Mandatory Insurance Hard Waiver Plan
NC State University along with the entire UNC System participates in a system-wide mandatory hard waiver plan administered by Pearce and Pearce, Inc.
Please note: Students on Teaching and Research Assistantships will be provided NC State health insurance through the Graduate Student Support Plan (GSSP) and will be waived out of the Pearce and Pearce plan automatically. The GSSP will continue to be administered by Student Blue.
This broad system-wide requirement has several advantages:
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Premiums (cost for participation) are lower than for comparable individual plans.
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Enrollment in the plan is automatic for eligible students and the premium fee will be charged directly to students’ NC State account and paid through the University Cashier's Office.
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International students are eligible to waive out of the Pearce and Pearce plan. As this is a system-wide required plan with a waiver option, international students are able to waive out of the Pearce and Pearce plan if proof of suitable alternate coverage can be provided. For the Fall 2013 semester, all waivers must be processed by September 10th.
Minimum alternate insurance requirements for international students are as follows:- Provides a Lifetime Maximum of $200,000 or greater
- Provides coinsurance of at least 80% for in-network services
- Provides a policy year deductible of no greater than $500
- Provides coverage for pre-existing conditions after six months of enrollment if there was no prior coverage, and covers pre-existing conditions immediately with prior creditable coverage
- Maternity covered as any other medical condition
- Provides minimum of $7,500 for repatriation of remains to the home country and a minimum of$10,000 for medical evacuation to the home country.
NOTE: International students are required to maintain health insurance that meets the above criteria throughout their period of enrollment at NC State University. Among the eligibility requirements for the Pearce and Pearce plan is minimum enrollment of three credits for graduate students and six credits for undergraduates. International students who wish or need to pursue a Reduced Course Load (RCL) that would have them drop below these levels must demonstrate proof of other credible insurance before OIS will approve the RCL.
Students in the following categories are not required to purchase the North Carolina State University student medical insurance plan:
- J-1 Government Sponsored Students: Students in J-1 status who are sponsored by their government are not required to purchase additional health insurance. Students who wish to waive out of the Pearce and Pearce plan must bring to OIS a copy of their health insurance card as proof of coverage and a sponsorship letter that states the government will be responsible for the health insurance. For the Fall 2013 semester, all waivers must be processed by date TBD.
- J-Others - Fulbright Students: Health insurance coverage is provided through Fulbright and the students in this category are not required to enroll in additional health insurance. Fulbright students who wish to waive out of the Pearce and Pearce plan must bring proof of health insurance to OIS. For the Fall 2013 semester, all waivers must be processed by date TBD.
F or J Exchange students attending NC State based on an exchange agreement through NC State's Study Abroad Office (SAO) must adhere to SAO's policies on NC State health insurance.
For your convenience, we have created a brief online tutorial to explain everything you need to know about NC State University health insurance and health care services. To view the online tutorial please click below:
Health Care in the US
Please remember that as an F-1 or J-1 international student at NC State University, you are required to maintain health insurance coverage throughout your degree program.
