International Student Health Insurance
All international students on F-1 or J-1 visas who attend a State University of New York (SUNY) campus are required to purchase the International Student Health Insurance Policy provided by SUNY System Administration.
This comprehensive policy provides access to health care in the community and internationally, including:
- Preventive care
- Primary care office visits
- Urgent care visits
- Ambulance and emergency care
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
- Mental health services
- Required immunizations
- Prescription drugs
- Laboratory services and imaging
- Medical, political, and natural disaster evacuation and repatriation
Insurance Fee and Coverage Start Dates
The insurance fee will automatically appear on your SUNY Poly bill as “Intl. Medical Ins.”
- Fall admits: Coverage begins August 15.
- Spring admits: Coverage begins January 15.
2025–26 Inbound Student Health Insurance Plan (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Graduate and Research Assistants
F-1 students hired as research or graduate assistants by New York State or the Research Foundation may have the option to enroll in the applicable employee health insurance plan instead of the required SUNY international student health insurance policy.
Eligible students will be contacted by Human Resources to discuss available options after they are hired by the University.
Navigating Health Care at SUNY Poly and in the U.S.
I am a graduate student receiving funding as a Graduate Assistant (GA) through New York State. How does this impact my mandatory health insurance requirement?
F-1 students hired as graduate assistants through New York State may have the option to enroll in the New York State Student Employee Health Plan (NYSSEHP) instead of purchasing the required SUNY international student health insurance plan.
Details about this option are included in the official Graduate Assistant offer letter from Human Resources and are reviewed during the Human Resources onboarding process.
Students who select NYSSEHP will also be billed $90 for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance because that coverage is not included in the New York State plan. This fee is required for international students regardless of assistantship funding and is non-refundable.
International students are required to have health insurance in place when they arrive in the United States:
- August 15 for a fall start
- January 15 for a spring start
Initially, all F-1 students will be billed for the SUNY international student health insurance plan, which includes medical evacuation coverage. Once the student has arrived in the United States and the Graduate Assistant appointment is complete, students who enroll in NYSSEHP may have the SUNY health insurance charge credited to their account.
Students are encouraged to review SUNY Poly's payment plan options (opens in a new tab) to avoid paying the full SUNY health insurance cost immediately upon arrival.
Important: If the SUNY health insurance plan is used before NYSSEHP coverage becomes effective, the student will be charged the full SUNY health insurance amount for the semester.
What is the difference between the health service fee and the medical insurance fee?
SUNY Poly bills two separate health-related fees that provide different services. Both fees are mandatory and cannot be waived.
- Health Service Fee: All students pay this fee for health and counseling services provided by the SUNY Poly Wellness Center. There are no or minimal additional charges for many services provided on campus.
- Medical Insurance Fee: This SUNY-mandated fee provides international students with comprehensive medical insurance coverage in the United States and internationally.
How do I obtain my insurance ID card and access my policy information?
Within the first few weeks of the semester, the insurance company will send an email to your SUNY Poly email address confirming that SUNY Poly has enrolled you in the insurance plan.
Follow the instructions in that email to create your account and obtain your insurance ID card. You must create an account with the insurance company to access your ID card and policy information, including benefits, participating providers, claims, and payments.
Do I need my insurance ID card to receive health care services?
You should carry your insurance ID card with you when receiving health care services.
The SUNY Poly Wellness Center does not bill your health insurance plan for services provided on campus. However, you may need your insurance ID card if you are referred off campus for additional services, such as laboratory testing or X-rays, or if you seek care when the Wellness Center is closed.
How can I reduce my out-of-pocket health care costs?
- Visit the SUNY Poly Wellness Center first for non-emergency health care during regular business hours.
- When seeking care in the community, using a participating provider generally costs less than using a non-participating provider.
- Visit UnitedHealthcare Student Resources (opens in a new tab) and select SUNY Polytechnic Institute to review the appropriate plan and participating providers.
Student Health Insurance Program
Student Health Insurance Program Information (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Questions?
NYS Employee Health Plan Enrollment for GAs and RPAs
Contact the Office of Human Resources:
HR@sunypoly.edu
315-792-7191
Billing
Contact the Bursar's Office:
bursar@sunypoly.edu
315-792-7214
Benefits and Claims for the SUNY International Student Health Insurance Policy
Contact UnitedHealthcare Customer Service:
customerservice@uhcsr.com
1-888-714-6544
UnitedHealthcare Student Resources Library (opens in a new tab)
General Health Insurance or U.S. Health Care Questions
Contact the SUNY Poly Wellness Center:
wellness@sunypoly.edu
315-792-7172
