Health Insurance for J-1 Students
University Health Center
The University Health Center provides healthcare and resources to all students, faculty, and staff with and without health insurance plans. There are costs associated with many of the services provided.
The Insurance and Billing section of the website is intended to help explain insurance requirements for undergraduate and graduate students, information on the Student Health Insurance Plan, explanation of insurance-related terminology, frequently asked questions, and information regarding fees and billing.
The University Health Center recognizes that a patient's access to health insurance and costs of services may impact a person’s well-being and health care decision process.
We aim to provide transparency regarding costs for visitors who elect to “self-pay” (or choose not to bill the visit to their health insurance plan or do not have health insurance).
Health Insurance Requirement for J-1 Students
As a J-1 student in the United States, you are required to carry health insurance for yourself and your J-2 dependents for the full duration of your J-1 program. The University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) meets these federal requirements. Please see below for instructions for Exchange students and J-1 scholars.
J-1 Students (Non-Exchange)
J-1 students are not auto enrolled in SHIP health insurance and must use this link to enroll in the University Health insurance.
J-1 degree students can select from three enrollment options:
- Fall only (Insurance coverage from August 1-December 31)
- Spring only (Insurance coverage January 1-July 31)
- Full year enrollment option for UMD degree-seeking students only (Insurance coverage August 1-July 31)
Students self enrolling in UMD insurance are required to pay for insurance using a credit card, this charge can not be billed to your University account.
J-1 Exchange Students
Exchange students must enroll in health insurance based on the term they are studying at UMD.
Full Year Students (Insurance coverage from August 1-July 31)
Students will be automatically enrolled as soon as they are registered for at least 6 credits of coursework. The SHIP charges for the full academic year will be billed to your student account. The dates of coverage include the full calendar year.
Semester-Only or Calendar Year Students
Insurance dates for the following terms are:
- Fall-only students or students continuing from the Spring term (Insurance coverage from August 1-December 31)
Term-only students are not auto-enrolled in SHIP health insurance and must use this link to enroll. You will pay for the cost of the semester insurance by credit card. Please note that calendar year students must pay for each semester separately (spring and then fall).