Health Insurance Requirement for F-1 International Students

Healthcare in the United States is extremely expensive. A single operation or even a short hospital stay can cost thousands — and in some cases, tens of thousands — of U.S. dollars. For this reason, all F-1 international students are required to maintain valid health insurance coverage while enrolled at San Bernardino Valley College.

San Bernardino Valley College requires all international students to have approved health insurance in order to enroll in and attend classes.

 

Insurance Purchase Requirements

Student health insurance may be purchased through ISO Student Health Insurance or another insurance provider of the student’s choice.

Insurance must be purchased prior to the class registration period and must cover the full semester period:

  • Fall Semester: August through December
  • Spring Semester: January through May
  • Summer (if enrolled in classes): June through July.

Incoming international students may purchase health insurance after arriving in the United States; however, proof of coverage must be submitted before the established deadline. Your international student counselor/Designated School Official will email you a request for updated health insurance prior to the start of each semester.

 

Required Coverage

All health insurance plans must include, at minimum:

  • Medical evacuation
  • Repatriation of remains
  • Per injury/sickness maximum coverage
  • Effective date of coverage
  • Termination date of coverage
  • Name of insured person(s)

 

Compliance and Deadlines

Proof of valid health insurance coverage must be submitted prior to registering for courses and always prior to the start of classes each term.

Failure to submit proof of insurance by the deadline will result in the student being dropped from all registered classes without refund, even if your classes have already started.

It is the student’s responsibility to:

  • Obtain appropriate health insurance coverage
  • Submit proof of coverage by the required deadline
  • Maintain continuous coverage throughout their enrollment

Students who are not in compliance with San Bernardino Valley College’s health insurance policy will have their Form I-20 and SEVIS record terminated for failure to maintain enrollment requirements.

 

Campus Health Services

San Bernardino Valley College provides a campus health clinic that offers health education services and treatment for minor illnesses, such as colds or headaches. However, students who experience serious illness or injury must seek medical care from providers outside the college, where costs can be significant.

Campus health services are limited in scope and are not a substitute for comprehensive international student health insurance coverage.