your Student ID.
A step-by-step visual guide can be found here:
If you already have health insurance, you may request a waiver of the CSUSB plan.
However, waivers are reviewed and approved by the insurance provider, and approval is not guaranteed.
In most cases, the following types of plans are not approved:
- Medicaid or similar government-funded plans
- Insurance from your home country
- Limited or low-cost plans that do not meet comprehensive coverage requirements
Plans obtained through a spouse’s or parent’s employer in the United States may be considered, but must meet all required coverage standards.
Even if a waiver is approved, some students may still be required to purchase additional coverage (such as medical evacuation and repatriation) through the CSUSB insurance provider.
Disclaimer: If you are requesting a waiver for the summer health insurance, you are only eligible if:
- You are not physically present in the US from June 1 to August 14, 2026; and
- You are not enrolled in in-person or hybrid courses.
- Health insurance requirements must be completed by the posted deadline
- Failure to enroll or submit a waiver may result in an enrollment hold on your account
- If you purchased health insurance, please allow up to 2 business days for the hold to be removed.
Note: Depending on your financial institution, it can take up to seven (7) business days for payment to process when it is an ACH (Automated Clearing House) payment (i.e., a bank transfer) versus a debit or credit card payment.
Important Information
- Health insurance must remain active for the duration of your program
- Coverage must meet university and/or federal requirements
- If your coverage lapses, you may be required to enroll in the university plan
J-1 Students: Additional Requirement
J-1 students must maintain health insurance that meets specific federal requirements for themselves and any J-2 dependents.
Failure to maintain required coverage may result in the termination of your J-1 program.
Health Insurance FAQ:
Yes. Health insurance is required for all international students.
- F-1 students are required by CSUSB
- J-1 students are required by federal regulations
In most cases, no.
To be approved, your plan must meet CSUSB (and for J-1 students, federal) requirements. If it does not meet these standards, you will be required to enroll in the CSUSB plan. Certain government-sponsored students are eligible for a waiver, but health insurance is still a requirement.
Additionally, most foreign insurance plans do not have medical evacuation and repatriation policies.
A health insurance waiver allows you to use your own insurance instead of the CSUSB plan.
You must submit proof of comparable coverage and receive approval by the deadline.
If you do not complete the requirement:
- A hold will be placed on your account, and/or
- You will be prevented from enrolling further courses.
This may impact your ability to maintain your F-1 or J-1 status, as enrollment is a requirement.
You must enroll or submit a waiver by the posted deadline each term.
Deadlines typically align with Census (the final day of the add/drop period).
You must maintain continuous coverage.
If your insurance lapses, you may be required to enroll in the CSUSB plan to remain compliant.
If you are in the United States at any point during the Summer health insurance plan coverage period (June 1 to August 14, 2026), even for a day or 1 week, you are required to be insured.
To receive a waiver, you will have to show proof that you will not be physically present in the US during the entire coverage period for Summer.
Using Your Insurance
The UHCSR has created a great catalog of videos that help you understand how to navigate the enrollment portal and your account, as well as how to use your benefits.
To learn about what your UHCSR My Account offers, click on the following link: My Account Overview
Please utilize the following video: How to Create my Account
To request a physical copy, follow the steps outlined in the following video: How to Request an ID Card
UHCSR has created a quick video guide, access it here: What are Deductibles, Coinsurance and Copays?
Here’s how to search for a provider online anywhere in the United States: How to Find a Provider
Watch What is an EOB? to understand what it means.
For a video guide on how to submit a claim, click here: How to Submit A Claim
For a full ist of the videos, click on the button below.
For more information on the schedule of benefits, dates of coverage, and program costs, please download the Insurance brochure at www.uhcsr.com/csusb.
Student Health Center (On-Campus)
The Student Health Center offers a variety of medical services which include primary care, immunization, nursing care and health education. In addition, the health center is conveniently equipped with a pharmacy and laboratory. For more information on the services provided, please visit the Center on campus, send an e-mail to asktheshc@csusb.edu, or call 909-537-5241.
Final Reminder
Health insurance is not optional. You must maintain valid coverage throughout your program to remain in compliance with university and/or federal requirements.