NSU Health Insurance Guide for International Students

ISO Customer Care | Sep 29, 2026 Waivers

Key Takeaways

All NSU students are automatically enrolled in the NSU Student Health Insurance Plan when they register, and the charge posts to their student account through NSU eBill.
The 2026–27 standard annual NSU Student Health Insurance cost is $2,673, though your specific term charges and deadlines depend on when your program begins.
NSU approves a waiver only if your private plan meets all six of their requirements, including local coverage within 25 miles of campus and a contract with NSU Health Care Clinics.
The online waiver must be submitted by your program’s deadline and renewed once per academic year.

When you register for classes at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), you’re automatically enrolled in the NSU Student Health Insurance Plan, and the charge is added to your student account. International students attending classes in the U.S. must maintain medical insurance, but you may be able to waive the university plan if you have coverage that meets NSU’s requirements.

An alternative plan that meets all six NSU waiver requirements may cost less and allow you to have the university insurance charge removed from your account. Your waiver must be submitted online by the deadline assigned to your academic program.

What Is the NSU Student Health Insurance Plan?

NSU requires international students attending courses in the U.S. to maintain health insurance. When you register for classes, you’re automatically enrolled in the NSU Student Health Insurance Plan, and the charge is added to your student account. Coverage begins at the start of the term, and you can monitor the charge through NSU eBill.

The university’s student plan uses the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus network. NSU’s Student Health Insurance Department, which is part of the Office of the University Bursar, handles insurance charges and waiver questions, while UnitedHealthcare handles benefits, claims, ID cards, and provider searches. Insurance ID cards aren’t mailed. You can access your electronic card through the UHCSR mobile app or by creating an account through the UnitedHealthcare Student Resources website.

An approved waiver allows the Student Health Insurance Plan charge to be removed from your account. You must complete the entire online application and submit it by your program’s waiver deadline. If you miss the deadline or your alternative plan doesn’t meet NSU’s requirements, you’ll remain enrolled in the university plan for that semester or term and will be responsible for the charge. NSU may audit an approved waiver for accuracy, so initial approval doesn’t guarantee final acceptance.

How Much Does NSU Health Insurance Cost?

For the 2026–27 academic year, NSU charges $2,673 for 12 months of student health insurance coverage. Final-year students in certain NSU Health programs may instead pay $3,347 for 15 months of coverage.

Your individual charges, coverage periods, and waiver deadlines depend on when your academic year begins. NSU divides the annual cost between terms according to each program’s academic calendar. You can review the complete 2026–27 NSU insurance rate and deadline table on the university’s website.

Selected start-month schedules include:

Start Month	Term	Waiver Deadline	Coverage Period	Term Charge	Annual Total
May	Summer	June 15, 2026	May 1 – Dec 31, 2026	$1,794	$2,673
May	Winter	Feb 1, 2027	Jan 1 – Apr 30, 2027	$879	$2,673
July	Summer II	Aug 1, 2026	July 1 – Dec 31, 2026	$1,347	$2,673
July	Winter	Feb 1, 2027	Jan 1 – Jun 30, 2027	$1,326	$2,673
August	Fall	Sept 1, 2026	Aug 1 – Dec 31, 2026	$1,120	$2,673
August	Winter	Feb 1, 2027	Jan 1 – Jul 31, 2027	$1,553	$2,673
January	Winter	Feb 1, 2027	Jan 1 – Jul 31, 2027	$1,553	Varies

*NSU’s published table currently lists Feb 1, 2026 for the May-start winter waiver, even though that coverage period begins Jan 1, 2027. Contact the NSU Student Health Insurance Department to confirm the correct deadline before submitting your waiver.

The charges above apply to medical insurance. According to the NSU health insurance FAQ, the university doesn’t provide separate dental or vision plans. Students who need that coverage must obtain it elsewhere. NSU does, however, list one annual eye exam among the services available through NSU Health Care Clinics, so students should review the plan documents to understand how that service is covered.

What Are the Requirements to Waive NSU Health Insurance?

NSU approves a waiver only if your alternative insurance provides coverage that is at least equivalent to the university plan and meets all six NSU waiver requirements. An approved waiver may be audited for accuracy, so your plan must satisfy every requirement rather than only some of them.

To qualify for a waiver, your insurance must meet the following criteria:

U.S.-based insurance: The policy must be based in the United States, with a U.S. telephone number and billing address. You must provide an insurance card from a U.S. provider that displays this information.
Non-travel policy: The policy cannot be travel insurance. A policy designed primarily for temporary travel doesn’t qualify, even if it's technically international coverage.
Comprehensive local coverage: The plan must cover primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, and mental health care within 25 miles of your registered NSU campus. If you’re an online student, the 25-mile requirement applies to your residence. The plan must also be contracted with NSU Health Care Clinics. NSU doesn’t accept Medicaid, certain state plans, HMOs, or plans with limited out-of-state coverage. Kaiser Permanente plans also don’t qualify if they exclude non-emergency care outside their home state.
Mental health and chemical dependency: The plan must cover both inpatient and outpatient mental health care and chemical dependency treatment.
Prescription medication coverage: The plan must include benefits for prescription medications.
Unlimited lifetime benefit: The policy cannot place a lifetime dollar limit on covered benefits.

The third requirement deserves particular attention. A plan may provide nationwide coverage but still fail the waiver if it isn’t contracted with NSU Health Care Clinics. Review the clinic’s accepted insurance plans and confirm acceptance directly before purchasing coverage, as participating plans may change.

Additional Insurance Requirements for J-1 Students

J-1 exchange visitors and their accompanying J-2 dependents must also maintain insurance that meets the U.S. Department of State requirements. Federal regulations require:

At least $100,000 in medical benefits per accident or illness
At least $50,000 for medical evacuation
At least $25,000 for repatriation of remains
A deductible of no more than $500 per accident or illness

The policy must also meet federal insurer-rating or financial-backing requirements. These rules apply in addition to NSU’s six waiver criteria, not instead of them. ISO offers J-1 visa insurance plans designed to meet the U.S. Department of State’s insurance minimums. Because NSU has additional school-specific waiver criteria, J-1 students should confirm that the particular plan they select meets both sets of requirements before enrolling.

How to Submit an NSU Health Insurance Waiver

The waiver is completed online after you have qualifying coverage. You must first register for classes and wait for the NSU health insurance charge to appear on your student account. You must then submit the waiver by the deadline assigned to your academic program. Once approved, your waiver remains valid for one academic year.

Step 1: Enroll in a Qualifying Health Plan

Before starting the waiver, enroll in a plan that meets all six NSU health insurance waiver requirements. Pay particular attention to the requirement for coverage within 25 miles of your registered campus or residence and the requirement that the plan be contracted with NSU Health Care Clinics.

ISO currently offers three plans for NSU students:

ISO Share for NSU: $82 per month
ISO Care for NSU: $92 per month
ISO Care Elite for NSU: $149 per month

The plans are designed around NSU’s waiver requirements and use the Aetna PPO network. You can compare their deductibles, coinsurance, and other benefits on ISO’s NSU insurance page. Your insurance ID card and waiver documents are available immediately after enrollment.

Step 2: Register, Confirm the Charge, and Open the Waiver

The NSU waiver is only accessible after you've registered for classes and the student health insurance charge has been added to your account. Log into NSU eBill to confirm that the charge appears before beginning the application.

Once the charge is visible, open the NSU Student Health Insurance Waiver Application and log in with your NSU SharkLink ID and password.

Step 3: Enter Your Insurance Information

Have your insurance ID card and plan documents ready before you start. Enter your plan name, insurer, coverage dates, and the other required details. Proceed through every question and complete the entire application before submitting. Once submitted, an approval or denial will automatically appear on the screen.

After an approved waiver, allow up to 10 business days for the NSU health insurance charge to be reversed. Any resulting credit will first be applied to outstanding balances or applicable financial aid before the remaining amount is refunded.

Step 4: Understand the Audit and Know the Appeal Path

A denial doesn’t always end the process. If you believe your plan meets all six requirements, you can appeal by emailing studenthealth@nova.edu within 72 hours of the denial. The appeal must also arrive before your program’s waiver deadline.

Include the following information:

Your full name and date of birth
Your NSU ID number
Your NSU student email address
A copy of the front and back of your insurance card

If the deadline has already passed, the waiver will remain denied. You’ll be enrolled in the NSU plan for the full semester or term and will be responsible for the charge. You can submit another waiver before the next term’s deadline.

For questions about charges, waivers, or appeals, contact the NSU Student Health Insurance Department at (954) 262-4060 or studenthealth@nova.edu. ISO also provides multilingual customer support for students who need help understanding their plan documents or preparing their waiver information.

NSU Plan vs. Private Insurance: What Should International Students Choose?

The NSU plan automatically meets the university’s insurance requirement. ISO also offers three NSU-specific plans designed to meet the school’s waiver criteria. However, NSU retains final authority over waiver approval and may audit an approved application for accuracy.

The comparison below uses the standard 12-month NSU premium and current ISO rates for students ages 18–29.

Feature	NSU Plan	ISO Share for NSU	ISO Care for NSU	ISO Care Elite for NSU
12-month premium, ages 18–24	$2,673	$984 ($82/month)	$1,104 ($92/month)	$1,788 ($149/month)
Estimated savings, ages 18–24	—	$1,689	$1,569	$885
12-month premium, ages 25–29	$2,673	$1,464 ($122/month)	$1,680 ($140/month)	$3,372 ($281/month)
Estimated savings, ages 25–29	—	$1,209	$993	Costs $699 more
Annual maximum	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
In-network deductible	$400	$1,250	$500	$100
In-network coinsurance	Plan pays 70%	Plan pays 80%	Plan pays 80%	Plan pays 90%
Student Health Center copay	$0	$0	$0	$0
Mental health and substance use treatment	Covered	Covered	Covered	Covered
Prescription coverage	Covered	Covered	Covered	Covered
Pre-existing conditions	Covered	Covered	Covered	Covered
Medical evacuation	Included	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000
Repatriation of remains	Included	$50,000	$50,000	$50,000
Dependent coverage	Not available	Available at a separate rate	Available at a separate rate	Available at a separate rate
Enrollment	Automatic	Online with instant documents	Online with instant documents	Online with instant documents
Multilingual support	English	Yes	Yes	Yes

To choose the right plan for your situation, consider these factors:

Local acceptance: This is NSU's most critical requirement. Confirm your plan provides coverage within 25 miles of campus and is accepted at NSU Health Care Clinics before you count on it.
Total cost of use: Compare the annual premium plus the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum together. A lower monthly rate with a higher deductible can cost more if you use healthcare regularly.
Coverage depth: Look at how far above the minimum the plan goes, as mental health and chemical dependency, prescriptions, and in-network coinsurance all affect your real out-of-pocket experience.
Family coverage: If you're bringing a spouse or children, favor a plan that lets you add F-2/J-2 dependents so everyone is covered.
Enrollment ease: Instant plan documents matter when the online waiver deadline is days away.

Health Insurance for Special Situations

NSU students come from a wide range of visa statuses and enrollment patterns. Here’s what applies in several common situations.

Students on CPT

Beginning Curricular Practical Training (CPT) doesn’t automatically make you ineligible for NSU health insurance. If you remain registered for classes, you’re still eligible for the university plan. F-1 students on CPT may also qualify for ISO’s student plans if they maintain a valid Form I-20 and full-time student status.

Students on OPT

Your NSU insurance may remain active after graduation because coverage continues until the end of your academic-year coverage period. Confirm your exact end date with the NSU Student Health Insurance Department before purchasing another plan.

Once your university coverage ends, you’ll need another source of insurance if an employer plan isn’t yet available. ISO’s OPT health insurance plans are available to eligible F-1 graduates on post-completion OPT or STEM OPT, including those who have applied for OPT but haven’t yet received their Employment Authorization Document.

F-2 and J-2 Dependents

Dependents are not automatically covered by your enrollment in the NSU plan. They must be insured separately. If your spouse or children are in the U.S. on an F-2 or J-2 visa, you can add F-2/J-2 dependents through ISO's Voyager plan.

Online Students Living Outside the U.S.

International students who live outside the U.S. and remain there while taking online courses may be exempt from NSU’s insurance requirement. However, you must still complete the online waiver by your program’s deadline. Otherwise, the insurance charge will remain on your account.

Loss of Alternative Coverage

If you have an approved waiver and involuntarily lose your alternative insurance during the academic year, you have 30 days to request enrollment in the NSU plan. Email studenthealth@nova.edu with your termination letter and the personal and student information requested by the university. NSU will contact you to complete enrollment for the remainder of your academic year.

Graduating or Leaving NSU

NSU offers a three-month continuation option after your student coverage ends. You must purchase it within 14 days of the end of your existing coverage, although NSU recommends beginning the process at least one month earlier. Continuation coverage is limited to three consecutive months and can’t be renewed or canceled after purchase.

NSU Employees Who Are Also Students

Working for NSU doesn’t automatically exempt you from the student insurance requirement. Students who receive health insurance as NSU employees must still submit a waiver by their program’s deadline to remove the student plan charge. The employee plan must meet NSU’s waiver requirements.

Why Many NSU Students Choose ISO

ISO has provided health insurance for international students since 1958. Its NSU-specific plans combine lower starting premiums with benefits designed around Nova Southeastern University’s waiver requirements.

Plans designed for NSU’s waiver requirements: ISO lists three plans for NSU. All three use the Aetna PPO network and list a $0 copay at the Student Health Center for covered services. ISO provides waiver assistance and the documents you need to complete NSU's online form.
Instant insurance and waiver documents: After you enroll, your insurance ID card and coverage documents are available immediately. That means you can log in to NSU's waiver portal and complete your application before your program's deadline, without waiting for paperwork in the mail.
Potential premium savings: ISO Care for NSU starts at $92/month, or approximately $1,104 per year, compared to NSU's $2,673 annual charge. That's a savings of around $1,569 per year for most students. ISO Care Elite for NSU at $149/month offers a lower deductible ($100) and 90% in-network coinsurance for students who want more comprehensive coverage.
Aetna PPO network: ISO plans use the Aetna PPO network, giving you access to find in-network doctors across Fort Lauderdale, Davie, and throughout the U.S.
Simple claims and multilingual support: Show your ISO ID card at the provider, and the claim is typically filed on your behalf. Our team includes current and former international students who understand your situation, and the claims process is designed to be straightforward, with support available in multiple languages.

Choose the Right Plan for NSU

NSU requires health insurance for all students and auto-enrolls everyone when they register, but if your plan meets NSU's six requirements, you can waive it and often pay meaningfully less. Enroll in a qualifying private plan, confirm local acceptance at NSU Health Care Clinics, and complete the online waiver before your program's deadline.

NSU may audit an approved waiver, so keep your insurance card and policy documents available after submission. Choosing a plan that meets every requirement reduces the risk of having the waiver reversed.

If you want a plan built for NSU students with instant documents and waiver assistance, explore ISO’s three NSU-specific plans: ISO Share for NSU, ISO Care for NSU, and ISO Care Elite for NSU. The plans offer different premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance levels, along with instant insurance and waiver documents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the NSU Plan Cover Me Outside Florida or When I Travel Home?

The NSU UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus plan includes access to the UnitedHealthcare network nationwide, so routine and emergency care at in-network providers outside Florida is generally covered. Coverage for medical care received outside the U.S. is more limited. Check your Certificate of Coverage or contact UHCSR at 1-800-767-0700 for details before you travel internationally.

How Do I Access My NSU Insurance ID Card?

ID cards are not mailed automatically and are instead accessed electronically. Students can download the UHC app or create an account at uhcsr.com to view, download, or print their insurance card once enrollment is processed. NSU's bursar page includes step-by-step instructions for accessing your e-ID card.

How Long Does an NSU Waiver Take to Approve?

An approval or denial appears automatically on the screen after you complete and submit the online waiver. However, an approved waiver may still be audited for accuracy, so keep your insurance card and policy documents available.

After approval, allow up to 10 business days for the NSU insurance charge to be removed from your student account.

What Happens If My NSU Waiver Is Denied?

If your waiver is denied, you remain enrolled in the NSU Student Health Insurance Plan for the full term and are responsible for the charge. You can contact the NSU Student Health Insurance Department at (954) 262-4060 or studenthealth@nova.edu to understand the reason for the denial and whether an appeal is possible. You'll have another opportunity to waive at the next term's deadline if your coverage situation changes.

This article was prepared by ISO Customer Care. Premium figures, waiver requirements, and deadlines are sourced from NSU's Bursar's Office waiver page as of July 2026. Verify all current details at nova.edu/bursar/health-insurance before submitting your waiver. This article does not constitute legal, immigration, or medical advice.