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 possess 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 have the following obligations:
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. UWF is currently updating the Approved Insurance Plan Options for F1 and J1 students. The approved plans for students will change for Fall 2023. The process for students to request to use their own insurance will change. However, the Requirements for F1 and J1 insurance coverage for Fall 2023 will not change. Fall 2023 and Academic Year 2023-2024 insurance options will be updated soon. |
Determining What Insurance Coverage You Need
F-1 Students Requirements pursuant to Florida Board of Governor's Regulation 6.009) | F-2 Dependents | J-1 Students and J-2 Student Dependents of J-1 Students Requirements pursuant to Florida Board of Governor's Regulation 6.009 and CFR 22 § 62.14 | J-1 Exchange Visitors (Professor, Research Scholar, Specialist, or Short Term Scholars) and J-2 Exchange Visitor Dependents Requirements pursuant to CFR 22 § 62.14 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage Requirements | Coverage Period: Policies must provide, at a minimum, continuous coverage for the entire period the insured is enrolled as an eligible student, including annual breaks during that period. Payment of benefits must be renewable | No state or federal requirement for coverage; however, policies are available should one wish to seek coverage for an F-2 dependent. | Coverage Period: Policies must provide, at a minimum, continuous coverage for the entire period the insured is enrolled as an eligible student, including annual breaks during that period. Payment of benefits must be renewable | Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness |
| Basic Benefits: Room, board, hospital services, physician fees, surgeon fees, ambulance, outpatient services, and outpatient customary fees must be paid at 80% or more of usual, customary, reasonable charge per accident or illness, after deductible is met, for in-network, and 60% or more of usual, customary, and reasonable charge for out-of-network providers per accident or illness | Basic Benefits: Room, board, hospital services, physician fees, surgeon fees, ambulance, outpatient services, and outpatient customary fees must be paid at 80% or more of usual, customary, reasonable charge per accident or illness, after deductible is met, for in-network, and 60% or more of usual, customary, and reasonable charge for out-of-network providers per accident or illness | Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000 | ||
| Inpatient Mental Health Care: Must be paid at 80% in-network or 60% out-of network of the usual and customary fees with a minimum 30-day cap per benefit period | Inpatient Mental Health Care: Must be paid at 80% in-network or 60% out-of network of the usual and customary fees with a minimum 30-day cap per benefit period | Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of exchange visitors to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000 | ||
| Outpatient Mental Health Care: Must be paid at 80% in-network or 60% out-of network of the usual and customary fees for a minimum of 30 (preferably 40) sessions per year | Outpatient Mental Health Care: Must be paid at 80% in-network or 60% out-of network of the usual and customary fees for a minimum of 30 (preferably 40) sessions per year | Deductibles not to exceed $500 per accident or illness | ||
| Maternity Benefits: Must be treated as any other temporary medical condition and paid at no less than 80% of usual and customary fees in-network or 60% out of-network | Maternity Benefits: Must be treated as any other temporary medical condition and paid at no less than 80% of usual and customary fees in-network or 60% out of-network | Insurance policies secured to fulfill the requirements of this section: (1) May require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions that is reasonable as determined by current industry standards; (2) May include provisions for co-insurance under the terms of which the exchange visitor may be required to pay up to 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness; and (3) Must not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which the exchange visitor participates. | ||
| Repatriation: $25,000 (coverage to return the student’s remains to his/her native country) | Repatriation: $25,000 (coverage to return the student’s remains to his/her native country) | Any policy, plan, or contract secured to fill the above requirements must, at a minimum, be: (1) Underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of “A−” or above; a McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor's Claims-paying Ability rating of “A−” or above; a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B + ” or above; a Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of “A−” or above; a Moody's Investor Services rating of “A3” or above; or such other rating as the Department of State may from time to time specify; or (2) Backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor's home country; or (3) Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor; or (4) Offered through or underwritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization or eligible Competitive Medical Plan as determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. | ||
| Medical Evacuation: $50,000 (to permit the patient to be transported to his/her home country and to be accompanied by a provider or escort, if directed by the physician in charge) | Medical Evacuation: $50,000 (to permit the patient to be transported to his/her home country and to be accompanied by a provider or escort, if directed by the physician in charge) | |||
| Deductible: Maximum of $50 per occurrence if treatment or services are rendered at the Student Health Center; maximum of $100 per occurrence if treatment or services are rendered at an off-campus ambulatory care or hospital emergency department facility | Deductible: Maximum of $50 per occurrence if treatment or services are rendered at the Student Health Center; maximum of $100 per occurrence if treatment or services are rendered at an off-campus ambulatory care or hospital emergency department facility | |||
| Minimum coverage: $100,000 for covered injuries/illnesses per accident or illness per policy year | Minimum coverage: $100,000 for covered injuries/illnesses per accident or illness per policy year | |||
| Insurance Carrier must, at a minimum, meet the rating requirements specified in Part 62.14(d) of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations | Insurance Carrier must, at a minimum, meet the rating requirements specified in Part 62.14(d) of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations | |||
| Policy must not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the student’s program of study | Policy must not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the student’s program of study | |||
| Claims must be paid in U.S. dollars payable on a U.S. financial institution | Claims must be paid in U.S. dollars payable on a U.S. financial institution | |||
| Policy provisions must be available from the insurer in English | Policy provisions must be available from the insurer in English |
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 Form. If you would like to use an insurance plan different from IFS or a pre-approved option you must submit a Health Insurance Waiver Form for approval.
- The recommended plan from IFS 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.
If you do not submit a waiver form by the deadline, you must purchase the IFS plan.
Pre-Approved Insurance Plans 
This information applies to students through Summer 2023 only. Fall 2023 insurance options will change.
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:
- Go to https://www.insuranceforstudents.com/uwfsports to purchase the Intercollegiate Athletics insurance.
- Only students who are competing on one of UWF's athletic sports teams may enroll in this option.
- Contact Kacy Bledsoe for more information.
Additional Pre-approved Options
View additional pre-approved plans at 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
You 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 15th
- The deadline for spring and summer is December 15th
- After the posted waiver deadlines, alternative insurance WILL NOT be accepted. Students will need to enroll in the IFS 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
UWF is reviewing the process for students who want to submit their own insurance. Updates on how to submit our own insurance will be posted in May and June 2023.
The waiver form is not open all year. It is only open when waivers are being accepted.
Waiver submission is not open for Summer 2023.
Complete the requested information and answer required questions
Enter the requested personal demographic information.
Answer Questions about your Student Type, Athlete Status and provide the requested insurance 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 official insurance policy for UWF students.
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 Insurance For Students (IFS). 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 IFS is the best option if you are unsure about your current insurance.
- 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.
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 requirement depends on your visa status and program dates - not on where you are currently located, so it applies when you are outside of the US, too.
- 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.
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 successfully 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 termination of your F1 or J1 status.
What if I am planning to use my own insurance? Can I submit the International Student Health Insurance Waiver 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.
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.