Health Insurance Requirements

In order to meet health insurance requirements for international students, California State University Fullerton (CSUF) requires all enrolled F-1/J-1 international students to purchase the CSUF International Student Health Plan administered by Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk before registering for classes. No alternate health insurance plans are accepted. Certain government sponsored international students may be exempt from this requirement, depending on documentation submitted to CSUF. Please see below for additional information. U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents and non-F-1/J-1 international students are not eligible to purchase this plan. The comprehensive insurance program includes coverage for accidental injury/sickness, medical evacuation, and repatriation and is also valid when traveling outside the United States.

Purchase Insurance

How to Purchase CSUF International Student Health Insurance

1. Go to jcbins.com. 
2. In the School Name search box, type Cal State Fullerton.
3. In Select Your Plan Year menu, select your school year (example: 2024-2025).
4. In the Select Plan Type menu, select your academic program:
   
   1. International Degree Students
      • F-1 Students pursuing Bachelor’s degree, or Master’s degree, or Certificate, or Credential
   2. Semester Abroad & Exchange Students
      
      • F-1 Students in the University Semester Abroad Program
      • J-1 Exchange Students enrolled at Cal State Fullerton
   3. OPT Students
      
      • F-1 Students at Cal State Fullerton who are on approved post-completion OPT
5. Click on View My School Portal.   
6. Select your coverage term which corresponds with your intended semester of attendance.
7. If you are a new student, create an account. If you are a returning student (purchased last term) then log in as a returning or continuing student.
8. Follow remaining instructions and make your payment.
9. Print the confirmation page and save a copy for your records.

After your health insurance purchase is received and confirmed, ISS will receive a notification directly from the health insurance provider and will remove the ISS hold on your CSUF Student Record. 

Optional Health Insurance for OPT Students

Eligibility

Students who have applied or received approval for Post-Completion OPT have the option of purchasing the CSUF International Student Health Insurance plan. Purchasing this plan is voluntary. Please note that STEM-OPT students are not eligible for this insurance coverage. Additionally, you must meet the following conditions:

1. You must be currently enrolled in the CSUF international student health plan within 30 days of your plan expiration date.
2. You must have a valid OPT EAD or I-797 receipt notice – document upload is required.
3. You must maintain continuous coverage – no gaps in coverage are allowed.
4. You are only eligible for the CSUF International Student Health insurance plan for a maximum of two quarters beyond graduation.

Deadlines to Purchase Optional OPT Health Insurance Coverage

• Graduating Fall Semester: January 30 (Renewal Deadline: April 30)
• Graduating Spring or Summer: August 30 (Renewal Deadline: November 30)

Periods of Insurance Coverage

Periods of insurance coverage available for purchase depends on your academic program or your health insurance Plan Type.

International Degree Students (for degree, certificate or credential program)

• Annual coverage: August 1 to July 31
• Fall coverage: August 1 to December 31
• Spring & Summer coverage: January 1 to July 31

Semester Abroad & Exchange Students for F-1 Students in the University Semester Abroad Program and J-1 Exchange Students

• Fall coverage: August 1 to December 31
• Spring coverage: January 1 to May 31
  

F-1 International Students in University Semester Abroad Program

• Fall coverage: August 1 to December 31
• Spring coverage: January 1 to May 31
• Summer coverage: June 1 to July 31

F-1 Students on Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• Coverage for Fall Graduates
  
  • OPT Quarter 1: August 1 to October 31
  • OPT Quarter 2: November 1 to January 31
  • OPT Quarter 3: January 1 to March 31
  • OPT Quarter 4: April 1 to June 30
• Coverage for Spring/Summer Graduates
  • OPT Quarter 1: August 1 to October 31
  • OPT Quarter 2: November 1 to January 31

ISS Health Insurance Hold

International students on F1 or J1 visas will have a “International Student Hold” or "ISS hold" on their CSUF Student Account. Once international students purchase CSUF International Student Health Insurance, ISS will be notified of purchase and will remove the hold within 2-3 business days. The ISS hold will reappear before the next enrollment window as a reminder to obtain the required CSUF international student health insurance coverage. 

Helpful tips: Please plan on purchasing the required CSUF international health insurance at least two weeks before you plan to enroll in courses. Avoid purchasing on Fridays or on the weekends.

Government-Sponsored Students

Government-sponsored students may be exempt from purchasing the Anthem Student Health Plan from Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk if they can provide documentation that their government will be purchasing a U.S. health insurance policy. If you are a government-sponsored student and believe you are eligible for an exemption, contact your financial sponsor to provide our office with a valid financial guarantee. Allow a few days for processing and adjustment of the ISS hold.

If your financial guarantees or home government scholarship has expired, you will see the ISS hold which will prevent course enrollment. Please contact your financial sponsor about providing both ISS and CSUF Student Business Services with a valid financial guarantee so that the ISS hold can be adjusted.

International Student Health Insurance ID

• International students should have their CSUF International Student Health Insurance ID card at all times (digitally on mobile device and printed copy).
• Your CSUF International Student Health Insurance ID card or health insurance member ID card will be available on the insurance plan start date or 3 weeks after you purchase the plan, whichever is later. You will receive an email from the Health Insurance provider once your health insurance ID card is ready to download onto your mobile device or computer.
• If you want to request a printed copy of your health insurance ID card, contact Member Services at 1-800-888-2108.
• Sydney Health App and Digital ID

How to Use Your Health Insurance

• Create Your International Student Health Account
  
  1. Go to https://www.anthem.com/ca/register/
  2. Select Student ID and provide your CSUF Campus Wide ID (CWID)
  3. Enter your first name, last name, CWID and Date of Birth and click Next
  4. Follow the instructions to finish creating your account. 
• Download the Sydney Health App
  
  • With the Sydney Health App, you have access to your Health Insurance ID card, can search for a doctor or medical professional who accept your Student Health Insurance, can access LiveHealthOnline and 24/7 Nurse Line and other support specialists.
  • Sydney Health App and Digital ID
    • CSUF Anthem Plan Brochure
  • Anthem’s Four Simple Steps to Start Using Your Insurance
  • Anthem Student Health Insurance Customer Service
    • Phone: 1-800-888-2108
  • Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk Customer Service
    • Phone: 714-869-2961
    • Email: GGB.JCB.Studentservices@ajg.com

On-Campus Health & Wellness Services

• If you have a life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1.
• Whenever possible, seek medical care on-campus at TitanMED Clinical Health Services.
• On-Campus Health & Wellness Resources
  • TitanHealth: TitanMED Clinical Health Services
  • Counseling and Psychological Services
  • Disability Support Services

What to Do If You Need Medical Care

• What Should I Do If I Get Sick
• How to get care across the U.S. or outside the U.S. using your CSUF International Student Health Insurance
• Anthem 24/7 NurseLine