Health Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Health insurance is mandatory for all international students in F-1 and J-1 status enrolled at KU. There are no exceptions.
  • No. Although you are advised to have health insurance, ISSS does not enforce this requirement on permanent residents. If you are a permanent resident or U.S. citizen but your account is flagged with an insurance indicator (ISI), your visa type citizenchship infomation will need to be updated in SAKU academic database.
  • No. You are free to purchase any insurance as long as it meets the minimum requirements. Waivers will not be granted if the policy does not meet all the requirements, no exceptions!
  • In order to purchase the United Healthcare insurance, you must be an international student currently enrolled at KU. As an F-1 or J-1 student the insurance charge will be automatically added to your tuition bill and will appear as a required campus fee. If for some reason you do not see this charge, or have questions, please contact our insurance coordinator.
  • Please see our waiver section for instructions on how to submit your alternate insurance.
  • Please see our waiver section for instructions on how to submit your alternate insurance.
  • Please see our waiver section for instructions on how to submit your alternate insurance.
  • The $25 ISSS fee is not related to the mandatory insurance requirement. Questions regarding the $25 fee should be directed to our Office Manager, Regina Sherrill (785-864-3617 or rsherrill@ku.edu).
  • A temporary card will be available if insurance is purchased online; a permanent card should arrive within two weeks after payment. If insurance is paid at the Bursar's office, then no temporary card will be issued; it may take 3-4 weeks for the card to arrive. Cards are printed only once a year, so you will only receive a card in spring if you did not have United Healthcare during fall.
  • Use your login (or create a new login) on the United Healthcare website and request a new ID card through the members options. If you need to utilize services before you receive it, please ask ISSS to call Student Assurance Services to verify coverage.
  • Expiration dates are December 31 (for the fall semester), May 31 (for the spring) or July 31 (summer semester).
  • If you are an international student, and you are in the US, you are required to be enrolled in a full course of study each fall/spring semester to stay legal in the country; therefore, health insurance is required. If you are currently on OPT or CPT, please discuss this matter with the insurance coordinator to determine if insurance is required.
  • No, but we strongly recommend that you have insurance all year round to avoid issues caused by breaks in coverage, such as accidents or pre-existing conditions. While not enrolled in classes, you still have the option of purchasing the United Healthcare insurance.
  • Yes. For any semester (fall, spring or summer) in which you are enrolled at the University of Kansas, you are required to have insurance. This may be an insurance of your choice that is approved by the insurance coordinator, or the United Healthcare plan.
  • You can browse our website for more information, download the current United Healthcare Insurance Plan brochure, or you may contact our insurance coordinator at (785) 864-3617 or by email at issinsurance@ku.edu.
  • Most doctors and hospitals will send the bill directly to the insurance company. Please ask them if they can complete a claim form for you. Please contact our insurance coordinator if you need help with this process.
  • If you are not sure if your GRA funding is coming from KUCR, click here for more information.
  • Please contact our insurance coordinator by phone at 864-3617, or by email at issinsurance@ku.edu

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.