Please Note:
Effective August 10, 2011, the Waiver Standards for the Penn State Mandatory Insurance Requirement will change. International students that were previously approved for a Health Insurance Waiver need to review the new waiver standards. It is very possible that your current health insurance policy may not meet the new waiver standards beginning August 10, 2011
If you already have a health insurance policy, you must demonstrate proof of insurance for you (and any accompanying dependents: spouse and/or children) by submitting a waiver application to Student Health Insurance.
Waiver Standards for International Students and Their Dependents
For international students and their accompanying dependents, a comparable health insurance plan will:
- Include coverage for both accident and sickness;
- Include coverage for all pre-existing conditions;
- Have a deductible not in excess of $500 per individual, per year;
- Have maternity benefits-these benefits should be the same as benefits for an illness. If they are not the same, the maternity benefit must meet all applicable waiver standards (e.g., deductible, maximum benefit, etc);
- Have a maximum benefit of not less than $250,000 per incident;
- Have inpatient and outpatient, mental and nervous disorder benefits;
- Pay benefits worldwide (exemption from coverage in an international student’s home country is acceptable);
- Have provision for medical evacuation of not less than $50,000 to an international student’s home country; and
- Have provision for repatriation (after death, removal of remains) of not less than $25,000 to an international student’s home country.
To Complete the Waiver Process
You should obtain a waiver application from the Student Health Insurance office or download and print the application below. Bring a copy of your benefits booklet (in English), your insurance identification card, and the completed waiver application to 302 Student Health Center by the established semester deadline date. If your insurance plan meets the waiver standards (listed above), your application will be approved. You will not be enrolled on the Penn State Student Plan.
Please Note:
Waiver applications must be submitted on an annual basis each fall semester.