Insurance for Scholars
All international employees at IUPUI, both paid and unpaid, in J-1 and H-1B status are expected to have health insurance.
Learn more about the health insurance program and benefits offered by IUPUI for international scholars.
Employee Benefits (for scholars with full-time employment)
All H-1B employees and paid J-1 employees at IUPUI have health insurance provided through their employee benefit package. Please see eligibility guidelines for further information.
Within the first three weeks of hire, employees with employee benefits will be invited to an employee benefits information meeting. At this time, eligible employees can choose the plan option most convenient for themselves and their families. It is advisable to review the packet of information provided before attending the information meeting.
Employees must enroll all accompanying dependents in the employee insurance program within 30 days of the start of employment.
If your dependents do not initially accompany you to the U.S., you can enroll them when they arrive; however, you must do so within 30 days of their arrival. (Arrival from abroad is considered a "change of status.") Contact Human Resources either in person or through their website.
All employees are permitted to change insurance plans and add/remove dependents only once per year during the "Open Enrollment" period. This deadline occurs in November.
You should directly receive information about this from University Human Resources Administration. Please note that this is the only period in which you can make adjustments to your insurance program once you are enrolled. Further information on the employee benefits plans is available through the IUPUI Human Resources Office.
Required Supplemental Health Insurance for J-1 Employees with IU Employee Health Insurance Benefits
All J-1 scholars are required to have medical evacuation/repatriation benefits, which is included in the IU employee health insurance program.
Currently this enrollment is set as optional for IU full time employees; however, it is mandatory for employees in J-1 visa status.
If you are in J-1 status and receive employee benefits, please enroll for at least the minimum amount of coverage for the personal accident insurance. You may also insure your legal spouse/registered domestic partner and unmarried dependent children (under age 19, or under age 25 if full-time students).
This is a required coverage for J-1 visa holders and optional (but highly recommended) for H-1B visa holders.
International Student/Scholar Health Insurance Program (for visiting scholars)
If you are a visiting international scholar without health insurance, IUPUI offers a health insurance plan designed for you and your dependents called the IU International Plan.
The IU International Plan for the 2020-21 academic year is administered by Anthem. Scholars who need to enroll in the 2020-21 IU International Plan are able to access the online enrollment forms on the Anthem Visiting Scholar Enrollment website.
The enrollment year begins August 01 and ends the following year July 31. Therefore, regardless of length of stay, a visiting scholar can initially enroll only through the end of the current academic year (July 31). New enrollment forms become available each year in July. Daily rates for coverage are listed on the enrollment form, so payment can be pro-rated to exactly match the length of your stay.
Enrollment
Scholars can enroll either directly with the insurance provider online (preferred) or by submitting a paper application to the OIA for endorsement and submission (This option will be available in late August 2020).
You are eligible for the health insurance benefits even if you do not have the actual insurance card, as soon as your enrollment form is received by the insurance provider. If you need to seek medical assistance once enrolled, but before you can access your insurance card on theSydney app, contact the insurance provider Anthem to confirm that you have been enrolled.
Dependents
If your dependents arrive later than you in the U.S., you can enroll them in IU International Plan within 30 days of their arrival. Please contact OIA for assistance to enroll your dependents.
Seeking Medical Care
Your international scholar insurance plan includes a $500 USD deductible. This means that the first $500 USD of your medical care each year (in addition to your premium payment) is paid by you. After your deductible has been met, your insurance plan will pay all covered medical costs.
Please read the brochure carefully to understand the services that the plan covers. Remember, no insurance plan covers 100% of all medical costs. In addition to the deductible, the plan requires that you pay a $15 USD copay for each doctor's office visit.
The plan waives the $500 USD deductible and $15 USD copay for treatment you obtain at the Student Health Service (SHS), located on the first floor of Coleman Hall (beside Ball Residence Hall).
The SHS provides basic non-emergency medical services; you may schedule an appointment by calling 274-8214.
Services received at the Student Health Center will be paid upfront by the patient at the time of treatment. However, you may then submit your bill to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
If you need to seek medical treatment outside of the Student Health Service, it is recommended that you seek a doctor within your insurance network.
The insurance program uses a "Preferred Providers Network." When you visit a physician that is part of the network, better rates for medical services have been negotiated by your health insurance provider. If you use a physician or hospital outside of the network, the insurance company will pay only 50% of "reasonable" costs.
The IU International Plan insurance network is extensive and includes all hospitals and clinics within the IU Medical Center and Clarian Hospital networks, including University Hospital, Riley Hospital for Children; Wishard Memorial Hospital, Methodist Hospital of Indiana, and Methodist Medical Plazas located in various parts of the city. In addition, it includes the Community Hospitals.
You can verify whether a physician is a preferred provider by accessing your IU International Plan resources.
Further Information and Help
Contacts for insurance related questions
IU Human Resources Student and Scholar Insurance Specialist: Insurance plan information
Telephone: 812-856-4650
Email: studenhc@iu.eduOffice of International Affairs: Enrollment and waivers
Telephone: 317-274-7000
Email: ischolar@iupui.eduUniversity Health Plans
Telephone: 800-437-6448
Web: www.universityhealthplans.com/intro/Indiana.html
Email: info@univhealthplans.comRequesting a Waiver
If you already have health insurance coverage at the time or your arrival at IUPUI, you may apply for a waiver from the mandatory plan. Not all insurance plans will qualify you for a waiver.
The minimum coverage requirements (in USD) for waiver approval are as follows:-
$100,000 coverage for each sickness
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$100,000 coverage for each injury
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$50,000 medical evacuation to home country
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$25,000 repatriation of remains to home country
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Deductible (or excess fee) not more than $500 per sickness or injury (per person)
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Maternity Benefits preferred (female scholars only)
To qualify for a waiver, scholars must complete International Health Insurance Waiver Request Form and submit it to the OIA along with a copy of the health insurance policy description, and proof of enrollment, (health insurance member card).
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