International Health Insurance

F-1 and J-1 Students and J-1 Research Scholars, Short-Term Scholars, and Student Interns

Due to the high costs and complexity of the American health care system, it is very important that F-1 and J-1 students and scholars from abroad have comprehensive health insurance coverage during their studies in the United States. 

An independent insurance carrier administers the policy selected by the University of Missouri system. The current insurance carrier is Anthem - Student Advantage.  Your admission to study at Missouri S&T is contingent upon your purchase of this mandatory insurance policy. The insurance advisor in Student Health Services will enroll you in this plan automatically and provide assistance as needed during your time at Missouri S&T.  For most students, insurance premiums/fees will be charged to your student account at the beginning of each enrollment period:

  • Fall Semester: August 1 – December 31
  • Spring & Summer Semester: January 1 – July 31

The University’s insurance plan covers or exceeds all typical insurance options outlined by the U.S. Government as requirements for foreign students and scholars. Failure to purchase and maintain health insurance may result in the termination of your immigration status. 

F-1 and J-1 student visa holders are REQUIRED to maintain health insurance through the University of Missouri/Missouri S&T system as a part of the enrollment and registration process each semester. F-2 dependents enrolled in classes at the Applied Language Institute and/or Missouri S&T are also required to maintain health insurance through the University of Missouri/Missouri S&T system. For students enrolled in academic classes, the student is billed automatically upon registration for classes. You will receive email notification once these fees have been applied to your student account. 

*Students enrolled full time at the Applied Language Institute enroll manually and payment is made by credit card. Students enrolled in ALI are encouraged to come to Student Health Services for a meeting in which the coverage can be better explained.

F-1 Students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and dependents of F-1 students may purchase health insurance coverage through Missouri S&T if they choose.

J-1 Research Scholars, Short-Term Scholars, Student Interns, and J-2 Dependents are also REQUIRED to meet  the U.S. Department of State insurance coverage requirements for the duration of their stay in the United States.  J-1 exchange visitors are required to complete a J-1 Department of State Mandatory Insurance Certification form that acknowledges the exchange visitor understands the health insurance requirements and to provide proof of coverage. For a full list of the federal regulations, please reach out to Student Health Services at mststudentinsurance@mst.edu

Please, email mststudentinsurance@mst.edu for more information about J-1 exchange visitor health insurance enrollment and requirements.

 J-1 Research Scholars, Short-Term Scholars, Student Interns, and J-2 Dependents are recommended to carry Anthem Student Advantage as the policy meets all the federal regulations required for J-1 Visa Holders; although if an appropriate plan is submitted and approved by Student Health – J-1 Visa Holders may purchase said plan. Please do not purchase any insurance without first providing a copy of the policy to Student Health to be reviewed.

2024-2025 International Insurance Rates

Welcome to Anthem Student Advantage - your student health plan carrier for the 2024-2025 school year.

‌Additional Brochures and Information:

*Fall open enrollment for Dental and Vision insurance will close on September 6, 2024. Please note this is an annual plan starting in the Fall. If you are a new student for the Spring you will be able to enroll for Spring/Summer coverage.

Insurance Enrollment Procedures

Missouri S&T medical insurance is REQUIRED.  Students are automatically enrolled in Anthem - Student Advantage during the registration of classes, and charges are billed to the student’s account. Charges will be applied to the student's account within a week of registering for classes. You must be registered in classes to be eligible for enrollment. 

J-1 exchange visitors may enroll themselves in Anthem - Student Advantage for health insurance coverage.  For information on how to enroll in Anthem health insurance, please email mststudentinsurance@mst.edu or call 573-341-4284.

You may purchase health insurance if you so choose. To purchase the Anthem - Student Advantage Health insurance plan for yourself, please email mststudentinsurance@mst.edu or call 573-341-4284.

It is strongly encouraged that dependents (those on F-2 visas) enroll in Anthem - Student Advantage Insurance plan, but this is not a requirement if the dependent is not registered in Missouri S&T courses. If the F-2 dependent is registered in Missouri S&T courses, they will automatically be enrolled in the health insurance plan.

J-2 dependents must be covered by health insurance per immigration requirements. Dependents that are registered in courses at Missouri S&T will be automatically charged for student health insurance. To purchase the Anthem Health Insurance Plan for your dependents, contact mststudentinsurance@mst.edu or call 573-341-4284. Dependents must enroll for the same period as the student or within 30 days of the date the dependent entered the United States.

General Policy & Procedure Information

Due to significant differences between healthcare in the United States and other countries as well as federal regulations, the University of Missouri system requires that all students in F-1 or J-1 visa status maintain health insurance through the university.  This policy covers students worldwide for accidents and illnesses while they are attending classes at Missouri S&T.  F-2 dependents who are enrolled in classes at Missouri S&T (both academic and IEP) are also required to enroll in the Missouri S&T student health insurance.

For students enrolled in academic classes, the appropriate insurance charges are automatically added to the student's account each semester that a student in F-1 or J-1 status enrolls in classes.  Charges are added after registration, and an email is sent detailing the charges and insurance details. 

OPT students and J-1 Research Scholars, Shorth-Term Scholars, and Student Interns can purchase the health insurance offered through Anthem Student Advantage if they so choose.  Enrolled participants can also request coverage for their spouse and children.  To purchase the Anthem Health Insurance Plan for yourself and/or your dependents, please contact mststudentinsurance@mst.edu or call 573-341-4284.

In limited situations, waivers may be granted. Waiver requests may be submitted to the Student Health Services insurance representative or emailed to mststudentinsurance@mst.edu.   Please, note that completion of waivers application does not guarantee that a waiver will be granted.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT WAIVER REQUEST: All requests must be submitted to Student Health Services no later than the end of the health insurance enrollment deadline for Spring and Fall semesters. These deadlines are emailed to you at the beginning of each semester. You must schedule an appointment with Student Health Services to review your waiver and supporting documentation.

Withdrawing from classes with not automatically cancel your insurance charges.  You will need to make a request, in writing, to have the insurance charges reversed.  The last date to request a reversal of insurance charges is also the last date students can add courses for the semester.

Dental and Vision insurance is not included in the Anthem - Student Advantage plan for individuals over the age of 19, but can be purchased through Anthem at an additional cost. The enrollment period is offered once at the beginning of Fall semester for all students and once at the beginning of the Spring semester for new students only.

To enroll yourself or your dependent in dental insurance, please go to Anthem Dental Insurance.

  •  Fall open enrollment will begin July 8, 2024, and will close on September 6, 2024.

To enroll yourself or your dependent in vision insurance, please go to Anthem Vision Insurance .

  •  Fall open enrollment will begin July 8, 2024, and will close on September 6, 2024.