Health care in the U.S. is a private system and can be quite expensive. To make sure you are able to cover any medical expenses and to satisfy legal requirements, MU requires all international students to enroll in the Anthem Student Advantage health insurance plan provided through the university.* This plan is also available for dependents (spouses and children) at an additional cost.
Enrollment terms:
- Fall: Aug. 1–Dec. 31
- Spring: Jan. 1–July 31
Dental and vision insurance is not included in this plan, but can be purchased through Anthem at an additional cost. For more information about Anthem Student Advantage health insurance, to print your ID card or to find a doctor in the area, go to the Anthem website for MU students.
A continuation plan is available to insured students who lost their eligibility for the MU student health insurance plan through graduation or otherwise leaving school. This plan is only available to those students and eligible dependents as long as they were enrolled in the MU student health insurance plan for the previous academic term.
Please note that U.S. federal regulations state that all J-1 visa holders and their dependents must meet insurance coverage requirements for the duration of their stay. The MU student health insurance plan meets these requirements.
Learn more about insurance requirements and benefits in this online presentation.
If you have questions about health insurance, contact the MU Student Health Center by email (umhsin@health.missouri.edu) or phone (573-882-7481).
MU Health Care is currently negotiating with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Current policy coverage will remain unchanged through March 31, 2025. Policyholders can check muhealth.org/anthem to follow the progress of negotiations.
Enrollment and billing
You will be automatically enrolled in the mandatory insurance plan when you register for any number of credit hours and the fee will be charged to your MU student account. Other participants — OPT students, dependents, continuation plan students — must enroll online and follow the payment instructions as indicated. Dependents must enroll for the same period as the student or within 30 days of the date the dependent entered the U.S.
Insurance waiver
MU strictly limits waivers of the mandatory insurance enrollment for international students. Only the following exceptions are allowed:
- You have insurance coverage comparable to the MU plan provided by a family member’s employment benefits by MU or another higher education institution.
- You are not residing in Columbia, Mo., because of an eligible reason.
If you meet one of these exceptions, you may submit a request for an insurance waiver in myStatus along with the necessary supporting documents no later than two weeks from the start of the semester.