International Student Insurance Requirements

• Inadequate health insurance can result in catastrophic health care costs as well as poor health outcomes. The inability to receive adequate health care can also lead to missed classes making it difficult to achieve academic success.
• International students are often targeted by insurance companies offering lower rates for plans that are advertised as “comparable” but often provide substandard or incomplete coverage. Students unfamiliar with the health care system in the US may then be unable to access care using these limited plans.
• This requirement reinforces Wingate’s commitment to protecting the health of our students through access to the highest quality health services. The BCBS student plan covers services provided in the on-site Health Center at 100% and also provides adequate coverage for students who need to be referred out to our local community partners.

• On a case-by-case basis, international students may be considered for an exception to this requirement when covered by a US-based group health insurance plan such as an employer-sponsored, ACA compliant group plan. The plan must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Full health policy (not accident only) and provide both emergency and non-emergency benefits, including behavioral health in NC

  • Cannot have a per injury maximum on coverage for intercollegiate injuries

  • Active plan that covers the student for the duration of the semester

  • Provides coverage within a 25 mile radius of Wingate University

  • Cannot be a short term or travel policy

  • Cannot have an individual out of pocket maximum of more than $6,000

• In order to request an exception, an international student must first prove they are covered by a plan that meets all requirements above, then the plan must be approved by BCBS through the online waiver process. If an alternate plan is approved but coverage is lost or canceled for any reason during the semester, the student must notify the Health Center immediately and the student would then be enrolled in the BCBS plan. All exception requests are considered; however, not all are approved.

No. Wingate does not keep the health insurance premiums. The University collects the premium and sends it to BCBS, the insurance provider.