Beginning spring 2013 international students must meet new waiver standards when purchasing health insurance other than the Penn State student health insurance plan. The new waiver standards have been instituted to comply with Affordable Care Act (ACA) legislation that will become effective in 2013 and 2014.
"The new insurance standards are meant to help ensure adequate levels of health care and avoid costly medical bills for international students studying here at Penn State," says Karen Kline, student insurance manager at University Health Services (UHS). "These standards will, among other things, cover students at a higher level for injury, illness and prescriptions."
Penn State requires health insurance coverage for international students and any accompanying spouse and/or children. This requirement can be satisfied by purchasing the Penn State student health insurance plan or by purchasing a comparable insurance plan that meets the waiver standards. The new waiver standards become effective for the spring 2013 semester. International students who completed an insurance waiver in fall 2012 do not need to complete a new waiver until fall 2013.
Waiver applications must be submitted on an annual basis each fall semester. Additional information, including a list of waiver standards and the waiver application are available on the UHS website at studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/services/insurance/international.shtml.