Alternative Health Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

• I have my own insurance coverage from my employer/ parent employer. Does my insurance policy satisfy the insurance requirements?

  FIU Health Compliance cannot make an approval decision on your insurance policy until the Alternative Insurance Compliance Form has been completed by your insurance agent and emailed to insure@fiu.edu or faxed to 305-348-3336. If your policy is provided by an employer, a Human Resources representative can also complete the insurance section of the form in place of an insurance agent. All of the insurance benefit specifications listed on the form must be met by the insurance policy (with the exception of medical evacuation and repatriation benefits) and the form must be signed by an insurance agent for approval. Your insurance policy must have a U.S. claims company or agent and provide coverage for the entire minimum coverage period required each semester. Submission of insurance cards do NOT satisfy the insurance requirements.

• I have an insurance policy from my country. Can I use this policy to meet the requirements?

  In order to be approved, alternative policies would need to satisfy all of the minimum coverage requirements listed on the International Student Alternative Insurance Compliance Form. In addition, the insurance must have a U.S. Claims company or U.S. agent address to process claims in the U.S.

• Can I use insurance from the Healthcare Marketplace(Obamacare) to satisfy the insurance requirement?

  Marketplace plans are NOT recommended for international students, as they do not routinely cover all minimum required benefits for international students and may not be willing to complete required international insurance compliance forms for school. International students are encouraged to confirm that their proposed policy satisfies benefits required and completes school forms prior to purchasing.

• I purchased a policy from the “FIU Approved Alternative Insurance Plans” table. Do I still need to submit a compliance form?

  Compliance forms are no longer required for the suggested policies purchased from ISO(International Student Organization), PSI( Professional Student Organization), and ISI (International Student Insurance), as those companies send reports of new student enrollments to FIU Health Compliance every 24-72 hours. If a student does not have their hold removed after the allotted time, please check your student email for any correspondence from our office or send your insurance receipt of payment to insure@fiu.edu. Holds cannot be removed until the enrollment report is received from your alternative insurance company. A Compliance Form is still required to approve policies purchased from IFS ( Insurance for Students) company.

• My insurance company refuses to complete the required Alternative Insurance Compliance Form. What do I do?

  Unfortunately, FIU Health Compliance cannot approve any outside insurance policies without a complete and signed Alternative Insurance Compliance Form. It is recommended that you confirm that your insurance provider can complete school-required forms before purchasing the policy. If your insurance policy is provided by an employer, you can have the insurance section of the form completed by a Human Resources representative of the employer in place of an insurance agent. If that is not possible, you may need to obtain other insurance coverage.

  Suggested alternative insurance options are listed on our website, go.fiu.edu/healthcompliance under "Insurance for International Students," in the section titled “Approved Alternative Insurance Plans”

• Can I use my insurance to pay for services at the FIU Student Health Center?

  Currently, the only insurance accepted at the Student Health Center is the FIU-Sponsored Insurance Plan. Fees incurred by students not enrolled in the plan will be paid out-of-pocket.

  Most services provided at the Student Health Center are provided free or low-cost due to the Health Fee paid with tuition. Currently enrolled students can be seen at the Student Health Center regardless of coverage status.

• I was sick/injured and utilized medical services outside of the FIU Student Health Center. How can I use my insurance to make a claim to pay for the services?

  Please visit the website of your insurance provider to download, complete and submit a claim form. You can also contact the Customer Service team for additional information and assistance using the contact information on your insurance card.

• I enrolled in one of the FIU Approved Alternative plans and I submitted the receipt today. Can I have my insurance hold removed?

  Enrollment reports are received from all but one of the FIU Approved Alternative Insurance plan providers every 24-72 business hours.  Students enrolled in Insurance for Students policies must submit a compliance form every semester. Insurance holds cannot be removed until enrollment confirmation reports are received from the insurance provider confirming payment and active coverage.

• My alternative insurance policy covers all requirements except Medical Evacuation and Repatriation. What can I do?

  A supplemental insurance package called Academic Emergency Services, which is offered by the FIU insurance broker, Academic Health Plans covers medical evacuation and repatriation benefits. Please call the Health Compliance Office at 305-348-2688 to enroll.

• My insurance form or insurance payment is delayed. Can I have my hold removed temporarily to register for classes?

  Temporary hold removals are not granted by our office, as insurance coverage is a mandatory condition of your visa status per the Florida Board of Governors state regulations. There are NO exceptions to this rule. Students are expected to plan ahead regarding required payments and documents before class registration every semester.