International Students & Scholars

Q: I am not an enrolled student at ISU and I'll only be visiting Ames for a short time.  Must I have health insurance?

A: Yes.  All visitors to Iowa State University must have health insurance that meets U.S. government requirements throughout their visit to the university.

Q: Must my dependents have health insurance, too?

A: Yes.  If your dependents come with you to the United States, they must be covered by health insurance, too.

Q: Can I purchase health insurance after I arrive in the United States?

A: If you do not have health insurance that covers you on the day you arrive in the U.S. until the day you will leave the U.S., you will be required to purchase the Iowa State University Visiting Scholar Health Insurance Plan for yourself and your dependents.

Q: How much does the Iowa State University insurance cost?

A: The cost for the insurance changes each August 1^st.  To learn the most current rates, please visit:  http://www.hrs.iastate.edu/sship/docs/VisitingScholarApp.pdf

Q: I am arriving toward the end of the month.  Will I get a discount for enrolling after the first of the month?

A: No.  It is not possible to pro-rate or reduce the monthly cost of the insurance.  You will pay the full month's premium regardless of when you arrive.

Q: How do I enroll in the ISU Visiting Scholar Health Insurance Plan?

A: All visitors will complete the Iowa State University Visiting Scholar Enrollment Form when they check in with the university.  You must be certain that the ISU faculty or staff member who invited you to Iowa State completes and signs the top portion of the form.  Then you must submit the form to the Student and Scholar Insurance Office, 0570 Beardshear Hall.

Q: Is there anything else I should know about the Visiting Scholar insurance?

A: Yes.  Please note three important things:

1. This insurance (like most insurance in the U.S. does not pay for everything.  Deductibles and co-payment apply.
2. The first month's premium is higher than the other months because you pay for your pharmacy benefit at that time.  Please note that you will pay this higher premium when you first enroll and again on the first of August when the new insurance year begins.
3. The deductible and co-payment requirements start over each August first, too.  This means that if you have medical bills, you will pay your portion of these bills each year.

Q: I would like to have more information on the Iowa State University Visiting Scholar Health Insurance Plan.  Where can I get that information?

A: You can read a detailed description of the Visiting Scholar Plan at this site:

http://www.chickering.com/schools/iowa/brochure0708.pdf

Q: This is confusing.  Where do I go for help?

A: Yes, we agree!  Health care in the United States is excellent, but very, very expensive and our health insurance systems have many rules.  Failure to understand and follow these rules almost always costs you money.  If you need more information about our health insurance rules, please contact the ISU Student and Scholar Insurance Office at isusship@iastate.edu

Q: What are the U.S. government requirements for health insurance coverage?

A: The government requires:

1. At least $50,000 in coverage for each accident and for each illness
2. A deductible (the part you have to pay) of no more than $500
3. Medical evacuation coverage of at least $10,000 and
4. Repatriation coverage of at least $7,500

The company providing the insurance must also be financially sound.

Q: I have found an insurance plan in my home country that meets U.S. government requirements.  May I use that insurance instead of the Iowa State University plan?

A: That may be possible.  If the insurance meets State Department requirements and the following three conditions, you may make a request to the Student and Scholar Insurance Office to use your own insurance.  Those conditions are:

1. You must purchase the plan before you arrive in the U.S.
2. It must be in effect for the entire length of your visit
3. It must cover you in the United States.

Q: I believe my insurance meets those requirements.  What do I do?

A: Upon arrival at the university, you will check in with the International Students and Scholars Office.  There you will complete the ISU insurance enrollment form.  Take the completed enrollment form and a copy of your health insurance information to the Student and Scholar Insurance Office in 0570 Beardshear Hall and request a waiver of the ISU insurance.  The Student and Scholar Insurance Office will evaluate your insurance coverage and tell you if you can use it in place of the ISU plan.

Q: What if the Student and Scholar Insurance Office does not allow me to use the insurance plan I brought with me?

A: Then you will be required to enroll in the Iowa State University Visiting Scholar Insurance plan.

Q: I'd like to know if I can use my insurance plan at ISU before I purchase it.  Who can I ask about this?

A: Please contact the Student and Scholar Health Insurance Office at wkellogg@iastate.edu  and provide information in English about your plan for their review.

Q: Can the International Students and Scholars Office help me with my insurance questions and problems?

A: No, they cannot.  All questions and issues with health insurance will be handled by the Student and Scholar Insurance Office in 0570 Beardshear Hall.