University Of Washington: Medical Care Access For Students

The University of Washington offers a range of health and wellness services to support students' physical and mental well-being. While the university does not provide health insurance for domestic students, it strongly encourages all students to obtain coverage. International students with F-1 and J-1 visas are required to purchase the UW International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP) and are automatically enrolled. The university's website provides resources to help students navigate the complex process of selecting the right insurance plan. Additionally, the university offers on-campus health services, such as the Husky Health Center, which provides short-term mental health support and medical advice from nurses.

International students must buy the UW International Student Health Insurance Plan

The University of Washington does not offer health insurance to domestic students, including US citizens, green card holders, DACA recipients, and undocumented students. However, international students in an F or J visa status at UW are required by federal and state laws to maintain health insurance while studying in the US.

All matriculated international students in F-1 or J-1 status are required to purchase the UW International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP). This is because individuals in the US are responsible for their health care expenses, and a single day of hospitalization can cost thousands of dollars. A good insurance policy gives you access to excellent medical facilities and provides protection against the enormous costs of healthcare in the US.

The UW International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP) is provided by Lifewise and is available to all F-1 and J-1 eligible international students who are enrolled in an academic program of study and issued an I-20 or DS-2019 by an approved UW Designated School Official (DSO). Students will automatically be enrolled in the student-only insurance coverage each quarter they are registered for classes. However, students can also select the annual insurance coverage to maintain 12 months of coverage.

If you arrive in the US before the effective date of the UW insurance plan, you should buy supplemental insurance to cover you during the uninsured period. It is advised that you purchase this insurance for the entire year so that you will be covered whether or not you are enrolled each quarter. Additionally, make every effort to be insured during your entire stay in the US, including vacation quarters and after graduation if you stay for a period of Optional Practical Training or Academic Training.

The Husky Health Center on the UW Seattle campus is available to all clinical students and accepts ISHIP. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and 24-hour care is available at several nearby hospitals, including the University of Washington Medical Center.

UW does not offer health insurance to domestic students

The University of Washington does not offer health insurance to domestic students. Domestic students are defined as US citizens, green card holders, DACA recipients, and undocumented students. The university does not require domestic students to have health insurance. However, it is strongly recommended that students obtain and maintain health insurance while enrolled at the university.

If you are a domestic student at the University of Washington and do not have health insurance, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can explore private health insurance plans available through Washington Health Plan Finder, which is Washington state's health insurance marketplace. This option allows you to compare different plans and choose one that best suits your needs and financial situation. It is important to note that private insurance plans typically include out-of-pocket costs such as premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.

Another option is Medicaid (Apple Health), a government health insurance plan for low-income individuals who are US citizens or green card holders of five years or more. Medicaid is an excellent option if you qualify, as it covers the full cost of care with no additional out-of-pocket expenses as long as you use contracted providers.

Additionally, if you are a DACA recipient or an undocumented student, there may be a few plans outside of the marketplace that do not have immigration requirements. These plans typically include monthly premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. You can also explore state-funded health insurance programs such as Apple Health coverage, which is available to individuals regardless of their immigration status.

Furthermore, the University of Washington offers some on-campus health services that are subsidized by the Services & Activities Fee, which all matriculated students pay. These services include short-term mental health support, unlimited medical advice from a nurse by phone or videoconference, virtual drop-in consultation programs, and portions of some visits to the Husky Health Center. While these services provide valuable support, they are not a substitute for comprehensive health insurance.

In summary, while the University of Washington does not offer health insurance to domestic students, there are various options available for students to obtain health insurance or access health services. It is important to carefully consider your personal needs, financial situation, and eligibility when choosing a health insurance plan or exploring alternative options.

The Husky Health Center is available to all clinical students

The Husky Health Center is just one of the many services offered by the University of Washington to support the health and wellness of its students. The university prioritizes the well-being of its students and offers a range of resources to help them stay healthy emotionally, mentally, and physically.

In addition to the Husky Health Center, students can also access the Counseling Center, where they can talk to a psychologist or mental health counselor at no charge for most services. The university also provides a 24-hour crisis line, crisis intervention services, and emergency medical assistance for students in need.

Furthermore, the University of Washington encourages students to obtain and maintain health insurance during their time at the school. While the university itself does not offer health insurance to domestic students, it provides resources to help students navigate their insurance options and access affordable care. International students, on the other hand, are automatically enrolled in the UW International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP).

Overall, the University of Washington is committed to ensuring that its students have the necessary support and resources to maintain their health and well-being throughout their academic journey. The Husky Health Center is a key component of this commitment, providing easily accessible medical care for all clinical students.

The University maintains a professionally staffed Hall Health Center

The University of Washington prioritises the health and wellness of its students, offering a range of services to support their emotional, mental, and physical health. The University maintains a professionally staffed Hall Health Center, conveniently located on campus, to provide treatment for basic medical conditions for current students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community. The Hall Health Center is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm, and offers a wide array of highly-rated primary and specialty care clinics and services.

UW students can access the following services at the Hall Health Center:

• Primary Care
• Women's Health
• Family Health
• Mental Health
• Sports Medicine
• Physical Therapy
• One visit per quarter for medical concerns (excluding comprehensive physicals, specialty visits, and procedures) or one travel consultation per quarter
• Preventative counselling and contraceptive advice
• Unlimited visits with a consulting nurse, including an after-hours nurse phone line for urgent medical problems
• Advice about HIV and other sexually transmitted disease exposures
• Reproductive health counselling
• Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS), a service for students who want to explore their alcohol use
• Unlimited access to the Wellness Resource Center
• Blood pressure screening and consultation
• Help quitting smoking

In addition to the Hall Health Center, the University of Washington also provides a range of other health and wellness services, including the Husky Health Center, the Counseling Center, and various community health and wellness programs.

Students are encouraged to obtain and maintain health insurance

The University of Washington (UW) does not offer health insurance to domestic students, including US citizens, green card holders, DACA recipients, and undocumented students. Domestic students are also not required to have health insurance by the university. However, the university strongly encourages students to obtain and maintain health insurance while enrolled.

For international students, some are automatically enrolled in UW-provided health insurance. All international students in F-1 and J-1 visa status are required to purchase the UW International Student Health Insurance Plan (ISHIP). The ISHIP Counselor may grant an insurance waiver if certain eligibility criteria are met and the student has comparable insurance that is valid in the US.

There are a variety of methods for students to obtain health insurance, including through their family, private insurance, public insurance, and student health insurance plans (SHIP). When selecting a plan, students should consider their personal medical needs, coverage preferences, financial priorities, status, marital/parenthood status, state of residency, and curriculum phase.

• Determine when you need to enroll and if you need to use a state or federal exchange.
• Research and compare different plans, including monthly premiums, estimated yearly costs, deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket maximums.
• Consider how frequently you need or use healthcare and your preference for monthly payments versus lower fees when needing healthcare.
• Be cautious of short-term health insurance plans, as they do not cover the required 10 essential health benefits that full health insurance plans offer.

It is important to note that the School of Medicine cannot require students to have health insurance per WA state law. However, some non-Washington Foundation partner universities may have this requirement, and they will communicate it directly to their students.

Overall, while health insurance is not mandatory for all University of Washington students, it is highly recommended to ensure access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare services.

Frequently asked questions