Student Insurance Coverage

Medical care in the U.S. is very expensive. There is no national medical plan or health care services in the U.S.; therefore, it is mandatory for international students to take out health insurance policies to help defray the high costs of health care.

All insurance policies include two types of coverage: "basic health insurance," which covers the cost of treatment as an outpatient; and "hospital and surgical," which covers expenses incurred as a hospital patient. Maternity care is usually not included and must be purchased separately. Also, most basic health care policies do not include dental services or eyeglasses (except for injuries to eyes or mouth receive as a result of an accident).

The health insurance for students must meet the guidelines established in Rule 6C-6.009(6) of the State of Florida:

STATE OF FLORIDA BOARD OF REGENTS RULING

6C-6.009(6) ADMISSION OF FOREIGN
STUDENTS TO SUS INSTITUTIONS

(6) AS OF FALL 1992, NO FOREIGN STUDENT IN F-1, F-2, J-1, OR J-2 NON-IMMIGRANT STATUS SHALL BE PERMITTED TO REGISTER, OR CONTINUE ENROLLMENT, AT A UNIVERSITY WITHOUT DEMONSTRATING THAT HE OR SHE HAS ADEQUATE MEDICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ILLNESS OR ACCIDENTAL INJURY. AN ADEQUATE MEDICAL INSURANCE POLICY WILL PROVIDE THAT THE INSURANCE PROCEEDS ARE PAYABLE IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY, AND NOT RESTRICT ITS USE TO A PARTICULAR LOCALE. A UNIVERSITY MAY REQUIRES THE INSURER TO HAVE A UNITED STATES CLAIM AGENT.

St. Petersburg College requires that you show proof of pre-paid health insurance.

For international students who desire information on an insurance policy, please come to the Advising/Counseling Center located in the Administration building.

Visit our Forms section to print the Student Health Insurance form for international students