Requirements for International Students

In order to waive the Student Health Insurance plan (SHIP) for Penn State. Your current health insurance coverage must meet these requirements. 

1. U.S. carrier or entity is approved to do business in the U.S. and compliant with all guidelines of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
2. Carrier has a filed and approved health insurance policy with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Insurance or has a sponsored insurance plan that meets the waiver standards and is approved by the Student Health Insurance Office, together with a letter of financial guarantee directly from the plan sponsor
3. Coverage for 100% of preventive and contraceptive care (preventive examinations, immunizations and screening tests, as required by the PPACA and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for student health insurance plans)
4. Coverage for pre-existing conditions with no waiting period
5. Deductible no greater than $500;
6. Coverage for all essential benefits for accident and sickness, including prescription drug coverage, without limitation
7. Maternity Benefits (or Pregnancy) covered as any other illness or injury;
8. Inpatient and outpatient mental health/substance abuse as any other condition
9. No exclusions for injury or illness as a result of alcohol, drugs or attempted suicide
10. Worldwide coverage
11. $3,000 In-Network out-of-pocket maximum
12. $15,000/$30,000 Out-of-Network out-of-pocket maximum
13. OR U.S. employer-sponsored health insurance in place of standards 1-12;
14. And Medical evacuation ($100,000/Repatriation ($50,000) minimum limits.

If you currently have health insurance that meets all of the requirements, you may waive the SHIP for Penn State for yourself and your dependents.

For yourself: Visit the Health Insurance page in LionPATH after registering for classes to enter your information.  

• Log in to LionPATH.
• Navigate to the Health Insurance page.
• Under the current coverage year, select Waive.
• You will need a copy of your current health insurance ID card and your health insurance brochure or plan description before you start the waiver.
• Your online application will be reviewed and you will receive an e-mail approving or denying your application from United Healthcare Student Resources.

For dependents: International dependent waivers must be completed through the Student Health Insurance office. Students need to visit the Student Health Insurance office in the Bank of America building, in-person, to pick up the Dependent Waiver Application Form.

The SHIP for Penn State is administered and underwritten by United Healthcare Student Resources. 

To enroll: Visit the Health Insurance page in LionPATH after registering for classes to enter your information.  

• Log on to LionPATH.
• Navigate to the Health Insurance page.
• Under the current coverage year select Enroll.
• Follow additional steps to enroll.

After enrolling in the SHIP for Penn State, students will see the premium charge on their bursar account. Students will be charged the fall premium on their fall tuition statement and the spring and summer premiums on their spring tuition statement. 

Students who do not take action to Waive or Enroll through LionPATH by the Fall deadline (September 3, 2024) will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP for Penn State and the health insurance premium will be charged to their student account.

New students who do not take action to Waive or Enroll through LionPATH by the Spring deadline (January 21, 2025) will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP for Penn State and the health insurance premium will be charged to their student account.

Contact the Student Health Insurance office within 10 days of the dependent’s arrival in the U.S. to request assistance with enrollment. Graduate Assistants and Graduate Fellows will enroll dependents in Workday.

The Student Health Insurance office will submit the completed enrollment form to the insurance company for the student. The student will receive a payment link directly from the insurance company for payment. The student's bursar account will not be billed the premium charge for dependents.