Health Insurance & Immunizations

New, incoming students must complete several health-related requirements before arriving on campus.

New Student Health Requirements Checklist 

Health Insurance Requirement for all ̽»¨ÊÓƵ Students

All students attending ̽»¨ÊÓƵ must have comprehensive health insurance every semester.

Students can choose health insurance coverage through

  1. an individual plan or
  2. the plan of a family member, employer, or government sponsor or
  3. °ä±«â€™s Anthem Gold Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

Information about selecting or waiving university health insurance coverage is on the Health and Well-Being website.

J-1 EXCHANGE STUDENTS: You do not need to submit proof of insurance to Health Services or waive insurance. You must upload your insurance plan documentation to the Immigration Check-In (J-1) e-form as part of the Immigration Check-In process.

  • Insurance for exchange students in J-1 status must meet .

SPONSORED STUDENTS: If your sponsor provides your medical insurance, you must waive the ̽»¨ÊÓƵ Anthem Gold Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) insurance by the waiver deadline to avoid having to pay for the insurance yourself.

CU Health Insurance Resources

U.S. Health Care & Insurance Resources

Immunization Requirement for All ̽»¨ÊÓƵ Students

All students must complete the two immunization requirements and a questionnaire before the deadline to avoid a late fee and registration hold.

View Immunization Requirements 

Students on J-1 visas: Regulatory Health Insurance Requirement

U.S. immigration law requires exchange visitors including exchange and degree-seeking students on J-1 visas to maintain comprehensive medical insurance. The insurance must begin on the program start date indicated on the Form DS-2019 and continue to the end date on the form. The coverage must meet including coverage for evacuation and repatriation of remains.

The J insurance coverage must provide the following
minimum coverage:

  • Minimum medical benefit of $100,000 per person per accident or illness;
  • Deductible that does not exceed $500 per accident or illness;
  • Minimum repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;
  • Minimum medical evacuation expenses In the amount of $50,000; and
  • Co-insurance paid by J-1 not to exceed 25% of covered benefits per accident or illness.

Insurance policies:

  • May require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions that is reasonable as determined by current industry standards; and
  • Must not unreasonably exclude coverage for the perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which you participate.

Any policy, plan, or contract secured to fill the J insurance
requirements must at minimum be:

  • Underwritten by an insurance corporation having:
    • An A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above; or
    • A McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor Claims-paying ability rating of "A-" or above; or
    • A Weiss Research, Inc. rating of "B+" or above; or
    • A Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of "A- or above; or
    • A Moody's Investor Services rating of "A3" or above; or
  • Be backed by the full faith and credit of the exchange visitor's home country; or
  • Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees enrolled students by a designated sponsor; or
  • Offered through or underwritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization or eligible Competitive Medial Plan as determined by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

J-1s and any J-2 accompanying spouse and dependent(s) may also be subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act [22 CFR 62.14(a)] . Be aware that the ACA requirements may exceed the U.S. Department of State requirements.

The Exchange Visitor (J-1 Visa) Insurance Resource List includes options that meet the US government requirements.

Note on failure to obtain insurance: ISSS is required by law to terminate the J-1 SEVIS record of exchange visitors who willfully choose not to carry the required insurance for themselves and their dependents in J-2 status. Individuals with terminated SEVIS records must depart the U.S. immediately.

Insurance Compliance E-Form

All exchange visitors on J-1 visas must provide ISSS with a valid Insurance Compliance e-form (available in the MyISSS portal).