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, think carefully about the kind of health care coverage they need while in the US, and select 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 need to show insurance proof in English to GEO before the end of the first week of classes.

Requirements

 

US government requirements for health insurance:

  • $100,000 minimum per person per accident or illness
  • $25,000 for repatriation of remains
  • $50,000 for medical evacuation
  • No more than $500 deductible per accident or illness
  • Coinsurance must not exceed 25% payable by the exchange visitor or sponsor

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

 

A law was passed in July 2025 that changed who will be able to enroll in and benefit from any U.S. government-sponsored insurance. Therefore, we are no longer recommending that students enroll for U.S. Marketplace Health Insurance. UNM is working on creating a required group insurance plan beginning January 2026. For Fall 2025, students should buy a plan from this website: www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/schools/university-new-mexico.php. There are 5 plans to choose from. If you do not already have a U.S. Health Insurance plan, here is what you need to do:

  1. Read the plan optionscarefully (5 options)
  2. Select the plan that is right for you
  3. Purchase the plan from your date of arrival in the U.S. until January 18, 2026
  4. Download the confirmation of coverage and health insurance card sent to you in the confirmation email

The UNM Student Health Center (SHAC) will not bill the insurance company but you can still receive medical care at the Student Health Center as long as you are an enrolled student. If you do visit any health care provider (including SHAC), you will have to file a claim form with your insurance company if you want the insurance company to pay or to count the charges toward your “deductible” (the amount you have to pay for each illness before the insurance company pays).

The cost of the insurance plan can be found through the ISI monthly fee page

If you are 30 or older, have a pre-existing condition, or anticipate that you will have high medical need, please speak with an advisor regarding more robust health care options.

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 a plan from International Student Insurance (ISI). There are 4 plans to choose from. Please READ through the plan descriptions carefully to find out what the insurance does and does NOT cover and choose the plan that is best for you! This insurance does not cover preventative care, so you should take care of any routine medical needs BEFORE you come to the US and bring any routine prescriptions with you for your entire exchange program!  Also, most of these plans do NOT cover you for any “pre-existing conditions”. Even the most expensive plans have a waiting period of 6-12 months before they will cover you for a pre-existing illness. The plans WILL cover you for most NEW illnesses and emergencies after you have paid the deductible for each illness. Finally, you will have to file claim forms to the insurance company to be reimbursed for medical costs. If you have an existing illness or if you want more than the illness/emergency coverage provided in these plans, 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, LASPAU or 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 in English 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.

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: The percentage of costs for services, which you must pay (e.g., if the company pays 80%, your "co-payment" 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. Inpatient Care: Services provided while staying for a period of time in a hospital.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  15. 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.

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

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

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

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