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F-1 Student Health Insurance
All active F-1 students at 17勛圖 are automatically enrolled in our mandatory health plan.
- This plan offers the best possible medical coverage at the best possible price.
- You can choose from a wide range of local healthcare providers in the Cigna PPO network.
- The plan covers up to $250,000 per condition each year, with 100% coverage after the copayment (usually $50-$100) for most doctors, clinics or hospital services within the PPO network.
- The copayment may be waived if you first visit 17勛圖's Student Health Services office.
Plan Enrollment
Coverage Dates
The health insurance costs $552 USD per four-month term, with three terms per year:
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Fall Term: August 15 - December 14
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Winter Term: December 15 - April 14
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Spring Term: April 15 - August 14
For new students, if you arrive in the U.S. before a coverage term starts, you can purchase one additional month of transition insurance.
If you finish your studies at 17勛圖 before the end of a coverage term, your insurance will end on the last day of the last quarter you paid for.
Coverage Payments
Once you enroll in a class for the upcoming quarter, the insurance fee should be added automatically. If you do not see this charge, please contact foothillinternational@fhda.edu. You can pay this fee along with your tuition and other fees.
Dependents
Dependents are not automatically enrolled in this health insurance plan. To enroll your dependents, visit . Dependents include your spouse, domestic partner, or children under the age of 26. Enrollment can only occur within 30 days of marriage, birth, adoption, or arrival in the U.S.
For questions about dependent enrollment, call (855) 684-4658.
During OPT
If you are participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT), you are eligible for the plan but the enrollment is not automatic. You must enroll yourself when you start OPT and remain enrolled throughout your entire OPT period.
To enroll during OPT, visit . You must provide a Verification of Practical Training Letter to qualify for this coverage. Additionally, you must purchase OPT coverage within 30 days of the expiration of your prior coverage.
Dependent coverage is not available for students on OPT.
If you are no longer an F-1 visa student, you cannot purchase health insurance under this plan.
For questions about OPT enrollment, call (855) 684-4658.
Waiver
17勛圖 may grant waivers if you meet certain requirements, such as being covered by your spouses', partners', or parents' U.S. local health insurance plan. If you have other health insurance plan (US or foreign), you will still be required to purchase the 17勛圖 health insurance.
For questions about the waiver, contact foothillinternational@fhda.edu.
The waiver form, along with all required documents, must be submitted to the ISP by the second Friday of each quarter (fall, winter, or spring).
Refunds
You are responsible for paying the quarterly health insurance fee unless you notify the ISP office and are approved for a refund within the first two weeks of the quarter for one of the following reasons:
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You are taking online classes from abroad
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Your immigration or visa status has changed
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You have obtained permanent residency (green card)
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You are transferring to another school or university
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You are ending your studies or leaving the U.S.
If you do not pay the required fees, a hold will be placed on your student account. You will not be able to enroll in future quarters until the hold is cleared. Unpaid fees may be sent to a collection agency, which could affect your financial or credit rating.
Access Care
Insurance ID
Enrolled students should receive a welcome email within the first two weeks of the new quarter. Be sure to check your spam/junk folder.
Follow the instructions in the email to register online and access your digital ID and other plan benefits at . If you cannot find this email, please contact foothillinternational@fhda.edu.
Carry your ID card with you at all times! You will need it when visiting the campus health center, doctor's office, urgent care, or hospital.
In-Network
The network for this plan is Cigna PPO.
In-network means that doctors, specialists, and hospitals have a contract with the insurance plan to offer services at a lower cost to members. This is also referred to as the PPO or Preferred network.
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If you use a Cigna PPO provider, covered medical services are paid at 100% by the insurance company.
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If you use an out-of-network provider (a provider who is not contracted with Cigna PPO), covered medical expenses are paid at only 70%.
Copays and deductibles are not included in what the insurance company pays.
Find Care
- Visitand at the top of the page, click "Find a Doctor, Dentist or Facility".
- Click "Employer or School" and enter your Address and City, or Zip. Click on "Doctor by Type, Doctor by Name, or Health Facilities" and make your selection in the drop down.
- Click "Continue as guest". (Note: you will not be able to create a Cigna account).
- Confirm your address and click "Continue".
- Under Please Select a Plan click "PPO, PPO Tiered" (bottom).
- Select a provider from the list.
It is best to locate a Cigna PPO physician, urgent care center, and emergency room near you before you get sick. Always verify the provider is part of the Cigna PPO Network before you receive treatment.
Mental Health
F-1 students have the same full access to 17勛圖 Mental Health and Wellness Center, which offers TimelyCare online support service available 24/7. Additionally, registered students are entitled to up to 8 free sessions with a mental health professional per academic year.
Our current insurance plan includes mental health services and access to 24/7 telemedicine services.
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allows students to connect with licensed behavioral health clinicians by calling 1-888-857-5462 or visiting their .
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Nurseline is available at 1-800-634-7629, offering immediate assistance from a registered nurse for any urgent concerns.
Copayments
The cost of the insurance charge:
- A $50 copay when you go to a Cigna PPO doctors office (may be waived at the Student Health Services office prior)
- A $50 copay when you go to a Cigna PPO urgent care center when the campus health center or doctors office is closed
- A $100 copay when you visit a Cigna PPO hospital
- A $100 copay if you visit a Cigna PPO emergency room
(waived if you are admitted to the hospital) - 50% of the cost of prescription medication, up to $2,500 maximum per year (you must pay in full, then send a claim for 50% reimbursement)
- 30% out-of-network coinsurance if you do not use a Cigna PPO provider
- Full amount for any services not covered by insurance
(see exclusions and limitations in the Policy)
Limitations and Exclusions
The Cigna PPO plan offers comprehensive benefits. As with any insurance plan, however, there are some specific limits to the coverage. If you incur charges for a service that is not covered or an amount that exceeds your coverage, you are responsible for paying those charges.
Be sure to carefully review the "Exclusions and Limitations" section of the plan certificate on so you know what is not covered or has limited coverage. If you have any questions or want to verify whether your plan covers a specific service, contact (877) 657-5030, TTY 711 or visit .
Reimbursement Claims
After your visit, the doctor or provider will send a bill to the insurance company for the charges. The insurance company will review the doctors statement and determine the payment for each itemized procedure. The insurance company will then send you an Explanation of Benefits. This is not a bill. It is a notification of what the insurance company will pay your doctor.
The doctor will receive payment from the insurance company and then bill you for any amount not covered by the insurance. You must pay for any amount the insurance company does not cover. If you do not pay, it will affect your credit and possibly your visa status. Note: Most charges are covered at 100% if you use a Cigna PPO provider.
In most cases, after your visit, a Cigna PPO physician or provider will send a bill to the claims
to:
For Cigna PPO Providers:
PO Box 188061
Chattanooga, TN 37422-8061
Electronic Payor ID: 62308
For Non-Cigna PPO Providers:
Wellfleet Group, LLC
dba Wellfleet Administrators, LLC
PO Box 15369
Springfield, MA 01115-5369
(877) 657-5030, TTY 711
www.wellfleetstudent.com
If you are required to pay for services up front, you will need to complete a claim on in order to be reimbursed (paid back) by the insurance company.
Keep copies of all the documents you submit. To check the status of a claim you submitted, contact (877) 657-5030, TTY 711 or visit .
Additional Coverage
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines are provided free of charge through local government vaccination sites. Please visit this website to determine your eligibility and to sign up for an a vaccination appointment when you are eligible:
Visit COVID-19 resources for this plan:
Dental and Vision
Dental and vision care are not covered under this insurance plan. If students would like more information on purchasing dental or vision, check with the Student Health Services office on campus or visit . 17勛圖 Dental Hygiene program also offers free/affordable services at the clinic on campus.
Worldwide
All medical bills, receipts, and other information should be sent to the claims department address.
Questions?
We're Here to Help!
International Student Programs Office
650.949.7293
foothillinternational@fhda.edu
Administration Building 1900 Room 1933
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