Insurance is required for all international students.
International Student Insurance Requirements
All international students in F-1 status at UCLA Extension are required to have health insurance, which also must include repatriation (return) of remains and medical evacuation coverages. Students must demonstrate that they have insurance coverage each quarter by submitting documentation showing proof of coverage upon their arrival when going through the check-in process, if this is their first quarter at UCLA Extension, or by uploading documentation into their returning student application for each quarter they continue studying with UCLA Extension. The documentation required includes but is not limited to the following: a copy of their insurance card, a confirmation letter from their insurance provider, etc.
International student health insurance should include coverage for dates starting from the first day of arrival in the U.S. to the last day the student will attend UCLA Extension, including vacations, during school breaks between academic quarters, and OPT/CPT participation. The start and end dates of each quarter can be found on the Academic Calendar. It is important to include any additional days that students will be in the U.S. before and after program dates; in accordance with F-1 visa regulations, students can arrive up to 30 days prior to the start of their program and remain in the U.S. for 60 days after the program concludes. We also offer robust orientation programming prior to the quarter start. Please review acceptance communications for dates.
International Insurance Policies purchased to fulfill the insurance requirement must meet the following coverage requirements:
- The policy is written in English, including student name and dates of coverage.
- The policy must provide health coverage that covers at least $500,000 per coverage period (e.g., per quarter or full year), with no less than a $150,000 maximum benefit per injury/illness.
- The policy cannot have a deductible or out-of-pocket expense of more than $1,500 per illness or injury for in-network coverage. UCLA Extension strongly encourages a policy with a lower deductible (the amount that must be paid out of pocket when obtaining medical care before insurance coverage begins to pay for illness or injury).
- The insurance policy must include at least $25,000 for repatriation (return) of remains to one’s home country.
- The insurance policy must provide at least $100,000 for medical evacuation to one’s home country if medically ordered.
- UCLA Extension strongly encourages students to purchase an insurance policy that includes coverage for Outpatient/Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Substance Abuse conditions. Not all insurance plans include coverage for Outpatient/Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Substance Abuse conditions.
- Students are highly encouraged to purchase an insurance policy that includes coverage for pre-existing conditions, which is not always included in an insurance policy. It is important to review the insurance policy and make a personal and informed decision determining if there is a need to purchase a plan that covers pre-existing medical conditions. UCLA Extension is not responsible for any charges incurred if a student does not procure coverage for a pre-existing medical condition(s).
- UCLA Extension international students will not have access to the UCLA Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center on campus or the UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services Center (CAPS) on campus.
UCLA and UCLA Extension take no responsibility for the insurance policy purchased by students; students are solely responsible for reviewing and purchasing a policy that meets the minimum requirements outlined above. If a student incurs an illness or injury that exceeds the coverage provided through the insurance policy they have purchased, they are solely responsible for any additional costs they may incur.
Medical care in the United States can be prohibitively expensive without appropriate medical, medical evacuation, and repatriation (return of remains) insurance.
Students are responsible for renewing, canceling, settling payments, and following up with all matters related to their insurance coverages directly with their insurance company.
UCLA and UCLA Extension are not liable for any medical expenses students incur and/or medical expenses in excess of insurance coverage.
UCLA Extension does not endorse, recommend, or sponsor any insurance company or insurance policy. We have provided a list of possible companies which offer insurance coverage for international students, however we do not endorse or promote the purchase of any policy or product offered by any company on the list.
International Student Insurance Providers
Dependent Health Insurance
If you are traveling with any dependents (spouse or children), it is highly encouraged to obtain insurance for those dependents for the duration of the stay in the U.S.
If your dependents are uninsured it can and likely will be prohibitively expensive if medical care is required, and the student will be responsible for the costs of their care. Students can purchase the same insurance coverage they select during their study at UCLA Extension.
