Health Insurance Guide for University of Rochester International Students

If you're an international student at the University of Rochester, health insurance isn't optional, it's a university requirement. Every full-time student must either enroll in the UR Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna) or waive it by showing proof of a qualifying alternative plan.

The good news? If you choose the right alternative plan, you can save over $2,700 a year.

University of Rochester's Health Insurance Requirement

All full-time students at U of R are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Program, which includes both a mandatory health fee and health insurance.

By default, a placeholder charge for the UR Student Health Insurance Plan is added to every student's account at the start of each academic year.

You have two options:

• Stay on the UR SHIP - pay the annual premium of $3,720 and use Aetna as your insurer
• Waive the UR SHIP - show proof of an alternative plan that meets University of Rochester Insurance Criteria

UR SHIP Waiver Requirements

To successfully waive the UR SHIP, your alternative insurance plan must meet all of the following criteria:

• Covers a minimum of $500,000 in medical benefits per plan year
• Deductible of $5,000 or less per person per plan year
• Covers prescription medications to a minimum of $100,000 per plan year
• Covers all pre-existing health conditions without restrictions
• Covers mental health conditions at the same level as other medical conditions
• Covers care related to pregnancy and childbirth
• Covers injuries related to intercollegiate athletics and recreational activities
• Covers healthcare (non-emergency) in the Rochester, New York region
• Must be in force for the full duration of your academic year

Open Enrollment Deadlines You Can't Miss

• Fall Open Enrollment: June 15 - September 15 (charges appear if not waived by July 10)
• Spring Open Enrollment: November 11 - January 31

Miss the deadline, and you'll be automatically enrolled in the UR SHIP for the full year.

How to Waive the UR SHIP Using an ISO Plan

ISO offers three plans specifically designed to meet the University of Rochester's waiver requirements.

Here's how the process works:

1. Choose your ISO plan and align your coverage start date (August 1 for fall)
2. Enroll online and receive your documents instantly
3. Log into your student account and access the waiver portal
4. Upload your insurance ID card and submit before the deadline

If your waiver is denied, you can appeal before the deadline or contact insurance@uhs.rochester.edu for assistance.

UR SHIP vs. ISO Plans: Side-by-Side

Feature	UR SHIP	ISO Share	ISO Care	ISO Care Elite
Annual Cost	$3,720	$969	$1,089	$1,629
Deductible	$0	$1,250	$500	$40
Coinsurance (In-Network)	Varies	80%	80%	90%
Annual Maximum	Varies	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 Coverage	Covered	Covered	Covered	Covered
Medical Evacuation	—	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000
Repatriation	—	$50,000	$50,000	$50,000
UR Waiver Eligible	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes
Estimated Savings	$0	$2,751	$2,631	$2,091

All ISO plans use the Aetna PPO network, giving you access to providers across Rochester.

Why University of Rochester International Students Choose ISO

ISO plans are designed specifically for international students and offer:

• Lower costs compared to UR SHIP
• Coverage that meets university waiver requirements
• Access to a nationwide provider network
• Medical evacuation and repatriation benefits

Ready to Waive the UR SHIP?

Compare plans and enroll at isoa.org/schools/university-of-rochester.

It takes less than 5 minutes and your waiver documents are available instantly.