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International Scholars
International scholars (and their dependents) must carry health insurance coverage available through SUNY (or comparable coverage) during their time in the United States while they are sponsored by UB. These policies are set by SUNY Administration. The SUNY International Health Insurance is through UnitedHealthcare Student Resources, with dental coverage through First Reliance Standard included on the plan.
This page is only for international scholars. If you are an international student, please visit the international students page.
| International Students | International Scholars |
|---|---|
| Students are registered for classes (undergraduate or graduate), arrive at UB at the beginning of a semester, and leave at the end of a semester. This includes J-1 student interns. | Scholars are not registered for classes (they may be doing research or specialized training), and arrive and leave UB at any time, depending on their program. |
Insurance Information
All J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents are required to purchase the SUNY health insurance upon arrival to the United States and be insured every day that you remain in the country. Coverage for the SUNY plan is by academic year from August 15 to August 14 of the following year.
If you will receive an employee health insurance plan after the 28 day waiting period, you are required to complete the J-1 waiver packet to provide proof of your employee health insurance. During your waiting period, you must purchase one month of insurance. If you are receiving benefits through UB Human Resources, please request a letter stating the start date of your health insurance. If you are receiving benefits outside of University at Buffalo, the Clarification of Benefits form is required to be completed so that we may compare the benefits to the SUNY plan. When a waiver is approved, the scholar and dependents must enroll and purchase the standalone medical evacuation and repatriation insurance to be compliant with their visas. This coverage is not provided by the UB employee health insurance. A new waiver must be submitted every time your most recent medical evacuation insurance expires in order to stay compliant with your visa.
Enrollment
Qualifying international students, scholars, and OPT are insured through UnitedHealthcare Student Resources (UHCSR).
For more details about the plan, including links to find a participating provider, information about your coverage and ways to manage your account, please contact UnitedHealthcare Student Resources.
Dental coverage through First Reliance Standard is also included on the plan.
Step 1: Enrollment
Please complete and submit the Enrollment Form to enroll.
Step 2: Payment
Once you receive a confirmation email and balance notice from our office, you can pay online through UB Student Life Store.
Insurance enrollment will occur within 2-3 days of payment.
ID cards are sent out electronically directly from UnitedHealthcare Student Resources.
After you have completed the enrollment form and paid for coverage, you will receive an email in 3-5 business days from notifications@uhcsr.com.
This email will contain instructions on how to setup your online account and view/download your ID card once you login.
If you missed this email, you can go directly to www.uhcsr.com. Enter “UB” for your school and follow the rest of the instructions to complete your account setup.
Your online account gives you 24/7 access to your health insurance information. Once you create your account, you can search for providers, review claim information, access member guides, etc.
To access your First Reliance Standard dental account, including your separate dental ID card, you will receive an email from Pasito with instructions.
Mobile App with Virtual ID Card
UHCSR has a downloadable app with a virtual ID card. You can download the mobile app to have access to your information on the go. The app is available through Google Play and the Apple Store; please visit the UHCSR website for links to the app.
Accessing Care
You can use the UnitedHealthcare Student Resources portal to search for providers who participate with the insurance. Please check your plan for information about copays, deductibles and other costs.
Take your insurance ID card with you to all medical appointments.
You must purchase health insurance for your dependents if you are an international student or scholar. If your family does not accompany you, but plans to join you in the U.S. at a later date, health insurance must be purchased for them upon their arrival.
To enroll dependents in the SUNY health insurance plan, you will need to complete the Dependent Enrollment Form, and submit it along with payment for your dependents to UnitedHealthcare Student Resources directly.
Enrollment in dental coverage through First Reliance Standard is optional for dependents. Please contact our office for more information.
You can only enroll your dependents after you have been enrolled in SUNY health insurance by the University.
SUNY requires international students and scholars to have medical evacuation and repatriation insurance.
Medical evacuation insurance pays for you to be transported to the nearest medical facility or your home country in case of serious illness or injury. Repatriation insurance pays for your remains to be transported to your home country in case of death.
Enroll in Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Coverage
You will need to purchase this coverage if you are an international student with an approved health insurance waiver. The charge will be automatically added to your student account.
If you have already enrolled in the SUNY International Health Insurance, do not complete this form.
If you are an international student with an approved waiver on file, do not complete this form. You will automatically be enrolled and billed for this coverage.
Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Coverage for Dependents
If your dependents are covered through SUNY International Health Insurance, medical evacuation and repatriation is included. If your dependents have waived out of the comprehensive insurance, you can enroll them into the medical evacuation and repatriation coverage (if needed) as long as you have enrolled into this insurance.
If you receive a job that offers insurance, or get private coverage through other means, you may be eligible to cancel your insurance through SUNY. Contact the Student Health Insurance Office to request an Early Termination application.
Request a Waiver
If you have private health insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements, you can request a waiver of the premium. Acceptable plans must be:
- An employer-based plan
- US-based
- Affordable Care Act (ACA) Compliant
- Comparable policy to SUNY plan
- No maximum coverage limits
- Can NOT be a NYS Essential Plan or Medicaid Plan
NYS Essential or Community Plans are NOT Accepted for an International Waiver
You will only be permitted a waiver of the cost of the SUNY health insurance if your policy matches or exceeds the policy available through SUNY, and is approved by Haylor, Freyer and Coon. In some cases, your policy must also match or exceed requirements from the U.S. Department of State (policies that meet SUNY requirements typically meet these requirements; the UHCSR plan available through SUNY far exceeds U.S. Department of State requirements).
- The coverage used for a waiver must meet or exceed the coverage provided through SUNY.
- You must have emergency and non-emergency coverage in the Buffalo and Western New York area, and have providers who accept your insurance plan; coverage only for emergencies / urgent care in the Buffalo and Western New York area will not qualify for a waiver.
- If the Student Health Insurance Office determines that your health insurance plan meets or exceeds the requirements for waiver, but has insufficient medical evacuation and repatriation coverage, you will be automatically enrolled and billed for this coverage to ensure compliance with the insurance requirements.
- Any policy used to waive insurance must be in effect from the time of arrival into the United States.
Fulbright Students and Scholars
The health insurance plan provided by sponsoring agencies to Fulbright students and scholars studying at UB does not meet the SUNY requirement. Fulbright students and scholars will need to enroll in the SUNY health insurance plan, or request a waiver if they have comparable private insurance.
Please see the chart on this page for deadlines. You can also apply anytime throughout the year (off-cycle) if you have a life-changing event that causes you to lose other health insurance coverage. Common events may include:
- Losing coverage through other insurance (because of your age, a change in a parent’s job, or other circumstances)
- Changes in your family (marriage, divorce, having a child, etc.)
Your application must be submitted within 30 days of loss of coverage, and your student account will be billed accordingly (prorated or with the additional premiums).
Please see your plan for specific details.
The waiver must be approved for the premium to be refunded from the student account. Waivers must be submitted annually.
Please follow these steps to request a waiver.
- Complete the Waiver Packet, and have a representative from your insurance company or Human Resources Department complete the clarification of benefits form (included in the Waiver Packet). If you are a UB employee, please request a letter from Human Resources stating the start date of your health insurance.
2. Submit a copy of your insurance ID card with your waiver packet.
3. Student Health Insurance staff will review your application to determine if your policy is comparable to every policy item mandated by the State University of New York. If your waiver is denied, you will get an email within three business days explaining the reason for the denial.
Student Health Insurance Office
Student Life
1 Capen
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260-2100
Phone: (716) 645-3036
Check Your UB Email
It is your responsibility to check your UB email. If you request a waiver and it is denied, your notification will arrive via email.
Related UB Websites
Need Help?
For help understanding and navigating the health insurance process.
Student Health Insurance Office
Student Life
1 Capen
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260-2100
Phone: (716) 645-3036
For questions about your plan
UnitedHealthcare Student Resources
International Students Policy #2022-203-415-41
; OPT/J1 Policy #2022-203415-44
; Study Abroad Policy #2022-203415-43
Dependent Enrollment Forms and General Inquiries
P.O. Box 809025
Dallas, TX 75380-9025
Phone: (888) 714-6544
UnitedHealthcare Student Resources
International Students Policy #2022-203-415-41
; OPT/J1 Policy #2022-203415-44
; Study Abroad Policy #2022-203415-43
Claims
UnitedHealthcare Student Resources
P.O. Box 809025
Dallas, TX 75380-9025
Phone: (888) 714-6544