ISSS
International Student Insurance
All CWU international students, that live in the U.S., are required to have health insurance which meets CWU’s minimum requirements.
If you are living outside the U.S. and taking online classes you do not need health insurance and will need to email the international insurance office to let us know you meet this exception.
You must be logged in to your CWU Outlook account to submit your forms. Processing may take up to five business days after you submit. Please plan accordingly.
Submit Insurance Forms-
CWU's Minimum Health Insurance Requirements
2024-2025
- Health insurance policy in English;
- Minimum annual maximum benefit of $1,000,000;
- Provide coverage for self-inflicted injury of not less than $10,000;
- Minimum medical evacuation coverage benefit of $50,000;
- Minimum repatriation coverage benefit of $25,000;
- In-network deductibles not to exceed $500 per accident or illness;
- Plan must include coverage for mental health conditions;
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions strongly recommended
- Coverage for intramural and club sports strongly recommended.
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Required Forms
The following forms are required each time you initially purchase, change, extend, or otherwise update your insurance coverage:
- Receipt of plan purchase, confirmation of coverage letter -OR- (sponsored students only) Financial Guarantee
- Current insurance card
The period of coverage shown on the receipt or Financial Guarantee must be equal to or greater than the effective dates listed below.*
- Academic Year 2025-2026*: 16 September 2025- 15 September 2026
- Fall 2025*: 16 September 2025 - 5 January 2026
- Winter 2026*: 6 January 2025 - 30 March 2026
- Spring 2026*: 31 March 2025 - 21 June 2026
- Summer 2026**: 22 June 2025 - 15 September 2026
* CWU recommends coverage to begin on the day you start travel to CWU. The required start date listed above is the first day of class for that term.
** Unless you are returning home for the entire summer, insurance is still required. (Please note that if you return home and do not continue your coverage during summer term, you will have a lapse in coverage, meaning your waiting period for pre-existing conditions could start over.)
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Deadlines
Failure to provide proof of adequate insurance by the quarterly deadline will result in automatic enrollment in CWU's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). The cost of SHIP will be charged to your student account.
- Fall 2025: September 24
- Winter 2026: January 6
- Spring 2026: March 31
- Summer 2026: June 22
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Non-Compliance
If you fail to submit complete proof of coverage, including copies of your insurance card and receipt, through the online submission portal by the specified deadlines mentioned above, you will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP insurance plan. The cost of the SHIP plan will be added to your student account and you will be responsible for payment.
Not complying with the procedures supporting CWU's policy on international student insurance may result in consequences. Your registration for the next academic quarter may be blocked, and your noncompliance may be reported to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
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Pre-approved Plans
The following plans meet CWU's minimum requirements and are available for purchase.
ISO plans
ISO offers two individual plan that meet CWU minimum requirements. These policies exclude intercollegiate sports, but include intramural and club sports. Dates of coverage are automatically set to match required dates for CWU.
ISI plans
ISI offers two individual plans that meet CWU minimum requirements. This policy excludes intercollegiate sports, but includes intramural and club sports. Dates of coverage are NOT automatically set to match the required dates of coverage. Ensure that purchased coverage is for the required coverage dates, or longer.
Enroll in an ISI planPSI plans
PSI offers three individual plans that meet CWU minimum requirements. These policies exclude intercollegiate sports, but include intramural and club sports. Dates of coverage are automatically set to match required dates for CWU, or you can choose your desired dates of coverage.
SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan)
CWU’s student health plan with United Healthcare is available for F-1 and J-1 students. This plan includes intercollegiate sports coverage. Dates of coverage are automatically set to match required dates for CWU. Please contact intl_insurance@cwu.edu if you wish to be enrolled into this plan. You will also be automatically enrolled into this plan if you do not provide proof of adequate insurance by the deadline each term.
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Plans Not Pre-approved
If you would like to use an insurance plan that is not one of CWU's pre-approved plans, you must first submit a detailed policy brochure to intl_insurance@cwu.edu no less than two weeks before the quarter deadline.
The CWU Student Health Center and the Kittitas Valley Healthcare Hospital do not accept international insurance. If you would like to use an insurance plan from an international provider make sure the insurance provider will reimburse you for medical expenses they cover. If the provider will not give you reimbursement, it is highly encouraged you find a different insurance provider.
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Repatriation and Evacuation Supplemental Coverage
SOS International offers a repatriation and medical evacuation policy that meets CWU requirements if you have insurance that is otherwise approved and are only in need of this coverage to be compliant.
Enroll in SOS International
Questions? Email intl_insurance@cwu.edu or call us at +1-509-963-3612.
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Related Links
Questions? Contact Us.
Office of International Studies and Programs
Hebeler Hall 102