Health Insurance
International Admissions
Health insurance through UnitedHealthcare.
As an international student, you are required to have health insurance. The 2024–25 annual insurance rate is $1,717.92. Premium amounts will be billed to your university student account unless you have been approved for a waiver. The fall semester (coverage from August 1 to December 31) is $715.80, and the spring semester (coverage from January 1 to July 31) is $1,002.12.
If your spouse and/or children are accompanying you on F-2 visas, you can cover them under a separate international insurance policy.
Your Options
Opt-out eligibility and local health facilities.
As an international student, you are required to purchase the health insurance plan offered through the university unless you fall into one of the following three categories that qualifies them for a waiver:
- Government-sponsored students whose home government purchases insurance for students and does not just supply funds to purchase an insurance plan of their choice
- Students working for an employer based in the United States, Canada, or Mexico, or who are the dependent of someone working for an employer based in the United States, Canada, or Mexico (and who has employer-based health insurance that is valid in the United States)
- Students who are participants in an official study-abroad exchange program (J-1 exchange students)
Individual and private insurance companies not falling into one of these three categories will not qualify for the waiver.
If you are in one of the three categories eligible for a waiver, please note that the minimum criteria for granting a waiver are as follows:
- Coverage must be in effect from the first day of classes through the last day of final exams.
- Medical benefits per accident or illness of at least $200,000.*
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000.*
- Medical-evacuation coverage in the amount of $50,000.*
- An annual deductible per year not to exceed $500* per illness (per person).
- Insurance policy must be underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of A− or above, an Insurance Solvency International,Ltd. rating of A-I or above, a Standard and Poor’s Claims Paying Ability rating of A− or above, or a Weiss Research Inc. rating of B+ or above; alternatively, the participant’s policy may be backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor's home country.
*Amounts must be in US dollars and are the minimal amounts required at the time a waiver request is reviewed at the university.
If you need to see a doctor because you are sick and need medication, have a mild injury, or any other nonemergency health assistance, we advise you to stop by the local Redimed. If it is an emergency, do not hesitate to visit the nearest hospital or dial 911 for the police, fire department, or an ambulance. Remember to take your insurance card with you when you go to Redimed or the hospital, and expect to have to pay money during checkout, directly after you are finished with the doctor.
Purdue Fort Wayne has a health clinic on campus for students. Visit Purdue Fort Wayne Clinic for more information.
There are also dental and optometry offices available throughout town, but keep in mind that the health insurance offered to you does not cover dental or eye care.
Note: There is no monetary profit for the university if a student purchases the university’s plan. The benefit is ensuring that all international students have an adequate health insurance plan and that they are protected from huge financial burdens.