All international students (on F1 or J1 visas) who attend any one of the 64 State University of New York (SUNY) campuses are REQUIRED to purchase the International Student Health (Medical) Insurance Policy provided by SUNY System Administration. This comprehensive policy allows students access to health care in the community and across the globe including:
- Preventive care
- Primary care office visits
- Urgent care visits
- Ambulance and emergency care
- Inpatient/outpatient hospital care
- Mental health services
- Required immunizations
- Prescription drugs
- Labs and imaging
- Medical, Political, Natural Disaster Evacuation and Repatriation
The fee for this insurance policy will automatically appear on your SUNY Poly bill as “Intl. Medical Ins.” New student coverage starts on August 15th for students admitted for a fall term, and January 15th for students admitted for a spring term. A copy of the Inbound Student Health Insurance Plan is included below.
- 2022-23 Inbound Student Health Insurance Plan (pdf)
- 2023-24 Inbound Student Health Insurance Plan (pdf)
- 2024-25 Inbound Student Health Insurance Plan (pdf)
Note: F-1 students who are hired as research or graduate assistants by New York State or the Research Foundation may opt to purchase the state’s employee health insurance policy in lieu of the required SUNY international student health insurance policy. Eligible students will be contacted by Human Resources to discuss their options once they are hired by the University.
Navigating Healthcare at SUNY Poly and in the US
F-1 students who are hired as graduate assistants through NYS will have the option to enroll in the NYS Student Employee Health Plan (NYSSEHP) in place of purchasing the required SUNY plan. Details regarding this option are included in the official GA offer letter from Human Resources and are explained in more detail during the onboarding process with Human Resources. Students selecting the NYSSEHP option will also be billed $90 for the cost of Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance as it is not included in the NYS plan. The $90 fee is required for all international students (regardless of assistantship funding) and is non-refundable.
International students are required to have health insurance in place upon their arrival to the US (as of August 15 for a fall start, and January 15 for a spring start) if it is needed for illness or an emergency prior to the NYSSEHP coverage being in place (for those who select this option). Initially, all F-1 students will be billed for the SUNY health insurance plan which includes the medical evacuation insurance. Once the student has arrived in the U.S., and the GA appointment is complete, if the student has opted to enroll in the Student Employee Health Plan (HYSSEHP), the amount paid for the SUNY health insurance plan will be credited to their account. Students are encouraged to set-up a payment plan to avoid having to pay the full SUNY health insurance cost immediately upon arrival. Please note that once/if the SUNY health insurance is used before the NYSSEHP insurance is effective, students will be charged the full amount of the SUNY health insurance for the semester.
F-1 students who are hired as research project assistants through the Research Foundation will have the option to enroll in a health insurance plan in place of purchasing the required SUNY plan. Details regarding this option are included in the official RPA offer letter from Human Resources and are explained in more detail during new student orientation at CNSE. Students selecting the RF insurance option will also be billed $90 for the cost of Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance as it is not included in the RF plan. The $90 fee is required for all international students (regardless of assistantship funding) and is non-refundable.
International students are required to have health insurance in place upon their arrival to the US (as of August 15 for a fall start, and January 15 for a spring start) in the event that it is needed for illness or an emergency prior to the RF plan being in place (for those who select this option). Initially, all F-1 students will be billed for the SUNY health insurance plan which includes the medical evacuation insurance. Once the student has arrived in the U.S., and the RPA appointment is complete, if the student has opted to enroll in the RF plan, the amount paid for the SUNY plan will be credited to their account. To view the current RF plan rates, visit: gradrates.pdf (rfsuny.org) Students are encouraged to set-up a payment plan to avoid having to pay the full SUNY health insurance cost immediately upon arrival. Please note that once/if the SUNY health insurance is used before the RF insurance is effective, students will be charged the full amount of the SUNY health insurance for the semester.
As seen on your SUNY Poly bill, there are two different health related fees that provide two different services; both fees are mandatory and cannot be waived:
- Health Service Fee – ALL students pay the health service fee for the health and counseling services provided by SUNY Poly Wellness Center. There are no/minimal charges for the services provided on-campus.
- Medical Insurance Fee – Mandated by SUNY, this fee is for a medical insurance policy for international students that provides comprehensive coverage in the US and around the globe.
Within the first few weeks of the semester, an email will be sent from the insurance company to your sunypoly.edu email address informing you that you have been enrolled in the insurance plan by SUNY Poly. Follow the directions in the email to set up your account and receive your ID card. You MUST set up your account with the insurance company to obtain your ID card and have access to all your insurance policy information (benefits, participating providers, claims/payments, etc.).
You must have your insurance ID card with you to receive health care services. Once you receive it, be sure to always carry it with you. The campus Wellness Center will not bill the health insurance company for services provided on-campus, however, you will need your insurance ID card available if you are sent off campus for additional services (blood work, x-rays, etc.) or if you seek outside services when the Wellness Center is closed.
Before seeking health care services in the community for non-emergent services such as a cough, rash, sprain, abrasion, etc., visit SUNY Poly’s Wellness Center first:
Utica Campus: 100 Seymour Rd, Utica, NY 13502
Wellness Center: Health + Counseling Services
Campus Center, Suite 217 | 315-792-7172
The staff are knowledgeable about community resources and can refer you to appropriate and reputable health care providers in the community if necessary.
SUNY Poly CNSE students have access to health care services at the University at Albany’s Student Health services Office located in the Dutch Quad, 1400 Washington Ave, Albany. The entrance to the facility is at the base of Dutch Quad (the entryway faces South/Western Ave and overlooks the tennis courts and soccer practice fields). Contact (518) 442-5229 for appointments. Medical Services | University at Albany
- Visit the SUNY Poly Wellness Center (Utica students) or the UAlbany’s Student Health Services Office (CNSE students) first for non-emergent healthcare during business hours.
- Obtaining health care services in the community by a “participating” provider will cost less than a “non-participating” provider. Identify a participating healthcare provider PRIOR TO obtaining health care services: https://www.uhcsr.com/ and select SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Click on the correct plan to explore the policy.
Student Health Insurance Program (ppt)
Questions?
NYS Employee Health Plan Enrollment for GAs and RPAs
Contact the Office of Human Resources: HR@sunypoly.edu | 315-792-7191
Billing
Contact the Bursar’s Office: bursar@sunypoly.edu | 315-792-7214
Benefits Claims for the SUNY International Student Health Insurance Policy
Contact United Healthcare Customer Service: customerservice@uhcsr.com | 1-888-714-6544
OR
Refer to the
- 2022-2023 highlight sheet (pdf)
- 2023-2024 highlight sheet (pdf)
For general questions regarding health insurance or health care services in the US
Contact the SUNY Poly Wellness Center: wellness@sunypoly.edu | 315-792-7172
