Information for International Students
F-1 Insurance Requirements
Beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year, Stetson University requires all international undergraduate students attending Stetson on F-1 visas to be enrolled in a Stetson-managed health insurance plan for the duration of their studies. Stetson's group insurance plan is coordinated through International Student Insurance and offers coverage from WorldTrips.
How will I be enrolled in the insurance?
WORLD: The David and Leighan Rinker Center for International Learning provides the names of all international students to the insurance company so they can be enrolled in the plan. Enrollment occurs twice per academic year; once in August and once in January. This allows students who graduate or leave Stetson after the fall to come off the plan and students who start at Stetson in the spring to be added to the plan.
How will I be billed for the insurance?
The annual premium for this plan will be billed directly to student accounts. It will be billed in two equal installments, one in the fall term and one in the spring term. Coverage for the fall term will be effective August 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025. Coverage for the spring term will be effective February 1, 2025, through July 31, 2025.
Insurance rates for the 2024-2025 academic year are:
- For students aged 24 and under, the cost per semester will be $352.50.
- For students aged 25 to 30, the cost per semester will be $675.25.
It is important to note that in addition to the cost of the annual premiums charged to your student account, you share the cost of your health care expenses with the health insurance company through the form of deductibles, coinsurance, and/or co-pays. Students will receive individual bills from healthcare providers for specific services and work directly with the insurance company to discuss claims, bills, and payments. Stetson does not facilitate or monitor your individual healthcare expenses or payments.
Will my scholarship cover the cost of health insurance?
The terms and conditions of scholarships vary greatly. Please contact the Student Financial Aid office or your specific scholarship administrator for assistance on determining eligibility for coverage of this cost.
How does the insurance work? Is someone available to explain the details to me?
Stetson's insurance provider, International Student Insurance, has dedicated customer agents who specialize in working with international students. Customer service is available in multiple languages and they understand the types of questions you may have as you become familiar with the U.S. healthcare system, including explaining terms such as in-network, primary care provider, pre-existing conditions, deductibles, co-pays, claims, etc.
Does this insurance plan cover pre-existing conditions?
A pre-existing condition is a medical condition that you have before starting a new health care plan. The group plan that you will be enrolled in through Stetson has a three-month waiting period before services related to a pre-existing condition are eligible for coverage except charges resulting directly from an acute onset
of a pre-existing condition, an Emergency Medical Evacuation, or Repatriation of Remains.*
Does this insurance plan cover athletically related injuries?
Coverage is available for leisure, recreational, entertainment, or fitness-related injuries.* Injuries resulting from intercollegiate, intramural, interscholastic, or club sports are excluded from coverage.
What if I already have a US-based insurance plan?
An international student may request a waiver of this insurance requirement if:
- The student can provide proof of health insurance through a United States employer; or
- The student can provide proof of health insurance provided by a US-based parent, spouse, or domestic partner; or
- The student can provide proof of health insurance obtained through the Affordable Care Act.
Students who wish to submit a waiver request may send an email to both [email protected] and [email protected]. The email must include proof of insurance that meets an exception. Waiver requests will be accepted through July 19, 2024, for the fall term. Waiver requests will be accepted through December 6, 2024, for the spring term.
What steps do I need to take to seek medical treatment under this plan?
Find a Doctor, Hospital, or Clinic
If your condition is severe or you need in-person medical attention, you can find doctors online that are part of your insurance plan.
Bring your Insurance ID Card
Make sure you have a copy of your insurance ID card on you when you visit the doctor and present this to them at the time of treatment. If you don’t have your ID card with you at the time of treatment, you may be required to pay for your medical expenses upfront.
ID cards can be downloaded from the MyDocuments section of the Student Zone.
Complete and Submit a Claim Form
It is your responsibility to follow up with the claims team and make sure your claims are processed and paid!
Please follow these guidelines:
- Complete a claim form for each new condition and submit it to the claims team via email. Claim forms are available on the Claims Information section of the Student Zone.
- Track all claims online, or by calling the number on your insurance ID card.
- Medical records or other documents may be needed in order to process your claim. If this is the case, it is your responsibility to reach out to your doctor to ask that they submit these records to the insurance company on your behalf.
Who can I contact for more information on how the insurance plan works?
The assistance team is available at:
- USA Toll Free: (800) 605-2282
- Direct: +1 (317) 262-2132
- [email protected]
International Student Insurance also provides a Student Zone where you have access to frequently asked questions, instructions for seeking treatment, and claims information.
Access to the full Student Zone and to the assistance team will be available in July 2024.
*Benefits are subject to exclusions and limitations and are payable only at Usual, Reasonable, and Customary charges.
Helpful Links
J-1 Insurance Requirements
Per the Cultural Exchange Act, J-1 Exchange Visitors are required to have medical coverage and need to obtain a health insurance plan that will provide adequate coverage for them in the Stetson University/Central Florida area.
Basic Plan Criteria
Students are permitted to select their own insurance plan. All plans must meet the following requirements:
| Item | Minimum coverage |
| Medical benefits* | $100,000 |
| Repatriation of remains | $25,000 |
| Medical evacuation | $50,000 |
| Deductible per accident or illness* | $500 |
Your policy should be underwritten by an insurance carrier with:
- an A.M. Best rating of ‘‘A-'' or above
- a McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor's Claims paying Ability rating of ‘‘A-'' or above
- a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of ‘‘B+'' or above
- a Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of ‘‘A-'' or above
- a Moody's Investor Services rating of ‘‘A3'' or above
Exchange visitors should make insurance arrangements before departing their home country. Upon obtaining adequate health insurance coverage, international students must provide proof of health coverage to staff at WORLD: The David and Leighan Rinker Center for International Learning.