Student Health Insurance

Healthcare in the United States can be expensive. Unlike most countries that provide health care to the country's entire population, the U.S. healthcare system is a mix of public and private, for-profit and nonprofit insurers and healthcare providers. Individuals must choose and enroll in a health insurance plan with a health insurance provider to pay for a percentage of the cost of health care. 

Brandeis University and the State of Massachusetts require that all students, regardless of visa status, carry personal health insurance. All international students will be automatically enrolled in the School Health Plan (SHP). For information about the SHP coverage, costs, enrollment, or the waiver process please go to the Student Health Center website.

Fall 2023 Accessing Healthcare at Brandeis Information Session

F-1 Student Health Insurance

Massachusetts state law requires that students enrolled in an institution of higher learning must have a qualifying student health insurance program or a health plan of comparable coverage. Therefore, all Brandeis University students are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Plan. For information about the SHP coverage, costs, enrollment, or the waiver process please go to the Student Health Center website. 

J-1 Student Health Insurance

J-1 and J-2 visa holders are required by federal and state law to be enrolled in a qualifying student health insurance program. J-1 visa holders will be automatically enrolled in the Student Health Plan (SHP) which meets both state and federal requirements. Maintenance of health insurance coverage, for oneself and dependent family members, is the responsibility of the J-1 Exchange Visitor. In addition, J-1 students will need to complete the J-1 Health Insurance Agreement (pdf) prior to enrollment to confirm that they and their dependents have adequate health insurance.  

U.S. Federal Government Health Insurance Requirements for J-1 Students and Dependents
  1. Medical benefits of at least US$100,000 per accident or illness;
  2. Repatriation of remains in the amount of US$25,000;
  3. Expenses for medical evacuation of the visitor to his/her home country in the amount of US$50,000;
  4. A deductible not to exceed US$500 per accident or illness.

To comply with these regulations, health insurance policies must be underwritten by corporations having one of the following:

  • A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above
  • Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-I" or above
  • Standard and Poor's Claims Paying Ability rating of "A-" or above
  • Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above
  • Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of "A-" or above
  • Moody's Investor Services Rating of "A3" or above

Alternatively, the sponsor may ascertain that the participant's policy is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor's home country.

Insurers to consider for students no longer enrolled at Brandeis: