Student Health Insurance International Students

Student Requirements for the Mason Insurance Plan

University Policy Number 6002

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

Health Insurance in the US

The Mason Insurance Plan

Exemption from Automatic Coverage

Deadline to Enroll Dependents

FAQs

Student Requirement

• All J-1 visa students are required under Federal mandate to have health insurance in order to attend classes. George Mason University requires J-1 and F-1 visa status students to have adequate health insurance. Therefore, Mason will automatically enroll F-1 and J-1 visa students into an affordable health plan. The premium appears as a charge on your tuition account.
• Visiting faculty and scholars with a J-1 visa at George Mason University are also eligible to enroll.
• All English Language Institute students are eligible to enroll.
• Students on any other visa type: please see information for Domestic Students.

Health Insurance in the US

The American healthcare system has grown increasingly complex and costly.  Unlike domestic students, many of whom benefit from being dependents of their parents’ often robust insurance plans, international students typically purchase insurance independently. Since many of the plans marketed abroad do not provide adequate coverage, many international students are underinsured.  This is especially perilous since international students cannot avail themselves of any public subsidies for healthcare, such as Medicaid or similar relief programs.  Unexpected medical expenses can jeopardize the ability to complete your education. 

The Mason Insurance Plan

All international J-1 and F-1 visa students at George Mason University must have adequate health insurance coverage.  Although the George Mason University plan is specifically designed for Mason students, individual students might benefit from other policies.  Please review carefully the insurance brochure with special attention to coverage, exclusions, limitations and pre-existing conditions. 

Exemption from Automatic Coverage

• All J-1 visa students are required under federal mandate to have health insurance. Mason requires all J-1 and F-1 visa students to have adequate health coverage.  Therefore, Mason automatically enrolls all F-1 and J-1 visa students into an affordable health plan.  The premium appears as a charge on your tuition bill. If you have your own health insurance that meets all conditions on the waiver form, you may opt out of the Mason plan. Please carefully follow all guidelines on the waiver form.
• Please apply for your waiver early, minimum two (2) weeks before the payment due date if you want to be certain that your application will be approved on time.
• Waiver forms may be sent to the Student Health Insurance Office, via fax, email, or traditional mail.

Deadline to Enroll Dependents for the 2009-2010 academic year

The deadline is September 16, 2009.

If you have dependents that you would like to enroll on your George Mason University Student Health Plan, please do so by September 16, 2009, see brochure for details.

Note: the student must be enrolled in the George Mason University Plan in order to add dependents. 

The Aetna Student Health Home Page

DocFind: Provider Listings including Pharmacies, Hospitals, Vision, Dental, etc.

Terms & Definitions

Aetna Student Health’s Customer Service

at 1-800-878-1945 

Mason Student Health Insurance Office