All students enrolled at Tidewater Community College in F-1 immigration status must carry health insurance for themselves and all dependents in F-2 status as a condition of their standing at Tidewater Community College.  

Failure to maintain health insurance will result in the following consequences:  

•  A hold will be placed on the student's record, barring any future registration, transcript release, refund, graduation application, etc.

•  F1 benefits such as travel signature, program extension, employment authorization, etc., will be withheld until documentary evidence of health insurance coverage is provided to ISS.

•  May result in a referral to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action as described in the TCC student handbook.

There are no exceptions to this policy.

Approved insurance policies must meet minimum requirements as specified for exchange visitor under 22 CFR 514.14. The specific minimum requirements are:

Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness.

•  Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500

•  Expenses associated with the medical evacuation to the student's home country in the amount of $10,000.

•  A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

•  A provision for co-insurance/co-payment of not more than 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness.

The policy plan or contract secured to fulfill the above requirements must be

•  Underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above, and Insurance Solvency International Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-" or above, A Standard and Poor's Claims-paying Ability rating of "A" or above, a Weiss Research Inc. rating of "B+" or above -or-

•  Backed by the full faith and credit of the student's home government.

The required insurance must be in effect for the entire term for which a student is enrolled. Required coverage dates are as follows:

•  Fall 2005 Semester : August 18 through January 8, 2006.   (Students graduating in December are required to purchase coverage through the end of December.  

•  Spring 2006 Semester: January 9 through August 17, 2006. (Students graduating in Spring are required to submit insurance coverage through the end of May).

•  New students entering in Summer 2006 must provide coverage from May 22 through August 18, 2006.

Each student in F immigration status must provide a copy of their health insurance card with the beginning and ending enrollment dates, and complete a Health Insurance Verification Form every Fall and Spring semester that she/he is enrolled.     This form must be completed, signed, and submitted to the International Student Services office (ISS) by the last day of the drop/add period.

Students who enter the United States with government health insurance polices must provide clear proof that the coverage meets the above requirements.   Health insurance cards must be in English or student must provide an official English translation.