United States immigration regulations and Cal Poly require that you maintain health insurance coverage while in the United States and during school breaks. You are also strongly advised to continue your coverage during any extended stays outside the U.S. to ensure coverage of new conditions upon your return. Proof of this insurance is required prior to your being able to officially register for classes each quarter.

Health Insurance Requirements for International Students

International students’ and exchange visitors' health insurance policies must meet the following criteria:

• Coverage must be in place for each term of enrollment prior to registering for classes
• Coverage must include any periods of authorized work
• Degree-seeking students must be covered during summer quarter, regardless of enrollment
• Medical benefit is at least $50,000 per condition, illness, or injury
• Medical evacuation to your home country benefit is at least $10,000
• Repatriation of remains benefit is at least $7,500
• Deductible does not exceed $200 per accident or illness
• Co-insurance (the amount you pay for services) does not exceed 25%
• Covers your treatment by health care providers/doctors located in San Luis Obispo County
• Insurance billing address and phone number are within the United States (Note: this requirement is in place because most of our local health care providers in the area will not bill outside of the USA. They will ask for payment in full. Hospital costs are extremely high in the USA and most students do not have credit card limits high enough to cover costs.  At this moment, the only emergency facility in the area that will bill outside of the USA is French Hospital on Johnson Avenue.)

CSU HealthLink

For your benefit, safety and convenience, The California State University (CSU) system has negotiated a reasonable and comprehensive health insurance policy for international students. Health insurance protects you from having to pay large medical bills that can arise even from simple medical procedures. It is called CSU HealthLink, administered by Wells Fargo of California Insurance Services, Inc. IEP encourages you to purchase the policy endorsed by the CSU. It offers a special group rate and features a reduced deductible.

NOTE: This plan does NOT include vision or dental coverage.

Certain circumstances allow students to purchase insurance for a single quarter. Contact Susan Tripp for details.

Additional copayment and deductible amounts apply. Come to the IEP office or download a full brochure of covered services and exclusions.

Your coverage begins on the day your payment is recevied or the start date for the period purchased (listed above), whichever is later.  If you would like to purchase insurance by individual quarter of enrollment, or month of stay, contact Susan Tripp for paper enrollment forms.

The medical plan includes medical coverage provided by BC Life and Health Insurance Company and emergency travel medical evacuation and repatriation coverage administered by On Call International, Inc. A list of Anthem Blue Cross preferred medical providers can be found online. Click on "Find a Doctor" to access the online provider directory. You may also call 1 (800) 810-BLUE to locate a provider.

Wells Fargo will notify our office directly of your processed application and coverage period and you will not be required to bring a copy of your insurance notification to the office. To learn more about this policy, and to apply online, please visit the CSU Healthlink website.

Please note that in order to apply for the Wells Fargo health insurance program, you will need to provide Wells Fargo with a U.S. address. If you do not yet have a local San Luis Obispo address at the time you apply, you can temporarily use the International Education & Programs office address. Please use the following format when entering the address for Wells Fargo Insurance:

Name: Your Name
Street 1: c/o Cal Poly State University
Street 2: IEP, Bldg 38, Rm 145
City: San Luis Obispo
State: CAZip: 93407-0721

Your insurance card will be mailed to our office and you can pick it up when you arrive to Cal Poly.* It is your responsibility to notify Wells Fargo of your address change. When you secure housing, contact Wells Fargo by calling 1(800) 853-5899 and give them your address. This will ensure you will receive your claims and important information from Wells Fargo Insurance. Download the On Call International brochure.  If you purchase this plan alone or your purchase the Wells Fargo International Insurance, be sure your parent or guardian keeps a copy of the On Call brochure while you are here at Cal Poly. They will need to use it to make arrangements for you on your behalf. It is importand that you call On Call immediately before making any arrangements for emergency travel back to your home country in case of a medical emergency, or repatriation of your remains should you die in the USA. 

If you have additional questions about the CSU Healthlink plan or difficulty enrolling in the plan, please contact Susan Tripp by e-mail or by phone at 805-756-7535 or contact Wells Fargo Insurance Services at 800-853-5899

Other Insurance

If you already have an insurance policy that you believe meets the criteria listed above, it must be approved by International Education and Programs before you will be allowed to register for classes or begin your exchange visitor program.  If you already have an American health insurance plan that meets all the criteria above except for the Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation coverage, you may purchase that coverage separately on the same Wells Fargo Insurance web page.  That plan is called On Call International.   Download the On Call International brochure.  If you purchase this plan alone or your purchase the Wells Fargo International Insurance, be sure your parent or guardian keeps a copy of the On Call brochure while you are here at Cal Poly. They will need to use it to make arrangements for you on your behalf. It is importand that you call On Call immediately before making any arrangements for emergency travel back to your home country in case of a medical emergency, or repatriation of your remains should you die in the USA. 

To have other insurance approved, please provide:

• Completed Petition to Approve Alternate Health Insurance (doc)
• Proof from your insurance provider stating your name, dates of coverage, and policy number*
• A copy of the health insurance benefits written in English

Submit these documents to Susan Tripp via fax to 805-756-5484 or e-mail, sltripp@calpoly.edu. If you have any additional questions, please contact Susan Tripp by e-mail or by phone: 805-756-7535.

Students: Your health insurance registration hold will always appear on your student record. The effective quarter will be updated as you provide proof of renewed health insurance coverage. Please be sure to check the effective quarter and plan ahead to renew your coverage in time to register for the next upcoming quarter.

*Regardless of the policy you use, it is important to carry your valid insurance identification card with you at all times in the event that you need medical treatment.

Immunizations

Refer to the University Health and Counseling Center for immunization requirements for enrolled students. Refer to University Housing for immunization requirements for students living on campus. There are no immunization or health tests required to purchase health insurance offered by CSU HealthLink (Wells Fargo.)  There are no immunization requirements to apply for a J-1 or F-1 visa, or entry to the USA.