Health insurance

Taking care of your health is essential while you are a student. Because government-provided healthcare is not available to international students or scholars in the United States, the University makes affordable health insurance available to you and your visiting family members. 

Automatic enrollment

If your Form I-20 or DS-2019 was issued by UM-Dearborn, you are automatically enrolled in the UM International Student and Scholar Health Plan (IHI). 

  • F-1 and J-1 students: You are enrolled in the IHI for the duration of your program of study. 
  • J-1 scholars: You will be enrolled for your entire term of appointment. 
  • OPT students: You have the option of extending your coverage beyond graduation. 

The health insurance benefit ensures that you have access to quality healthcare during your time at UM-Dearborn. 

Once F1 students graduate, their International Student Health Insurance ends. If you wish to extend your student coverage, you may be eligible for the 90-day International Student Health Insurance Continuation Plan, offered directly through BCN. For more information or to enroll into the BCN continuation plan, visit Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk. 

What is covered?

Your IHI plan covers treatment when you are sick, injured, or pregnant, as well as routine and preventive care. Coverage includes:

Coverage Highlights

  • Routine/preventive care – including immunizations (BCN Member Guide, pg. 18)
  • 90% coverage for prescription drugs (pg. 14 & 23)
  • Pregnancy and childbirth are covered (pg. 19)
  • Both inpatient and outpatient coverage (for example: hospital room and board, physician's fees, laboratory tests, x-rays, ambulance, etc.) (pgs. 19-21)
  • Mental health problems and Substance abuse (pgs. 13 & 20)
  • Routine eye exam in-network twice per policy year for $20 co-pay (pgs. 21-22)
  • Some dental coverage (pg. 22-23)
  • The BCN Member Guide will tell you whether the annual deductible, a co-pay, or co-insurance applies to these services. 

Medical Evacuation, Repatriation, and Travel Assistance Coverage

  • All UM F-1 students (including OPT students) and all UM J-1 students and scholars are automatically covered by the GeoBlue Travel Assistance Plan. This coverage is free of charge and no enrollment forms are needed. 
  • The plan is called the GeoBlue BCBSM International MERE Plan.  MERE stands for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation, but the plan offers additional services too. For example:
  • If you are hospitalized, the plan can help cover costs for your parents to come to the United States to visit you.
  • In the event of the death, or a serious/life-threatening illness, of an immediate family member, the plan will help cover costs for you to return home. 
  • For specific information about what the plan covers, see travel assistance coverage provided by GeoBlue.

If you need to use this coverage: Call 1-610-290-0345, explain that you are covered by the BCBSM International MERE Plan, and provide the U-M code GTB9999BCMI1.  GeoBlue will then open a case for you and ask you for the information they will need to help you.

BCN member account and insurance ID card

Shortly after your arrival on campus, you will receive an email with your “enrollee ID” which allows you to create your member account by following the instructions on the BCN website. Your member account will give you access to your electronic ID card. You will be able to check your coverage, claims, and more on your computer, smartphone or tablet. 

Keep your insurance ID card or certificate with you at all times. You can download an image of your card to your phone, or you can print your card if you prefer. If you visit the doctor or the hospital, you will be asked to show your ID card before receiving services.

About the UM Health plan

Rates

Dearborn students and scholars will be assessed each term: Fall (September), Winter (January), and Summer(May) for coverage up to 4 months.  

Charges cannot be pro-rated. This means that if you have this insurance for any part of the month, you will be charged for the entire month.

Insurance rates change every year on September 1. Rates usually increase; a decrease is rare. The current rates are listed below.

Rates of 2024/2025:

  • Single Student/Scholar: $995.56
  • Student/Scholar  with 1 Dependent: $1,969.12 
  • Student/Scholar with 2 or more Dependents: $2,942.68

Do you already have insurance?

Health insurance waivers must be submitted within 30 days of your I-20 or DS-2019 program start date. You may be eligible to request a waiver of the health insurance requirement under very specific conditions. Please, review the U-M International Student/Scholar Health Insurance Standards, below.

You may be eligible for a waiver if you:

  • Have alternate health insurance that meets U-M International Student/Scholar Health Insurance Standards (listed, below). The OIA will help you determine this.
  • Are eligible for health insurance benefits administered by the U-M Benefits Office. You may be eligible for health insurance provided as a U-M benefit if you are a: 
    • Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) 
      • Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) 
    • J-1 exchange scholar with a UM-Dearborn appointment 

How to submit a health insurance waiver request

Health Insurance Presentations

International Student/Scholar Health Insurance Plan

Questions?

Health insurance coverage is coordinated through the OIA. For further information contact 313-583-6600 or [email protected].

BCN Student Inquiries, Membership, Enrollment, Billing:  TEL, 1-833-468-9570, Email, [email protected]

Confirming benefits, Claims, Searching for a doctor/specialist/medical facility:  TEL, 1-800-287-4103  (# on back of insurance card)

 

Forms

Office of International Affairs

2106 - James C. Renick University Center
4901 Evergreen Road
Dearborn, MI 48128
View on Map
Phone: 313-583-6600
Fax: 313-583-6725