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Health Care Services

Purchasing Health Insurance

All international students are required to purchase and maintain adequate health insurance coverage while they are in the United States. To meet the health insurance requirement, we expect you purchase the CSU-sponsored health insurance. The current required health insurance is United Healthcare.

To purchase ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø Required United Healthcare Insurance please carefully follow these steps:

1. Click on Enroll Now below 
2. Search for "California State University - San Marcos"
3. Click "Explore Now" under "Medical - High Plan w/Dep"
4. click "Get Started" and "Continue as a guest"   
5. Select "F1 - International" and an appropriate policy term. USE YOUR ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø EMAIL.
6. Fill out the remaining details and use your preferred mode of payment.

Visual Guide

Please Note: You might have a small fee if you can use your credit card.

7.  Use your ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø ID under School Assigned ID and ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø Email  as email address.

OPT and STEM/OPT Health Insurance Guidelines

• F-1 students on OPT or STEM/OPT who CHOOSE to use the ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø International Insurance have specific guidelines.
• If you are currently using our ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø Cigna Health Insurance while on OPT or STEM/OPT, you may continue with our new carrier.
• We are changing from CIGNA to United Health Care.
• If you are on OPT or STEM/OPT and did not maintain the CIGNA, you are not allowed to purchase our United Health Care.
• ONLY OPT and STEM/OPT students who maintained CIGNA through Aug 14, 2025, may purchase the United Health Care.
• All OPT and STEM/OPT students who choose to purchase the United Health Care must have NO lapses in coverage to maintain it.
• ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø health insurance can NOT be used when your OPT or STEM/OPT Expires. 

Outside Health Insurance Restrictions

Students looking at other insurance options: only the following alternative policies will be reviewed and they need to meet the Health Insurance Requirements listed below:

• Policies for students sponsored by their home country government or the U.S. government.
• Students covered with a U.S. policy through a family member’s employment.

Important: You must submit a petition to the Office of Global Education to approve your alternative policy. The petition must be accompanied by documentation clearly describing (in English) the policy benefits and restrictions. *Do NOT purchase before the policy has been approved.  Stop by the Office of Global Education to speak with an advisor about the petition process.

Examples of alternative policies that are no longer accepted:

Over 90% of the alternate insurance policies, especially those that were purchased in another country as travel insurance, are not accepted by ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø.

• AIG/AUG Insurance - Japan, Korea
• Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance – Japan
• ICICI Lombard General Insurance – India
• Bajaj Allianz Insurance - India
• ISO Student Health Insurance - Any country

Health Insurance Requirement

Your health insurance must meet the following California State University International Student Health Insurance requirements:

• The medical benefit is unlimited, with a deductible of no more than $100.
• The policy is valid as long as you are enrolled at ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø.
• The repatriation benefit is at least $7,500.
• The medical evacuation benefit is at least $10,000.
• The policy provides equal benefits for men and women.
• The policy includes prenatal (pregnancy) and maternity coverage at no extra cost.
• The policy pays for pre-existing conditions after six months of continuous coverage. 

On-Campus Health Services 

The University has a complete Student Health & Counseling Services facility on campus with a physician and all students have access to the SHCS as part of their enrollment. SHCS will refer students to specialists if they cannot be treated on campus.

If you are an international student covered by the medical insurance policy offered by CSU San Marcos, you may either visit SHCS or your own physician. If you visit health services first, all deductible payments are waived if you are referred to a specialist.  SHCS also provides immunizations for students needing to fulfil their immunization requirement and Aetna Health Insurance will reimburse students 100% of the cost.  Stop by Global Education to find out how to file a claim.

All consultations with Student Health & Counseling Services are strictly confidential. U.S. law prohibits Health Services from releasing any information about you to anyone (including parents, spouses, or other relatives) without your written permission.

SHCS has health information available in many different languages. They also have access to interpreter services to assist you in  understanding doctor's instructions.

SHCS is located directly across from the University Student Union. You can either stop by to make an appointment or call them.

Off-Campus Urgent Care Clinics

 Always go to an Urgent Care Clinic if the situation is not life threatening. Bring your health insurance card with you.