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The University of Minnesota mandates all international students and their dependents to purchase the University-sponsored Student Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) unless they are eligible for a waiver. At the time students arrive at the University of Minnesota, their documents are validated by International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). Students must enroll in the University-sponsored SHBP (or provide proof of coverage to waive the plan) at that time and remain enrolled until the date they leave the University.
Enrolling Dependents
Plan Details
Health Plan Card
Waiving the Plan
Early Enrollment and Coverage
Emergency Travel Assistance Program
The University of Minnesota mandates all international student dependents to purchase the University-sponsored Student Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) unless they are eligible for a waiver.
To enroll dependents on the plan, the primary member must submit a Dependent Enrollment Add/Change Form. Eligible dependents include a spouse or same sex domestic partner and a child or children. Dependent enrollment is contingent upon the Office of Student Health Benefits verification of primary member enrollment. In order to enroll a same sex domestic partner, the primary member must also submit a Declaration of Domestic Partnership Form.
2011-2012 SHBP Enrollment Brochure with Quick Reference Chart (PDF)
22011-2012 Full Benefits Summary (PDF)
Health plan network and claims administration services for the Student Health Benefit Plan are provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MN, giving students access to thousands of providers and hospitals in their worldwide network.
The cost of the Student Health Benefit Plan for the 2011-2012 academic year averages $159.00 per month. Plan members will see a charge of $950.00 on their University bill once at the beginning of fall semester and once at the beginning of spring semester. The coverage period for fall semester is August 25, 2011 to January 16, 2012, and the coverage period for spring semester is January 17 to August 23, 2012.
Students should familiarize themselves with the Full Benefits Summary before using the Student Health Benefit Plan coverage.
Member ID cards will be sent to the plan member by U.S. mail approximately three weeks after enrollment. Cards will be mailed to the "current U.S. mail address" on record with the University. To update your address, go to: One Stop > Go to Registration > Update Personal Information.
If you recently updated your address in One Stop and think your card may have been sent to your old address, please email your name, student ID number, and "I have updated my U.S. Mail address in One Stop and would like a new card sent to me." to umshbo@umn.edu. The Office of Student Health Benefits must receive confirmation from you that your U.S. Mail address is correct in One Stop before a new card can be issued. Before using your Student Health Benefit Plan coverage, please familiarize yourself with the information found under Plan Details.
If you are covered by either of the following, you will not be required to purchase the University-sponsored Student Health Benefit Plan.
In order to waive the University-sponsored SHBP, submit the following to the Office of Student Health Benefits in person, by mail, or by fax before the registration deadline (this date is listed on the One Stop website):
If a student arrives at the University ill and needs to access health care, they should immediately call or check in with ISSS. ISSS will contact the Office of Student Health Benefits to facilitate health care coverage for the student at that time.
Coverage dates are listed in the column to the right. International students who need emergency medical attention may enroll in the SHBP as early as August 1 at no extra charge. For early enrollment, contact the Office of Student Health Benefits, 410 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, umshbo@umn.edu, (612) 624-0627.
Plan members and their dependents traveling 100 or more miles away from home and outside of their home country, have emergency medical, travel, and personal security assistance 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world, through FrontierMEDEX, a leading provider of international travel assistance services. From finding an English-speaking doctor to replacing a prescription, FrontierMEDEX has the resources and experience to offer rapid coordination and monitoring of medical care while students are abroad.
Medical Services Available
- 24-hour worldwide medical referrals
- Medical evacuations and repatriation of mortal remains
- Verification of insurance coverage to facilitate hospital admission
Personal and Travel Services Available
- Assistance with lost or stolen travel documents (i.e. passport)
- Emergency language interpretation services
- Emergency cash advance
FrontierMEDEX Information Sheet (PDF)
FrontierMEDEX Member Website
FrontierMEDEX ID Card (267K, PDF)
FrontierMEDEX Assistance 1-800-527-0218
Looking for the 2011-2012 Student Health Benefit Plan for Crookston Campus International Students? View it here.
04/27/12 Email: Summer Coverage
03/01/12 Email: Imp't Registration Update
02/06/12 Email: Spring SHBP Welcome Reminder
01/18/12 Email: Spring SHBP Welcome
12/07/11 Emergency Travel Assistance
11/30/11 Email: Take advantage of SHBP
08/04/11 Email: Enroll Dependents for Fall SHBP
09/09/11 Email: Fall SHBP Welcome
Eligibility Questions
Office of Student Health Benefits
University of Minnesota
410 Church Street S.E., N323
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 624-0627 or 1-800-232-9017
Fax: (612) 626-5183 or 1-800-624-9881
Email: umshbo@umn.edu
On-Campus Health Care Questions
Student Health Services
145F Student Center
2900 University Avenue
Crookston, MN 56716-5001
Phone: 218-281-8512
Website
Coverage Questions
Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Phone: (651) 662-5004 or 1-866-870-0348
Website
Emergency Travel Assistance Questions
FrontierMEDEX
Phone: 1-800-527-0218
Email: info@medexassist.com
FrontierMEDEX Member Website
Term |
Dates |
|---|---|
Fall |
08/25/2011 – 01/16/2012 |
Spring |
01/17/2012 - 08/23/2012 |
Summer |
05/21/2012 – 08/23/2012 |
Coverage for |
Cost |
|---|---|
Student |
$950.00/semester |
Spouse/SSPD* |
$1,230.00/semester |
One child |
$936.00/semester |
Two or more
children |
$1,296.00/semester |
Coverage for |
Cost |
|---|---|
Student |
$484.00/semester |
Spouse/SSDP* |
$627.00/semester |
One child |
$477.00/semester |
Two or more
children |
$660.00/semester |
* spouse or same-sex domestic partner
Student Info Release Authorization Form (PDF)
Change, Cancel, Payment, and Dependent Enrollment Form (PDF)
Students participating in a Learning Abroad experience who were enrolled in the Student Health Benefit Plan the previous term will automatically be enrolled in the Student Health Benefit Plan for the term of their Learning Abroad experience unless they submit and are approved for a waiver.
To request a waiver from the University-sponsored Student Health Benefit Plan, students must submit a Waiver Request Form for Students Learning Abroad to the Office of Student Health Benefits along with verifiable proof of other health plan coverage (e.g. a copy of the front and back of their health plan card). (Please note: CISI insurance for Education Abroad is not eligible for a waiver. Students are only eligible for a waiver if their insurance situation has changed since last semester and they are now enrolled on other comparable coverage.) All eligible students must complete the waiver request process by the Twin Cities campus class registration deadline.
Most students participating in a Learning Abroad experience do not pay the Student Services Fee during their term abroad and will not have access to Student Services Fee benefits at Boynton Health Service.
Regular international student waiver guidelines apply.