Health Insurance | International Education

International Student Health Insurance

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) requires all F-1 and J-1 international students to maintain approved health insurance as a condition of enrollment and participation at the university.

Maintaining health insurance protects you from unexpected medical expenses while studying in the United States and helps ensure access to healthcare services throughout your program.

Who is Required to Have Health Insurance?

Health insurance is required for all F-1 and J-1 students who are required to maintain coverage under university policy.

Important: Health insurance requirements are based on your physical presence in the United States, not simply your enrollment status.

This means that if you will be physically present in the United States during a required coverage period, you must maintain approved health insurance—even if you are not enrolled in classes during that term.

Enroll in the CSUSB Health Insurance Plan

Students may enroll through the CSUSB International Student Health Insurance Program (iSHIP).

Enrollment instructions, coverage information, and plan details are available through our insurance provider:

United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR)

To enroll in the approved health insurance plan, please click on the link below.

Enroll in the iSHIP Plan

If you're having issues navigating the enrollment portal, UHCSR has prepared the following video to help you:

Step-By-Step Video Instructions

Avoid delays or portal closures

Students are required to complete their health insurance enrollment as early as possible during the designated open enrollment period to avoid delays or registration holds.

Registration holds will not be lifted until proof of coverage is acquired by the CISP support team. Therefore, a registration hold can prevent you from acquiring your first pick for classes and can impact your final class schedule.

Due to strict requirements, no exceptions can be made to lift a hold temporarily.

Health Insurance Holds

The Center for International Studies and Programs (CISP) places health insurance holds to ensure students maintain the required coverage.

The health insurance hold is a registration (no enrollment/add) hold, meaning it:

Prevents registration for future classes
Does not prevent graduation
Does not prevent issuance of your diploma

Students must satisfy the applicable health insurance requirement before the hold can be removed.

During registration periods, CISP team members remove holds on an ongoing basis. If your hold has not been removed after one business day from purchasing your plan, please submit an Online Service Request.

Health Insurance Waivers

Certain students may qualify for a waiver of the university health insurance requirement.

Waivers are reviewed based on university policy, applicable state law, and insurance requirements.

Summer Health Insurance Waiver

Students may request a Summer Health Insurance Waiver by submitting an Online Service Request if they meet all of the following conditions:

They will remain outside of the United States for the entire summer coverage period
If enrolled, they are enrolled only in online coursework
They provide documentation confirming they will remain outside of the United States for the entire waiver period

Students returning to the United States during the approved waiver period are responsible for obtaining valid health insurance immediately.

Click on the button below to submit a waiver request.

Submit an Online Service Request

Waiver Based on Other Health Insurance Coverage

Students requesting a waiver based on another health insurance plan must demonstrate that the alternate coverage:

Is active for the entire required coverage period
Provides Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC), when applicable
Is issued by a U.S.-based health plan or otherwise satisfies applicable federal and state requirements
Meets any additional requirements applicable to the student's immigration category

International students requesting a waiver based on foreign insurance may be required to provide documentation demonstrating that the plan qualifies as Minimum Essential Coverage.

Submit an Online Service Request

Students with an approved waiver are not required to enroll in the International Student Health Insurance Program (iSHIP).

J-1 Exchange Visitor Requirements

Federal regulations require J-1 exchange visitors (and J-2 dependents) to maintain health insurance meeting the following minimum standards:

Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
Repatriation of remains coverage of at least $25,000
Medical evacuation coverage of at least $50,000
Deductible no greater than $500 per accident or illness
Coinsurance no greater than 25% of covered expenses

Students in J status are responsible for maintaining insurance that satisfies these federal requirements throughout their program.

Ending Coverage Early

Effective July 1, 2026, California law allows eligible students to request early termination of their institutional health insurance coverage if they:

Graduate
Withdraw from the university
Take an approved leave of absence

A request for mid-year coverage termination must be submitted through the Online Service Request at least 30 days before the requested termination date. Coverage will end in accordance with applicable state law and insurance policy requirements. Students may be eligible for a prorated refund of prepaid premiums for the unused portion of coverage.

Submit an Online Service Request to Notify CISP

Frequently Asked Questions

Navigating the student health insurance requirement can be quite difficult. Please utilize the FAQ below to help you understand answers to common questions.

However, if you have any further questions, please reach out to the Center for International Studies and Programs (CISP).

When do I need to complete this requirement and purchase health insurance?

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).

What happens if I don’t enroll or submit a waiver?

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.

I am not enrolled in Summer classes. Do I still need Summer health insurance?

If you will be physically present in the United States during the required Summer coverage period, yes. Health insurance requirements are based on physical presence in the United States, not enrollment.

I plan to travel in the Summer, and will be gone most of the time. Am I eligible for a waiver?

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.

I purchased Summer health insurance. Do I also need Fall health insurance?

Yes. Summer and Fall are separate coverage periods. Purchasing Summer coverage does not satisfy the Fall health insurance requirement.

Can I use my own health insurance instead of the CSUSB plan?

Possibly. Students requesting a waiver must demonstrate that their alternate insurance satisfies the applicable waiver requirements.

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.

What happens if my health insurance expires before the semester ends?

Students are responsible for maintaining continuous health insurance coverage throughout the required coverage period. If your coverage ends early, you must obtain qualifying replacement coverage or enroll in the university plan.

What happens if my insurance expires or is canceled?

You must maintain continuous coverage.

If your insurance lapses, you may be required to enroll in the CSUSB plan to remain compliant.

I have a government sponsor. Do I still need to purchase health insurance?

Students whose government sponsorship includes qualifying health insurance coverage may be eligible for an exception. Documentation must be submitted to ISSS for review.

To have a health insurance hold removed for a term, ISSS must have a financial guarantee letter showing coverage for that full term. Coverage that ends before the last day of classes of a term will result in a hold being placed for that term.

For more information on the schedule of benefits, dates of coverage, and program costs, please download the Insurance brochure at:

CSUSB iSHIP Webpage

For other information on maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status, please visit the following webpage:

Maintaining F-1 and J-1 Status at CSUSB

How to Use 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.

What is a UHCSR My Account?

To learn about what your UHCSR My Account offers, click on the following link: My Account Overview

How do I create my UHCSR My Account to access plan information, including my electronic ID card?

Please utilize the following video: How to Create my Account

How do I request a physical ID card in addition to my electronic one.

To request a physical copy, follow the steps outlined in the following video: How to Request an ID Card

What are some common insurance terms (deductible, coinsurance, copay) and what do they mean?

UHCSR has created a quick video guide, access it here: What are Deductibles, Coinsurance and Copays?

How do I see a Doctor that takes my health insurance?

Here’s how to search for a provider online anywhere in the United States: How to Find a Provider

What is the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) document?

Watch What is an EOB? to understand what it means.

Where do I file my claim information after a healthcare visit?

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.

UHCSR Video Library

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.

Visit the Student Health Center's Webpage

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.