Student health and well-being are critical to academic success. The primary purpose of health insurance is to provide affordable and comprehensive benefits to allow access to physical and mental health care. Adequate health insurance offers financial protection to individuals and families that suffer catastrophic health events which is one of the leading factors of debt.
Columbia International University requires all qualifying students to carry adequate health insurance to cover, among other costs, emergency and routine, non-emergency medical care. In keeping with this requirement, students annually must provide acceptable proof of adequate coverage for verification.
The University requires providing proof annually of active health insurance for the following student populations:
- All traditional undergraduate students enrolled in six or more on-campus credit hours
- All graduate students enrolled in six or more on-campus credit hours
- Regardless of registration status:
- All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- All student athletes
- All F-1 visa international students
- All graduate assistants
Students must provide the following each year prior to moving onto campus or beginning on-campus courses as a commuter:
- Emergency Contact/Medical History form
- Medical Insurance Information form and attach one of the following acceptable proof of insurance to form
- A current member ID card (front and back)
- A letter from insurance company verifying coverage, sometimes called a certificate of coverage
- Explanation of benefits provided by insurer
- Form 1095-A if you are covered by a plan purchased through the health insurance marketplace
- Form 1095-B if you purchased coverage directly from an insurer or are employed in a small business with less than 50 full time employees
- Form 1095-C if you are covered by an employer sponsored plan
Student Athletes
All University Student-Athletes must provide proof of primary health insurance coverage that includes athletic-related injuries. All student athletes must submit adequate proof of coverage prior to participation in intercollegiate games, practices or team workouts. The University Athletic Department will submit all insurance information for verification of coverage. Student Athletic coverage must have a limit of at least $35,000 and must cover athletically related injuries. If the insurance does not meet this requirement, the student athlete will not be allowed to participate.
The NAIA Catastrophic Injury Insurance Program covers student-athletes who suffer catastrophic injuries while participating in a covered intercollegiate athletic activity (subject to all policy terms and conditions.) This coverage does not qualify as the basic coverage required for participation in athletics at CIU It is considered supplemental coverage in the event of a catastrophic injury.
International Students
Federal and state laws require that international students maintain adequate health insurance while attending Columbia International University. While other countries may provide health care for their residents, individuals in the United States are responsible for these expenses. An adequate international healthcare insurance policy gives you access to excellent healthcare facilities and provides financial protection. 2022-23 international student athletes are enrolled in the ISP Pioneer Elite plan and payments will be added to their tuition bill.
Insurance Options
CIU does not offer a student insurance policy. Students who are not covered under a spouse/parent/employer-sponsored policy are directed to the ACA Marketplace. More information about eligibility may be found at www.HealthCare.gov.
International non-athletes may apply for Trail Blazer Plan at www.coverage2u.com.
Uninsured students looking for individual health insurance coverage may contact the McGriff Individual Department for a quote by providing an email to Sandy Radford, Insurance Officer with Truist Medicare and Health Solutions.
Deadline
Students will be required to complete both forms annually prior to moving onto campus or beginning on-campus courses if commuter. If proof of coverage is not received by September 15, students will incur a $100 fine monthly and their student account will be billed until the insurance requirement is satisfied. These students will be financially responsible for all bills.