Immunizations
All students are required to submit the VCU Certificate of Immunization to University Student Health Services before beginning classes. Please note that students enrolled in Health Sciences programs must submit the VCU Health Sciences Certificate of Immunization instead of the standard certificate. Failure to do so will result in a registration hold on your student account. This form MUST be completed by a medical professional in your home country. This record may be submitted electronically or in person after you arrive. For questions, contact the Student Health Immunization Coordinator, Latisha Smith at smithls@vcu.edu.
NOTE: Most international students are required to receive a tuberculosis screening test during their first week on campus. University Student Health Services does not accept tuberculosis (TB) tests given outside the U.S. Student Health will reserve appointments for international students who are required to get their tuberculosis test during International Student Orientation Week. The cost is $25. Only major credit cards, debit cards, Rambucks, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay are accepted. Cash will not be accepted.
Health Insurance for International Students
To assist international students with managing the costs associated with accessing private healthcare in the U.S., VCU has contracted with United Healthcare to offer all international students an individual insurance plan (policy) and include it as part of their annual tuition and fees.
International students studying on F or J visas are REQUIRED to participate in the university’s student health insurance program.* The information on this page will provide you with additional details about the plan, resources to help support your enrollment in the plan and instructions for utilizing the plan to access the care that you need.
View the 2023-2024 VCU Student Health Insurance Plan brochure for a summary of coverage details.
*Please see the tab labeled “Waivers and Opting Out of the Plan” below.
The cost for this student plan is $2,654 for annual coverage (Coverage Period: August 15, 2023 – August 14, 2024). Participants will be billed $1,327 per semester during both the fall and spring semesters. This fee will be added to your student account. The payment MUST be made according to the billing schedule or a late fee will be applied to your account balance. You may enroll in the installment payment plan if you wish to make payments on this premium.
The annual cost of the student plan has already been included as an estimated expense on your Form I-20 or DS-2019.
The fall 2023 Installment Payment Plan enrollment period will be open from July 28, 2023 until September 21, 2023.
Students participating in the United Healthcare plan, should visit the Student Resources portal in August 2023 to register their account and print their health insurance card. You will need this card in order to use your health insurance with accepted providers.
International students are REQUIRED to attend a U.S. Healthcare & Insurance workshop in order to learn more about your policy as well as the American healthcare system. This session will take place during the International Student Orientation (ISO) on Wednesday, August 16. If you are unable to attend this session at the ISO, you MUST attend a makeup session.
Health Insurance Makeup Session
Friday, August 25
noon - 1 p.m. on Zoom
https://vcu.zoom.us/j/
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the student health insurance program.
United Healthcare has compiled this Health Insurance 101 tool and Glossary that explains in basic terms some common insurance-related words and explains the U.S. healthcare system.
United’s library of YouTube videos explains basic procedures within the healthcare system, including:
- How to Opt-In (enroll in) the Student Plan
- How to Locate an Eligible Healthcare Provider
- How to File a Claim
- What is a Deductible?
- How to Report an Accident
To access support in multiple spoken languages, please review United’s Language Assistance Services document and contact the appropriate representative. If your primary language is not represented on this document you should contact United’s Help Center and ask if your primary language can be accommodated.
If you still have questions about the health insurance program after reviewing these resources, please contact intlhealthins@vcu.edu.
The health insurance program includes a waiver process, but only for plans that comply with the university’s standards will be eligible for a waiver.
Health insurance plans designed for international students will NOT meet these standards because they do not comply with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to as the Affordable Care Act or “ACA” for short. DO NOT purchase a plan that is not ACA-compliant. If you submit a plan that is not ACA-compliant, your waiver request will be denied by United Healthcare and you will be billed for both the United Healthcare student plan and the alternative plan you have purchased.
If your government/embassy-sponsored scholarship includes health insurance coverage, you must submit proof of that coverage by the enrollment period deadline (September 15, 2023) to avoid being billed for the United Healthcare plan. If your scholarship does not include health insurance coverage, you must opt-in (enroll) the United student plan by September 15.
For details on the outpatient mental illness/substance use and disorder coverage offered by this plan, please view the 2023-2024 VCU Student Health Insurance Plan brochure.
Enrollment in this plan also gives you access to United Healthcare’s 24/7 StudentAssist program and telehealth medical and behavioral support.
Outside of the student insurance plan, VCU also provides all enrolled students with access to TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform from TimelyMD.
Please visit the J-1 Visa Medical Insurance Requirement page on the GEO Immigration Services site for details about the required insurance for J-1 employees, Research Scholars, and Postdocs.