
Current International Students
- Home
- International Student Programs
- Current International Students
- International Health Insurance
F-1 Student Health Insurance
All active F-1 students at Foothill College are automatically enrolled in our mandatory health plan.
-
This plan offers the best possible medical coverage at the best possible price.
-
You can choose from a wide range of local healthcare providers in the United Healthcare (UHC) Choice Plus PPO network.
-
The plan covers up to $250,000 per condition each year, with 100% coverage after the copayment (usually $50-$100) for most doctors, clinics or hospital services within the PPO network.
-
We recommend visit Foothill College's Student Health Services office first for minor medical issues, if possible.
Plan Enrollment
Coverage Dates
The health insurance costs $509 USD per four-month term, with three terms per year:
-
Fall Term: August 15 - December 14
-
Winter Term: December 15 - April 14
-
Spring Term: April 15 - August 14
For new students, if you arrive in the U.S. before a coverage term starts, you can purchase one additional month of transition insurance. If you finish your studies at Foothill College before the end of a coverage term, your insurance will end on the last day of the last quarter you paid for.
Coverage Payments
Once you enroll in a class for the upcoming quarter, the insurance fee should be added automatically. If you do not see this charge, please contact foothillinternational@fhda.edu. You can pay this fee along with your tuition and other fees.
Dependents
Dependents are not automatically enrolled in this health insurance plan. To enroll your dependents, visit foothill.myahpcare.com. Dependents include your spouse, domestic partner, or children under the age of 26. Enrollment can only occur within 30 days of marriage, birth, adoption, or arrival in the U.S.
For questions about dependent enrollment, call (855) 684-4658.
During OPT
If you are participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT), you are eligible for the plan but the enrollment is not automatic. You must enroll yourself when you start OPT and remain enrolled throughout your entire OPT period.
To enroll during OPT, visit foothill.myahpcare.com. You must provide a Verification of Practical Training Letter to qualify for this coverage. Additionally, you must purchase OPT coverage within 30 days of the expiration of your prior coverage. Dependent coverage is not available for students on OPT.
If you are no longer an F-1 visa student, you cannot purchase health insurance under this plan.
For questions about OPT enrollment, call (855) 684-4658.
Waiver
Foothill College may grant waivers if you meet certain requirements, such as being covered by your spouses', partners', or parents' U.S. local health insurance plan. If you have other health insurance plan (US or foreign), you will still be required to purchase the Foothill health insurance.
For questions about the waiver, contact foothillinternational@fhda.edu.
The waiver form, along with all required documents, must be submitted to the ISP by the second Friday of each quarter (fall, winter, or spring).
Refunds
You are responsible for paying the quarterly health insurance fee unless you notify the ISP office and are approved for a refund within the first two weeks of the quarter for one of the following reasons:
-
You are taking online classes from abroad
-
Your immigration or visa status has changed
-
You have obtained permanent residency (green card)
-
You are transferring to another school or university
-
You are ending your studies or leaving the U.S.
If you do not pay the required fees, a hold will be placed on your student account. You will not be able to enroll in future quarters until the hold is cleared. Unpaid fees may be sent to a collection agency, which could affect your financial or credit rating.
Access Care
Insurance ID
Enrolled students should receive a welcome email within the first two weeks of the new quarter. Be sure to check your spam/junk folder.
Follow the instructions in the email to register online and access your digital ID, claims information and other plan benefits at uhcsr.com/myaccount. If you cannot find this email, please contact foothillinternational@fhda.edu.
Carry your ID card with you at all times! You will need it when visiting the campus health center, doctor's office, urgent care, or hospital.
In-Network
The network for this plan is United Healthcare (UHC) Choice Plus PPO. In-network means that doctors, specialists, and hospitals have a contract with the insurance plan to offer services at a lower cost to members. This is also referred to as the “PPO” or “Preferred” network.
-
If you use a UHC Choice Plus PPO provider, covered medical services are paid at 100% by the insurance company.
-
If you use an out-of-network provider (a provider who is not contracted with UHC Choice Plus PPO), covered medical expenses are paid at only 70%.
Copays and deductibles are not included in what the insurance company pays.
Find Care
- Find a Doctor or Hospital in the UHC Choice Plus PPO Network
- Find a Pharmacy
- Find a Mental Health/Substance Abuse Provider
It is best to locate a UHC Choice Plus PPO physician, urgent care center, and emergency room near you before you get sick.
Always verify the provider is contracted with the UHC Choice Plus PPO Network before scheduling appointments and receiving treatment.
Mental Health
F-1 students have the same full access to Foothill College Mental Health and Wellness Center, which offers TimelyCare online support service available 24/7. Additionally, registered students are entitled to up to 8 free sessions with a mental health professional per academic year.
Our current insurance plan includes mental health services and access to 24/7 telemedicine services.
-
CareConnect allows students to connect with licensed behavioral health clinicians by calling (888) 857-5462 or visiting their online portal.
-
Nurseline is available at (800) 634-7629, offering immediate assistance from a registered nurse for any urgent concerns.
Copayments
The cost of the insurance charge:
-
A $50 copay when you go to a UHC Choice Plus PPO doctor’s office and an urgent care center
-
A $100 copay when you visit a UHC Choice Plus PPO hospital or an emergency room (waived if you are admitted to the hospital)
-
50% of the cost of prescription medication, up to $2,500 maximum per year (you must pay in full, then send a claim for 50% reimbursement)
-
30% out-of-network coinsurance if you do not use a UHC Choice Plus PPO provider
-
Full amount for any services not covered by insurance (see exclusions and limitations in the Policy)
Exclusions and Limitations
The UHC Choice Plus PPO plan offers comprehensive benefits. As with any insurance plan, however, there are some specific limits to the coverage. If you incur charges for a service that is not covered or an amount that exceeds your coverage, you are responsible for paying those charges. Be sure to carefully review the "Exclusions and Limitations" section of the plan certificate on foothill.myahpcare.com so you know what is not covered or has limited coverage. If you have any questions or want to verify whether your plan covers a specific service, contact customerservice@uhcsrinternational.com or (888) 251-6253.
Reimbursement Claims
After your visit, the doctor or provider will send a bill to the insurance company for the charges. The insurance company will review the doctor’s statement and determine the payment for each itemized procedure.
The insurance company will then send you an Explanation of Benefits. This is not a bill. It is a notification of what the insurance company will pay your doctor.
The doctor will receive payment from the insurance company and then bill you for any amount not covered by the insurance.
You must pay for any amount the insurance company does not cover. If you do not pay, it will affect your credit and possibly your visa status. Note: Most charges are covered at 100% if you use a UHC Choice Plus PPO provider.
In most cases, after your visit, a UHC Choice Plus PPO physician or provider will send a directly bill to the insurance company.
If you are required to pay for services up front, you will need to complete a claim on foothill.myahpcare.com/claims in order to be reimbursed (paid back) by the insurance company.
Keep copies of all the documents you submit. To check the status of a claim you submitted, log into your UHC account or contact (888) 251-6253.
Student Health Insurance 101
Watch these videos to learn the basics of your health insurance.
Additional Coverage
Academic Live Care (ALC)
Virtual visits for medical/urgent care, therapy, nutrition and psychiatry.
- ALC Flyer
- Visit foothill.myahpcare.com/benefits for more details.
Academic Vision Care (AVC)
Free prescription and non-prescription glasses and lenses every 13 months through XP Health.
- AVC Flyer
- Visit foothill.myahpcare.com/benefits for more details.
Academic Emergency Services (AES)
Services and Benefits for Travel Emergencies, such as Medical Evacuation and Repatriation, Emergency Family Travel Arrangement, etc.
- AES Flyer
- Visit foothill.myahpcare.com/benefits for more details.
Dental and Vision
Dental and vision care are not covered under this insurance plan.
If students would like more information on purchasing voluntary dental or vision plan, check with the Student Health Services office on campus or visit foothill.myahpcare.com.
Foothill Dental Hygiene program also offers free/affordable services at the Dental Hygiene Clinic on campus.
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine
COVID-19 vaccines are provided free of charge through local government vaccination sites. Please visit the California Department of Public Health COVID Homepage to determine your eligibility and to sign up for an a vaccination appointment when you are eligible.
Visit COVID-19 resources for this plan: wellfleetstudent.com/covid-19/.
Worldwide
Any treatment received outside California is covered at 100% within the UHC Choice Plus PPO network, and 70% non-network, after the copays. The copays cannot be waived.
Treatment in your Home Country is not covered.
All medical bills, receipts, and other information should be sent to the claims department address.

Questions?
We're Here to Help!
International Student Programs Office
650.949.7293
foothillinternational@fhda.edu
Administration Building 1900 Room 1933
Connect with us on social media!