Health Insurance

You can automatically enroll yourself into the USD SHIP and see information on the coverage dates and premium by visiting USD's Health Insurance Requirement Enrollment page.

PLEASE NOTE:

All submitted waiver decision forms will be subject to a waiver verification. The intent of the waiver verification process is to assess whether or not your insurance plan meets the requirements of USD and the Affordable Care Act by providing access to health care providers and comprehensive benefits when you are at the University.

The verification process checks the insurance company information entered on your form to determine access to care and to confirm your coverage is currently active and comparable to the plan offered by USD. Most waivers will be verified within 24-72 hours of submission. You will be notified via email to the email address submitted on your form of the acceptance or denial of your waiver. If your waiver was denied, you will be provided with steps to appeal the denial should you believe the denial was made in error.

Students who choose to waive the USD health insurance requirement must do so at the start of each academic year (or their first semester at USD if starting in the spring or upon arrival if a visiting scholar). Without submitting the online health insurance waiver each year, USD cannot waive the health insurance fee. Therefore, students who fail to submit the waiver by the posted deadline will be automatically enrolled and billed via their USD student account.

Unsure if your health insurance meets these requirements? Your comprehensive health insurance plan must meet the University’s general requirements listed in the Waiver Requirements.

For in-depth information please refer to the Student Health Insurance Plan FAQ.

Note for Athletes: Student athletes participating in club or NCAA sports are NOT eligible to waive the USD health insurance requirement and therefore must enroll in the USD Student Health Insurance Plan, which includes special provisions for athletes.

Note for Students with Embassy-Sponsored Plans: Students with embassy/cultural mission-sponsored health insurance plans are not required to complete the online waiver but must provide the OISS a valid financial guarantee to Student Accounts (studentaccounts@sandiego.edu) by the insurance deadline. If unable to provide this document the student should complete the waiver process below. For more details visit following webpage with information on Sponsored Students

Online Waiver Instructions

Students who have been issued an I-20 can waive the USD SHIP now:

To access the online waiver, please follow the instructions below:

1. Gather all insurance documents - this information is required to fill out the online waiver
2. Go to www.gallagherstudent.com/USD.
3. Click on "Enroll/Waive"
4. Log in using your USD email address as your username and your password will be your student ID number
5. Complete the decision form
6. Review the information entered for accuracy and click "submit" to complete the process. Immediately upon submitting your Online Form you will receive a reference number. Please note and keep this information for your record. This number only confirms submission, not approval of your form. Your waiver will be reviewed within 24 to 48 hours.

Please contact your Admissions or Exchange Advisor to enroll in the USD SHIP.

Coverage Dates: August 1, 2026 - January 31, 2027

Premium: Approximately $2,100

J-1 students and visiting scholars may choose to waive the USD health insurance requirement with a comparable insurance plan only if this plan includes ALL of the following features and is submitted to the USD Office of International Students and Scholars at least 45 days prior to the student's arrival:

• Effective throughout the semester/academic year
• Maximum dollar coverage of at least $100,000 per illness or injury (not the same as $100,000 maximum benefit)
• Include outpatient care (doctor visits, outpatient surgery, etc.)
• Include hospitalization
• Repatriation for at least $25,000
• Medical evacuation for at least $50,000
• Cost of deductible, if any, does not exceed $500 per accident or illness

J-1 students and visiting scholars who wish to waive must also submit a copy of their health insurance certificate in English, which explicitly states that the requirements above are included. A letter from the insurance company would also be acceptable (please refer to this sample). Individuals who fail to do so at least 45 days before the date of their arrival to USD will automatically be enrolled in the USD SHIP.

Alternative Health Insurance Plans: Please review this list of insurance companies that have been used by former USD international students to waive the USD SHIP. Since we are not affiliated with any of these companies, we make no guarantee for their services. This list was assembled solely for the consideration of students who wish to waive the USD SHIP.