Your health and well-being are vital to your success at WSU. We are pleased to offer health insurance to our international students to help defray the costs of any care you need to receive while you’re here.   

It’s important to remember that health care in the United States is very expensive and likely looks different than it does in your home country. We highly recommend that you get insurance so you can get the care you need without having to worry about the cost. 

You can read more about our international student insurance plan below.

  • Understanding the U.S Health Care System

    Health care is very expensive in the United States. International students and scholars and their family members cannot rely on any government assistance with medical expenses, as few states approve even partial Medicaid to nonimmigrants. 

    Overall, international students and scholars are fully responsible for their medical costs unless they are covered by health insurance. If you or a member of your international community does not have insurance and needs medical care, that person will be responsible for paying the full cost of their care. 

    It is important to have health insurance with coverage effective as soon as possible after arrival to protect your well-being. It is generally impossible to wait until you are sick or hurt to purchase insurance. 

    You can find more information on key insurance terms on our Understanding Insurance page. 

  • Enrollment and Coverage

    The 2023-2024 plan will be provided by UnitedHealthcare StudentResources (UHCSR). The plan starts on August 1, 2022. 

    Starting around September 1, you will be able to create an online account with UHCSR through their app or on their website. You can view the brochures on summarizing plan details and certificate of coverage to learn more. You can also request printed copies for in-person pickup. 

    Dental coverage is not part of your student insurance plan, but you can choose to purchase your own dental insurance through Delta Dental. 

  • Vision Clinic Insurance Benefits

    The benefits listed below are for WSU International Students, Graduate Assistant Students, and Health Sciences Students who choose to opt in.

    • 1 routine eye exam each academic year (August 16th to the following year, August 15th) covered at 100%.  There is no deductible or copay.
    • $200 hardware benefit each academic year.  Hardware includes eyeglass frames, eyeglass lenses, contact lenses, and prescription sunglass lenses.
    • Medical eye appointments in the CHS Vision Clinic are covered at 100%.  Deductible does not apply.

    If receiving care outside of Cougar Health Services Vision Clinic:

    • 1 routine eye exam each academic year covered up to $65.00 (up to $100 beginning 8/16/2023).
    • $200 hardware benefit each academic year.
    • Medical eye appointments are subject to a $500 deductible.

  • 2023-2024 Plan: How to Reduce Your Out-of-Pocket Costs

    Note: Definitions of bolded insurance terms below can be found on our Understanding Insurance page.

    The 2023-2024 plan is a preferred provider organization plan, or “PPO.”  It provides a higher level of coverage when covered medical expenses are received from healthcare providers who are part of the plan’s network of “preferred providers.” The provider network for this plan is "Choice. "

    The plan also provides coverage when covered medical expenses are obtained from health care providers who are not preferred providers, known as “out-of-network providers.” However, a lower level of coverage may be provided when care is received from out-of-network providers, and you may be responsible for paying a greater portion of the cost.  

    To receive the highest level of benefits from the plan, you should obtain covered services from preferred providers whenever possible. The easiest way to locate preferred providers is through the UnitedHealthcare website, which lets you easily search for providers by specialty and location. The availability of specific providers is subject to change without notice.  

    To find a UnitedHealthcare StudentResources Provider (UHCSR):  

    1. Go to the UHCSR website.  
    2. Type "Washington State University" under your school’s name.  
    3. Click FIND PROVIDERS on the main menu.  

    From there, you can search for medical and behavioral providers in your area. If you need more help, try these step-by-step instructions. 

  • Out-of-Pocket-Reimbursement

    If you’ve paid out of pocket for a medical expense, you can request reimbursement. Submit a claim form, along with proof of payment, to UHCSR by mail or email. Instructions and addresses are included on the form. For questions about this process, call UHCSR at 800-767-0700.

  • Additional Benefits

    Your insurance benefits include access to many different services to support your health and well-being, including: 

    • Healthiest You: A 24-hour telehealth service that connects you with a board-certified physician via phone or video chat for a consultation, diagnosis, and treatment—a great option for WSU Pullman students to use on evenings, weekends, or holidays when our medical clinic is closed! This service also provides national virtual counseling that lets you get the help you want, the way you want it. You can access psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and licensed professional counselors via ongoing text communications, live chat, phone, video, or groupinars. 
    • Student Assistance Program: A set of services including 24/7 counseling, assistance with legal and financial issues, and mediation services.
    • Global Emergency Services: You (as well as your spouse and/or dependent children if they are enrolled) get access to doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and certain other services when faced with a travel or medical emergency while traveling 100 miles or more from your permanent residence. Please see Section 23 on the Certificate of Coverage. 

  • Cost

    Please review the 2023-2024 ISHIP Rate Table for specific information on costs for students, spouses/partners, and dependents. Printed copies of this document are available upon request.

  • Exemptions

    Only students who fit into one of the following criteria may be exempt from enrollment in the international student health insurance plan: 

    • Students enrolled in a medical insurance plan sponsored by a United States employer of themselves or a family member (parent, spouse/partner) 
    • Students enrolled at WSU but conducting research outside of the United States 

    If you feel you meet one of these criteria, please send your request to cancel your insurance to student.insurance@wsu.edu. Please provide proof of coverage and/or your reason that you might be exempt.

  • Dependent Enrollment

    Spouses, domestic partners, and children may be enrolled at your request. The enrollment/cancellation deadline is the 13th day of classes for the fall and spring semesters and the 5th day of classes for the summer sessions.

    Dependent enrollment must be completed every semester.

    To add a spouse or domestic partner, please complete the Declaration of Marriage or Domestic Partnership. Declaration only needs to be filled out one time per year unless you’ve had changes.
    Complete the below forms to enroll your dependents or cancel their coverage:

    Printed copies of all documents are available upon request.

  • Language Assistance

    UHCSR provides free language assistance services in over 20 languages. Call 1-866-260-2723 for more information.

  • Prescription Services for Students Outside Pullman

    Do you have prescriptions that you take regularly? Our pharmacy in Pullman can fill and mail maintenance medications to students who have a WSU student insurance plan (ISHIP or GSA).

    We’ll need 3-5 business days to fill and mail your prescription. Make sure to give us plenty of notice before you need a refill. We’ll bill your insurance to reduce the amount you pay at the time you fill the prescription.

    Examples of maintenance medications include:

    • Birth control
    • Antidepressants
    • Blood pressure medication
    • Oral diabetic medications

    There are some restrictions. If you have questions or would like to start receiving your prescription by mail, contact our pharmacy.

  • Summer Enrollment

    International students who begin their studies during the summer session can enroll in summer medical insurance until the fall semester begins. You can see the forms and rates for Summer 2024 on the enrollment form.

  • 2022-2023 Plan Claims

    If you were enrolled in the 2022-2023 plan, you have up to one year to submit claims for medical services provided to you on or before August 2023. Your insurance administrator is UnitedHealthcare Student Resources.

  • 1095-B Tax Form

    1095-B forms for the 2023 tax year will be available at a later date on your UnitedHealthcare StudentResources account.