Insurance

Insurance Regulation

Changes to Regulation 6.0162 are pending and scheduled for final adoption on June 2, 2026.

Why is insurance required for international students?

The University of South Florida (USF) requires international students to carry health insurance to comply with federal regulations and Florida Board of Governors (BOG) regulations. This requirement ensures students can cover the high cost of medical care in the U.S. and maintains their legal status. Carrying adequate health insurance allows course enrollment and supports students persistence in their university programs by facilitating affordable medical treatment and prescribed medication to support health.

Why was regulation 6.0162 changed? 

The university found that some alternative insurance policies were not providing adequate coverage for most widely used services needed by our students: prescription medicine, mental health sessions, hospitalization, and support for existing medical conditions such as Diabetes, Asthma, skin conditions, and gastrointestinal complaints. 

Nationally, the cost of hospitalization, prescribed medication, and medical treatments have increased.

What regulation elements have changed for students holding an F or J visa?

  • Preventative coverage - all students will be required to carry a medical policy with full preventative coverage. Preventative/wellness services as defined by HealthCare.gov vaccines/screening.
  • Outpatient Mental Health – minimum 40 sessions. Expanded care for prevalent concerns of university students. 
  • Full prescription coverage up to policy maximum – Expanded support for students with medical conditions as the cost of prescribed medicine increases.
  • Waiting period decreased from 6 months to 3 months for pre-existing medical conditions to support students with existing medical issues.
  • Policy Coverage increase of $500,000 – nationwide medical costs have increased, particularly hospitalization.

Does USF offer a health (medical) insurance plan for international students?

Yes. USF's sponsored student plan features comprehensive coverage that meets or exceeds regulations. The sponsored insurance plan offers higher coverage when utilized at USF Student Health clinics: No Deductible, Co-payment, and Co-insurance apply to most services rendered. The contracted insurance carrier offers a robust medical provider network for highest level of coverage towards services rendered outside of Student Health clinics. 

May I still provide proof of adequate alternative insurance policy?

Yes. Students may still waive the USF student insurance plan by providing an adequate alternative plan. The website will be updated by July 15 with additional information. Students may waive USF’s student insurance plan from July 15 through August 23. The deadline to submit documents to Academic Healthplans (AHP) is the first day of class. 

Is the process to waive USF Sponsored Insurance Plan the same? 

Students may still waive the USF student insurance plan by providing an adequate alternative plan. As part of the process, students will need to complete a short learning module on the U.S. national healthcare system to ensure they are informed consumers and can utilize their insurance policies for their continued health. Instructions will be available by July 15, 2026. Click Insurance Compliance page for our waiver process.

Where can I find common health insurance terms to help in reviewing policy coverage?

https://www.usf.edu/student-affairs/student-health-services/documents/23-24-common-health-insurance-terms-oct2023.pdf 

What is the Insurance Regulation for Fall 2026?
USF6.0162 OLD
An adequate health insurance policy must contain the following elements		 USF6.0162 NEW  for Fall 2026
An adequate health insurance policy must contain the following elements
Coverage Period: Policies must provide, at a minimum, continuous coverage for the entire period the insured is enrolled as an eligible student, including annual breaks during that period. Payment of benefits must be renewable; No changes 
2 (a) Room, board, hospital services, physician fees, surgeon fees, ambulance, outpatient services and outpatient fees paid at 80% or more of usual, customary, and reasonable (UCR) charges after deductible is met, for in-network, and 60% or more of usual, customary, and reasonable charge (UCR) for out-of-network providers per accident or illness and No changes 
2 (b) Commencing with students admitted for the Fall 2024 semester, for preventative/wellness services as defined by HealthCare.gov vaccines/screening mandated by USF Policy 33-002 Immunization and USF Policy 33-003 TB Screening.

Increasing Preventative Coverage - No Grandfathered exceptions
Preventative/wellness services as defined by HealthCare.gov vaccines/screening mandated by USF Policy 33-002 Immunization and USF Policy 33-003 TB Screening

3. Inpatient Mental Health Care
Paid at 80% in-network or 60% out-of-network of the usual and customary fees with a minimum 30-day cap per benefit period

 Inpatient Mental Health Care -
No changes 

4. Outpatient Mental Health Care
Paid at 80% in-network or 60% out-of-network of the usual and customary fees for a minimum of 30 - 40 sessions per year sessions per year.

Increasing Mental Health Coverage - 40 minimum outpatient / office sessions
Paid at 80% in-network or 60% out-of-network of the usual and customary fees for a minimum of 40 sessions per year.

5. Maternity Benefits
Must be treated as any other temporary medical condition and paid at no less than 80% of usual and customary fees in-network or 60% out-of-network.

 Maternity Benefits - No changes 
6. Inpatient/Outpatient Prescription Medication Must include coverage of $1,000 or more per policy year. Must include coverage of up to $1,000 per policy year after applicable copays/deductibles. 

Increasing Prescription Coverage
Insurance policy must pay for prescribed medications up to the plan’s yearly maximum, after any required copays or deductibles.

7. Repatriation of mortal remains
$25,000

 Repatriation of mortal remains -
No changes 

8. Medical Evacuation
$50,000 including coverage for an accompanying provider or escort, if directed by the physician in charge

 Medical Evacuation - No changes 

9. Exclusion Period
For pre-existing conditions - first six (6) months of the policy period, at most

Increasing Coverage by Decreasing Exclusion Period / Decreasing Waiting Period for Conditions
9. Exclusion Period for pre-existing conditions - first three (3) months of the policy period, at most

10. Deductible
Maximum of $50 per occurrence if treatment or services are rendered at a USF institution Student Health Services (or equivalent); maximum of $100 per occurrence if treatment or services are rendered at an off-campus ambulatory care or hospital emergency department facility

 10. Deductible - No changes 
11. Minimum coverage: $100,000 for covered injuries/illnesses per accident or illness per policy year;

Increasing Minimum Coverage
11. Minimum Policy Coverage
$500,000 for covered injuries/illnesses per accident or illness per policy year
12. Insurance Carrier must have an “A” rating or above per Part 62.14(d)(1) of Section 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations Insurance Carrier rating - No changes 
13. Policy must not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the student’s program of study. Policy coverage exclusions -
No changes 
14. Claims must be paid in U.S. dollars payable on a U.S. financial institution; and Claims payments - No changes 
15. Policy provisions must be available from the insurer in English. Policy provisions - No changes