Health Insurance Guide for Case Western International Students

Starting a new chapter at Case Western Reserve University is exciting, new city, a new program, and new people. But somewhere between figuring out housing and getting your visa sorted, there's one thing that often catches international students off guard: health insurance.

Here's the short version. CWRU requires all students to have active health coverage. If you don't provide proof of your own plan that meets the university's standards, the Student Medical Plan charge shows up on your bill automatically. What most students don't realize is that you can waive that charge, and an ISO plan is one of the most popular ways to do it.

This guide walks you through exactly how CWRU's health insurance requirement works, what it takes to get a waiver approved, and how ISO plans stack up against the university's default option.

CWRU's Health Insurance Requirement

Case Western Reserve University requires every student to maintain health coverage throughout the academic year. The university's Student Medical Plan is administered through Aetna Student Health and provides access to a wide network of providers. It also gives you access to CWRU's University Health and Counseling Services (UH&CS) on campus, located at 2124 Cornell Road in the Dental Research Building.

The university's intent is clear: no student should be without coverage, especially when they're far from home and navigating a new healthcare system. For international students especially, having a plan that works in Northeast Ohio from day one is non-negotiable.

What CWRU Looks for in a Waiver Plan

If you already have health insurance or you're considering buying your own, you can apply to waive the Student Medical Plan. CWRU reviews every waiver application against a specific set of criteria. Your plan must:

• Be issued by a company licensed to do business in the U.S., with a U.S. claims office and phone number
• Have unlimited annual and lifetime benefits (no policy maximum)
• Be currently active and remain in force for the entire academic year
• Cover pre-existing conditions with no waiting period
• Provide coverage in Northeast Ohio or wherever you're taking CWRU classes
• Cover emergency and non-emergency inpatient and outpatient services, including labs, diagnostics, primary and specialty care, physical therapy, and mental health treatment

International students have two additional requirements: emergency medical evacuation coverage of at least $50,000, and repatriation coverage of at least $25,000. These are important, they protect you if a medical emergency requires transport to a qualified facility or, in the worst case, arrangements to return home.

One more note from the university: starting with the Fall 2026 waiver period, plans like Kaiser Permanente and out-of-state Medicaid will no longer be accepted, since they don't provide coverage in Northeast Ohio.

The Waiver Process: How It Actually Works

Once you have a qualifying plan, you submit your waiver through MyHealthConnect, CWRU's student health portal. You'll fill out the waiver form, enter your insurance details, and upload clear photos of both sides of your insurance ID card. The waiver must be submitted before the deadline, submitting after it closes can mean being locked into the university plan for the semester.

One thing worth planning ahead for: your coverage needs to be active before the waiver deadline, not just ordered. If your plan hasn't started yet when you submit, the waiver may be rejected. This is especially relevant for students arriving from abroad, buy your insurance before you land in Cleveland.

How ISO Plans Are Built for This

ISO has been providing health insurance specifically for international students in the U.S. since 1958. The plans are designed to meet the kinds of requirements that universities like CWRU set, including the evacuation and repatriation minimums that standard U.S. consumer plans often skip entirely.

ISO offers three plans for CWRU students, all running on the Aetna PPO network, which gives you access to providers across Cleveland including major health systems in Northeast Ohio.

Plan Comparison: CWRU Student Medical Plan vs. ISO Plans

Feature	CWRU Student Medical Plan	ISO Share	ISO Care	ISO Care Elite
Annual Cost	$3,986	$969	$1,089	$1,629
Deductible (In-Network)	$400	$1,250	$500	$40
Coinsurance (In-Network)	80%	80%	80%	90%
Annual Maximum	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Pre-existing Conditions	Covered	Covered	Covered	Covered
Preventive Care	100% In-Network	100% In-Network	100% In-Network	100% In-Network
Mental Health	Covered	Covered	Covered	Covered
Medical Evacuation	—	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000
Repatriation	—	$50,000	$50,000	$50,000
Student Health Center Copay	Varies	$0	$0	$0
CWRU Waiver Eligible	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes
Saving	N/A	$3,017	$2,897	$2,357

All three ISO plans meet CWRU's international student waiver requirements, including the evacuation and repatriation thresholds.

The right plan for you depends on your priorities. ISO Share keeps monthly costs low and works well if you expect to stay healthy and want coverage mainly for unexpected situations. ISO Care hits a middle ground, a moderate deductible with solid in-network coinsurance. ISO Care Elite is the closest to a premium plan, with a very low deductible and 90% coinsurance.

Step-by-Step: Waiving the CWRU Plan with ISO

Step 1: Go to the ISO website and pick the plan that fits your budget and coverage needs.

Step 2: Complete your enrollment online. The process takes under five minutes and your documents are emailed instantly.

Step 3: Log into MyHealthConnect and navigate to the waiver section. Upload your insurance card.

Step 4: Submit before the deadline. Once approved, the charge is removed from your account.

A Few Things CWRU International Students Often Overlook

• Your coverage must work specifically in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio
• Mental health coverage is important and should not be limited
• Medical evacuation coverage is critical for international students

Making the Decision That's Right for You

Health insurance is one of those things where the right answer depends on your situation. If you expect to use healthcare regularly, a lower deductible plan like ISO Care or ISO Care Elite gives you more predictability.

If you're generally healthy and want to keep costs down, ISO Share covers major risks at a lower cost.

What matters most is having active coverage that meets CWRU requirements and submitting your waiver on time.

Starting your program at CWRU is a big deal - getting your insurance squared away early means one less thing to manage when you're settling in.

Compare ISO plans for CWRU and enroll on the ISO website. Your insurance card is emailed instantly after enrollment, so you can submit your waiver right away.