International Student Insurance Waiver Process
An international student who has a qualifying health insurance policy and wants to be exempted from the Mason Student Health Insurance Plan must apply for an insurance waiver. You must read the waiver requirements before applying for an insurance waiver/exemption. Your insurance policy must meet the criteria listed in the Waiver Eligibility Requirements.
You may only apply for an insurance waiver from the Mason Student Health Insurance Plan if you have not filed any medical claims from any healthcare provider for services. This includes Student Health Services and services such as immunizations. International students must check-in with the Office of International Programs and Services before they are able to apply for an insurance waiver.
Waiver Application Deadlines
You must apply for an insurance waiver each Academic Year; it is processed annually. Your insurance waiver will NOT be applied to the next Academic Year.
You must submit your waiver application by the final listed deadline. Only NEW students at Mason for Spring and Summer semesters may submit their waiver applications as listed below.
| Submission Begins | Final Deadline | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Waiver Application | July 25, 2024 | September 15, 2024 |
| NEW Student Spring Waiver Application | December 4, 2024 | February 15, 2025 |
| NEW Student Summer Waiver Application | April 9, 2025 | Your payment due date |
Waiver Eligibility Requirements
An international student who has a qualifying health insurance policy and wants to be exempted from the Mason Student Health Insurance Plan, must have a health insurance policy that meets the following criteria.
An international student may apply for a waiver/exemption:
A. The student has a scholarship or government sponsored program, that provides an U.S. health insurance plan for the student and is Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant. National health coverage and/or travel insurance do not meet these criteria.
OR
B. The student or student’s spouse or parent, has an U.S. employer who provides health insurance for the student and the plan is Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant.
The qualifying policy (under A or B above) must meet all following criteria:
- An annual deductible not exceeding $500;
- The policy must be valid until August 15, 2025;
- The cost of medical evacuation ($50,000) and repatriation ($25,000) back to the student’s home country.
Waivers take about 2 weeks to process. Waiver applications will be audited by the Student Health Insurance Plan provider. Student Health Services reserves the right to make a final waiver decision. To verify approval of your application, please check your Patriot Web account. If your application was approved, the balance of the Mason student health insurance premium will be $0.
How to Submit Your Waiver
- Make sure your personal health insurance plan meets the Waiver Eligibility Requirements.
- Email the Student Health Insurance office at insure@gmu.edu. In the email, include your full name, Mason G#, and say that you are requesting a hard waiver for the health insurance plan.
- Do not send any attachments in the first email.
- Insurance office staff will respond to your email within 3-5 business days about the waiver process and information needed.
- Waiver applications must be submitted by the application deadline.