Health Insurance

CSU Requirement
Campus Health Insurance Plan
How to Purchase the CSU Plan
Alternative Health Insurance Requirements

CSULB International Student Health Insurance fees for 2007- 2008

Because of increasing health care costs in Southern California, international students will see a small rise in the cost of the approved CSU International Student Health Insurance plan for the 2007- 2008 school year.   To keep these costs as low as possible for as many students as possible, the fees for the approved plan will depend on the age of the student.  

The cost for the CSULB approved International Student Health Insurance Plan for the 2007- 2008 academic year is:

The approved CSU International Student Health Insurance plan pays 90% of covered health care costs for services provided by an in-network doctor, clinic or hospital (PPO).   As with previous plans, the 2007-2008 plan has a $100 deductible as well as a small copay for each office visit.   There is a $100 deductible for each emergency room visit, which is waived if admitted directly from the ER to the hospitial.

Click here for an example of how the CSU International Student Health Insurance plan works for a student who falls ill.

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CSU Health Insurance Requirement

The California State University requires that all CSU F-1 and J-1 international students have health insurance coverage that meets specific criteria, prior to registering for classes. The Center for International Education (CIE) is charged with ensuring that CSULB international students are in compliance with this health insurance requirement. International students will not be able to register for classes until the CIE has received proof of appropriate health insurance.

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Campus Health Insurance Plan

CSULB, in conjunction with an independent insurance broker, Wells Fargo Insurance Services, makes available an approved policy that meets all the specific criteria of the CSU. Under the campus policy, international students can choose to purchase insurance for an entire year and are covered from August to August with payment of the annual premium. Alternatively, fall and spring semester coverage can be purchased separately. However, by purchasing the annual plan effective in August, premiums are slightly cheaper and students will avoid a registration during the spring semester.

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How to Purchase the CSU Plan

The following options are available to international students who wish to purchase the CSU Health Insurance plan:

1. Go to www.csuhealthlink.com. This is the quickest and easiest way to purchase your health insurance with a credit card (Visa or MasterCard). You can print out a confirmation of your purchase and the CIE automatically receives an email notification from the insurance company confirming your enrollment in the plan. If you purchase insurance via the web, there is no need for you to bring proof of purchase to CIE – CIE will remove your registration hold by the end of the next business day.
2. Call Wells Fargo Student Insurance Services (1-800-853-5899) and enroll over the phone using a credit card (Visa or MasterCard). You will receive confirmation of your enrollment in the mail from the insurance company. The CIE automatically receives an email notification from the insurance company confirming your enrollment in the plan. If you purchase insurance over the phone, there is no need for you to bring proof of purchase to CIE – CIE will remove your registration hold by the end of the next business day in most cases.
3. Go to the CSULB University Student Union, Room 220 (USU-220) and purchase insurance (check or money order – make sure you have sufficient funds in your account so that your check will be covered by your bank). After you purchase your insurance there, bring a copy of your receipt to the CIE – CIE will remove your registration hold by the end of the next business day in most cases.
4. Pick up an enrollment form from the CIE and mail it to the insurance company, following the instructions on the form (if you pay by check, make sure you have sufficient funds in your account so that your check will be covered by your bank). You will receive confirmation of your enrollment in the mail from the insurance company. This method of enrollment in the health insurance plan may take up to 14 business days to process, after which the CIE will receive notification of your enrollment and remove your registration hold.

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Alternative Health Insurance Requirements

While the campus health insurance plan is relatively inexpensive and is easy to purchase and use, international students may decide use an alternative insurance policy to meet the health insurance requirement.  In order for the Center for International Education to approve a student's alternative health insurance plan, the student must provide to the CIE documentation of the following criteria:

1. The medical benefit must be at least $100,000 per condition;
2. The medical evacuation benefit must be at least $10,000 (provides transportation to your home country in case of severe illness);
3. The repatriation benefit must be at least $7,500 (provides transportation of your remains to your home country in case of death);
4. The deductible must not exceed $500 per injury or illness;
5. The waiting period for pre-existing conditions must not be more than six months;
6. The policy premiums must be fully prepaid until at least to the end of the current semester of enrollment. Premiums may not be paid monthly, quarterly or come due during the semester.

What About Local, U.S. Insurance Plans such as FHP, Blue Cross, Kaiser, etc.?

Local U.S. insurance policies often meet all of the CSU requirements for international students except for items # 2, 3 and 6 listed above. Items 2 & 3 can be met by purchasing a separate medical evacuation/repatriation (information is available in the CIE) at a minimal annual cost. Requirement #6 can be met as long as the student is willing to prepay premiums on their local insurance policy.

PLEASE NOTE: CSULB does not accept policies where premiums are paid monthly or quarterly as meeting the requirements for a waiver petition (Item #6). Petitions will only be approved with evidence of premiums that have been pre-paid for a full semester or year.

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