Health Insurance for Special Programs: Study Abroad and In Absentia

Students who will be studying abroad or in absentia can enroll in the University-sponsored health insurance plan offered through UHS, or they can remain on their parent’s or their own health insurance.

For the semester(s) you will be abroad, you can:

• Remain on your own, or your parent’s, health insurance: If you remain on your own insurance, you do not complete the Online Health Insurance Process for the semester(s) you will be abroad or in absentia. With this option, you do not pay the mandatory health fee. When you return to Rochester, you are welcome to come to UHS for care. You will be charged for your visit(s) until you begin paying the mandatory health fee. You will need to complete the Online Health Insurance Process prior to the beginning of the semester you return to campus.
• Enroll in the UR Student Health Insurance Plan: If you choose this option, complete the Special program insurance form and send it to the UHS Insurance Advisor by fax (585-756-0263) or by e-mail to insurance@uhs.rochester.edu. You will be billed for the mandatory health fee and health insurance on your tuition billing statement. If you return to campus before the start of the next semester, your visits to UHS will be covered by the mandatory health fee.

When you return to campus:

• If you are returning in September: If you were abroad during the spring semester and are returning to campus for the fall semester, you must complete the Online Health Insurance Process during the Fall Open Enrollment period (June – September 15). The link is in Quick Links on the UHS home page.
• If you are returning in January: If you were abroad during the fall semester, you must complete the Online Health Insurance Process for the spring semester. You will have the option of enrolling in the UR Student Health Insurance Plan or waiving the insurance if your plan meets the University insurance criteria. The Spring Open Enrollment period is November 17 through January 31. If you were enrolled in the UR Student Health Insurance Plan while you were abroad, please contact the UHS Insurance Advisors at insurance@uhs.rochester.edu about your insurance status for the spring semester.

If you will be studying abroad for the summer only:

• Until July 31: Your insurance coverage will remain the same as your coverage during the preceding academic year. (i.e., if you are on the UR Student Health Insurance Plan, you will remain on this plan through July 31. Likewise, if you waived the UR Student Health Insurance Plan, you will remain on your own health insurance plan through July 31.)
• Beginning August 1: August 1 is the beginning of the new insurance year. You need to complete the Online Health Insurance Process by July 1 to enroll or waive the UR Student Health Insurance Plan for the upcoming academic year. Your selection to enroll or waive the UR Student Health Insurance Plan will be your choice for the entire year (August 1-July 31).
• Special Program Eligibility Form: You do not complete this form if you are studying abroad for the summer only.

If you have questions about health insurance:

The UHS Insurance Advisors can help you with questions. If you need proof of insurance letter, the UHS Insurance Advisors can help you. Contact the UHS Insurance Advisors, at insurance@uhs.rochester.edu.