F-1 Health Insurance
Office of International Education

International Students Without Assistantship

ESF students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are required by SUNY policies to maintain adequate health insurance with medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. International students (F-1 or J-1 status) are automatically enrolled in the SUNY Health Insurance Plan prior to matriculation and the fee for the medical coverage is added to the Bursar bill. The annual single student premium for the SUNY Plan is $994.75 for 2009-2010 academic year. You will be enrolled in this insurance every year of your program and the coverage will continue until graduation.

The SUNY Health Insurance Plan is serviced by Haylor, Freyer & Coon and covers accidents and sicknesses as well as visits to and referrals from the Syracuse University's Health Services Center. Questions regarding coverage and policy information should be directed to Haylor, Freyer & Coon at 315-451-1500 or  1-800-289-1501, be sure to ask for a college specialist. You can also e-mail them: student@haylor.com.

About a month after enrollment, students should receive their health insurance card. This must be presented to the medical facility when medical care is requested. If you do not receive your Health Insurance card, please contact the Cashiers Office (102 Bray Hall / 315-470-6630).

• SUNY Health Insurance Plan Brochure (2009-2010)
• SUNY Dependent Health Insurance Plan Brochure (2009-2010)

Alternative Health Insurance Coverage

Students are permitted to substitute the plan by completing a Health Insurance Coverage Statement and submitting evidence of comparable alternate coverage [a copy of your health insurance plan coverage details; proof of medical evacuation and repatriation coverage (if not included in your primary health insurance policy); and proof of enrollment (e.g., health insurance card)] as long as the coverage is maintained throughout the duration of the academic program. Please note that comparable coverage is coverage that meets or exceeds all of the minimum requirements noted below.

Minimum Health Insurance Requirements:

• Medical benefits of at least $200,000 (US $) per person per accident or illness
• Medical benefit coverage payable up to the reasonable and customary charges of the following expenses:
  • Physician and surgical, ambulance, emergency room, in-patient and out-patient care, mental and nervous costs, maternity care, nursery care of a newborn child
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
• Expenses associated with medical evacuation to home country in the amount of $10,000
• A deductible not to exceed $50 per sickness or injury
• Coverage of pre-existing conditions

You must submit the Health Insurance Coverage Statement along with evidence of comparable alternate coverage to the Cashier in 102 Bray Hall or the Bursar’s office in 103 Bray Hall within 30 days of the first day of class each semester you attend SUNY-ESF. If you do not present this evidence within this time frame, you will be responsible for the full insurance coverage for that semester.

Students who Hold a State Graduate Assistantship

F-1 visa holders are required to enroll in the NYSHIP plan through Human Resources. You must also purchase supplemental Medical Evacuation and Repatriation coverage ($72/ year) at the Cashier's Office as the NYSHIP insurance does not include this coverage. To enroll in they NYSHIP plan, contact Human Resources (216 Bray Hall).

Students who Hold a Research Foundation Assistantship

F-1 visa holders may choose between the International Health Insurance Plan offered through the Bursar’s Office or the Research Foundation Student Health Insurance (RFHI). If you choose the RFHI, you must provide a copy of the insurance application (not the hire form) to the Cashier's Office in order to just be billed for medical evacuation and repatriation ($72/ year) as the RFHI insurance does not include this coverage. To enroll in the RFHI plan, contact Human Resources (216 Bray Hall). Please note: The Syracuse University Health Center is NOT covered as a network provider by the RFHI Plan.

Family/Spouse Health Care 

Adequate health insurance with medical evacuation and repatriation coverage must be obtained for every member of your family who accompanies you to the U.S. The SUNY Health Care Plan can be purchased for dependents who join you in the U.S. The fee for the 2009-2010 academic year is: $2136 (spouse); $1152 (child).

If you have children who will be attending public schools, you will be required to show proof of immunization, including the three D.P.T (diptheria, pertussis, tetanus). Bring copies of medical records for yourself and your family members.