International Students
Since Fall 2014, all new international students entering CalArts are automatically enrolled to have coverage through the CalArts Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), which is provided by UnitedHealthCare Student Resources. (Note: all continuing international students are eligible to waive the CalArts SHIP as usual). In rare cases, international students may be eligible to be waived from this requirement if they can provide clear evidence that their alternative health insurance plan is either government-sponsored, embassy-sponsored or meets the following requirements:
- Student are sponsored by the United States government; or
- Students are sponsored by a foreign government recognized by the United States or certain international, government-sponsored or non-governmental organizations, and covered under a health plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If the health plan does not include insurance coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation, a rider must be purchased providing coverage at equal limits to the SHIP; or
- Students are enrolled in an employer-provided group health plan that is compliant with the ACA. If the health plan does not include medical evacuation and repatriation, a rider must be purchased providing coverage at equal limits to the SHIP; or
- Student are enrolled in only distance learning programs for the academic year; or
- Alternate Coverage must be effective9/1/20-8/31/21
Note: If purchasing a qualified health plan that meets these requirements (which is consistent for J-1 visas), you must provide written documentation in English (with coverage values in US dollars) from the insurance company certifying that it covers all of the mandatory requirements. This evidence should be provided during the health insurance waiver process that takes place via the online tuition bill payment during the registration process.
Exceptions are rarely provided and may not be given for any of the following reasons, including but not limited to: financial hardship, indicating that you have a better plan or that somebody else was waived from this requirement. International students who wish to be waived from this requirement for the academic year must provide the necessary documentation by August 26 in order to use the insurance on September 1. Final deadline to waive is September 18th.
The Institute insurance includes coverage for the following benefits: Office visits, hospital inpatient and outpatient services, alternative services (e.g., chiropractic, acupuncture), outpatient prescription drugs (available at any pharmacy). Please note that the plan is compliant with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
If you are an incoming international student and have questions or concerns regarding the new insurance requirements, please email healthinsurance@calarts.edu.