Health Insurance for International Students

North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) policy section 505 requires* all international students at Minot State University in F-1 or J-1 status to carry the health insurance policy that has been designated by the Chancellor of the North Dakota State University System. * Canadian citizens are exempt from this requirement.

International students in F-1 status will be automatically enrolled into the insurance policy on a semester basis by the Office of International Programs.

The insurance policy fee is automatically charged to your Minot State financial account at the beginning of each semester, and it must be paid by the Tuition Payment Deadline.

The insurance fee for spring/summer terms must be paid in full by January 24, 2024; it cannot be included in a payment plan. 

Health Insurance Rates for the 2023-24 Academic Year
Health Insurance Rates for the 2023-24 Academic Year: $2,232 annual cost
Semester Dates of Coverage Cost
Fall 2023 August 16 - December 31, 2023 $842
Spring/Summer 2024 January 1 - August 15, 2024 $1,390


If the insurance fee is not paid in full by January 24th, the Minot State business office will drop you from your classes. Do not let this happen; you must be enrolled full-time at all times in order to maintain your F-1 status.

Summer coverage
If you plan to graduate in May, or are going home for the summer, you are still required to pay the spring/summer premium in full. Also, refunds or waivers pro-rated for the summer period are not allowed. The insurance plan is non-negotiable and non-refundable.

If you are eligible to purchase it at the start of the semester, you remain eligible for the insurance throughout the remainder of the plan year (through August 15 of each year) even if you are not enrolled in summer classes.

United Healthcare is the current official health insurance provider for North Dakota public institutions. The policy is comprehensive and provide excellent benefits. For information about the insurance policy, visit: Policy summary brochure  or www.uhcsr.com

Information regarding COVID-19 coverage can be found here: www.uhcsr.com/faqs.

United Healthcare Contact Information
Customer Service: 1-877-433-6667
Email: customerservice@uhcsr.com

Your Policy Number
The policy number listed below is the same for all Minot State international students enrolled in this policy period. In addition - each student always has an individual, unique, "SR ID #" that is also found on the card. This SR ID will remain the same for you each semester you remain enrolled at Minot State.

International students in F-1 status will be automatically enrolled into the insurance policy on a semester basis. The automatic enrollment can take up to 6 weeks, during which you will not have access to your policy or ID card. Remember, when you pay for your spring/summer 2024 health insurance, you pay for coverage starting from January 1st. Please opt-in to make sure your coverage begins January 1st. If you do not opt-in, you will not be covered until you are automatically enrolled which is, again, 6 weeks after the start of the semester. 

To speed up your enrollment you should "opt-in" to request to be added to the policy every semester.   

  1. Approximately 2-3 weeks before the start of fall and spring semesters you will receive an email with the subject: "North Dakota University System Student Health Insurance Spring/Summer 2024 Enrollment" from ndus@elev834.com.

    You may opt-in immediately after you receive this email, even if you have not yet paid the insurance fee on your MSU student account.

  2. Click on the "Opt-in" icon, which is the gray figure holding a red pointer:
    Opt in icon
  3. From here you will be prompted to complete the opt-in process with https://elev834.eciservices.com/Login.aspx.

    - First time students, use the following to log-in.
      Username: your MSU student ID number  
      Password: your last (family) name

    - Returning users, you will be required to use the password you chose previously.

    ECI-create-account.jpg
  4. You will receive an email from United Healthcare Student Resources within 24 to 48 hours after you have submitted your opt-in request, notifying you that it is time to create your student account (instructions below). At this point you will be able to login, download your insurance ID card, and use the United Healthcare app.

If you do not opt-in to request to be added to the insurance policy every semester, you will not be able to utilize the insurance plan until after the 6th week of the semester. 

After you have opted-in to the insurance policy, you will receive an email from United Healthcare inviting you to claim access your account. Fact Sheet: how to create your United Healthcare account
New students
  1. Visit this URL: https://www.uhcsr.com/school-page
  2. Type: Minot State University in the school name box
  3. Click the "Login to My Account" link.
  4. Click "CREATE ACCOUNT" and fill in the requested information
    • A) enter your first/last name exactly as it shows in CampusConnection
    • B) enter your Minot State email address or your Minot State student ID to confirm your identity

Continuing students
If you had United Healthcare coverage last semester, choose “Login to My Account” and login as you have done in the past to see your new coverage information.

Problems logging in?
If you have trouble logging in to your account or creating one, the Minot State Office of International Programs is not able to help you due to privacy laws. You will need to contact United Healthcare’s customer service: at 1-877-433-6667 or customerservice@uhcsr.com.

If you never receive emails from United Healthcare, check your spam/junk mail and update your mailbox settings if necessary, in case the email from United Healthcare went there by accident.

After you have opted-in to the insurance policy, you will be able to access your online United Healthcare account.

There is an App for that!
Set up the United Healthcare mobile app on your phone. With the United Healthcare app, you can access your digital ID card, explore Care Options, find a local doctor and view your claims.

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Search for "UHCSR StudentResources" for Apple or Android in the App Store or on Google Play.

Print a paper ID card
  1. Visit this URL: https://www.uhcsr.com Enter "Minot State University" in the school name box
  2. In the upper-right hand corner, click the "Login to My Account" link.
  3. First time users: claim your account, using the above instructions
  4. Returning students: enter your username and password if you already have an account.
  5. Once logged in, select "ID Card Information"
  6. “Request Permanent ID card”  and/or  “View or Print ID Card"

VERY IMPORTANT: Be sure to carry any insurance card with you at all times. You never know when you may need to use it.

If you are currently enrolled in the student insurance plan you can purchased dependent coverage through your My Account site after logging in at www.uhcsr.com.  Coverage purchased after the effective date of the policy will not be prorated and the effective date is the date that premium and application are received.

Costs for adding family members are found in the policy materials located at www.uhcsr.com.

If your dependents will be arriving in the US mid-semester and need to have insurance coverage, please contact United Healthcare Customer Service to make arrangements prior to their arrival.

If you have any questions about the process for adding a dependent or about the coverage for your dependent, please contact United Healthcare customer service directly at +1 (877) 433-6667.

Early Arrivals Coverage

F-1 students who are required to arrive at Minot State to start athletic practices BEFORE August 15th must enroll in the United Healthcare policy to start coverage on the day you arrive in the U.S. (Canadians are exempt). 

The cost for the early coverage period (August 1 -15) is $91 and will be added to your Minot State student account. 

Email the Office of International Programs to start initiate your early arrival coverage. Please include your full name, MSU student ID number, date of birth and home country.

Injuries Sustained During Official Athletic Activities
Starting in fall 2022, the ADA/IC Sports Injury claim form is no longer needed from the Athletic Department to consider claims under the 2022 option 4 policy. All injuries are considered the same as any other injury, and Accident Details would be requested from the member if needed to process the claim.

Canadian citizens are not required to carry the North Dakota University System insurance policy through United Healthcare. You should refer to your Canadian private and provincial health insurance providers for more information about what sort of coverage you have while attending university in the United States. 

*During the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important that you contact your Canadian health insurance provider to learn if testing for COVID-19 and treatment for COVID-19 related illnesses will be covered while you are in the United States.  If testing and treatments for COVID-19 are not covered in the U.S., Minot State strongly recommends that you purchase the North Dakota University System insurance policy.   

If you are interested in purchasing the North Dakota University System insurance policy, read through the policy details on this webpage and email the Office of International Programs to initiate your enrollment into the plan. Include the following details: First and Last name, MSU student ID, date of birth, U.S. phone number, and your address in Minot.

 

Documentation for Provincial Providers

You might be required to submit additional documents to your province prior to the start of each academic year. Download any necessary forms and send them to the Office of International Programs to be signed. The province may only need a verification of enrollment. If no form is specified, contact the province with questions regarding their specific requirements.

United Healthcare offers an additional, optional dental insurance policy for international students in F-1 status. The plan will pay up to $500 each year towards basic services such as:

  • Cleanings (limited to 2 per year)
  • Fluoride treatments (limited to 2 per year)
  • Sealants
  • X-rays (limited)
  • Restorations (such as fillings)
  • Periodic oral evaluations
  • Labs and other diagnostic tests 

The plan does NOT cover extractions, oral surgery (i.e. removal of wisdom teeth) or orthodontics (i.e. braces). The United Healthcare dental plan is intended to help pay for basic oral health maintenance, and only routine and preventative services are covered. The full benefit summary is available here.

If this plan does not meet your needs you are able to research other dental plans that provide more comprehensive coverage on your own.  

Deadline to sign up: September 29, 2022*
*New students who start their studies in North Dakota in the spring semester may enroll in the optional dental plan within 30 days of the start of the semester. The full cost is due at the time of enrollment, and cannot be pro-rated.

Coverage period: August 16, 2021 - August 15, 2022

Cost: $243.08 (student only)

How to enroll: You must enroll in this dental plan directly with United Healthcare using this link.

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If you are experiencing accute dental pain, or need to visit a dentist for any reason, we recommend that you make a dental appointment at Northland Community Health Center. The cost of dental care at Northland is based on an individual's ability to pay, and may be much more affordable to international students than other dental clinics in Minot.

Visit: https://northlandhealthcenters.org/locations/

Students who remain in the U.S. after graduation for OPT are eligible for a 90-day continuation of insurance coverage. The 90-days is intended to allow you to identify and purchase an alternate policy for the remainder of your OPT time through the marketplace: www.healthcare.gov.

To purchase the continuation coverage:

  • Log into your United Healthcare Account: www.uhcsr.com/school-page.
  • The cost is $186 per month and you can pay for the coverage monthly, through your account.
  • The coverage must be purchased within 14 days after your current coverage expires.

Students who graduate in May are eligible for the continuation coverage starting August 15 (the expiration date of the spring/summer coverage that you were automatically enrolled in).

Students who graduate in December are eligible for the continuation coverage starting January 1.

Under the North Dakota University System Policy/Procedure 505, students may be eligible for a waiver of the NDUS designated insurance if they are able to provide proof of comparable coverage. Waivers are granted in only a few exceptional situations, typically when coverage is already provided through a U.S. employer, or a parent or spouse’s U.S. based employer. Waivers are NOT granted for students who are “shopping” for a lower price.

Refer to the North Dakota University System website for the requirements that alternate insurance policies must meet in order to be considered comparable to the NDUS designated insurance plan.

Staff in the Minot State Office of International Programs cannot help students research alternative insurance plans. 

Waiver Application Process
Admitted and enrolled students will receive an email approximately 2-3 weeks before the start of fall and spring semesters with instructions on how to submit a request to waiver the NDUS designated insurance plan. The email subject: "North Dakota University System Student Health Insurance Spring/Summer 2024 Enrollment" from ndus@elev834.com.

Returning students in the spring will not receive an Opt-in/waive it email, and can complete a waiver application visiting: https://elev834.eciservices.com/Student/Login.aspx?SchoolId=7.
- First time students, use the following to log-in.
  Username: your MSU student ID number  
  Password: your last (family) name

- Returning users, you will be required to use the password you chose previously

The Spring/Summer 2024 waiver deadline is January 18, 2024. 

Waivers Denied
If a waiver request is not approved, the student will need to immediately pay the full mandated insurance price for the NDUS Policy.

Waivers Denied for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
Oftentimes, the alternate insurance policy will not include unlimited coverage for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation. If you are informed by the audit agency that your waiver request has been denied solely for this reason, you must follow the instructions to purchase stand-alone Medical Evacuation and Repatriation coverage and submit the required proof within the stated timeframe. In most cases, the denial will be overturned. 

 


page last updated December 19, 2023 (ml)