<p>Is it a must to renew the medical insurance to maintain F1 status? What happen if I fail to do so?
Or What if there is a gap during renewal?
Should the school cover medical insurance for the student?</p>
<p>As far as I know, the school will make you buy one unless you’re already covered… Not sure about the other questions</p>
<p>Yes, I think it is mandatory to buy medical insurance since you are international and not covered under any US medical policy.
I would not advise you to leave any gaps in insurance coverage.</p>
<p>No, schools don’t cover your medical costs. It would be disastrous financially for you not to buy it in case you get sick,involve in an accident etc. One visit to the emergency room costs more than one whole year of medical insurance. It’s a no brainer. It’s not worth it to skimp on medical insurance.</p>
<p>what happen if I fail to do so for whatever reasons? is there anything to do with F1 status?</p>
<p>I am not sure if the health insurance requirement is visa-related, but it is conceivable. At my college, international students have to prove that they have health insurance with a certain amount of coverage, while other students are just asked for their insurance information. International students who fail to provide the necessary documentation are automatically enrolled in and billed for the college’s international group insurance plan. (Domestic students are not auto-enrolled in an insurance plan if they don’t provide insurance info.)</p>
<p>If it is a visa requirement, a lack of insurance will certainly impact your visa status. The college has to update your SEVIS record at the beginning of every semester, confirming that you still meet all the requirements for your visa. If health insurance is one of the requirements, it will have to be confirmed as well. If the college cannot confirm this, you will be in trouble the next time you leave the country and try to re-enter the US.</p>
<p>If you fail to buy health insurance, you cannot be enrolled. The school will haul you into the office and insist your complete all paperwork. If you don’t do it, then the school will treat you as an disenrolled student and notify immigration that you have not enrolled.</p>
<p>Soon, a deportation order will be issued.</p>
<p>Since you are an international student, I advise you not to break any rules because your future depends on it. One little black mark on your record will negatively impact you should you apply for permanent resident status later on. It’s not worth it to save a few hundred dollars.</p>
<p>Thank you for your info & advice. I just want to make sure something in order to avoid something distressful in future.</p>