Health Insurance for International Students

Medical insurance is required for all international students at Appalachian State University. Enrollment in the mandatory UNC International Student Health Insurance Plan is automatic at the time of registration, and the cost of the policy will appear on your tuition and fee bill as International Student health insurance. The fall insurance premium appears on the fall semester bill; the premiums for spring and summer coverage are combined on the spring semester bill.

Individual student coverage for academic year 2007-2008 costs $56.50 per month.  Health coverage is provided through
HTH Worldwide. In addition to health insurance the international student policy covers medical evacuation and repatriation of remains in case of death. The complete insurance brochure is available in the Office of International Education & Development.

This insurance is available to students who are F1 or J1 visa holder only, and their families.  Students who have graduated and are on Optional Practical Training (OPT) can extend their insurance coverage.

Special Requirements for Students in J-1 visa status ONLY

Under a rule effective September 1, 1994, J-1 exchange visitors and any accompanying family must acquire health insurance for the full duration of the J program. Failure to carry health insurance that satisfies government regulations will result in the J-1 visitor being "out of status" and the visitor's program will be terminated. Government regulations require the following health insurance coverage
and conditions:

(a) Minimum Coverage - At a minimum, insurance shall cover:

• medical benefits of at least $50,000 per person per accident or illness;
• repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500; and
• expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of $10,000.

(b) Additional Terms - A policy secured to fulfill the insurance requirements shall not have a deductible that exceeds $500 per accident or illness and must meet other standards in the regulations.

If you arrive at Appalachian State University without proof of the required minimum health insurance, you must purchase health insurance from the UNC International Insurance Plan, which provides health coverage that satisfies government regulations and is offered at a very reasonable rate. Student, scholar and family rates are stated below.

Please be aware that if you travel to the United States with a pre-existing medical condition, insurance purchased after you arrive in the U.S. will not cover that condition.

Permanent Residents requirements

Permanent Residents can obtain insurance as all other students through Health Services website under Medical Insurance information link.  All students on the ASU campus are encouraged to have a comprehensive medical insurance. For those students not already covered by an insurance plan, enrollment information about an optional policy may be obtained by contacting Student Resources: on-line service or by calling 1-800-237-0903.

Brochures, enrollment cards (printable using Adobe Acrobat®), coverage receipts, ID cards, and other services are also available from Student Resources on-line service.

For further information or assistance regarding the optional plan, contact the Health Service at 262-3100 or ABCO 100 by clicking here.

Deductible

• Students must pay the first $100 of each doctor or hospital visit per sickness or injury.
• Students who are able to go to the Student Health Center first, and are then referred to a doctor or hospital, may waive the $100 deductible by obtaining a referral slip from the Student Health Center.
• The deductible will not be waived if the Student Health Center is closed, or, if a student does not have access because they are not enrolled in summer school.

Filing a Claim

• Present your insurance card, claim form, and Student Health Center referral (if applicable) to the doctor's office or hospital upon arrival.
• Complete Part A of the form in full each time you are seen for a new sickness or injury. Answer all questions, even if the answer is "none" or "N/A".
• Doctor or medical facility should complete Part B and mail the claim form with your medical receipts to:

HTH Worldwide Insurance Service
12900 Federal Systems Park Drive,2A
Fairfax, VA 22033-4421
Phone: 800-242-4178 / Fax: 877-865-5981