Health Insurance Overview for University of Chicago International Students

If you're an international student at the University of Chicago, health insurance isn't optional, it's a requirement. Every registered student must either enroll in UChicago's Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP) or waive it by submitting proof of a qualifying alternative plan.

The good news? You have a real choice, and making the right one could save you thousands of dollars every year.

UChicago's Health Insurance Requirement

The University of Chicago requires all students studying at the Hyde Park campus to maintain active health insurance that covers both routine and emergency care in the U.S.

By default, you are automatically enrolled in U-SHIP, and the cost is billed directly to your student account.

For the 2025–2026 academic year, U-SHIP costs:

• $1,715 per quarter
• $5,145 annually

Unless you waive it before the deadline, this charge will remain on your bill.

You have two options:

• Stay on U-SHIP - keep the university plan (UnitedHealthcare StudentResources)
• Waive U-SHIP - submit proof of a comparable insurance plan and remove the charge

U-SHIP Waiver Requirements

To have the charge removed, your alternative plan must meet UChicago's comparable coverage standards. Here's what's typically required:

• U.S.-licensed insurer with a U.S. claims office
• Unlimited annual and lifetime benefits
• Covers emergency, urgent, and routine care in the Chicago area
• Covers mental health treatment
• Active for the full academic year
• No excessive waiting periods for pre-existing conditions

How to Waive U-SHIP with an ISO Plan

ISO has been offering health insurance for international students since 1958. ISO offers three plans specifically designed to meet UChicago's waiver requirements, and all three are significantly more affordable than U-SHIP.

Here's how the waiver process works:

1. Choose your ISO plan and align your start date with your enrollment period
2. Enroll online in under 5 minutes and receive your documents instantly
3. Log in to the UChicago waiver portal and upload your insurance card
4. Submit before the deadline (check wellness.uchicago.edu)

The decision to waive is binding for the remainder of the academic year, so make sure your plan is active before you submit.

Comparing U-SHIP vs. ISO Plans

Feature	U-SHIP	ISO Share	ISO Care	ISO Care Elite
Annual Cost	$5,145	~$969	~$1,089	~$1,629
Deductible (In-Network)	$400	$1,250	$500	$40
Coinsurance (In-Network)	90%	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 Coverage	Covered	Covered	Covered	Covered
Medical Evacuation	—	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000
Repatriation	—	$50,000	$50,000	$50,000
UChicago Waiver Eligible	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes
Savings	—	~$4,176	~$4,056	~$3,516

All ISO plans use the Aetna PPO network, which includes major providers in Chicago such as the University of Chicago Medical Center and Advocate Trinity Hospital.

Which ISO Plan Is Right for You?

ISO Share is best if you want the lowest monthly cost and are generally healthy.

ISO Care offers a balance between cost and coverage with a lower deductible.

ISO Care Elite provides the closest experience to U-SHIP with a very low deductible and higher coinsurance.

Life in Hyde Park - What to Know About Healthcare Access

The UChicago Student Wellness Center provides primary care and mental health services for all students.

Students also have access to a 24/7 nurse advice line and TimelyCare for on-demand support.

Getting Started

If you're a new international student arriving in Chicago, don't wait until orientation week to think about insurance.

The waiver deadline comes quickly, and your plan must be active before submission.

Students who miss the deadline are automatically enrolled in U-SHIP and billed.

Ready to Waive U-SHIP and Save?

Compare plans and enroll in under 5 minutes at isoa.org/schools/university-of-chicago.

Your insurance ID card and waiver documents are ready the moment you enroll.