General Information
- Why is health insurance important?
Health insurance provides protection for unexpected illnesses and injuries that can interrupt your education and takes care of the expenses for preventative and routine health care. Students without health insurance often neglect their health or defer their health care because of the expense. No student should have to decide between continuing his or her education or paying a medical bill.
- Is Insurance required if I am not an international student, not studying, or studying online or overseas for Summer?
Insurance is only required for F1/J1 visa students only. F1/J1 visa student Summer class enrollment is optional, but insurance coverage is MANDATORY, regardless of overseas, in-person or online status. Students who no longer qualify for F1/ J1 visa status that have an insurance hold need to submit a “Adjustment of Status” request to the FIU ISSS Portal. Your insurance hold will be removed if your FIU profile no longer reflects F1/J1 visa status. Please Note: Status updates take 5-7 business days, so plan ahead regarding registration!
- My insurance has sent me a form to be completed by FIU to confirm eligibility for services. Where do I send it?
Your insurance company is asking for enrollment verification to confirm your student status. Please email the form to the FIU Enrollment Services at fiuverify@fiu.edu. Please be advised that enrollment verification can only be provided after the end of the add/drop period for the semester!
- What is the deadline for submitting proof of insurance for the semester?
There is no specific deadline for submitting insurance for the semester. However, as insurance holds prevent class registration, the suggested deadline is the last day to add/drop classes for the term, which is the end of the first week of classes.
- I have graduated from FIU but I still received an insurance hold. What do I do?
Insurance holds are automatically applied to all international student Panther accounts every term just before registration begins. International student accounts remain active in the FIU system for up to one year ( 3 semesters) after a student’s last enrollment. As holds only affect the student’s ability to register for next semester classes, graduated students do not need to remove it. Insurance holds do NOT prevent students from graduating or ordering transcripts.
FIU Insurance Plan
- How do I purchase the FIU-Sponsored Insurance Plan? What does it cover?
The FIU-Sponsored insurance plan is purchased on the website of our insurance broker at www.gallagherstudent.com/FIU. Students should log in or create an account, select the preferred coverage option from the “Coverage Options” box or from the plans listed under their student type, and complete the enrollment form. After the enrollment form is submitted, a payment link will be sent to the FIU student’s email address from the insurance broker. The payment link must be used to enter payment information and complete enrollment. PLEASE NOTE: Your insurance hold cannot be removed until you complete payment for the policy. Please send your payment receipts to insure@fiu.edu. Students who need assistance with the enrollment process on the Gallagher website or have coverage questions can contact Gallagher Customer Service at 877-498-5468.
- Is dental or vision insurance included in the FIU Insurance Plan?The FIU Insurance Plan includes dental and vision benefits for enrolled individuals 18 years of age and younger, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. Enrolled individuals over the age of 18 can purchase dental and vision products separately. Please visit www.gallagherstudent.com/dental or www.gallagherstudent.com/vision for details.
- Can I make monthly payments for insurance?
No. Payments for insurance must be made in full for the semester.
- How do I access my insurance card or Verification of Coverage letter?
Visit www.uhcsr.com/MyAccount and log in using your username and password. If you have not created a UHCSR account, click “Create New Account” and complete the registration process using your name, date of birth and Student ID number. ID cards, claim information, and VOC letters will be available on the Home screen after login is completed. Note: If you do not have an ID card available, it means that your coverage is not active or has not yet been processed. ID cards become available 5-7 business days after purchase.
- I received a referral for a specialist outside of the Student Health Center. How can I find a doctor in my area for a specific service?
Please visit www.gallagherstudent.com/FIU and click on the “Find A Doctor” button. You will need to enter a Zip code to search for providers in your area.
- The cost of the FIU Insurance Plan is not in my budget. Do you have any suggestions for other insurance that meets the requirements?
Suggestions for alternative international insurance policies can be found on our website under the “FIU Approved Alternative Insurance Plans” table. Please NOTE: FIU does not endorse these policies or process claims for alternative providers. Domestic students are recommended to inquire about insurance options through the Healthcare Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov.
- Can I cancel my FIU Insurance Plan if I become eligible for another insurance (i.e. added to spouse or parent insurance)?
Once payment is submitted, plans cannot be cancelled unless the student loses eligibility, withdraws from classes for the semester, or joins the armed forces and is deployed.
- Does FIU offer insurance for domestic (Non-international) students?
Yes, the FIU insurance broker, Gallagher does offer an insurance policy for domestic students annually. To be eligible, the student must be full- time with at least 50% of their credits devoted to in-person courses. Students can find benefits and pricing information on www.gallagherstudent.com/fiu. Please note that insurance coverage is NOT REQUIRED for domestic student admission or to utilize services at the FIU Student Health Center.
Ineligible students are encouraged to seek coverage options via the ACA Healthcare Marketplace(aka Obamacare) at www.Healthcare.gov.
- I am about to graduate from FIU. Can I extend my FIU insurance plan?
Our insurance broker, Gallagher, offers a continuation plan to extend coverage for up to 3 months after the end of Fall semester. Please visit www.gallagherstudent.com/FIU and complete a Continuation Form. After the maximum 3-month continuation, graduated students will not be eligible to purchase FIU insurance. Please Note: Continuation Forms are available only for graduating students. Continuing students should complete the enrollment form for the next semester plan.
Alternative Insurance
- 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), ISI (International Student Insurance) and ISP( International Student Protection), 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 with United Health Care. 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?
Pease 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 Emergency Travel Assistance, which covers medical evacuation and repatriation benefits, is available from Gallagher for $60. To enroll please visit our broker’s website, click on “Sign Up” and follow the enrollment instructions. Coverage is for one year after date of purchase. Please send the Confirmation of Payment to insure@fiu.edu to remove your insurance hold.
- 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.
Graduate Assistance and Fellowships
- I am a current GA/TA/ Fellow and my contract with the university covers my insurance. How do I remove the hold?
Eligible GAs and Fellows will have their insurance holds removed on a semester basis after the complete list is received from the Graduate School after the contract deadline. Students can contact UGS at 305-348-2455 for more information.
- I am a Graduate Assistant/TA/Fellow and I paid for my own FIU insurance before I was awarded my contract. Can I get a refund?
Please contact the Health Compliance Office at insure@fiu.edu or by calling 305-348-2688 for assistance.
- I have my own insurance and want to waive the FIU-provided insurance. What do I do?
International students must submit the completed Alternative Insurance Compliance Form to FIU Health Compliance Office at insure@fiu.edu for approval before their FIU-provided insurance can be waived. Once the new policy is approved, the student can visit www.gallagherstudent.com/fiu to complete the “ GA Insurance Waiver.” Domestic students do not have to submit the Alternative Insurance Compliance Form before waiving university provided insurance.
- My alternative insurance was not approved, and I want to opt back into the FIU provided GAs and Fellows plan. What do I do?
Please contact the University Graduate School at ugs@fiu.edu or call 305-348-2455. Please copy insure@fiu.edu on your email so that your insurance hold can be updated.
Insurance Provided by Scholarships and Special Programs
- I am currently or previously enrolled in the Global First Year Program. How do I access insurance?
Current G1Y students are automatically enrolled into the G1Y policy with insurance provider, Wellfleet Student. Insurance holds are removed after Health Compliance receives the complete list of enrolled students prior to the end of the registration period. Former G1Y students can renew their insurance plan on the University Health Plans website (link below) by clicking on the "Enrollment Form" link on the left-hand side of the page or purchase one of the other insurance options. Please note that progressed students become ineligible for the Wellfleet Student Insurance if their coverage lapses for more than one semester.
- My insurance is covered by a scholarship from my government. How do I remove the insurance hold?
Please complete the student information section of the Alternative Insurance Compliance Form and send it to the designated Student Health Advisor with your embassy with your Embassy ID number. Holds will be removed when the completed form is received from your embassy official
Please Note: Financial Guarantees, FSL letters, or insurance cards are NOT considered sufficient for the insurance requirement.
- I have a Fulbright IIE scholarship that covers insurance. What do I do?
Please send a copy of your Fulbright Award letter to insure@fiu.edu with your Panther ID number. We will forward the letter to our insurance broker to create an invoice for the cost of your insurance coverage. Your insurance hold will be removed when confirmation of invoice creation is received from our insurance broker. Please NOTE: It may take several weeks for payment of the invoice to be received and your coverage to be active.