Understanding UCF Health Insurance Requirements for International Students

Ensuring adequate health insurance is a critical requirement for all international students attending the University of Central Florida (UCF). As one of the largest universities in the United States, UCF hosts a diverse community of over 3,400 international students from 137 countries. Navigating the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system can be challenging, making it essential to understand the university's health insurance mandates and available options.

Mandatory Health Insurance for International Students

All University of Central Florida students are required to enroll in health insurance. FL Board of Governors regulation 6.009 requires that all international students with F and J status have medical insurance prior to registration. Students will receive a “HEINS” service indicator (health insurance hold) on their MyUCF student account. Students will not be allowed to register for classes or continue enrollment without complying with the medical insurance requirement, and coverage must be continuous.

UCF-Sponsored Insurance and Waiver Options

By default, all international students at UCF are enrolled in the university’s health insurance plan. Students have the option to waive enrollment in the UCF-sponsored plan by demonstrating they have comparable coverage that meets the university's requirements. UCF has partnered with Academic HealthPlans (AHP) to provide international student health insurance coverage through Aetna Student Health. If you choose to purchase this plan, please submit payment confirmation for us to verify.

Alternative Insurance Plans

UCF Health Student Health Services has identified several alternative insurance plans that students may also choose from to get their waiver approved. Although these plans meet the minimum Florida Board of Governor’s requirements, these plans may have reduced benefits and additional exclusions compared to the UCF-recommended Academic HealthPlan option. If you choose an alternative plan, you are not required to provide a Compliance Form. You are required to submit proof of insurance. Student Health Services will accept any insurance that is compliant with ALL the Florida Board of Governors’ requirements for international students. The Compliance Form attests to the fact that your plan meets all of the Florida Board of Governors’ requirements. This form must be signed and stamped by the insurance company. Our office reserves the right to verify any submitted Compliance Forms independently. Plans that do not meet all of the Florida Board of Governors Requirements will not be accepted.

Waiver Submission Process

If you are an international student at the University of Central Florida (UCF), health insurance is mandatory. By default, all international students at UCF are enrolled in the university’s health insurance plan. However, you can apply for a waiver if you have you enroll in a plan that falls into UCF’s pre-approved alternative insurance list - including companies like ISO Student Health Insurance. If you enroll in one of these plans with sufficient dates , your waiver will be approved and the insurance fee will be removed from your tuition bill. Pick your alternative insurance (such as ISO Student Health Insurance) and complete the purchase process. When submitting a waiver, you must show proof of insurance, so you cannot waive before purchasing elsewhere. You must combine your insurance confirmation letter and your insurance card (front and back) into a single PDF file. Submit the single PDF through the secure online portal, ensuring it is clear and legible. The waiver deadline for Fall 2025 has not yet been finalized. However, your insurance policy must be active from August 15, 2025, through December 31, 2025 to cover the Fall semester - though it is recommended to purchase for the full school year if possible. For continuing students, you must ensure you maintain continuous coverage with no gaps in coverage. Before purchasing, make sure to check your past insurance dates so you can stay complaint with UCF requirements.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Health Insurance Plan

All students should be covered by a health insurance plan that provides a wide range of benefits at a reasonable cost. When selecting a health insurance plan, international students should consider the following factors:

Coverage Scope: Ensure the plan provides comprehensive coverage, including doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, prescriptions, lab work, and mental health services.
Provider Network: Check if the plan offers access to a wide range of providers in the Orlando area. Some plans, like ISO, include access to the Aetna PPO network, giving you a wide range of providers to choose from in the Orlando area. You can visit the UCF Student Health Center, Orlando Health Dr. P.
Cost: Compare the premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket maximums of different plans to find one that fits your budget. Looking to save up to $3,000 this school year? Enroll with ISO Student Insurance with plans guaranteed to meet UCF’s requirements all as low as $59/month. ISO offers plans that meet all UCF waiver criteria and Florida Board of Governor’s regulations. Thousands of UCF students enroll with ISO annually. Sign up in under 5 minutes with no paperwork upfront. UCF’s plan is more expensive, while ISO plans start at a fraction of the cost, saving students money. ISO plans can save you up to $3,000/year.
Pre-existing Conditions: Understand the plan's policy on pre-existing conditions and waiting periods. The 2025-26 PSI plans offered below has been pre-approved by UCF Student Health Services. Pre-Ex Conditions - 6 mos.
Customer Service: Look for an insurance provider with a good reputation for customer service and responsiveness. Customer Rep was great at directing me through the PSI portal. I felt in good hands when trying to explain what I was looking for. I wish I would have tried this one out when I started my master's. My previous insurance was a mess, and really hard to get answers from. I needed extra OBGYN treatments and exams, which were not covered much at all and certainly hurt my pocket along with COVID-19. Their portal was absolutely terrible compared to PSI's.

Available Insurance Options

Several insurance providers offer plans that meet UCF's requirements for international students. Some popular options include:

ISO Student Health Insurance: Yes! ISO insurance plans are accepted at UCF and meet the university’s waiver requirements for international students. Yes! In the very unlikely event your waiver is denied due to plan benefits, we’ll work with you to try and get it approved. In network benefits are provided at UCF’s student health center. Ready to enroll? It takes only a few minutes to get your ISO plan and required documents.
Wellfleet Student Insurance (Shorelight SHIP): Shorelight is pleased to announce that for the 2025-2026 academic year, we have teamed up with Wellfleet Student and University Health Plans (UHP) to offer health insurance coverage for international students entering the University of Central Florida through Shorelight. The Shorelight SHIP is provided by Wellfleet Student. We encourage you to review the coverage by selecting the "Benefit Information” tab in the navigation menu on the left-hand side of this page.
PSI Insurance: PSI offers much cheaper option than the school's recommended health insurance plan. Also, my friend being subscribed to PSI is another reason why I chose PSI. I’m normally healthy and rarely go to hospitals or see doctors but I’m personally concerned about emergency situations.

Additional Insurance Considerations

Dental and Vision Coverage

The student health insurance plan does not include dental coverage. However, the UCF Dental Center is open to the entire UCF community. Services include preventive, restorative and cosmetic dental services. Student Health Services offers a Dental Membership Plan as a viable option for those without conventional dental insurance. Dental Membership Programs are direct primary care agreements between an individual and a dental practice, and they help reduce overall dental costs for members. UCF students can pay an annual membership fee of $300 to receive regular exams, regular cleanings, and x-rays. All other services are provided at the UCF Student discounted rate. The dental plan is included in the Wellfleet medical plan. Students can visit any dentist of their choice, as there is no specific network of dentists to choose from. The vision plan is provided by VSP Vision Care. The complete description of benefits and participating provider search can be found by clicking "Vision Insurance" in the navigation menu on the left-hand side of this page. Enrollment in this plan is mandatory. All students will be automatically enrolled, and no action is necessary. Once you are enrolled, no ID cards or claim forms are needed when you see a VSP Network Doctor. Students enrolled in the student health insurance plan are eligible for free prescription and non-prescription glasses and lenses with AVC. Vision insurance is not included in the student health insurance plan.

Graduate Assistants and Fellows

UCF pays the premiums for health insurance coverage for qualifying university fellows and graduate assistants with appointments totaling 20 hours per week. To qualify for enrollment in the coverage, students must maintain the assistantship or fellowship during the semester associated with the coverage period(s) and be enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking graduate program. The enrollment requirement can be met by a combination of online and on-campus credit hours, not to exceed 50% online. Students enrolled in fully online programs are not eligible for the plan. Health insurance coverage is just one of many ways that UCF is supporting excellence in graduate education and training. Navigate to Benefits and select Plan Highlight Flyers then the Hard Waiver Students Flyer for the details related to the plan. The UCF Student Health Insurance plan is different from the State of Florida group insurance for eligible UCF employees. Students receiving coverage as part of their qualifying assistantship or fellowship should not enroll themselves in the coverage. You will be enrolled directly by the UCF College of Graduate Studies as a supported student once you accept the coverage using the health insurance form in your myUCF Student Center. ID cards are usually available 3-7 business days after your enrollment eligibility is confirmed. Please note the card will not be immediately available after you accept the coverage.

Accessing Healthcare Services

UCF Health Services offers students high-quality, convenient, affordable medical care and education that encourage healthy lifestyles. Students pay a state-mandated health fee each semester during registration to cover the cost of basic health services. Office visits are free and unlimited. X-rays, laboratory, certain procedures, and prescriptions are offered at a reduced cost. Specialty clinics include travel, women’s health, allergy injections and immunizations. Health insurance is available for an additional cost.

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