Important Health Information for Students

Required Health Documents

All international students are required to complete a Watkins Health Services Check-In after their arrival to Lawrence. Please prepare your Immunization History Form before your arrival and bring the completed form with you to KU. Immunization History Form (.pdf). It must be completed in English and signed by your doctor.

Student Health Services Fee

A general health fee is added to your tuition to cover a variety of health services at Watkins Health Services. Special care may require additional charges, but the costs are usually lower than those charged by off-campus health services. Learn more about KU’s Watkins Health Services.

Watkins Health Services Center

Watkins Health Services (WHS) is located on campus, and provides high quality, affordable, medical care to KU students through a team of dedicated professionals. WHS providers are experienced in the healthcare needs of international students. Their services include a 24-hour nurse helpline. Learn more about KU’s Watkins Health Services.

Required Health Insurance

International students who are enrolled at KU with an F-1, F-2, or J-1 immigration status are required to have health insurance.  The KU United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) insurance coverage for these students is a competitively-priced health insurance plan that meets the coverage requirements. You will be automatically billed for this coverage with your tuition.  See below about the benefits of the KU Insurance, covering dependents, and possible waivers. Please read the requirements carefully before leaving your country.

NOTE: Because all J-1 Visitors are required to have health insurance for themselves and their J-2 dependents for the duration of their stay, regardless of enrollment, J-2’s who enroll in KU classes are not automatically billed for the insurance.

Dependents

All F-1’s and J-1’s are allowed to add the KU health insurance for their dependents by contacting the International Insurance Coordinator at issinsurance@ku.edu. Dependents must be added to the insurance within 30 days of arriving, but it is safest to have insurance in place before they arrive.

Waivers

Most international students take the automatic KU insurance, but students who have an alternative insurance plan may request a waiver of the KU plan if their insurance documentation shows it meets or exceeds the Kansas Board of Regents Requirements. If the waiver is denied, the student will be required to take the KU insurance.

Insurance purchased elsewhere may or may not have the same benefits when used at KU Watkins Health Services Center, or pay for the required Check-In Clinic. Insurance waivers are due the first day of classes in fall and spring (summer deadline may be earlier).

Benefits of using the KU United Healthcare Student Resources insurance at KU Watkins Health Services Center:

  • There is no cost for your Check-In Clinic, required immunizations, or Tuberculosis (TB) test 1.
  • KU Watkins Health Services is a UHCSR Network Provider.
  • There is no extra cost for seeing a doctor or nurse practitioner.
  • Lab testing, x-rays, and generic prescription medicine are $5.
  • 100% coverage for sickness and injury.
  • See insurance policy for other costs, and costs associated with off-campus providers.

Accessibility Statement

An accessible version of the documents on this site will be made available upon request. Please contact the International Support Services , at iss@ku.edu to request the document be made available in an accessible format.