GENERAL INFORMATION

Health insurance is mandatory at Penn State for international students and their accompanying dependents (spouse and/or children).

Penn State requires health insurance for international students for several reasons, including:

	Health care can be very costly in the US
	The US does not have a national health care plan.
	Health services may be restricted if you do not have health insurance.

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DEFINITION OF HEALTH INSURANCE

A large group of people (both sick and healthy) pays an established amount of money for some protection against future health costs. Their money is put together in one fund, called an "insurance pool." When members of the fund get sick or injured and incur medical costs, money is taken from this insurance pool to pay for part or all of their costs. People in the US are financially responsible for their own medical or health care needs.

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HOW TO FULFILL THE HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT

The requirement may be fulfilled in one of two ways.

	If you already have a comparable health insurance plan, you must provide the University     with documentation.
	If you don't already have a comparable health insurance plan, you may purchase the     Penn State Student Accident and Illness Plan or you may buy coverage other than the     Penn State plan, but it must meet established waiver criteria.

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WAIVER STANDARDS

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.

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WAIVER STANDARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

For international students 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 $50,000 per incident
	Have in-patient 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 $10,000 to an international     student's home country
	Have provision for repatriation (after death, removal of remains) of not less than $7,500 to     an international student's home country
	Include coverage for HIV infection, including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome     (AIDS), AIDS-related complex, and Positive HIV Test.

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WAIVER STANDARDS FOR DEPENDENTS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

A comparable health insurance plan will:

	Include coverage for both accident and sickness
	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 $50,000 per incident
	Have in-patient 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 $10,000 to an international     student's/dependent's home country
	Have provision for repatriation (after death, removal of remains) of not less than $7,500 to     an international student's/dependent's home country
	Include coverage for HIV infection, including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome     (AIDS), AIDS-related complex, and Positive HIV Test.

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HOW TO COMPLETE THE WAIVER PROCESS

You should obtain a waiver application from the Student 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.

Fall 2009 Waiver Application Form            Spring 2010 Waiver Application Form

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COMMONLY ASKED HEALTH INSURANCE QUESTIONS:

1. What is the mandatory health insurance requirement at Penn State and which
    students does it affect?

Penn State requires medical insurance for international students and their accompanying dependents (spouse and/or children).

2. Why does Penn State require international students and their dependents to carry
    medical insurance?

	Medical expenses are very costly in the US
	The United States does not have a national health care plan.
	It is possible to be refused medical treatment if a person does not have medical     insurance.
	Internationals are not eligible for federal assistance programs (e.g., medical     assistance) while in the US because they are not US citizens.
	Concerns about the number of uninsured international students and their families     prompted the community and the University to address this issue, resulting in the     mandatory health insurance requirement at Penn State.

3. How can international students and accompanying dependents (spouse and/or
    children) fulfill this requirement?

International students and accompanying dependents (spouse and/or children) can fulfill this requirement in one of two ways:

	1. By purchasing one of the Penn State Student Health     Insurance Plans
	2. By providing the University with proof of comparable     alternate health and accident insurance coverage that     meets the University's requirements. This must be done by     completing the waiver process.

4. What are the deadline dates I must follow to meet the mandatory insurance requirement?

Students purchasing the Penn State Student Insurance Plan or students submitting a waiver application must do so before the established deadline date for the academic semester or session. You can contact Student Health Insurance for the deadline date (865-7467). There is a $50.00 late fee for students who fail to fulfill the mandatory health insurance requirement by the established semester deadline. There is a $100.00 late fee for students who don't fulfill the mandatory health insurance requirement the second time.

5. As an international student, what should I do if I already have a health insurance policy?

New and returning international students for fall semester may submit a waiver application for themselves and/or any accompanying dependents (spouse and/or children) at the beginning of fall semester ONLY. The waiver process must be completed at the beginning of each academic year, each fall semester. Students should check with Student Health Insurance for the established semester deadline.

New international students arriving for the first time for spring semester or for one of the summer sessions must demonstrate proof of insurance for themselves and/or any accompanying dependents (spouse and/or children) by submitting a waiver application. Any future opportunities to complete the waiver process are confined to the beginning of the academic year, each fall semester. Students should check with Student Health Insurance for deadlines.