International Students Health Insurance

The California State University (CSU) system requires all F-1 international and J-1 exchange students to have health insurance before you can register for classes at SFSU. To meet this requirement, you must enroll in the SFSU-approved international student health insurance plan.

A group of SFSU students gathered on a campus lawn, petting and interacting with a white therapy dog during an outdoor student wellness event.

Health care in the United States can be very expensive, and F-1 and J-1 students are not eligible for government-sponsored health insurance programs. 

This means that you are responsible for paying your medical expenses unless they are covered by your health insurance plan. To help you meet this need, SFSU partners with Alliant Insurance Services and United Healthcare to offer affordable health insurance coverage for international students. You can enroll in the plan online through the United Healthcare website.

General Information

2026-2027 Plan Summary and Rate (Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027)

Instructions to Purchase Insurance: 

Instructions for Setting Up United Healthcare MyAccount After Purchase

Video Resources

Insurance Card

  • You will not receive insurance cards by mail. The ID card will only be available within 30 days of the policy effective date. Please PRINT and always carry the insurance card with you.

Routine (meaning non-emergency) dental and vision care are NOT covered by the SFSU pre-approved insurance plan.  

Dental and/or vision insurance is not required by SFSU. Students who would like this coverage should purchase additional dental and/or vision insurance or be prepared to pay for such services privately. Students may use other dental and vision insurance services if they wish.  

See Voluntary Dental/Vision insurance information at United HealthCare's Student Resources page.

The following students may be exempt from purchasing the SFSU pre-approved insurance plan. Please email f1@sfsu.edu for waiver instructions. 

  • F-1 international students on government-sponsored scholarships that provide compatible insurance coverage as a part of the sponsorship.
  • F-1 international students receiving insurance coverage through an employer-sponsored plan in the United States (i.e., receipt of insurance as part of a spouse's U.S. employment benefits).
  • This exception does not apply to F-1 students who are receiving employer-sponsored plans from their CPT employers. 

If you are unable to attend SFSU you may request a refund before semester starts.  However, if you have filed a claim with their insurance or who submit a refund request after the refund deadline are not eligible for a refund. 

To request refund, please complete the steps below: 

  1. Drop all courses if enrolled
  2. Pay off all the outstanding balances showing at the SFSU Gateway/online student center.
  3. Email f1@sfsu.edu for refund. Please include full name and SFSU ID number. 

Refund deadline: Last day to drop/add. 

Learn about common terms and steps to file claim.  

Watch video instructions at United Healthcare’s video instructions.

Seeking Medical Help

Gator Student Health Center (GSHC) provides basic medical care to students who are enrolled at SFSU. Most GSHC services are covered by the Student Health Fee is included in SFSU tuition and fees.  *For J-1 exchange students it is the tuition paid to a student’s home universities. 

GSHC services include: 

  • Care for sore throats, stomachaches and coughs
  • Care for back and neck pain
  • Care for mental health concerns
  • Blood tests (e.g. to clear immunization holds)
  • General health and medical advice 

Not all GSHC services are covered by the Student Health Fee. Certain services are provided "at cost" which means that students must pay but at a lower-than-average price.  

Important: GSHC is NOT a walk-in clinic. Before accessing GSHC services, students must first make an appointment. Students can schedule an appointment by following instructions on the GSHC website.  
Students will have to pay no-show fees if they do not come to the appointment. 

Using Student Health Insurance at GSHC 

Students are required to pay for GSHC services first at the Student Center, then file a claim with insurance company to be reimbursed (paid back). 

To pay for the medical services received at GSHC: Log on to the Student Center and make payment, just like how they pay for tuition and fees every semester. 

Many off-campus healthcare options are available. Students must understand what each type of healthcare facility offers and when to use them. 

Students who wish to receive a general medical check-up or non-urgent medical care that is not available at GSHC may make a doctor’s appointment at an off-campus clinic that offers general or specialized medical care for a specific health concern. Find off-campus doctors (aka "providers").