Health Insurance Options
This list of insurance providers has been compiled as a service to international students and scholars at UCSF seeking information about health insurance providers, including carriers offering Repatriation and Medical Evacuation benefits required by Federal law to maintain J non-immigrant status.
All students and scholars participation in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program are required to maintain health insurance coverage during thier stay in the US. For details on insurance coverage amounts, please visit our Healthcare page.
This page provides insurance information for:
- International Postdocs
- Interanational Students
- Other International Visitors
1. Information for incoming UCSF Postdoctoral Scholars
All UCSF postdocs, including international postdocs, are eligible for health care benefits through the University of California Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits Plan.
For information about the plan go to: http://www.garnett-powers.com/postdoc/ucsf/
Your PI is required to pay for most of the cost of your benefits for you and your eligible dependents. You pay only a small percentage of your monthly premium. The exact cost depends on whether you sign up for an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) or PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) medical plan. To read about the differences between HMO and PPO plans, go to http://www.garnett-powers.com/postdoc/ucsf/medical.htm.
See your cost for the premium contributions at: http://www.garnett-powers.com/postdoc/ucsf/contributions.htm
There is only one circumstance in which your PI may not be required to pay for your benefits: If your salary is paid by an external funder and this funder states in writing that they will provide you with a specific amount of money (separate from your salary) to pay for your benefits, then your PI may use that money to pay the cost of benefits. If the amount for benefits from your funding source is less than the total cost, then the PI must cover the remaining amount from his/her own sources.
In addition to paying a very small portion of your medical care premium, you may be required to make a co-payment when you visit a health care provider.
Refer to the UCSF Postdoctoral Affairs Office website for more information about postdoc benefits: http://postdocs.ucsf.edu/postdoctoral/benefits
All UC Postdocs are represented by a union. The union contract also has information about your benefits. Read “Article 3, Benefits” at: http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/employees/policies_employee_labor_relations/collective_bargaining_units/post_docs/agreement.html
2. International Students -University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP)
Students registered in a degree earning professional school or graduate division program are automatically enrolled in UC SHIP. UC SHIP meets the J-1 Visa requirements. Coverage commences at the start of the academic quarter. The UC SHIP complements the healthcare you receive at Student Health and Counseling Services. For details on UC SHIP plan benefits please go to: http://studenthealth.ucsf.edu/insurance .
3. Other International Visitors
The list is not intended to be exhaustive nor does it imply any endorsement or product guarantee by UCSF International Students and Scholars Office.
VISIT Travel & Medical Insurance Program
PO Box 210
Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Toll Free: 1-800-247-5575
General: 1-703-660-9062
Website: www.visitinsurance.com
Students Coverage (International Student Health Insurance)
355 West Olive Avenue,
Suite #205,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Phone: 408.737.2538
Fax: 408.737.2555
Website: http://www.visitorscoverage.com/
International SOS
International SOS Assistance Inc.
3600 Horizon Boulevard
Suite 300
Philadelphia, PA 19053 USA
Phone: 215 942 8000
Fax: 215 942 8299
Website:http://www.internationalsos.com
