The cost of healthcare in the US is very high and there is no national health plan. Therefore, ECU is pleased to announce the availability of a student health insurance plan for you and your loved ones! To learn about ECU's international student insurance plan benefits, as provided by Academic HealthPlans, go to https://ecok.myahpcare.com/ and view the AHP orientation video.
All registered international students are required to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan or provide proof of comparable coverage. International students will have the insurance premium automatically assessed to their university account. In order for international students to waive coverage, students must complete an online waiver at https://ecok.myahpcare.com/. Note: Insurance waivers must be completed by the deadline indicated on the waiver application.
*The AHP primary health care plan allows all international students participating in intercollegiate sports to receive intercollege healthcare coverage up to $2,500. This benefit is contingent upon injuries received while participating in play, practice, or activities that are a direct part of the intercollegiate sport. For further information about the required secondary healthcare plan of insurance for athletes contact the ECU Athletic Department.
All students are encouraged to review the current year’s plan brochure, which describes the student health insurance plan in detail. Coverage is provided 24 hours a day.
Since many group insurance plans may not cover treatment out-of-area, we have made this plan available to provide coverage appropriate to our student population at a reasonable price. If you are presently insured, we urge you to review your current plan to make certain that you will be adequately covered while in school. Of course, if you are not presently insured, you will want to protect yourself from the unexpected cost of medical care by enrolling in the East Central University Student Health Insurance Plan. Overview of the US Healthcare System for International Students VIDEO!
If you have any questions or wish to discuss this plan in detail, please call the Academic Health Plans office at (888) 308-7320, visit their website or contact the Office of ISPS via email intlstu@ecok.edu or by phone 580-559-5669.
Health Insurance for J-Visa Exchange Visitors ONLY: (This section DOES NOT apply to F-1 visa holders.)
Pursuant to 22 C.F.R. § 62.14 the US Department of State (DOS) federally mandates exchange visitors and their dependents entering the US (US) on a J-Visa are required to have insurance in effect which covers the exchange visitor for sickness or accident during the period of time that an exchange visitor participates in the sponsor's exchange visitor program.
J-visa exchange visitors who purchase insurance policies in their home country prior to arrival in the US, or those that are sponsored by an organization who provides health insurance, should make certain that their coverage meets the minimum requirements described below. All exchange visitors with health insurance not covered by the University should bring documents describing their coverage and claims procedures.
Insurance coverage must meet the following:
- Minimum Insurance Coverage – Insurance shall cover:
- A deductible of no more than $500 per accident per illness
- Minimum benefits of $50,000 per accident or illness
- $7,500 benefit for repatriation of remains in case of death
- $10,000 coverage for medical evacuation travel expenses
- Any waiting periods for pre-existing conditions should be reasonable by current industry standards
- Policy must be backed by full faith and credit of a home country government or must meet minimum rating requirements established by the US government (an A.M Best rating of “A-” or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-I” or above, a Standard and Poor’s Claims-paying Ability rating of “A-” or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B+” or above.
- Maintenance of Insurance – Willful failure to maintain the required insurance throughout your stay in the US will result in the termination of your exchange program.