Health Insurance & Immunizations

New, incoming students must complete several health-related requirements before arriving on campus.

New Student Health Requirements Checklist 

Health Insurance Requirement for all CU Boulder Students

All students attending CU Boulder must have comprehensive health insurance every semester.

Students can choose health insurance coverage through

  1. an individual plan or
  2. the plan of a family member, employer, or government sponsor or
  3. CU’s Anthem Gold Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

Information about selecting or waiving university health insurance coverage is on the Health and Well-Being website.

J-1 EXCHANGE STUDENTS: You do not need to submit proof of insurance to Health Services or waive insurance. You must upload your insurance plan documentation to the Immigration Check-In (J-1) e-form as part of the Immigration Check-In process.

SPONSORED STUDENTS: If your sponsor provides your medical insurance, you must waive the CU Boulder Anthem Gold Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) insurance by the waiver deadline to avoid having to pay for the insurance yourself.

CU Health Insurance Resources

U.S. Health Care & Insurance Resources

Immunization Requirement for All CU Boulder Students

All students must complete the two immunization requirements and a questionnaire before the deadline to avoid a late fee and registration hold.

View Immunization Requirements 

Students on J-1 visas: Regulatory Health Insurance Requirement

U.S. immigration law requires exchange visitors including exchange and degree-seeking students on J-1 visas to maintain comprehensive medical insurance. The insurance must begin on the program start date indicated on the Form DS-2019 and continue to the end date on the form. The coverage must meet U.S. government minimum requirements, including coverage for evacuation and repatriation of remains.

The J insurance coverage must provide the following
minimum coverage:

  • Minimum medical benefit of $100,000 per person per accident or illness;
  • Deductible that does not exceed $500 per accident or illness;
  • Minimum repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;
  • Minimum medical evacuation expenses In the amount of $50,000; and
  • Co-insurance paid by J-1 not to exceed 25% of covered benefits per accident or illness.

Insurance policies:

  • May require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions that is reasonable as determined by current industry standards; and
  • Must not unreasonably exclude coverage for the perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which you participate.

Any policy, plan, or contract secured to fill the J insurance
requirements must at minimum be:

  • Underwritten by an insurance corporation having:
    • An A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above; or
    • A McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor Claims-paying ability rating of "A-" or above; or
    • A Weiss Research, Inc. rating of "B+" or above; or
    • A Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of "A- or above; or
    • A Moody's Investor Services rating of "A3" or above; or
  • Be backed by the full faith and credit of the exchange visitor's home country; or
  • Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees enrolled students by a designated sponsor; or
  • Offered through or underwritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization or eligible Competitive Medial Plan as determined by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

J-1s and any J-2 accompanying spouse and dependent(s) may also be subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act [22 CFR 62.14(a)] . Be aware that the ACA requirements may exceed the U.S. Department of State requirements.

The Exchange Visitor (J-1 Visa) Insurance Resource List includes options that meet the US government requirements.

Note on failure to obtain insurance: ISSS is required by law to terminate the J-1 SEVIS record of exchange visitors who willfully choose not to carry the required insurance for themselves and their dependents in J-2 status. Individuals with terminated SEVIS records must depart the U.S. immediately.

Insurance Compliance E-Form

All exchange visitors on J-1 visas must provide ISSS with a valid Insurance Compliance e-form (available in the MyISSS portal).