Waivers

Students in F visa status who already have Health Insurance can apply for a waiver.

NDUS Policy/Procedure 505 says that I can request a waiver of the insurance if I have comparable coverage. Where can I find more information on this?

If students already are enrolled in existing comparable coverage, a student may request a waiver of the UHCSR insurance policy. Overview of Health Insurance for International Students in North Dakota from from United Health Care Student Resources.

What is the intent of this waiver?

This waiver process is only intended for students who have already existing coverage (usually through a spouse/parent’s U.S. employer, or through their own U.S. employer like if they’re on OPT). Health insurance plans can be very complicated. You must be very careful when deciding to select an alternate plan - There may be additional costs later for you with this other plan, or even limitations on coverage, that you did not anticipate when you enrolled.

Will my plan qualify for a waiver?

We are not able to confirm or deny if a plan meets requirements – that is all the student’s responsibility. You must carefully read the criteria on the NDUS website, plus this entire page carefully - we have included a few common reasons for denials below.

Even if you have a policy that meets the criteria, almost every student with a waiver also needs to purchase a separate “Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains” policy to make it comparable to the United plan. Typically that is about $100/year for that supplemental plan. Please read the entire NDUS page fully – and pay particular note to the list of “Non-Compliant” plans.

Deadlines

The waiver deadline each semester is the same date as the "Last day to Add classes via Campus Connection/Last day for no-record Drop/Withdraw to Zero Credits @100% refund." This date is different each semester depending on the academic calendar. No exceptions are made after this date. The deadlines are also posted on the NDUS website mentioned above.

Waiver deadline: is the same date as Drop/Add date deadline for each semester.

Please note, J students and dependents will not qualify for a waiver due to the stipulations of NDSU's agreement with the U.S. State Department.

How to Request a Waiver

The health insurance enrollment and waiver process depends on whether you are a new or returning international student.

New International Students – Fall or Spring

Once you enroll in classes, your enrollment information will be sent to ECI, NDSU’s international student health insurance administrator. Within approximately one week of enrolling in classes, you should receive an email directly from ECI.

This email will provide instructions to:

• Opt in to the NDSU international student health insurance plan, or
• Request a waiver if you have other health insurance coverage that meets NDSU’s waiver requirements.

If you take no action, you will be automatically enrolled in the NDSU international student health insurance plan.

Returning International Students – Fall Semester

Returning international students will receive an email from ECI each fall with information about health insurance enrollment and the option to request a waiver.

Returning International Students – Spring Semester

If you were enrolled in the NDSU international student health insurance plan during the fall semester, your coverage will automatically continue for spring semester. You will not automatically receive a new ECI email with an opt-in or waiver option for spring.

If you are a returning student and would like to request a health insurance waiver for spring semester, contact your International Student Advisor for assistance.

What happens when I'm approved?

If approved, you'll receive an email from ECI Services confirming the approval. NDSU will be notified, and we will remove the charge from your account within a few weeks. Please be patient while we process waiver requests.

Why might my waiver be denied?

Below please find the most common reasons for a waiver denial.

1. Coverage is not active - ECI Services was unable to determine if you had coverage nor what the start date of that coverage is.
2. You have a gap in coverage - You cannot have a gap in coverage between when the previous plan ended, and when your new comparable plan begins.
   • For waivers, your plan always must be active before these dates: August 16 (for Fall waivers); January 1 (for Spring waivers).
3. The deductible is too high - to qualify it must be $500 or less.
4. You missed the waiver deadline - These deadlines are posted on the NDUS website.
5. Plan does not have Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains coverage. Most plans do not.
   • If your plan is denied for this reason only, read the denial email carefully - ECI Services will provide you with instructions on how to purchase this supplemental coverage and the denial will be reconsidered.
6. If it does not meet even one of the waiver criteria listed, or if the plan is listed under the Non-Compliant plans section of this page:ND University System Health Insurance Waiver

I missed the waiver deadline, what can I do?

You are still required to purchase the ND University System required health insurance policy for this period. If you are still enrolled at NDSU during the next waiver cycle, and your comparable coverage remains the same, you can apply for a waiver during the next cycle. This will happen in August (for Fall waivers) and in December to early January (for Spring waivers).