Medical Insurance Requirements

Medical Insurance

At UC San Diego Extended Studies International Programs, we prioritize our students, scholars, and dependents' health, safety, and well-being. We want our students and scholars to take the fullest advantage of their study abroad and cultural exchange experience while having peace of mind about their healthcare access and services. 

Healthcare can be expensive in the United States. This is particularly true for international students, scholars and their dependents have access to high quality healthcare while avoiding co-pays, deductibles, and other catastrophic expenses. The UC San Diego Extended Studies medical insurance plan meets or exceeds the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and J visa standards.

Medical Insurance Requirements

All F-1, J-1, and J-2 students, scholars, and dependents are required to purchase the UC San Diego Extended Studies medical insurance. (This insurance is also available for F-2 dependents but is not required.)

UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Medical Insurance

The cost for UC San Diego Medical Insurance will be:

2024

• 2-week programs: $110
• 4-week programs: $220
• 8-week ELI programs: $550
• UPS and Certificate Programs – 1 quarter: $715
• UPS and Certificate Programs – 2 quarters: $1,430
• UPS and Certificate Programs – 3 quarters: $2,145

2025

• 4-week programs: $240
• 8-week ELI: $600
• UPS and Certificate Programs - 1 quarter: $780
• UPS and Certificate Programs - 2 quarters: $1,560
• UPS and Certificate Programs - 3 quarters: $2,340

UC San Diego Medical Insurance Coverage

1. Unlimited coverage for medically necessary health care, including pre-existing conditions and mental health care
2. Unlimited coverage for medical evacuation
3. Unlimited coverage for repatriation of remains
4. 100% coverage for all medical care after the $100 USD deductible per person, per policy year
5. 100% coverage for prescription drugs after payment of the required co-payments for each prescription. Co-payments are from $10 to $50 per prescription.

The UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance policy for international students covers hospitalization and other medical expenses, with some exceptions, but not dental or eye care. Medical insurance is non-refundable. For information on this requirement, contact our staff at deshealthandsafety@ucsd.edu.

NOTE: It is mandatory to have continuous insurance coverage. If you are a student continuing from Fall to Winter quarter, you must purchase extra UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies medical insurance for the gap weeks between your Fall and Winter programs. There are a few other situations in which there may be a gap in insurance coverage between programs. You must purchase coverage during all gaps in insurance. The additional UC San Diego medical insurance will cost $55 per week. You must pay for this insurance during the scheduled continuing registration times at the end of the quarter.  

Criteria for Waiver of Medical Insurance
In a limited number of circumstances, our students and scholars may qualify for a medical insurance waiver:

• Sponsored students or scholars who have a government sponsored plan that has been pre-approved by UC San Diego Extended Studies. 
• Other students may request a waiver if they can prove their insurance meets the minimum requirements of the UC San Diego Extended Studies Insurance Plan. (This means the insurance is also ACA and J visa compliant.) Please see the Medical Insurance Waiver (MIW) form for detailed criteria and requirements. 

Requesting Medical Insurance Waiver

To request a Medical Insurance Waiver, non-sponsored students must:

• Have their current insurance company complete, sign, and stamp the Medical Insurance Waiver (MIW) form.
• Submit the completed Medical Insurance Waiver form to deshealthandsafety@ucsd.edu at least 30 days before your program start date.
• Submit a complete master policy written in standard English with benefits

Please see the Medical Insurance Waiver Form (linked here) for the complete list of waiver criteria. 

Tuberculosis (TB) Screening and Assessment

UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies International Programs requires all students to complete the Tuberculosis (TB) Screening in MyStudentChart at least 30 days before their program start date. In addition to completing the screening, students are required to submit a TB Health Assessment Form with results, with very few exceptions (depending on individual risk factors).

Each student must log in to MyStudentChart with his or her unique AD username and password to complete the TB screening and upload TB Forms.  Students will receive AD account information via email approximately one month before their program begins.   

TB testing results must be obtained within a year before the program start date, and the TB Form must be signed by a licensed medical provider. 

 Students cannot complete registration or start classes without satisfying the TB requirement. 

 Questions? Please email deshealthandsafety@ucsd.edu.

Immunization Requirements 

UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies International Programs students are required to adhere to campus immunization requirements.  

Required vaccines include: 

• Tdap 
• MMR 
• Varicella 
• Meningococcal (if under 23) 
• Flu Vaccine 
• COVID-19

Immunization records should be submitted in MyStudentChart using the Immunization Form. If students are not able to access immunization records, blood titer test results can be submitted as proof of immunity for most required vaccines. 

can be submitted as proof of immunity for most required vaccines.