Waivers for Health Insurance

Know your options

If you decide to consider a different insurance plan, please research what the company covers and look at reviews from other customers, rather than your friends who are only looking at the cost. It is tempting to go with the lowest cost plan, but we've had too many students select poor insurance plans and then have to pay thousands of dollars in medical costs. Please do not take that risk.

We believe that the IUPUI AETNA plan is superior to most other plans available to international students; be sure you educate yourself on your options before you decide. As you evaluate your options, remember that your plan must meet our waiver requirements below.

If you do shop for other plans, be sure to evaluate a few things:

  • Cost of Preventive Care

    This includes things like regular doctor visits and vaccinations.

    These must be covered with no waiting period for your waiver to be approved.

  • Cost of Prescription Medications

    Look at both name brand and generic drugs. Doctors will often prescribe generic drugs to be cost effective. Generics carry the same effectiveness as the name brand, they just cost less. Ask if there is a maximum limit or cap on the amount that the insurance will pay for your prescription benefit.

  • Cost of Doctor Visits

    This is also called a co-pay.

  • How large is their network of doctors?

    Insurance companies generally charge you more for out-of-network or non-preferred doctors. Ask to see the insurance company's network of in-network or preferred providers to ensure that they have doctors, hospitals, and urgent care centers nearby that you will be able to visit should you get sick.

  • What is the out-of-pocket max?

    This is the maximum amount you pay if you get sick no matter how high your medical bills. Essentially, once you hit this limit, the insurance company pays everything. This should be a low number to protect you from unexpected medical bills. 

    The highest out-of-pocket max/limit you can have is $2000. If your out-of-pocket max is larger, your waiver will not be approved.

  • What are the limitations and exclusions?

    This is a very important step. In the limitations and exclusions section, you can find what your insurance won't cover. Common exclusions are injuries due to participating in athletics of any kind, car accidents, and maternity care if the baby is not conceived in the coverage period. 

You may request a waiver if you already have insurance that meets minimum requirements.

You are required to maintain health insurance that meets minimum requirements for yourself and your dependents for your entire stay in the U.S. These are the minimum coverage requirements:

  • Maximum $2,000 Out-of-Pocket expense (you should not pay more than $2000 for individual coverage per year for all medical treatment)
  • Covers all Pre-Existing Conditions with no waiting period or exclusions (your policy must provide coverage for all your medical conditions you have at the time your policy becomes effective)
  • $100,000 for each sickness or illness (for women this must include maternity/pregnancy care)
  • $100,000 for each accident or injury
  • $50,000 for medical evacuation (in case you must return to your home country for medical care)
  • $25,000 for repatriation (in case of death, this covers the cost of returning the body to the home country)
  • $500 Deductible or less (what you pay before your policy begins paying for medical care)

You must have coverage that begins no later than the first day of classes for the semester. Your coverage must cover you until December 31 for fall semesters and July 31 for Spring/Summer coverage.

The electronic waiver becomes available on November 1 for spring semesters and July 1 for fall semesters. The deadline is always 10 days after the semester begins.

You must submit a new Waiver Request each Fall and Spring semester before the deadline.

Request a waiver »

To complete the form in iStart (Health Insurance Waiver request located in your Insurance and Finances menu)  you will need the following information:

  • The name of your insurance company
  • The address of your insurance company
  • The phone number of your insurance company
  • Your policy ID number
  • The coverage dates
  • An electronic copy of your insurance confirmation to upload (this must include plan details)

You will receive an email at your IUPUI account when your request is either approved or denied. If your request is denied, you will be required to purchase insurance through IU.