Health Insurance for International Students
North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) policy section 505 requires* all international students at Dakota College at Bottineau in F-1 or M-1 status to carry the health insurance policy that has been designated by the Chancellor of the North Dakota State University System. * Canadian & Norwegian citizens are exempt from this requirement.
International students in F-1 status will be automatically enrolled into the insurance policy on a semester basis by the Student Services office.
Insurance fees
The insurance policy fee is automatically charged to your DCB financial account at the beginning of each semester, and it must be paid by the Tuition Payment Deadline.
The insurance fee for fall semester must be paid in full by September 6, 2024; it cannot be included in a payment plan.
The insurance fee for spring/summer terms must be paid in full by January 24, 2025; it cannot be included in a payment plan.
Health Insurance Rates for the 2022-23 Academic Year: $2,184 annual cost | ||
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Semester | Dates of Coverage | Cost |
Fall 2024 | August 16 - December 31, 2024 | $896 |
Spring/Summer 2025 | January 1 - August 15, 2025 | $1,473 |
If the insurance fee is not paid in full by the dates listed above, the Dakota College business office will drop you from your classes. Do not let this happen; you must be enrolled full-time at all times in order to maintain your F-1 status.
Summer coverage
If you plan to graduate in May, or are going home for the summer, you are still required to pay the spring/summer premium in full. Also, refunds or waivers pro-rated for the summer period are not allowed. The insurance plan is non-negotiable and non-refundable.
If you are eligible to purchase it at the start of the semester, you remain eligible for the insurance throughout the remainder of the plan year (through August 15 of each year) even if you are not enrolled in summer classes.
Policy details
United Healthcare is the current official health insurance provider for North Dakota public institutions. The policy is comprehensive and provide excellent benefits. For information about the insurance policy, visit: www.uhcsr.com/NDUS
Information regarding COVID-19 coverage can be found here: www.uhcsr.com/faqs.
United Healthcare Contact Information
Customer Service: 1-877-433-6667
Email: customerservice@uhcsr.com
Opt-in for coverage every semester
International students in F-1 status will be automatically enrolled into the insurance policy on a semester basis. The automatic enrollment can take up to 6 weeks, during which you will not have access to your policy or ID card. To speed up your enrollment you should "opt-in" to request to be added to the policy every semester.
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Approximately 2-3 weeks before the start of fall and spring semesters you will receive an email with the subject: "North Dakota University System Student Health Insurance Spring 2022 Enrollment" from ndus@elev834.com.
You may opt-in immediately after you receive this email, even if you have not yet paid the insurance fee on your DCB student account.
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Click on the "Opt-in" icon, which is the gray figure holding a red pointer:
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From here you will be prompted to complete the opt-in process with https://elev834.eciservices.com/Login.aspx.
- First time students, use the following to log-in.
Username: your student ID number
Password: your last (family) name- Returning users, you will be required to use the password you chose previously.
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You will receive an email from United Healthcare Student Resources within 24 to 48 hours after you have submitted your opt-in request, notifying you that it is time to create your student account (instructions below). At this point you will be able to login, download your insurance ID card, and use the United Healthcare app.
If you do not opt-in to request to be added to the insurance policy every semester, you will not be able to utilize the insurance plan until after the 6th week of the semester.
Create your United Healthcare student account
After you have opted-in to the insurance policy, you will receive an email from United Healthcare inviting you to claim access your account. Fact Sheet: how to create your United Healthcare account
New students
- Visit this URL: https://www.uhcsr.com/school-page
- Type: Dakota College at Bottineau in the school name box
- Click the "Login to My Account" link.
- Click "CREATE ACCOUNT" and fill in the requested information
- A) enter your first/last name exactly as it shows in CampusConnection
- B) enter your Dakota College email address or your Dakota College student ID to confirm your identity
Continuing students
If you had United Healthcare coverage last semester, choose “Login to My Account” and login as you have done in the past to see your new coverage information.
Problems logging in?
If you have trouble logging in to your account or creating one, the Dakota College at Bottineau Student Services Clerk is not able to help you due to privacy laws. You will need to contact United Healthcare’s customer service: at 1-877-433-6667 or customerservice@uhcsr.com.
If you never receive emails from United Healthcare, check your spam/junk mail and update your mailbox settings if necessary, in case the email from United Healthcare went there by accident.
Print your insurance ID card
After you have opted-in to the insurance policy, you will be able to access your online United Healthcare account.
There is an App for that!
Set up the United Healthcare mobile app on your phone. With the United Healthcare app, you can access your digital ID card, explore Care Options, find a local doctor and view your claims.
Search for "UHCSR StudentResources" for Apple App Store or on Google Play.
Print a paper ID card
- Visit this URL: https://www.uhcsr.com/school-page Enter "Dakota College at Bottineau" in the school name box
- In the upper-right hand corner, click the "Login to My Account" link.
- First time users: claim your account, using the above instructions
- Returning students: enter your username and password if you already have an account.
- Once logged in, select "ID Card Information"
- “Request Permanent ID card” and/or “View or Print ID Card"
VERY IMPORTANT: Be sure to carry any insurance card with you at all times. You never know when you may need to use it.
Enroll family members
If you are currently enrolled in the student insurance plan you can purchased dependent coverage through your My Account site after logging in at www.uhcsr.com/ndus. Coverage purchased after the effective date of the policy will not be prorated and the effective date is the date that premium and application are received.
Costs for adding family members are found in the policy materials located at www.uhcsr.com/ndus.
If your dependents will be arriving in the US mid-semester and need to have insurance coverage, please contact United Healthcare Customer Service to make arrangements prior to their arrival.
If you have any questions about the process for adding a dependent or about the coverage for your dependent, please contact United Healthcare customer service directly at +1 (877) 433-6667.
Athletes
Early Arrivals Coverage
F-1 students who are required to arrive at Dakota College to start athletic practices BEFORE August 15th must enroll in the United Healthcare policy to start coverage on the day you arrive in the U.S. (Canadians and Norwegians are exempt).
The cost for the early coverage period (August 1 -15) is $90 and will be added to your student account.
Email the Student Services Clerk to start initiate your early arrival coverage. Please include your full name, student ID number, date of birth and home country.
Canadian Provincial health insurance & Norwegian health care system
Canadian & Norwegian citizens are not required to carry the North Dakota University System insurance policy through United Healthcare. You should refer to your Canadian private and provincial health insurance providers for more information about what sort of coverage you have while attending university in the United States.
*During the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important that you contact your health insurance provider to learn if testing for COVID-19 and treatment for COVID-19 related illnesses will be covered while you are in the United States. If testing and treatments for COVID-19 are not covered in the U.S., Dakota College strongly recommends that you purchase the North Dakota University System insurance policy.
If you are interested in purchasing the North Dakota University System insurance policy, read through the policy details on this webpage and email the Student Services Clerk to initiate your enrollment into the plan. Include the following details: First and Last name, student ID, date of birth, U.S. phone number, and your address in the U.S.
Documentation for Provincial Providers
You might be required to submit additional documents to your province prior to the start of each academic year. Download any necessary forms and send them to the Registrar's Office to be signed. The province may only need a verification of enrollment. If no form is specified, contact the province with questions regarding their specific requirements.
Optional dental insurance
United Healthcare offers an additional, optional dental insurance policy for international students in F-1 status. The plan will pay up to $500 each year towards basic services such as:
- Cleanings (limited to 2 per year)
- Fluoride treatments (limited to 2 per year)
- Sealants
- X-rays (limited)
- Restorations (such as fillings)
- Periodic oral evaluations
- Labs and other diagnostic tests
The plan does NOT cover extractions, oral surgery (i.e. removal of wisdom teeth) or orthodontics (i.e. braces). The United Healthcare dental plan is intended to help pay for basic oral health maintenance, and only routine and preventative services are covered. The full benefit summary is available here.
If this plan does not meet your needs you are able to research other dental plans that provide more comprehensive coverage on your own.
Deadline to sign up: September 29, 2022*
*New students who start their studies in North Dakota in the spring semester may enroll in the optional dental plan within 30 days of the start of the semester. The full cost is due at the time of enrollment, and cannot be pro-rated.
Coverage period: August 16, 2021 - August 15, 2022
Cost: $243.08 (student only)
How to enroll: You must enroll in this dental plan directly with United Healthcare using this link.
Continuation coverage during OPT
Students who remain in the U.S. after graduation for OPT are eligible for a 90-day continuation of insurance coverage. The 90-days is intended to allow you to identify and purchase an alternate policy for the remainder of your OPT time through the marketplace: www.healthcare.gov.
To purchase the continuation coverage:
- Log into your United Healthcare Account: www.uhcsr.com/school-page.
- The cost is $165 per month and you can pay for the coverage monthly, through your account.
- The coverage must be purchased within 14 days after your current coverage expires.
Students who graduate in May are eligible for the continuation coverage starting August 15 (the expiration date of the spring/summer coverage that you were automatically enrolled in).
Students who graduate in December are eligible for the continuation coverage starting January 1
Waivers for comparable insurance coverage
Under the North Dakota University System Policy/Procedure 505, students may be eligible for a waiver of the NDUS designated insurance if they are able to provide proof of comparable coverage. Waivers are granted in only a few exceptional situations, typically when coverage is already provided through a U.S. employer, or a parent or spouse’s U.S. based employer. Waivers are NOT granted for students who are “shopping” for a lower price.
Refer to the North Dakota University System website for the requirements that alternate insurance policies must meet in order to be considered comparable to the NDUS designated insurance plan.
Staff in the Student Services Office cannot help students research alternative insurance plans.
Waiver Application Process
Admitted and enrolled students will receive an email approximately 2-3 weeks before the start of fall and spring semesters with instructions on how to submit a request to waiver the NDUS designated insurance plan. The email subject: "North Dakota University System Student Health Insurance Spring 2025 Enrollment" from ndus@elev834.com.
Returning students in the spring will not receive an Opt-in/waive it email, and can complete a waiver application visiting: https://elev834.eciservices.com/Student/Login.aspx.
- First time students, use the following to log-in.
Username: your student ID number
Password: your last (family) name
- Returning users, you will be required to use the password you chose previously
Waiver Application Deadline
Thursday, January 20, 2025 (spring 2025)
Waivers Denied
If a waiver request is not approved, the student will need to immediately pay the full mandated insurance price for the NDUS Policy.
Waivers Denied for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
Oftentimes, the alternate insurance policy will not include unlimited coverage for Medical Evacuation and Repatriation. If you are informed by the audit agency that your waiver request has been denied solely for this reason, you must follow the instructions to purchase stand-alone Medical Evacuation and Repatriation coverage and submit required proof within the stated timeframe. In most cases, the denial will be overturned.