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Unlike in many countries with government-funded healthcare, medical care in the U.S. is very expensive and must be paid for by individuals. Even a short hospital stay can cost thousands of dollars. Due to these high costs, F visa holders are required to carry health insurance. To ensure students are properly covered, �첥��Ƶ Cortland Community College (TC3) and the State University of New York (SUNY)* require all F visa students to enroll in health insurance through SUNY’s plan, provided by United Healthcare (UHC). Attached is the “Highlight Sheet” for their specific plan.

Who is eligible?

All international students and visiting scholars (J1, M1, & F1 visa holders) are eligible and are required to be enrolled in the plan, unless a waiver is granted by SUNY. (See the separate brochure with plan benefits for J1 Scholars and F1 students on OPT.) Eligible students and scholars may also (or may be required to) insure their dependents. Eligible Dependents are the student’s spouse or domestic partner and dependent children under 26 years of age. International visitors on other types of visa may be eligible. Please consult with the SUNY plan administrators for any eligibility questions.

• F-1 visa students are automatically enrolled in the UHC international insurance plan shortly after registering for classes each semester. This plan is unique in that it includes coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation. The requirement of U.S.-based international insurance that meets certain standards is required for all F visa holders in the U.S.
  Primary care, ER and Urgent care in Ithaca and Cortland
• Enrollment in UHC insurance takes place closer to your arrival to campus (which may be earlier for fall athletes), we will send you an to notify you of your enrollment and to ask you to look for an a welcome email from United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) at notifications@uhcsr.com, with instructions to access their account. Note that this will go to your personal email.
• Through the UHCSR website, you can print your insurance ID card, review coverage details, search for in-network medical providers, track claims, and more. See below for definitions of insurance-related terminology.

Important: SUNY insurance includes a one-time annual deductible of $100. Out of network deductible is $400. Please note that very basic dental coverage is included and no vision unless for medical injuries/emergencies. That is why we suggest arranging check-ups at home during vacations or breaks.

The Student Health Insurance Plan Offers You:

• Unlimited coverage for primary care providers, specialists, emergency visits and hospitals
• Unlimited coverage for preventative care, including annual physicals, GYN exams, routine screenings and immunizations
• Prescription Drug Coverage: $10 copay for tier 1 drugs, and a $20 copay for tier 2 or 3 drugs
• Unlimited coverage for inter-collegiate athletics
• Unlimited coverage for mental health
• Evacuation and Repatriation Services
• Tele-Doc service for minor sickness, injury & mental health

For Student Athletes

The SUNY international insurance plan covers most injuries related to participation in official college (NJCAA) sports teams. In addition to UHC, if an athlete is injured during scheduled practice or games, TC3’s own insurance will provide additional coverage, with UHC being the primary insurance. Club/Recreational sports are not included. For more information, contact the Office of Global Initiatives. 

Definitions of some common U.S. health insurance terms:

• In-Network: Doctors, hospitals, or clinics that work with your health insurance plan and cost you less.
• Out-of-Network: Doctors or places that don’t have a relationship to your insurance, so they usually cost you more.
• Deductible: The amount of money you pay first each year before your insurance starts helping.
• Co-Pay: A small, fixed amount you pay for a service (like a doctor visit) each time, even if you’ve met your deductible.

Locating an In-Network Provider on the UHC Site

 When a student is enrolled in their UHC coverage just prior to arriving to campus, they should register their account and will then have access there to the list of in-network providers within a given radius of their current location. 

They should be mindful if sick or injured to go to an in-network provider to reduce personal costs. If you are interested in viewing in-network providers in advance, you can view the lists by accessing the UHC site as a guest. “Options PPO” is the name of the plan that international students enroll in and under which to locate/preview are providers. .

How to Get More Info, Locate Healthcare Providers, Manage Claims, etc.

To check claims status, ask benefit questions, locate a provider in the US, or to inquire about specific drug coverage under this policy: 888.714.6544 | customerservice@uhcsr.com

For medical providers in the US, please log in to your account and then click Find a Doctor. 

To create or login to your UHC student account

Please visit or download UHC’s mobile app from your smartphone (UHCSR Mobile App) available on the App Store or Google play.

Your UHC student account allows you to:

• View and download your insurance card
• Review claims and dates of service
• Locate participating providers

*Disclaimer (per SUNY Policy):  

“Neither the State of New York, through its agents, nor the State University of New York through its agents and employees, is responsible in any manner whatsoever for the payment of any claim for health-related services provided to individuals covered under this insurance policy.  The State of New York and State University of New York are not responsible for obligations incurred by individuals who are not covered by this insurance policy.  All individuals participating in State University’s health insurance program described herein are responsible for reviewing all descriptions of the scope and level of coverage offered by this policy.  Such participants will be solely responsible for obtaining additional coverage not provided under this program if such is deemed necessary by the participant.”   - SUNY Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Graduate Studies, and Professional Programs and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business, Memorandum to Presidents, “Guidelines for the Implementation of Health Insurance Coverage for International Exchange, Research, and Study Programs, Vol. 86, No. 9, June 5, 1986.