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The Student Insurance Office (SIO) at Student Health Services (SHS)

The SIO is staffed with SHS personnel trained to assist the university population in understanding the USF Student Health Insurance Policy and in assisting international students during the registration process in complying with Florida Administrative Code Rule 6C-6.009(6) and USF Rule 6C4-6.0162.

The office is located in the SHS Annex and is open throughout the year, Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.

2008/2009 Insurance Information is Coming Soon!

• 2007/2008 Student Health Insurance Policy
• 2007/2008 Brochure
• 2007/2008 International Health Insurance Requirements
• 2007/2008 Graduate Assistant Health Insurance Subsidy Program
• Calendar-Informational Sessions
• FAQ Handout-(How to use your 2007-08 USF Student Health Insurance)
• Online Link-How to use your student insurance plan
• 2006/2007 Student Health Insurance Policy

Insurance Forms for International Students are available for download from the Student Health Services Forms page.

USF highly encourages all students to maintain adequate health insurance coverage throughout their academic career. The USF Student Insurance Committee strives to make available an affordable health insurance policy for ALL students (both domestic and international). Pearce and Pearce will service the 2007/2008 Student Health Insurance Policy and the American Fidelity Assurance Company will be the underwriter.

The annual premium for both domestic and international students will be $1253.00 and we recommend that you review the 2007/2008 Brochure. The SIO on the Tampa Campus also plans to administer informational sessions throughout the months of June through September 2007. You can also visit the Pearce and Pearce website at www.studentinsurance.com for additional information, payment options and online enrollment.

The policy is designed to provide benefits for sickness and injury. SHS becomes the primary provider and the insured should seek services at SHS first for non-emergency medical services. In the event that the insured needs to be seen by a specialist or at another facility, SHS will issue a referral. A list of Preferred Providers is available through the SouthCare PPO Network and First Health PPO network (formerly CCN).

Note: Those insured by the USF Student Health Insurance Program who are not registered students on the Tampa Campus are still required to use SHS (excludes spouses and dependents). On your initial visit to SHS during a semester, you will be required to pay a health fee. You are not required to use SHS when the provider is located more than 20 miles away from SHS. No benefits are payable for services rendered within 20 miles of the USF Tampa Campus without a SHS referral.

Open Enrollment

You can only enroll under the policy during Open Enrollment, at the start of each semester. Fall Open Enrollment ends on 9/18/2007, Spring Open Enrollment ends on 2/6/2008 and Summer Open Enrollment ends on 6/11/2008. The policy is made available to all eligible students on a voluntary basis.

If you are an international student, please review the 2007/2008 International Health Insurance Requirements. Due to Florida Administrative Code Rule 6C-6.009(6) and USF Rule 6C4-6.0162, you must contact the SIO directly to enroll. You are strongly encouraged to review the USF Student Health Insurance Policy.

The SIO will be conducting Informational sessions throughout the summer at the SHS Annex on the Tampa Campus. All are welcome to attend and they are scheduled to last approximately 10-15 minutes.

International USF Students and ELI Students have a MANDATORY health insurance requirement that they must satisfy. (International Exchange Students, who are non-degree-seeking students admitted for one or two semesters, are strongly encouraged to purchase the USF Student Health Insurance policy. It is the ONLY health insurance policy guaranteed to meet insurance requirements mandated by immigration. Failure to do so can result in you being dropped from your courses and you may be required to return to your home country immediately.)

International Students:

Florida Administrative Code Rule 6C-6.009(6) and USF Rule 6C4-6.0162 requires that all Non-United States Citizens or Non-United States Permanent Residents shall only be permitted to register or continue enrollment at USF by demonstrating that he or she has medical coverage for illness or accidental injury.

For a detailed list of the required benefits, please view the Minimum Benefit Requirements Handout. The USF Student Health Insurance Policy meets the minimum standards of required coverage.

The SIO assists all international students in complying with the health insurance mandate. When an international student is admitted, an SI hold is placed on their record to prevent registration. The only way an international student can register is by completing an Insurance Agreement. There are basically two options available for international students. On the Insurance Agreement a student must decide to either:

1. Purchase the USF Student Health Insurance Policy, or
2. Provide proof that an alternate policy provides benefits that at least equal those required by the State of Florida.

To facilitate the adherence to the mandate, upon completion of this form the SI hold will be removed and you will automatically be charged for the USF Health Insurance Policy. You will be responsible for paying the insurance premium charge unless you submit proof (by the 5th day of the term) of coverage under an alternate health insurance policy. International students in F-1, F-2, J-1 or J-2 visa classes, including special non-degree seeking students, must demonstrate that they have adequate insurance coverage with benefits at least equal to those required by USF Rule 6C4-6.0162. Only an alternate policy with an effective date of the 1st day of the term or prior will be considered. No exceptions will be granted.

For continuing students, the SI hold prevents registration every Fall semester. The insurance agreement must be completed once a year prior to the Fall semester registration.

If you decide to purchase the USF Student Health Insurance:

International students (new & continuing) registering for the Fall semester have two different payment options for annual coverage.

If you are a new student registering for the Spring term then you must agree to pay the Spring/Summer premium. If you are beginning in the Summer, you must agree to pay for the Summer premium.

The insurance premium payment is due by the fifth day of class. This is the same due date for the tuition and fees. Failure to pay in a timely manner will result in the cancellation of your registration.

If you would like the SIO to consider an alternative policy:

When an international student indicates on the Insurance Agreement that they have an alternate policy, the SIO will supply them with a Compliance Form. The student's insurance company must complete the Compliance Form. It is the student's responsibility to make sure that the SIO receives the completed Compliance Form prior to the 5th day of the term. An alternative policy will not be considered without a completed Compliance Form and no exceptions are made. If the policy presented by a student is adequate, the premium charge on their account will be reversed and they will not be enrolled under the USF Student Health Insurance policy. If the policy presented by a student is inadequate, they will be enrolled under the USF Student Health Insurance policy and they must pay the premium by the 5th day of the term to USF.

ELI Students:

Please visit the English Language Institute at Cooper Hall or contact (813) 974-3913.

If you have additional questions, please use the Student Health Services Request for Information form and provide complete contact information.