Health Insurance

Health Insurance Message

Dear International Student:

Many of you have or will have questions about the health insurance requirement. These webpages should provide most of the information and forms you need. If you have further questions after reading the information provided by this website, please contact our insurance coordinator at issinsurance@ku.edu or at (785) 864-3617.

Beginning with the Fall 2010 semester, the charge for F-1 and J-1 international student insurance will be added to your student account. Insurance will now appear as a required campus fee along with tuition and other campus fees. This will simplify the insurance process for you and solve many problems. You will no longer have to make a separate payment for insurance.

Please read the following points carefully regarding the new health insurance process.

  1. You will automatically be billed each semester that you enroll. Fall coverage will cost $520; Spring coverage will cost $520; Summer coverage will cost $208. A charge of $520 will appear on your Spring 2013 tuition bill. Payment for insurance will be part of the total amount you pay for tuition and fees. Please be sure to pay in full your total due by the due date on your bill to avoid a late payment fee.
  2. If you wish to use the alternative health insurance waiver, you will need to submit a completed waiver request to the ISSS office no later than June 17th. All students will be held responsible for any and all late fees accrued as the result of unpaid tuition and fees. No exceptions will be made.
  3. If you will have at least a 50% GTA and/or GRA appointment for a minimum of eight consecutive work weeks during the current semester, you will still be eligible for the 75% university contribution towards the premium. However, you will no longer need to submit a GTA/GRA health insurance application form to the Staff Benefits office in Carruth-O'Leary Hall. You will automatically be enrolled in the GTA/GRA plan. To avoid late fees on your university billing, you should pay the full amount due for tuition and fees by the billing due date. This will include the health insurance premium. You will be responsible for any and all late fees. No exceptions will be made.
  4. Rates for dependent coverage may be found at the United Health Care website.

The United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) plan is designed specially for international students at KU. The plan is competitively priced, and pays 100% of most charges at KU's Watkins Health Center. Please read the plan brochure carefully. Printed copies are available in the ISSS office and or at the UHCSR website. Please note that insurance coverage for family members (dependents) for J-1 international students is required.  Insurance for dependents of F-1 international students is not required, however, it is strongly recommended whether purchased through UHCSR or another company. If you wish to know insurance plan options for your dependents, please speak to our insurance coordinator.

If you already have insurance coverage, please read the minimum coverage requirements carefully to see if your insurance is adequate. Waivers will have to be renewed every fall and spring.

Charles Olcese, Director
International Student Services


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.