University Policies, George Mason University

Student Policies

University Policy Number 6002

Subject: Health Insurance Requirement for International F-1 & J-1 Visa Students

Responsible Parties:Student Health Insurance Office and Student Health Services

Procedures: Not Applicable

Related University Policies: Not Applicable

I. SCOPE

Student health insurance policies and procedures herein are applicable to all George Mason University international students on either an F-1 or J-1 visa.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

The purpose of this policy is to provide a clear outline of George Mason University’s requirement of all F-1 and J-1 visa students to have adequate health insurance. George Mason University automatically enrolls all international F-1 and J-1 visa students in the University selected health insurance plan. International students have the option of exempting out of the University selected health insurance plan if they meet all the criteria outlined in the current Application for Exemption.

III. DEFINITIONS

F-1 visa: F-1 visas are issued by the U.S. Government to non-immigrants admitted to accredited schools and colleges approved by the U.S. government to admit non-immigrant students. F-1 visa-holders are required by the Federal Government to document sources of financial support sufficient to cover all educational and personal expenses while in the United States. F-1 applicants must also meet eligibility criteria set-forth by the school or college which admits them.

J-1 visa: J-1 visas are issued by the U.S. Government to non-immigrants participating in programs that promote cultural exchange. J-1 visa holders are required by the Federal Government to maintain health insurance while in the United States. Minimum health insurance requirements do apply. J-1 applicants must also meet eligibility criteria set-forth by the private sector, or government program, sponsors.

DS-2019: A DS2019 is an immigration document issued by the U.S. Department of State. It is a certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor J-1 visa status. The DS2019 specifies the length of visit and the type of activity the visitor will participate in on campus: scholar, researcher, or student. The DS-2019 is issued once the University verifies that the applicant qualifies for exchange visitor status and has funding to cover participation in the program, including the cost of required health insurance.

I-20: The I-20 is a United States Department of Homeland Security document that is issued by colleges, universities, and vocational schools to non-immigrant students or prospective students. It outlines Federal and University requirements that must be met by the applicant for the issuance of an F-1 student visa or change of immigration status to F-1. In addition to specifying the program of study to which the named non-immigrant has been admitted, the I-20 also lists the expected length of the academic program, the educational objective, the estimated cost of the program (including tuition/fees, housing, food, books, and other costs) and the source(s) of support documented by the student, or prospective student, to cover those expenses. Because George Mason University requires that all international students have health insurance, which is at least equivalent to the health insurance offered by Mason, the estimated insurance premium is listed under “other expenses” on page 1 of every I-20 issued by the University. All students and prospective students document funds sufficient to cover the premium cost prior to the University’s issuance of the I-20. The student’s signature on the I-20 (required prior to visa-issuance) is his or her acknowledgement and acceptance of the insurance requirement.

OIPS: The Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) at George Mason University is responsible for, among other things, University student immigration matters. Staff in OIPS includes a “Principal Designated School Official” and several “Designated School Officials,” a “Responsible Officer” and several “Alternate Responsible Officers,” individuals trained and authorized by the U.S. federal government to sign immigration documents for F-1 students and J-1 Exchange Visitors. OIPS and the Office of Admissions enter a student’s visa status in Banner.

Application for Exemption:
The Student Health Insurance Office offers international F-1 and J-1 visa students the option of waiving enrollment in the University selected student health insurance plan if a student has a health insurance plan that meets or exceeds the Mason Student Health Insurance Plan.

International students can obtain equivalent coverage through reputable U.S. group health insurance plans. Some embassies offer their students coverage under U.S. group plans. Therefore, the application states that students may apply for a waiver:

If they have a scholarship or government sponsored program that provides insurance for the student that meets or exceeds the Mason Student Health Insurance Plan. National health coverage and/or travel insurance do not meet these criteria.
If the student, student’s spouse or parent, have a United States employer who provides health insurance for the student that meets or exceeds the Mason Student Health Insurance Plan.

If a student has coverage from one of these sources, the coverage must also offer:

In-patient benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness;
An annual deductible not exceeding $500;
Coverage dates:

Fall Only: If the student is at Mason for the fall semester only, their coverage must be valid until the end of the exam period or last day of stay at Mason.
Full Academic Year: If the student is at Mason for the full Academic Year, their coverage must be valid until Aug 15th.
Spring or summer: If the student arrives at Mason in the spring or summer semester, their coverage must be valid until Aug. 15th.

The cost of medical evacuation ($10,000) and repatriation ($7,500) back to the home country. If the plan does not meet these criteria, the coverage may be purchased through Aetna Student Health. Application forms are available at the Student Health Insurance Office.

Waiver Process:
Waiver criteria are posted on the Student Health Insurance website (http://shs.gmu.edu/insurance/international.php) and sent to Aetna Student Health insurance. The insurance company creates an online waiver portal (www.aetnastudenthealth.com/schools/georgemason). International students access this portal during waiver season and complete the online waiver application.

Once an application is complete and submitted, the student will receive a confirmation email. An auditor will contact the student’s insurance company listed on the application and verify all information given by the student. The audit takes about 10 business days.
Once the audit is complete, the student will receive an email from the insurance company stating whether the application was either accepted or denied. The Mason Student Insurance Office will receive a list of approved and denied waivers. The Mason Student Insurance Office will remove the student health insurance fee from the student’s account for students who received an approved waiver.

The waiver is only valid for the academic year in which it is granted. Therefore, students must reapply for an exemption each academic year. Students are responsible for timely submission of their online waiver. The Insurance Office at Student Health Services posts the waiver guidelines at (http://shs.gmu.edu/insurance/international.php).

International Student Health Insurance fee (ISHI)
International F-1 and J-1 visa students are automatically enrolled in the Mason Student Health Insurance Plan. The fee for this coverage appears on the student’s account and is titled ‘International Student Health Insurance’ (ISHI). Any money paid to the student’s account will satisfy the ISHI first because it is required by Mason policy and a federal law (for J-1s).

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Health Insurance Office

Choosing a Health Insurance Plan: The Office annually reviews and selects a comprehensive, yet affordable, health insurance plan that strives to meet the needs of all Mason students, both international and domestic.
Aiding Students: The Office assists all students seeking advice about health insurance. The Office helps to explain benefits offered by the student health insurance. The Office works to educate students about healthcare coverage and options; encouraging students to become smart health care consumers.
International Students:
a) In conjunction with OIPS and Student Accounts, the Office automatically enrolls all international F-1 and J-1 visa students in the University selected health insurance plan. Additionally, the Office offers international students the option of exempting out of the University selected health insurance plan if they meet all the criteria outlined in the Application for Exemption. This information is sent to international students multiple times before arriving at Mason.
b) Every effort is made by the Office to educate international students about the United States healthcare system and United States health insurance. Most international students are unfamiliar with practices within these industries in the United States.
Constructing the Application for Exemption: The Application for Exemption is based on current best practices in the field of student health insurance. The Office modifies the Application for Exemption as needed to best serve international students. From time to time, the Office may consult with student health insurance offices of peer universities, the Virginia Bureau of Insurance, and other relevant Mason departments for input on changes made to the Application for Exemption.

The Office of Student Accounts
This office is responsible for activity on student’s accounts. These accounts are viewable to the student via Patriot Web (https://patriotweb.gmu.edu/). These accounts are viewable to Mason staff via Banner.

The Office of Student Accounts writes computer programs that manage students’ accounts. These programs:

Automatically add the International Student Health Insurance fee (ISHI) to the accounts of all F-1 and J-1 visa students.
Automatically direct funds received to satisfy ISHI first.
Automatically add late fees to delinquent accounts.

Aetna Student Health
Currently, Mason offers insurance from Aetna Student Health to all students. Details about the plan are available on the Student Health Insurance website (http://shs.gmu.edu/insurance/) and the Aetna Student Health website (www.aetnastudenthealth.com/schools/georgemason). Aetna Student Health is responsible for

Managing the student health insurance plan.
Managing claims submitted by healthcare providers.
Processing waivers submitted by international students within 15 days of submission.
Notifying students via email of approved or denied waivers.

Mason reserves the right to select a different insurance carrier.
F-1 and J-1 Visa Students

F-1 and J-1 visa students must comply with George Mason University and the Federal Government policies to maintain health insurance while in the United States. An exemption may be requested, by the posted deadline, if a student has health insurance coverage that strictly adheres to the guidelines set forth by the current Application for Exemption.
It is the student’s responsibility to read and understand the exemption criteria.
It is the student’s responsibility to read and understand the coverage offered by the selected student health insurance plan.
If a student does not understand the coverage offered or the exemption criteria, the student may request assistance from the Student Health Insurance Office.
If a student has concerns with their visa, they should contact OIPS.
If a student has concerns with late fees or payment plans, they should contact the Office of Student Accounts.

V. OTHER INFORMATION

The Student Health Insurance Office carefully writes and distributes policies and procedures governing student health insurance and exemptions. It is the goal of the Office to adhere to those policies. However, the Office reserves the right to make mid-year policy changes when necessary.

VI. COMPLIANCE

International students on either an F-1 or J-1 visa must either purchase the University selected health insurance plan or request an exemption after satisfying all the criteria in the current Application for Exemption.

VII. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPROVAL

This policy is effective as of May 8, 2009, and was revised on December 10, 2010. This policy shall be reviewed annually and revised as needed.

Approved:

_______________________
Maurice W. Scherrens
Senior Vice President

________________________
Peter N. Stearns
Provost

Revision Approved: December 20, 2010

Originial Policy Approved: May 12, 2009