Health Insurance

Mandatory Health Insurance:

Health care is very expensive in the United States and is not paid for by the government. Individuals are responsible for their medical costs unless they are covered by health insurance, and it is important that you have health insurance coverage effective as soon as possible after your arrival to protect your well-being. All our international students must have health insurance coverage.

To make things easier for you, the University will automatically enroll you in the International Student Accident & Illness Insurance Coverage. Student Accounts will automatically bill you for this, and you will see it labeled as “insurance” on your student bill. The insurance rate for the academic year is $900.

Family members of the F-1 students and Students on OPT are required to have health insurance coverage and are eligible to enroll individually through ISO International Student Health Insurance (isoa.org)

Students on OPT also have an option to enroll with EIIA and must inform the International Student Support Coordinator by the end of May. 

Important Deadlines:

Coverage dates of the University of Lynchburg International Plan for each academic year:

• Aug 1-July 31
• Coverage by EIIA
• Coverage is adjusted for single-semester exchange students or students beginning in January. 

Coverage dates for International Health Insurance

• Fall Semester: Aug. 1-Dec. 31
• Spring Semester: Jan 1-July 31

F2 Dependent Health Insurance Enrollment

F1 International Students are responsible for their dependent’s health insurance. Since dependent health insurance is very expensive for our dependent students, we highly encourage caretakers to enroll in ISO health insurance for the F2 students. 

Summary of Benefits:

• Global coverage with no out-of-network providers
• $100 deductible
• 80% coverage after the deductible
• Wellness benefits

A full summary of benefits can be found here.

For a guide to International Insurance Basics, click here.

Dental and Vision Coverage:

EIIA Insurance does not cover dental and vision except in the event of an injury or accident. If you are unsure if your insurance will pay a procedure related to a dental or vision injury or accident, you can call NAHGA at 1- 877-497-4980.

You can also get dental care done at the Free Clinic of Lynchburg or pay out of pocket at a dental clinic in the area. We highly suggest you call the clinics before arrival and inquire about the out-of-pocket costs. 

You can also visit vision clinics in the area and pay out of pocket for services; make sure to inquire about costs before the appointment. 

Health Insurance Card:

A digital copy of your health insurance card will be emailed to your Lynchburg inbox at the beginning of the semester. Make sure to print it out and carry it with you at all times. If you find any errors (name, date of birth, etc.) on the card, immediately reply to the email with the correct information. 

How to Use Your Health Insurance Card:

1. Take your health insurance with you to the healthcare provider along with a photo ID.
2. We strongly advise you to first visit HornetCare, our Health Center, located at Hundley Hall, Terrace level, during operating hours. If you need further assistance, the Health Center staff will refer you to the appropriate health care provider. Remember that you can visit any health care provider with your health insurance card.
3. For emergency and after-hours care, visit here.
4. If you have a life-threatening emergency, dial 911” and delete the remainder of that sentence.

Student Health Form

As you begin your academic journey with us, we kindly ask that all international students complete the required Student Health Form and other required health information. You can access the forms within your student portal. For more information, please visit the Health Center’s web page or feel free to reach out to the Health Center if you have any questions. They want to help! 

What to expect from the health care provider:

At the University Health Center,

1. When you visit the Health Center, you will need to give your health insurance card and fill out the patient forms before you can see the health care professional.
   1. Be sure you have submitted all required health forms to the Student Health Portal.
2. Most medical costs will be waived when you visit the Health Center.

At other health care providers:

1. You will need to provide your health insurance card, show a photo ID, and fill out paperwork.
2. You may or may not have to pay the deductible before or after seeing the healthcare professional. If you’ve met your deductible, you do not have to pay at the time of your visit.

What to do after you’ve been to the health care provider outside the Health Center:

1.  If you did not provide your health insurance information during your visit, make sure to call the health care provider to provide the insurance information so they can bill your insurance company.
2. Make sure to check your mailbox once a week for your medical bill. Keep in mind that you may be getting more than one bill, as the medical billing system could operate very differently depending on where you are from. 
3. Carefully read your bill to see the cost of the services received, how much insurance is covered, and how much you need to pay (deductible and/or co-pay).
   1. You will also receive an EOB (Explanation of Benefits) letter from the health insurance company once it covers the portion of your medical bill. If you do not receive it, make sure to call NAHGA at 877-497-4980.
4. It is a good practice to call your healthcare provider to find out how many bill(s) you should expect to receive, if there’s any financial assistance you’re eligible for, and if there’s any payment plan you can enroll into if you can not pay the entire amount.
5. Remember that you can always call your healthcare provider’s billing department if you have any questions.

Medical Billing in the U.S.:

As an international student, it is important to understand that the medical bill is not one big total cost that you can pay all at once. The medical cost will come to you in smaller bills for the services and procedures you receive from the medical professionals. So it is your responsibility to make sure that you receive all the medical bills, check to make sure that insurance covers its portion of the bills, check to make sure the correct payment is made, and pay your part of the bill. 

Deductible: It is the amount of money you, as an insured individual, need to pay in order to kickstart your insurance policy. $100 is the deductible amount if you are enrolled in the University EIIA plan.

Coinsurance is the percentage of the medical cost you will have to pay after you meet your deductible. You will need to pay 20% of the medical bill. 

Alternative Insurance:

If you already have health insurance that offers coverage in the United States, you will need to submit proof of alternative insurance coverage that meets the requirements below and a waiver form to the International Student Support staff before your arrival at the University of Lynchburg.

To meet the University’s health insurance standard, please see the minimum requirements listed below and ensure your policy provides the equivalent or greater.

1. Medical Benefits of at least $250,000 per accident or illness
2. Repatriation of Remains in the amount of at least $50,000
3. No out-of-network providers (global coverage)
4. Wellness Component 
5. Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
6. A deductible not to exceed $100 per accident or illness
7. Must include coverage for both accident and illness (travel insurance and insurance that covers emergencies only is not acceptable)
8. Coverage must begin no later than the student’s date of arrival in the U.S. and last until at least July 31 for degree-seeking students or through the end of your time at the University of Lynchburg for exchange students.

Please remember that if we do not have proof of health insurance within two weeks of your arrival, you will be automatically enrolled in the school policy and responsible for the fee by the date communicated by Student Accounts.