International Health Insurance

Our staff at Health Services is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy campus for our entire Niagara community. Enclosed in this letter, please find the necessary requirements pertinent to your insurance requirements for attendance to Niagara University.

It is University policy that:

International students are required to submit proof of health insurance effective for one year, as well as the required Medical History & Immunization forms. In addition to basic coverage, the student''s insurance must provide repatriation and medical evacuation expenses. No international student shall be permitted to check into the residence halls or to register for classes until all the specified information is part of the student's permanent record. If the insurance policy lapses, the student will be subject to suspension from NU until such time as health coverage is renewed.

Please use the following guidelines for completing the required forms:

ONTARIO STUDENTS: Ontario students need only to fill out the:

• Request for Waiver of Health Insurance (Form 1) and provide a photocopy of their OHIP insurance card.
• Further documentation of health insurance coverage is not required. Mail or fax to Niagara University at (716) 286-8391.

ALL OTHER INTERNATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL STUDENTS:

Identify which subgroup you belong to, and then follow the directions.

1. If you DO NOT HAVE health insurance that provides comparable coverage as outlined and you choose to purchase the Niagara National Accident and Health Plan fill out the application and mail to Niagara National with payment.
2. If you DO HAVE comparable private or national health insurance or choose to purchase an alternate plan and request to apply for a waiver:
   • Complete the Request for Waiver of Health Insurance (Form 1)
   • Submit the Inventory of Health Insurance Policy Benefits (Form 2) for completion to a representative of your health insurance company
   • Provide a copy of your health insurance policy translated in English
   • Provide a photocopy of your insurance card
   • Mail or fax information to Niagara University
3. IF YOU DO HAVE comparable private or national health insurance but DO NOT HAVE REPATRIATION & MEDICAL EVACUATION BENEFITS, you MUST purchase these additional benefits:
   • Complete the Request for Waiver of Health Insurance (Form 1)
   • Submit the Inventory of Health Insurance Policy Benefits (Form2)
   • Provide a copy of your health insurance policy translated in English
   • Provide a photocopy of your insurance card
   • Mail or fax all above information to Niagara University
   • If you choose to purchase repatriation and medical evacuation benefits from Assist America: Student Assurance Services Inc. Review the web page and call them for assistance. If you choose to purchase repatriation and evacuation benefits from Niagara national or another company, complete all of the steps listed in #2.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE REVIEW

All international students will automatically be enrolled into the 2009-2010 Student Accident and Health Insurance Program if the necessary paperwork is not received by the deadline. Students who prove adequate coverage through private insurance polices, OR choose to purchase alternate medical insurance OR have national health insurance MAY APPLY FOR A WAIVER.

The deadline for requesting a waiver is July 27, 2009. If you have not submitted this information by the above deadline, $515.00 will be directly forwarded to Niagara National (plan administrator) on you behalf for payment of the health insurance premium. At this time your student account will be billed. This fee will be non-refundable. This will ensure that all international students will have appropriate medical coverage on the first day of classes.

Mail the completed form #1 and #2 to the Student Health Services, P.O. Box 1923, Niagara University, NY 14109 or fax them to (716) 286-8391. Do not hesitate to call us for assistance at (716) 286-8390.

Health Insurance Requirements for Attending Niagara University:

While Niagara University does not require that an individual’s private plan identically match the Student Accident & Health Insurance Program (pamphlet enclosed), students must provide documentation of comparable basic Accident & Sickness benefit health insurance. To ensure that you have adequate health insurance to cover the potential cost of health services in the United States, following is a list of minimal benefits that your medical insurance plan must provide:

Benefit	U.S. Dollar Equivalent
Accidental injury Expenses	$2000.00 minimum
Hospital Room & Board	$350.00 per day
Surgical Benefits	$2000.00 minimum
In-Hospital Physician’s Fees	$50.00 per visit
Out-Patient Physician’s Fees	$50.00
Diagnostic & Laboratory Fees	$200.00 per visit
Emergency Room visits	$150.00 minimum
Consultant Expense	$75.00 per sickness
Prescription Medications	$50.00 per sickness
Ambulance	$250.00
Maternity	As above
Annual Pap/Pelvic	One visit per year
Expenses associated with pre-existing conditions	Covered

Supplemental Expenses: When expenses exceed the basic accidental and sickness benefit, 80% of the expenses are paid up to a maximum of $50,000

Medical Evacuation	$10,000
Repatriation	$10,000

MEDICAL EVACUATION:

$10,000 coverage for evacuation to your natural country or approved facility for the care of the injured or ill person when the insured student is hospitalized for 5 consecutive days or more.

REPATRIATION:

In the event of death, the insurance company will pay $10,000 for the preparation and transportation of the remains of the deceased body to the country of origin.