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All international students taking 1 or more credit hour (and their dependents) must carry health insurance coverage available through SUNY (or comparable coverage) for the duration of their academic registration at UB. These policies also apply to J-1 student interns, and are set by SUNY Administration.
This page is only for international students. If you are an international scholar, please visit the international scholar page.
| International Students | International Scholars |
|---|---|
| Students are registered for classes (undergraduate or graduate), arrive at UB at the beginning of a semester, and leave at the end of a semester. This includes J-1 student interns. | Scholars are not registered for classes (they may be doing research or specialized training), and arrive and leave UB at any time, depending on their program. |
| Coverage | Coverage Dates | Deadline for Enrollment and Waivers | Premiums |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | 8/15/24 - 1/14/25 | 9/27/24 |
$1066.67
|
| Spring Semester and Summer | 1/15/25 - 8/14/25 | 2/28/25 | $1478.01 |
| Summer Only | 5/15/25 - 8/14/25 | Determined on a case-by-case basis | $641.40 |
| Monthly | The 15th of each month to the 14th of the next month | Determined on a case-by-case basis | $211.03 |
Open enrollment is available until the deadline regardless of your coverage history. You can also enroll any time throughout the year with no gap in coverage from your previous plan if you have a life-changing event; please read this page carefully for more details. Please review the enrollment form and dependent enrollment form for more information, including off-cycle rates.
All international students are billed and enrolled into the SUNY health insurance once registered for at least 1 credit hour due to their student visa. No action is needed for an international student to be enrolled into the SUNY health insurance.
If a student has a personal health insurance, they may apply for a waiver to opt out of the SUNY health insurance. The personal health insurance must be comparable or better than the SUNY policy and meet all requirements to receive a waiver. The health insurance waiver is an annual process that must be completed to have the charge for the health insurance refunded from the student account. Once an approved waiver is on file, the charge for the health insurance will be refunded and the student account will be charged for the required medical evacuation and repatriation insurance. The medical evacuation and repatriation insurance is required for all international students.
If there is no approved waiver on file by the waiver deadline, the student will remain enrolled into the student health insurance.
Students that have assistantships enroll into the student employee health insurance through Human Resources which is a different insurance company than the student health insurance through our office. Graduate and Teaching Assistants enroll into the NYSHIP SEHP policy and Research Assistants enroll into the UMR policy.
Qualifying international scholars are insured through UnitedHealthcare Student Resources (UHCSR).
For more details about the plan, including links to find a participating provider, information about your coverage (including dental and vision benefits), and ways to manage your account, please contact UnitedHealthcare Student Resources.
You are automatically enrolled after you are billed for the insurance through your student account. Within 3-5 business days of enrollment, you will receive a welcome email from notifications@uhcsr.com with login and ID card access instructions.
This email will contain instructions on how to setup your online account and view/download your ID card once you login.
If you missed this email, you can go directly to www.uhcsr.com. Enter “UB” for your school and follow the rest of the instructions to complete your account setup.
Your online account gives you 24/7 access to your health insurance information. Once you create your account, you can search for providers, review claim information, access member guides, etc.
UHCSR has a downloadable app with a virtual ID card. You can download the mobile app to have access to your information on the go. The app is available through Google Play and the Apple Store; please visit the UHCSR website for links to the app.
You can use the UnitedHealthcare Student Resources portal to search for providers who participate with the insurance. Please check your plan for information about copays, deductibles and other costs.
Take your insurance ID card with you to all medical appointments.
To enroll dependents in the SUNY health insurance plan, you will need to complete the Dependent Enrollment Form, and submit it along with payment for your dependents to UnitedHealthcare Student Resources directly.
You can only enroll your dependents after you have been enrolled in SUNY health insurance by the Student Health Insurance Office.
Medical evacuation insurance pays for you to be transported to the nearest medical facility or your home country in case of serious illness or injury. Repatriation insurance pays for your remains to be transported to your home country in case of death.
You may need to purchase this coverage if you are an international scholar. Faculty and staff members going abroad are eligible for this coverage, but are not required to enroll.
If you have already enrolled in the SUNY International Health Insurance, do not complete this form.
If you are an international student with an approved waiver on file, do not complete this form. If the Student Health Insurance determines that you need this benefit for your waiver to be approved, you will automatically be enrolled and billed for this coverage.
If your dependents are covered through SUNY International Health Insurance, medical evacuation and repatriation is included. If your dependents have waived out of the comprehensive insurance, you can enroll them into the medical evacuation and repatriation coverage (if needed) as long as you have enrolled into this insurance.
Even if you are able to waive the basic SUNY health insurance, you may have to purchase the SUNY medical evacuation and repatriation insurance unless you already have such coverage. The waiver for medical evacuation and repatriation insurance is part of the standard waiver for health insurance. When we review the information provided by your insurance company, we will determine if you are required to purchase the medical evacuation and repatriation insurance, and let you know by email.
If you receive a job that offers insurance, or get private coverage through other means, you may be eligible to cancel your insurance through SUNY. Contact the Student Health Insurance Office to request an Early Termination application.
Student Health Insurance Office
Student Life
1 Capen
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260-2100
Phone: (716) 645-3036
If you have private health insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum requirements, you can request a waiver of the premium. Acceptable plans must be:
You will only be permitted a waiver of the cost of the SUNY health insurance if your policy matches or exceeds the policy available through SUNY, and is approved by Haylor, Freyer and Coon. In some cases, your policy must also match or exceed requirements from the U.S. Department of State (policies that meet SUNY requirements typically meet these requirements; the UHCSR plan available through SUNY far exceeds U.S. Department of State requirements).
The health insurance plan provided by sponsoring agencies to Fulbright students and scholars studying at UB does not meet the SUNY requirement. Fulbright students and scholars will need to enroll in the SUNY health insurance plan, or request a waiver if they have comparable private insurance.
Please see the chart on this page for deadlines. You can also apply anytime throughout the year (off-cycle) if you have a life-changing event that causes you to lose other health insurance coverage. Common events may include:
Your application must be submitted within 30 days of loss of coverage, and your student account will be billed accordingly (prorated or with the additional premiums).
Please see your plan for specific details.
The waiver must be approved for the premium to be refunded from the student account. Waivers must be submitted annually.
Please follow these steps to request a waiver.
2. Submit a copy of your insurance ID card with your waiver.
3. Haylor, Freyer and Coon will review your online entry to determine if your policy is comparable to every policy item mandated by the State University of New York. If your waiver is denied, you will get an email within three business days explaining the reason for the denial.
If you are remaining in your home country and would like to opt out of the international student health insurance UHCSR please complete this waiver and have your department sign. The completed form must be uploaded to the Haylor, Freyer and Coon portal.
Phone: 866-535-0456
Email: student@haylor.com
It is your responsibility to check your UB email. If you request a waiver and it is denied, your notification will arrive via email. In addition, the University no longer generates a paper tuition statement. Your Student Account Statement is by eBill only. Failure to view your eBill details will not be accepted as a reason to waive the insurance charge after the published deadline.
For help understanding and navigating the health insurance process.
Student Health Insurance Office
Student Life
1 Capen
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260-2100
Phone: (716) 645-3036
Phone: 866-535-0456
Email: student@haylor.com
For questions about your plan
UnitedHealthcare Student Resources
International Students Policy #2022-203-415-41
; OPT/J1 Policy #2022-203415-44
; Study Abroad Policy #2022-203415-43
Dependent Enrollment Forms and General Inquiries
P.O. Box 809025
Dallas, TX 75380-9025
Phone: (888) 714-6544
UnitedHealthcare Student Resources
International Students Policy #2022-203-415-41
; OPT/J1 Policy #2022-203415-44
; Study Abroad Policy #2022-203415-43
Claims
UnitedHealthcare Student Resources
P.O. Box 809025
Dallas, TX 75380-9025
Phone: (888) 714-6544