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Note
titleThe Insurance Process Has Updated for Fall 2023 and Beyond.

Fall 2023 and Academic Year 2023-2024 insurance plan and waiver process HAVE CHANGED. Review this page and the linked information BEFORE you take any action. 


F and J Insurance Requirements - Click this Link to view a detailed requirements.

Overview

Excerpt

Students on F-1 and J-1 visas (and J-1 student dependents - J-2s) are required to have insurance by Florida Board of Governor's Regulation 6.009. Insurance is required to keep your immigration status valid. The regulation specifies the type and amounts of insurance and how long you must have it for. Fpossess coverage.

J-1 Exchange visitors and J-2 dependents of exchange visitors sponsored by UWF in the Professor, Research Scholar, Specialist, or Short-term Scholar categories are subject to the requirements of CFR 22 § 62.14

Individuals in F and J visa status -1 students have the following obligations:

  1. Keep the required coverage during your entire period of study/program. This includes breaks and annual vacation.
  2. Provide documentation showing proof of this coverage to International Affairs following the process listed below.
  3. Purchase insurance coverage for any F-2 or J-2 dependents attached to your F-1 or J-1 status.

Failure to comply with these requirements forces the University of West Florida to terminate your immigration status.

This process is managed by International Affairs. For help with the process, please email international@uwf.edu or call (850)474-2479.


Instructions for F Students, J Students, and J Student Dependents (J-2)

Determine What Insurance to Use 

The University of West Florida has a recommended plan you can use from Insurance For Students (IFS). There are also three other pre-approved insurance options that if purchased do not require you to submit the Health Insurance Waiver Formhealth insurance plan for F1 and J1 students from LewerMark. If you would like to use an insurance plan different from IFS or a pre-approved option the UWF Plan through LewerMark,  you must submit a Health Insurance Waiver Form for approval. Waiver Deadlines are hard deadlines. Late Waiver requests WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED OR PROCESSED. 

  • The recommended plan from IFS UWF Plan from LewerMark for International Student Insurance is the best option if you are unsure about your current insurance.
  • Other insurance plans you may find aside from IFS or the other pre-approved options (including U.S. insurance plans) may not meet the requirements of Florida Board of Governor's Regulation 6.009.

(warning) If you do not submit a waiver form by the deadline, you must purchase the IFS plan. 

Pre-Approved Insurance Plans  AnchorPreapprovedplansIPPreapprovedplansIP

The University of West Florida recommends the following insurance plans:

Insurance for Students (IFS) Policy for UWF International Students (only for F-1 or J-1 students and their dependents at UWF)

  • Available at www.insuranceforstudents.com/uwf 
  • Enroll with IFS using this link.
  • UWF receives a confirmation if you purchase the UWF policy through Insurance for Students. 

International student athletes on a UWF sports team:

Additional Pre-approved Options

View additional pre-approved plans at this linked PDF.InsuranceOptions202208sb.pdf(This PDF is updated annually.) Pre-approved plans will not be an option for insurance after the posted deadline for waiver submission. After the waiver deadlines, ONLY the IFS plan for UWF students will be accepted. 

Using Your Own Insurance Plan - Submitting an International Student Health Insurance Waiver Form
  •  
  • Please note, plans from outside of the United States RARELY meet all requirements for international student insurance at UWF. 
Plan OptionThe UWF Plan with LewerMarkYour Own Insurance
Process

Automatic Enrollment for F1 and J1 students.

Insurance Fees must be paid through UWF. 

Submit a Waiver Request by email with documentation of your insurance. 
DeadlineInsurance fees must be paid in full by August 22 for Fall semester and by January 14 for Spring/Summer. Waiver request forms and required documentation must be submitted by email no later than 5 pm UWF Time on August 15 for fall semester and no later than December 15 for Spring/Summer. 

Insurance fees are not eligible for payment plans. 

Students can pay for all fees for a semester in full in Transact (formerly CashNet) OR pay only for insurance in-person at the UWF Cashiers Office by check or money order. 

Students can contact the Cashiers Office on the day a payment is made to confirm they want to apply the payment toward Insurance First. 

Call Financial Services on the day you intend to make a payment. Finanical Services can put a deferment on their account that would allow you to pay only the insurance, but it has to be done the same day. If you do not follow this process, you may have to make an additional payment before August 22. 

Waivers must be complete by the waiver submisiion deadline. 

Waivers are reviewed by insurance specialists. 

Waiver requests of insurance documents sent to the UWF Office of International Affairs cannot be processed. 

Only waiver requests with insurance that meets ALL of  the requirements for international student insurance will be approved.

The insurance specialists will contact the student and outline the reasons for a denied waiver. 

The UWF International Student Insurance Plan - Click This Link for More Information About the UWF Plan

The Florida Board of Governors requires that all international students enrolled at UWF in a visa status of F or J have health insurance (including those applying for F or J status). For this reason, enrollment in the LewerMark UWF Student Health Insurance Plan is automatic at the time of registration, and the cost of the policy is included in the student’s semester fee charges. 

Upon enrollment in UWF classes, the cost of the LewerMark Student Health Insurance Plan will be added to your tuition/fee bill for the requested semester(s).

  • All F1 and J1 student will be automaticlaly enrolled in the UWF Plan through LewerMark.
  • Fees for International Student insurance will be charged in 2 payments. 
  • Students graduating in Spring semester will have coverage into the summer after graduation - This allows students to have insurance while waiting for OPT approval or if they have a long period between graduation and the start of possible employer insurance. 
  • UWF Student Athletes playing on one of UWF's NCAA Division II Teams have an assigned Athletic Trainer to assist with insurance questions. Contact Amy Napier for more information. 

Learn More about Insurance in the USA and the UWF Plan at International Orientation

Information Sessions regarding the UWF LewerMark International Student Health Insurance Plan will be offered prior to Fall 2023, and further information will be given in the international student check-in process with the UWF Office of International Affairs. 

LewerMark Also provides helpful information videos for Students. 


Fees and Payment Deadlines for the UWF Plan - Click this link to learn more

Review fees and payment deadlines for the UWF plan.

  • Annual Fees for International Student insurance will be charged in 2 payments: First Billed in Fall and Second Billed in Spring. 
  • Students will be responsible for payment of the insurance fees UNLESS they successfully Opt Out to use their own insurance for the academic year. 
  • Insurance fees will be posted in student Transact (formerly CashNet) accounts for payment by the Semester Fee Due Dates for Fall and Spring. 
  • Insurance fees must be paid in full for the coverage term and cannot be paid in a payment plan.

Using Your Own Insurance Plan - Click This Link to Learn More about How to Submit a Waiver Request

You may request to Opt Out of the UWF Plan for International Students if you want to try to use insurance under a different U.S. insurance policy. All opt Out/Waiver Requests must be submitted by 5 pm CENTRAL TIME on the day of the deadline. - CLICK HERE for the current time at UWF

  • Approval cannot be guaranteed for waiver requests. 
  • Opt Out/Waiver Requests must be Complete in a single submission and submitted by the deadline.
    • Submitting an incomplete request will result in denial.
AnchorSubmittingHIWaiverSubmittingHIWaiverYou can use insurance from your home country or a different U.S. policy as long as you complete a waiver form by the deadline.
    •  
  • The deadline for fall semester or academic year is August 1st - Fall/Year Deadline is August 15thfor all students continuing study at UWF from the previous plan year or  students with a Program Start Date of August. 
  • The deadline for spring and summer is December 15thThe deadline for Intensive English Program summer students is April 15th December 1st - Spring/Summer Deadline is for students with a Program Start Date of January for the upcoming year
  • The Deadline for Summer is April 15. Summer Deadline is for  students with a Program Start Date of May. 


Late waiver form submissions will not be accepted.

  • After the posted waiver deadlines, alternative waiver requests to use your own insurance WILL NOT be accepted.
  • Students will need to enroll be automatically enrolled in the IFS UWF LewerMark Insurance plan for UWF students. 

If purchasing an insurance that is not one of the recommended or pre-approved plans, you must have the company confirm the insurance meets all of the requirements of Florida Board of Governor's Regulation 6.009.

  • Proof of insurance must be uploaded in the online waiver form. Required documents are your insurance card or letter AND the Schedule of Benefits.
  • Waivers submitted for insurance which does not meet ALL of the requirements outlined in BOG REG 6.009 will not be accepted.
  • Please review all emails from International Affairs regarding insurance for important dates and deadline reminders. 
  • Please note that many foreign insurance companies and travel insurance plans do not meet the State of Florida regulations. 
  • With updated documentation process, it is possible that plans that have previously been accepted may not be accepted for Fall 2022 and beyond. 
  • UWF strongly encourages students to verify an alternative insurance will meet ALL State of Florida requirements for international student insurance BEFORE purchasing. 

Late waiver form submissions will not be accepted.

  • Students who have not submitted a valid waiver will be directed to purchase the recommended Insurance for Students (IFS) policy for UWF students at www.insuranceforstudents.com/uwf

How to Complete a Waiver Form

Go to www.insuranceforstudents.com and login.

**If it is your first time accessing insuranceforstudents.com, you will need to create an account.

Begin the Form 

After logging in to the IFS website, search for University of West Florida to view the IFS plan for UWF students and the Waiver form link. 

If you use the search feature, you must select the general of athlete plan before you will see the waiver link. 

Once you are viewing the plan details for the UWF IFS plan, Scroll down the page to the Program Tools Section and Select "Alternative Insurance Waiver" near the bottom of the Program Tools List. You will be taken to the waiver process. 

The waiver form is not open all year. It is only open when waivers are being accepted. 

Complete the requested information and answer required questions

Enter the requested personal demographic information.

Choose Your Student Type

Choose your correct student type. 

Exchange Student (use this if you are participating in an exchange with a partner university) 

Intensive English Program (use this if you are only attending English as a Second Languages at the Intensive English Program) 

Degree-Seeking Student (use this is you are in a bachelors, masters, specialist, or doctorate program) 

Enter Status with Athletics 

Enter if you are on an intercollegiate sports team at UWF, and click "Next." If you are an athlete on one of the UWF intercollegiate athletic teams, you must also confirm your insurance meets the requirements for student athlete insurance. Contact the UWF Athletics head athletic trainer for assistance. 

Enter Insurance Company Information 

Enter the required information about your insurance company.

Upload Proof of Insurance 

After entering the insurance company information, you must upload proof of your insurance coverage.  It is very important that you do not falsify any of this information. Insurance fraud is a crime, and you can lose your immigration status if you falsify insurance information.

 If you choose to submit the waiver with an alternate health insurance plan, you will need to provide electronic copies of the following documents:

  • A scanned copy of the front and back of your health insurance ID card indicating the student as a covered member.
  • A scanned copy of your complete policy, including coverage amounts, exclusions, and limitations in English using US dollars.

The uploaded Health Insurance documents must be in English. 

Receiving Approval 

After your waiver has been submitted, you will receive an email that your waiver is pending review. Review takes several days.

If your waiver is accepted, you will receive an email confirming your insurance meets requirements. 

If you receive an email rejecting your waiver, please follow the instructions in the email and enroll in the IFS policy for UWF students.

If you have any questions about your waiver status, please email uwf@insuranceforstudents.com and international@uwf.edu. 

  • international students. Fees for the UWF Plan will be charged to Student Transact (formerly CashNet) accounts.

Instructions for J Exchange Visitors in the categories of: Professor, Research Scholar, Specialist, or Short-term Scholars and J-2 Dependents

Determine What Insurance to Use 

The University of West Florida has a recommended plan you can use from LewerMark There are also other insurance options that may meet the requirements outlined.  All plans will require you to submit the Health Insurance Compliance Form completed by you and your insurance carrier.

  • The recommended plan from LewerGlobal is the best option if you are unsure about your current insurance. 
    • The LewerGlobal J1 Plan meets the minimum insurance requirements for J1 visitors who are not students. CFR 22 § 62.14.
      • Reminder, J1 exchange students are required to have insurance that meets the State of Florida Board of Governor's Regulation 6.009. 
      • J1 Students cannot meet requirements with a J1 only insurance plan. 
  • Other insurance plans you may find aside from IFS (including U.S. insurance plans) may not meet the requirements of CFR 22 § 62.14.
  • Coverage must be annual coverage for an academic year or through the duration of the J program, whichever occurs first.

Completed Health Insurance Compliance Forms will be reviewed by the Office of International Affairs. Individuals failing to meet insurance requirements outline in CFR 22 § 62.14, will be subject to termination of their visa status.

Voluntary Enrollment for Non-F1 and Non-J1 International Students

Only UWF students in an F-1 or J-1 visa status, and those applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa, are required by the Florida Board of Governors to maintain health insurance and are automatically billed for insurance.

However, students in any other visa category have the option to purchase Health Insurance through LewerGlobal during their studies at UWF. If you elect to enroll in this plan voluntarily, you'll pay LewerMark directly for insurance premium fees.

We highly encourage all students to have health insurance coverage. Medical care in the United States is extremely expensive, and you may also be subject to U.S. tax penalties if you do not maintain health insurance. See more information about exploring your health insurance options on the LewerGlobal website.


International Student Insurance FAQs  - Click the Question to Expand

Expand
title
International Student Insurance FAQs 
Do I need insurance before the semester starts or during breaks? What if I go home for part of the summer?
  • F-1 and J-1 students are required to have insurance coverage for the length of their program - including all dates on their Form I-20 or DS-2019.
  • The UWF Plan through LewerMark provides coverage beginning a few days before the start of classes each fall and spring AND covers students during semester breaks and summer. 
  • Students arriving early for their first semester at UWF can request an earlier insurance start date through LewerMark at no additional cost for their first semester. 
  • The requirement depends on your visa status and program dates - not on where you are currently located, so
it
  • insurance requirement applies when you are outside of the US
, too.
  • during your program dates listed on your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.


Expand
titleWhen should I pay my insurance fees
  • We understand that you may not know your plans yet. 
    • Can I wait and purchase my insurance later
    ?

    You should take action on your insurance requirement before the posted deadlines. 

    Students will be automaitcally enrolled in the UWF Plan. Fees for the insurance willbe posted to the student Transact (formerly CashNet) Account. 

    Review fees and payment deadlines for the UWF plan.


    The deadline to submit your own insurance using the waiver process is August 15 for Fall and the academic year.

     

    The deadline to purchase the UWF recommended policy is August 22, 2022.

    If you have not succesfully submitted a waiver and you have not enrolled in a pre-approved plan for UWF international students by August 22, 2022, you will be at risk for temrrmination of your F1 or J1 status. 

    LATE WAIVER REQUESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

    Students who have not successfully opted out of the UWF plan by the posted deadline will be automaitcally enrolled in the UWF Plan. Fees for the insurance willbe posted to the student Transact (formerly CashNet) Account. 


    Expand
    titleI plan to go home for the summer. Can I pay just for Spring insurance?

    The insurance requirement states students must have continuous coverage for their full program at UWF including semester breaks and summer. F1 students must have coverage in summer, even if they plan to travel home during a break. 

    Summer insurance will be charged with Spring and due in Full for Spring/Summer in January. 


    Expand
    titleI found a document online that says UWF student can use a different insurance that was "pre-approved." Can I use that?

    Students should refer to the current information found on this page.

    Documents you may find in a web search that are not current for Fall 2023 and beyond are no longer valid.

    UWF has worked very hard to identify the best insurance option for students that meets and exceeds the minimum requirement of the Board of Governors Regulation for the insurance requirement. Over time, some plans that were previously accepted have been identified as not meeting requirements - Updates to the list of plans that are not accepted have been made in the best interest of students. 

    Do not enroll in insurance if you have found it listed as accepted for UWF students for a term before Fall 2023. 


    Expand
    titleWhat if I am planning to use my own insurance? Can I submit
    the International Student Health Insurance
    a Waiver Request Form
    later
    ?

    The deadline to submit the form is August 15, 2022.

    Please see the information

    above

    on steps to submit the waiver

    form.
  • The dates of insurance must be to for Fall 2022.
  • The dates of insurance must be to for Academic Year 2022-2023.
  • You must have continuous coverage inclusive of the dates shown in the insurance email you have received. 
  • Your current insurance end date is included in reminder emails from UWF International Affairs.
  • If your end date is before August 15, you must submit your documentation before your current policy expires.
    • You must purchase insurance before your current policy expires.
    • AND you must submit your waiver form and insurance proof document. 
    • This documentation must show continuous coverage.
  • If you purchase after your current insurance expires and have a lapse in coverage dates, your waiver will not be approved and you will be terminated for fsilure to maintain visa requirements. 

    • request.


    Expand
    titleI submitted a waiver last year and it was approved? Do I need to submit again?

    Insurance waiver process is for the coverage period. If you were approved for the 2022-2023 academic year, you must submit a new waiver for 2023-2024 Academic Year BEFORE the August 15 deadline.

    It is important to note that previously approved insurance may not be approved Fall 2023 forward as the waiver review process has been improved for compliance and integrity. 


    Expand
    titleI had an ISI or IFS insurance last year, Can I use the Same Insurance again?

    Insurance for Students (IFS) is no longer the provider for international student insurance. Any plan you might purchase through IFS would require students to submit a waiver request. 

    International Student Insurance (ISI) is no longer an approved insurance provider for UWF students. ISI and other insurance companies offer plans you might see labeled as "Student Secure" or "Worldtrips". 

    The following Insurance Plans have been confirmed they will not meet international student requrements for Fall 2023 and beyond.

    • World Trips Student Secure Smart - Not accepted by UWF.  Does not meet requirements. 
    • World Trips Student Secure Budget - No longer accepted after July 2022. Does not meet requirements. 
    • World Trips Student Secure Select - No longer accepted after July 2023. Does not meet requirements. 
    • World Trips Student Secure UWF - This plan was a special plan for 2022-2023 only. There is no UWF plan from ISI for Fall 2023 and beyond, even if you find it on the ISI website. 
    • BlueCross BlueShield Plans through the Health Care MarketPlace that do not pay the required 80% in network and 60% out of network. BCBS contacted UWF regarding these plans NOT MEETING requirements.

    • Requests from students for waiver with any of these plans will be denied.


    Expand
    titleStudent Responsibilities When Submitting a Waiver to Use their own insurance

    It is the responsibility of the F1/J1 student to:

    1. To maintain insurance that meets Florida Board of Governor's Regulation 6.009. Insurance is required to keep your immigration status valid. The regulation specifies the type and amounts of insurance and how long you must possess coverage.
    2. To select insurance that meets/exceeds coverage of the coverage of the UWF LewerMark International Student Health Insurance Policy with coverage for the full academic year (365 days) 
      1. Students issued F-1 or J-1 visas’ continuous coverage must be in effect until August 14, 2023, or later, regardless of graduation dates and/or leaving the country for a break. The new student’s effective date should be August 15, 2023, or prior. 
    3. To review the ‘Exclusions and Limitations' section of the policy under consideration.
    4. To advise the insurance company that they are attending the University of West Florida.
    5. To provide their issued visa information in some instances their passport number

    What if I am planning to enroll in a Pre-Approved policy option?

    You may enroll in the UWF policy for international student insurance at any time before the start of Fall 2022.

    • Students who have not enrolled in the UWF policy by the start of Fall 2022 classes (August 22, 2022) will have a hold placed on their UWF account.
    • You cannot make changes to your course registration if you have a hold on your account.
    • You will need to enroll in insurance to have the hold removed. 
    • Email international@uwf.edu if you have questions.

    If I want to purchase an IFS or ISI insurance plan not listed as pre-approved plan, is that okay?

  • Only the linked plans are pre-approved. You must use the provided links in Pre-Approved Plans to enroll in IFS or ISI plans that UWF has confirmed meet all requirements. 
  • For IFS, if you have any questions please email uwf@insuranceforstudents.com and tell them you are a UWF student. 
  • For ISI, only the UWF plan option is pre-approved. 
    • Generic Student Secure plans (Smart, Budget, Select, Elite) are not approved for Fall 2022 and beyond.

    What if I have more questions not related to insurance?

    • You can schedule an advising appointment in Navigate in MyUWF.
    • Search for "immigration advising" to see available appointments.



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