International Student Program Current Students Employment: Health Insurance

Health Insurance
Foothill and De Anza Colleges require all international students in F-1 status to have adequate health insurance coverage. To ensure this, the International Student Office staff has identified an excellent policy provided through Renaissance Agencies, Inc. that offers our F-1 students the best possible medical coverage at the best possible price. Its provisions allow students to choose from a large number of health-care providers in our local communities using a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). Please visit the Web site indicated above to find a doctor or a hospital, to get a downloadable claim form, and for other information about your international student insurance.

With a few exceptions, this insurance is mandatory for all students. Students will be automatically enrolled in this policy at the time of registration and automatically billed with each quarter’s tuition and fees.

This policy provides excellent benefits, including a generous maximum of $100,000 per condition and 90% coverage for most physician and clinic/hospital services. For policy specifics, the above Web site will provide complete details.

Details of the International Student Insurance Plan

The benefits of this plan are the most complete that we could find, but as with any insurance plan, there are some specific limits to the coverage provided. If you accrue a charge for a service that is either not covered or that is in excess of the allowable coverage, you will be responsible for paying those charges.
Do not assume that regardless of circumstances your treatment will be covered. Carefully review the Exclusions and Limitations" section of the plan so that you know what has no or limited coverage. To verify specific coverage, call 1-800-537-1777.
The policy has no deductible or co-pay if you first seek medical help from the nurses in the Health Services Office at Foothill in Room 2126. The Health Office will provide a referral to a doctor as needed.

Note: If you go directly to a doctor without first going to the Health Services Office, there will be a $50 co-pay to see a doctor at a doctor’s office or at a hospital within the Blue Cross Network. If you go directly to a hospital without first seeing a nurse at Foothill, there will also be a $100 co-pay.
Each quarter you will make a $422 payment for the four-month coverage:
- Fall Quarter – from August 15 until December 14
- Winter Quarter – from December 15 until April 14
- Spring Quarter – from April 15 until August 14
When you register, a charge of $422 (Foreign Student Man Ins) will be added to your tuition/fees, which will automatically enroll you in the insurance. Over three quarters, the annual premium is $1,266, which provides coverage during the summer until August 14. You will receive your insurance membership card after paying your fees for each quarter. You must notify SIS at 1-800-537-1777 of any changes in your address.
When you complete your studies and/or leave Foothill College before the end of the academic year, your coverage ends on the last day of the last insurance quarter or cycle that was paid. For example, if you leave at the end of Fall Quarter, coverage will end on December 14. If you leave at the end of Winter Quarter, coverage will end on April 14.
If you leave at the end of Spring Quarter, your coverage will end on August 14. You may be eligible to purchase one additional month of transition insurance before or after any insurance period. For information, please contact minessherri@fhda.edu.
Dependent coverage for spouses and children is available and strongly recommended. Information can be obtained by calling 1-800-537-1777.
If you cease to be an F-1 visa holder, you may no longer be eligible to purchase this health insurance. Students participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT) are eligible for the International Student Health Insurance plan but will not be automatically enrolled. To qualify, you must enroll directly with the insurance company at the beginning of your first eligible quarter of OPT with no payment breaks in your insurance enrollment. During OPT you will pay for your insurance directly to the insurance company, not Foothill College. Please call 1-800-537-1777 for details.
If you qualify for an insurance waiver, you must show proof each quarter that you have alternative coverage through a U.S. employer of a spouse, domestic partner or parent.
For a new Health Insurance Membership card, call 1-800-537-1777 or go to the International Student office in room 5922.

Remember! Before seeing a doctor or going to the hospital, except in an emergency, go to the Foothill Heath Services Office first in the Campus Center, room 2126.