UH Manoa Health Insurance Rules for International Students and Savings Guide

Health Insurance for University of Hawaii at Manoa International Students: Waiver Guide

Preparing to study at the University of Hawaii at Manoa means checking off a few important requirements before you arrive, and health insurance is one of the biggest. All international students must show proof of coverage, either through the university’s plan or by submitting an approved waiver.

For many students, choosing an alternative plan is the most cost-effective option, especially given the high cost of the university plan.

UH Manoa Health Insurance Requirement

The University of Hawaii at Manoa requires all F-1 international students to maintain active health insurance throughout their enrollment. Students must submit proof that their plan meets the university’s minimum standards.

You can review details on the UH Manoa Student Health Insurance page.

Students have two options:

• Enroll in the university-sponsored plan
• Submit proof of alternative coverage through the UH Manoa waiver portal

For the 2025–2026 academic year, the school-sponsored plan costs approximately $2,700 per year.

UH Manoa Minimum Insurance Requirements

Unlike many schools, UH Manoa publishes very specific minimum coverage requirements that must be certified by your insurance provider.

According to the official certification form, your plan must include:

• At least $100,000 coverage per accident or illness
• Inpatient and outpatient coverage (including mental health) at no less than 75% of usual/customary charges
• Medical evacuation coverage of at least $50,000
• Repatriation of remains coverage of at least $25,000
• A deductible of no more than $500 per accident or illness
• A pre-existing condition waiting period no longer than 6 months

These requirements must be verified and signed by the insurance provider on the university’s certification form before submission.

How to Waive the UH SHIP Using an ISO Plan

ISO plans are structured to meet UH Manoa’s waiver requirements and simplify the approval process.

You can explore options on the ISO website.

One key advantage: after enrolling, ISO provides a completed waiver form immediately, which is emailed to you and ready to upload.

1. Visit the ISO enrollment page and select your plan. Choose your coverage start date.
2. Enroll online in minutes. Your ID card and waiver-ready documents are sent instantly.
3. Log into your student portal and access the waiver section.
4. Upload your completed form through the waiver submission portal.

Once approved, the university insurance charge is removed from your account.

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

Feature	UH SHIP	UH Basic	Compass PPO	ISO Secure
Annual Cost (Student)	$2,700	$525	$609	$921
Deductible	Varies	Meets req.	Meets req.	Meets req.
Coinsurance	Varies	Meets req.	Meets req.	Meets req.
Annual Maximum	Varies	Meets req.	Meets req.	Meets req.
Medical Evacuation	Included	Yes	Yes	Yes
Repatriation	Included	Yes	Yes	Yes
UH Waiver Eligible	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes
Savings	$0	$2,175	$2,091	$1,779

Access to Care in Honolulu, Hawaii

ISO plans provide access to a broad network of healthcare providers across Hawaii.

Students can also visit the UH Manoa Student Health Center. It’s important to note that the health center does not offer direct billing for ISO plans, but staff will assist students in completing and submitting claims paperwork for reimbursement.

Why UH Manoa Students Choose ISO

• Lower cost compared to the university plan
• Plans built specifically for international students
• Instant enrollment and documentation
• Pre-filled waiver form emailed immediately after signup
• Multilingual customer support
• U.S.-based claims processing
• Nationwide provider access

Final Thoughts

At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, health insurance is a strict requirement, but students have flexibility in how they meet it.

By selecting a plan that aligns with UH’s coverage standards, many students are able to significantly reduce costs while still meeting all requirements.

Once your waiver is approved, you can focus on settling into life in Honolulu and making the most of your time at UH Manoa.