Health Insurance

Health insurance is REQUIRED for all international students for their entire stay at UNM. Students who are not covered by health insurance are in violation of UNM and US policy and are financially responsible for all medical charges incurred in the US. Since health care in the US is extremely expensive, international students need to take these requirements seriously and ensure they are enrolled in the appropriate insurance for their situation. IT IS THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CARRY INSURANCE THROUGHOUT THEIR STAY IN THE US! Students entering new UNM programs will need to enroll in the required insurance plan before the end of the first week of classes.

Requirements

UNM international students must be covered by one of the following types of health insurance:

  • Graduate Assistantship insurance (offered to students with a graduate student assistantship appointment of 10 hours or more per week)
  • Athletic Scholarship insurance (offered through UNM Athletics to students with an athletic scholarship)
  • Insurance through a U.S. employer (offered through lawful employment to the student or a parent/spouse)
  • Government financial sponsor insurance (either from a U.S. government sponsor or foreign government sponsor)
  • UNM International student insurance (through Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions for 2026-2027 academic year, administered through ISI)

Short-term Insurance

Many students need to buy a short-term travel medical plan to cover them until the US insurance policy starts. You can research plans on the Internet or try one these:

Undergraduates and Graduates Without Assistantships

If you do not have U.S. health insurance through a graduate assistantship, athletic scholarship, government financial sponsor or U.S.employer, you must buy UNM international student health insurance.

For the 2026-2027 school year UNM international student health insurance is being offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions. The enrollment website link will be listed here by May 2026 and the insurance will begin on August 1, 2026.

Please READ through the plan descriptions carefully to find out what the insurance does and does NOT cover! This insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions for the first 6 months, so you should take care of any routine medical needs BEFORE you come to the US and bring any prescriptions with you for at least 6 months! If you have an existing illness or if you want more than the illness/emergency coverage provided in this plan, you may need to purchase additional insurance.

Exchange and Guest Students

If you are coming to UNM for one semester or one academic year as an Exchange or Guest student, you MUST buy insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions for the 2026-2027 academic year. The enrollment website link will be listed here by May 2026 and the insurance will begin on August 1, 2026.

Please READ through the plan descriptions carefully to find out what the insurance does and does NOT cover! This insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions, so you should take care of any routine medical needs BEFORE you come to the US and bring any prescriptions with you for your entire exchange program! If you have an existing illness or if you want more than the illness/emergency coverage provided in this plan, you may need to purchase additional insurance.

Athletic Scholarship Students

Students on an athletic scholarship are required to purchase the plan offered through the UNM Athletics office.

Sponsored Students

Students who are financed or on visa documents from a government sponsor or agency such as SACM, SABIC, AMIDEAST, or IIE (Fulbright) should check with their sponsor to see if the sponsor has bought them insurance. Remember, you will need to present your insurance card and benefits information to GEO when you arrive at UNM.

Graduate Assistantship Students

International graduate students who receive graduate assistantships for 10 or more hours per week are offered UNM health insurance paid by the assistantship department. Assistantship students do not need to take any further action unless they want to add dependents or dental or eye coverage to their plan (more information about this plan is available here: https://hr.unm.edu/benefits/student-health-plan ). The department offering the assistantship cannot charge students for this insurance or ask them to waive out/decline coverage. If the assistantship is NOT listed on your I-20/DS-2019, you must show proof of assistantship to GEO to meet the health insurance requirement.

Terminology

  1. Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefit: The amount of money the insurance company will pay your family if you die or the amount they will pay you should you lose body parts in an accident.

  2. Congenital Defects: Medical problems you are born with.

  3. Co-payment/Co-insurance: The percentage of costs for services, which you must pay (e.g., if the company pays 80%, your "co-insurance" is 20%).

  4. Deductible: The amount you must pay for treatment of an injury or illness before the insurance company will begin to pay any costs.

  5. Exclusions: Illnesses or services the insurance company will not pay for.

  6. Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): A type of Health Benefit Plan under which the Members receive all medical services through a specific group of Participating Providers.

  7. In-network provider: a hospital, doctor or medical facility that has a contract with your insurance company leading to a reduced price for care

  8. Inpatient Care: Services provided while staying for a period of time in a hospital.

  9. Limitations: Limits on the amount the company will pay or the services they will pay for.

  10. Medical Evacuation Benefits (Medevac): The amount the company will pay if you need to be transported long distance for health care.

  11. Medical Expense Benefit/Out-of-pocket Maximum: Services and amounts the company will pay for your medical coverage. (Also called your "Payment Limit")

  12. Out-of-network provider: a hospital, doctor or medical facility that does not have a contract with your insurance company leading to a reduced price for care

  13. Outpatient Care: Medical services provided while you are not staying in a hospital (e.g., at a doctor's office).

  14. Policy: Specific contract or agreement between you and the insurance company, in which you pay to receive certain benefits.

  15. Pre-existing Conditions: Illnesses or injuries you had before your policy began.

  16. Premium: Monthly or yearly fee or cost which you pay to the insurance company for medical coverage.

  17. Primary Care Physician (PCP): A doctor selected by the member to be the first physician contacted for any medical problem. The doctor acts as the member's regular physician and coordinates any other care the member needs, such as a visit to a specialist or hospitalization.

  18. Provider: A licensed health care facility, program, agency, physician or health professional that delivers health care services.

  19. Referral: A written recommendation by a physician for a Member to receive care from a specialty physician or facility.

  20. Repatriation Benefit: The amount the company will pay to transport your body back to your home country if you die.

  21. Right of Subrogation: The insurance company has the right to sue others for your injuries even if you don't agree