F-1 Requirements

All F-1 international students must have health insurance while studying at UNLV. This is typically handled by automatically enrolling F-1 international students in a qualifying health insurance plan that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and also includes medical evacuation and repatriation in the plan.

As a result, travel insurance plans will not meet these criteria and students must still have the UNLV health insurance plan.

Health Insurance Waiver for F-1 International Students

Students who feel that they are covered by an existing health insurance plan can apply for a health insurance waiver at the link below. Waivers must be completed every semester for International students.

F-1 Health Insurance Waiver

Health Insurance Application for Students on Optional Practical Training 

While students on OPT will not be required to have health insurance while on their OPT, International Student and Scholar Services strongly recommends that students do maintain health insurance coverage while they are working in the U.S. as medical costs can be quite expensive here.

Students on OPT have three options for health insurance:

1. Coverage through their employer

   1. If available, this may be the most cost effective option as usually the employer will pay for at least some of the premiums

2. Health insurance through the Affordable Care Act

   1. If health insurance is not available through a student’s employer, students can purchase their own health insurance plan through the government healthcare website. There students can compare costs and plan coverages to see which one fits their needs best.

3. Health insurance through UNLV

   1. Students can repurchase the same health insurance plan that they had through UNLV. The cost may be higher for this plan though, but it is an option. More information can be found at the link below.

OPT Health Insurance Application

Additional Questions

If students have any questions regarding health insurance coverage while at UNLV, they can find more information on the UNLV Student Health Insurance page or email Ellen Bolt at insurancewaiver.grads@unlv.edu.