Mandatory Insurance

International students in F-1 status are required to have comprehensive health insurance for the duration of their academic program at TSC. This is a mandatory requirement that cannot be waived.

Students must submit proof of insurance to the Office of International Student Services.

International students may purchase a health insurance plan through Insurance for Students (IFS) or through International Student Insurance (ISI) which is specially designed for International Students at TSC.

TSC international students are not required to purchase health insurance from one specific company. If a student decides to purchase health insurance through a private company or bring insurance from his/her home country, the coverage must be approved by ISS and must meet the following minimum requirements.

• Coverage Period: Policy must be in force, paid FULLY in advance & non-cancellable from the I-20 Program Start Date (for Initial and Transfer F-1) or First Day of classes (For Continuing F-1) to one year (eg. August 20, 2021 to August 19, 2022). NOTE: For students beginning enrollment at Tallahassee State College in the Spring or Summer terms or for Continuing students in Fall 2021 whose old coverage ended in Fall term, new coverage must extend from at least the beginning of the Spring term to the end of the academic year (eg. August 19, 2022).

• Basic Benefits: Room & board, hospital services, physician & surgeon fees and outpatient services paid at 80% or more of PPO Allowance per injury or sickness and 60% or more of Usual & Customary charges for out-of-network providers per injury or sickness.

• Inpatient Mental Health: Inpatient mental health care must be paid at 80% in-network or 60% out-of-network of the usual and customary fees.

• Outpatient Mental Health: Outpatient mental health care must be paid at 80% in-network or 60% out-of-network of the usual and customary fees.

• Maternity: Maternity benefits must be treated as any other temporary medical condition and paid at no less than 80% in[1]network or 60% out-of-network of the usual and customary fees.

• Repatriation: $25,000 (coverage to return the student’s remains to his/her native country).

• Medical Evacuation: $50,000 (permits the patient to be transported to his/her home country and to be accompanied by a provider or escort if directed by the physician in charge).

• Deductible: $500 per year maximum.

• Minimum coverage: $500,000 Minimum medical benefits for each covered injuries / sickness per policy year.

• Rating: Insurance Carrier must have a rating of either “A -” or above by A.M. Best or “A -” or above by Standard & Poor’s Claims-paying Ability

• Inherent Perils: Policy must not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the student's program of study

• Claim Payment: Claims must be paid in U.S. dollars payable on a U.S. financial institution.

• Language: Policy provisions must be in English. 

• Prescription Medication: Policy must provide a minimum benefit of $3,000 for prescription medication.

• Pre-Existing Conditions: Exclusion for Pre-Existing Conditions: First six months of policy period at most with a maximum 6 month look-back period.

• Policy provides coverage for routine preventative services.

Students must complete the Alternative Health Insurance Form (or download the fillable Alternative Health Insurance Form 24-25 fillable by one month prior to the start of classes to see if their insurance plan meets the minimum requirements listed above. Students will need to contact ISS at (850) 201-8258 or [email protected] to obtain further information.