International Insurance

SUNY Requirements

In accordance with SUNY policy, health insurance is a mandatory requirement for all international students and scholars, and students on Education Abroad programs or other University-affiliated travel.

The University at Albany provides international health insurance through UnitedHealthcare Student Resources. The plan offers comprehensive medical insurance for accidents and illness, plus medical/security evacuation and repatriation coverage. 

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International Students

International students who have F-1 and J-1 student visa categories or other non-immigrant visa categories are required to enroll in the SUNY-mandated insurance policy.

You will be enrolled after you register for classes (one-credit hour or more) each semester. The insurance fees will be added automatically to your Student Account bill.

You must have health insurance for the entire calendar year without gaps in coverage. You must keep your U.S. health insurance active throughout summer, even if you're not taking courses or you leave the U.S. temporarily.  

For information on plan benefits, please review the Brochure for the Inbound International Students 2024-2025.
 

international-students
Insurance Costs
Academic Year 2024-2025Coverage DatesInsurance Costs
Fall 2024August 15, 2024, to January 14, 2025 (five months of coverage)

International Insurance: $1,029.17 

Medical Evacuation & Repatriation Insurance: $37.50

Spring 2025January 15, 2025, to August 14, 2025 (seven months of coverage)

International Insurance: $1,425.15 

Medical Evacuation & Repatriation Insurance: $52.50 

Employment-based Insurance for Graduate Students

International students are automatically enrolled in International Insurance through UnitedHealthcare. However, eligible graduate student employees have the option to apply for employment-based insurance.

Those plans may include:  

If you enroll in an employment-based insurance plan by the deadline, you’re eligible to have your International Insurance cancelled and the fee removed from your bill. (Note: This is considered a waiver, but a waiver application is not required.)  

If your enrollment in an employment-based plan is not yet complete, or there are any gaps in your employment-based insurance plan (such as over the summer), you will be charged for the International Insurance plan for the days you did not have other coverage.  

If you need to seek medical care during the enrollment process, please do so. You should contact the enrollment coordinator for the plan you intend to enroll in to ensure the claim will be processed through the correct insurance provider.  

If your Student Account bill is due before your insurance waiver is processed, you may be charged a late fee if you do not pay the outstanding balance on your bill.  

If you pay the International Insurance fee by the bill due date and your waiver is approved after your payment, the International Insurance fee will be refunded either partially or in full.

Note: Students enrolled in employment-based plans must still pay for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance, since the employment-based plans do not include this coverage. Please pay this fee by the due date.

If you use the International Insurance plan (UnitedHealthcare) while waiting to enroll in an employment-based insurance plan, the International Insurance cannot be terminated, and a refund cannot be issued.  

Health Insurance Waivers

The New York State Essential Plan or Medicaid Plans do not qualify for a waiver of the health insurance requirement. Do not enroll in these plans.  

As an international student, you must have enough funding for your stay in the United States. If you accept U.S. government assistance, it is possible the U.S. government will later determine you have been a public charge.  

This could result in:

  • Denial of an F-1 or J-1 visa or renewal
  • Refusal to enter the U.S.
  • Denial of a future change of status or future benefits (such as OPT)

Waivers will only be granted if you are receiving health insurance as a benefit of your employment in the United States or from the employment of a family member in the United States.  

Your policy must be based in the United States and Affordable Care Act compliant. Health insurance policies from countries other than the United States will not be accepted.

If you believe you qualify for a waiver, please submit the International Student Health Insurance Waiver Application and your confirmation of coverage letter from your insurance company to [email protected].

Adding Dependents as an International Student

You must first be enrolled in international health insurance before you can add dependents to your policy.

Once you are enrolled, email a completed International Student Dependent Enrollment Form to [email protected]. Haylor, the insurance broker, will process your form and send it to UnitedHealthcare. This takes about one to two weeks.

You will receive an email from UnitedHealthcare with a payment link. Make the payment to complete the dependent enrollment process.

 

International Students Completing OPT

If you have graduated and are completing Optional Practical Training (OPT), the University recommends you maintain health insurance, but it is no longer a requirement.  

If you would like to purchase insurance from the University while on OPT, please send a completed OPT Enrollment Form to [email protected].

After submitting the form, you will receive an email with a payment link. Make the payment to complete the enrollment process.

The International Insurance plan costs $6.97 per day or $211.03 per month. You must enroll for at least one month.

For information on plan benefits, please review the Brochure for the OPT/Visiting Scholars 2024-2025. 

To enroll dependents, please email [email protected].

OPT


 

J-1 Visiting Scholars

J-1 Visiting Scholars (and their dependents) must maintain health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay in the United States.

International scholars must purchase health insurance offered through UAlbany to ensure their insurance coverage meets the standards required by SUNY administration.

The International Insurance plan costs $6.97 per day or $211.03 per month. You must enroll for at least three months.

Upon arrival at UAlbany, please contact International Student & Scholar Services to submit your paperwork for insurance enrollment. You will receive information about your health insurance plan and payment instructions from the insurance coordinator.

If you have any questions about health insurance, please contact the insurance coordinator at [email protected].

For information on plan benefits, please review the Brochure for the OPT/Visiting Scholars 2024-2025.
 

visiting-scholars
Adding Dependents as a J-1 Visiting Scholar

You must first be enrolled in international health insurance before you can add dependents to your policy.

Once you are enrolled, email a completed J-1 Visiting Scholar Dependent Enrollment Form to [email protected]. Haylor, the insurance broker, will process your form and send it to UnitedHealthcare. This takes about one to two weeks.

You will receive an email from UnitedHealthcare with a payment link. Make the payment to complete the dependent enrollment process.

 

Education Abroad Students

International insurance is required for participation in Education Abroad programs. You will be automatically enrolled in international health insurance, with fees added to your Student Account bill.

If you have any questions about your program or these requirements, please contact your Education Abroad advisor.

To enroll dependents, please email [email protected].

education-abroad


 

UAlbany Students & Employees Traveling for Non-credit Experiences 

International Insurance for University-affiliated international travel costs $2.52 per day.
 

non-credit
Information for Faculty & Staff

University employees are not required to purchase international health insurance. However, the University recommends it.  

Please complete the University’s International Travel Registry for Faculty & Staff. Review UAlbany’s Policy on Faculty and Staff International Travel for detailed information.

To purchase a plan, please send a completed Faculty/Staff Outbound Enrollment Form to [email protected].

To enroll dependents, please email [email protected].

After submitting the form, you will receive an email with a payment link. Make the payment to complete the enrollment process. 

Information for Students

Students are required to purchase international health insurance for all University-affiliated international travel. Fees are automatically added to your Student Account bill.

Once you complete the International Travel Registry for Students, you will receive an email from the insurance coordinator with more information about your health insurance policy.  

To enroll dependents, please email [email protected].

Review UAlbany’s Policy on Student International Travel for more information. 

 

Additional Information

additional
Register for the UnitedHealthcare Portal

You will receive an email from [email protected] when the enrollment process is complete. This email will remind you to create your account to access the online UnitedHealthcare portal.  

To register your account, please follow these instructions:

  1. Go to UnitedHealthcare Portal.
     
  2. Click the “Register Now” button.
     
  3. Enter your name and date of birth.  
     
  4. Select “Student ID” to enter your UAlbany ID number (starts with 00).  

Note: If you are a faculty member or visiting scholar without a UAlbany ID, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

Medical & Mental Health Care for Current Students

UAlbany offers on-campus medical care through Student Health Services and on-campus mental health care through Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) to all current students.

Please visit the Health & Well-being website for detailed information about available services or to make an appointment.
 

Non-emergency Medical Care

As an international student enrolled in UnitedHealthcare, your primary health care provider is Student Health Services. For non-emergencies, you should always visit Student Health Services first.

Student Health Services is well equipped to treat minor illnesses and injuries, such as colds, coughs, sore throats, flus, fevers, minor cuts, muscle sprains and skin rashes.

If Student Health Services cannot meet your needs, we recommend obtaining a referral from their office to see an off-campus physician (specialist) who can help.  

Note: UnitedHealthcare offers medical insurance, and dental insurance is available through Ameritas Nationwide Network. If you need vision insurance, you may need to purchase a separate policy on your own.
 

Emergency Medical Care

Your health and well-being are always the most important thing, so please seek medical care immediately if you are experiencing a medical emergency.  

Emergency medical issues include serious injuries, severe shortness of breath, fainting and bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure.

If the issue is life-threatening, call 911. If you’re on campus, dial 518-442-3131 on a cell phone any time of day or night for immediate assistance from the University Police Department and Five Quad Volunteer Ambulance Service.

If you are experiencing an emergency medical issue, you should go to the nearest hospital emergency room:

  • Albany Medical Center Emergency Room: 43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208  
     

Prescription Medications

You may fill your prescriptions at any local pharmacy.  

If the pharmacy asks you to pay for a prescription in advance, you should file a claim for reimbursement with UnitedHealthcare.  

Please log into your UnitedHealthcare account for specific instructions on filing claims.
 

Insurance Cards

Please carry your insurance card with you. When you arrive for a medical appointment in the United States, you will be asked for your insurance information.  

If you don’t have your ID card on hand, you can access your information using your UnitedHealthcare account or by calling UnitedHealthcare’s customer service at 1-800-767-0700 (available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST Monday through Friday).

Contact Information

International Insurance Enrollment & Fees

For questions related to enrollment and fees, please contact UAlbany’s International Insurance Coordinator:

UnitedHealthcare Coverage & Claims

For questions related to health insurance coverage and claims, please contact UnitedHealthcare:

UHC Global Assistance

If you are traveling outside the United States and need to see a doctor, please contact UHC Global as soon as possible. They will help you find a doctor and coordinate any payments.

Employment-based Insurance

For questions related to employment-based health insurance enrollment and fees, please contact the appropriate Human Resources office:

For questions related to employment-based health insurance coverage and claims, please contact your insurance provider directly.
 

On-campus Medical Care

 For questions related to on-campus medical care, please contact Student Health Services:

Note: Student Health Services is only available to students currently registered for UAlbany classes.

1095-B Communication

All students, faculty and staff who enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare policy through UAlbany will receive an email regarding the 1095-B tax form. 

Our insurance broker, Haylor, Freyer & Coon, has provided the following information regarding this form:  

If you receive a notice from our insurance carrier UnitedHealthcare (UHC) requesting your social security number (SSN) for 1095-B reporting purposes this is a legitimate email/request; however, no action is needed. 

1095-Bs are no longer required for tax purposes, and in many cases, you may not even have a SSN to provide if you are an international student. 

If you would like to prevent these notices from being sent in the future, please log-on to the UnitedHealthcare Portal and visit the “Documents & Reporting” tab to disable future requests, and/or select that you do not have an SSN to provide.