Health Insurance Requirements: Scholars who will not be employed by ISU
Iowa State University requires Visiting Scholars and all accompanying dependents to maintain health insurance coverage throughout their visit at ISU. If you were not approved as a Visiting Scholar, this insurance coverage is optional.
As a Visiting Scholar, you must enroll in the Iowa State University Student and Scholar Health Insurance Program. We will assist you with that process when you check in with the ISSO upon arrival. Billing for the ISU insurance plan is based on full calendar months. Insurance premiums are not adjusted for less than a month’s coverage. For example, if you arrive in the U.S. on September 24th and leave on December 12th you will be charged for four full months of health insurance coverage. You may wish to play your visit accordingly.
From August 1, 2023, through July 31, 2024, the monthly rates for the ISU Student and Scholar Health Insurance Program for non-employees are:
- Scholar only $276
- Scholar and Spouse $578
- Scholar and child(ren) $490
- Scholar, spouse, and child(ren) $792
The ISU Student and Scholar Health Insurance Program allows the visitor to use the Thielen Student Health Center on the campus of Iowa State University. Spouses and children must obtain health care from a health care provider in the local community.
Visit https://sship.hr.iastate.edu/visiting-scholars to learn more about the ISU Student and Scholar Health Insurance Program. If you have questions about Iowa State University’s health insurance requirements, please contact University Human Resources at isusship@iastate.edu.
The ISU Student and Scholar Health Insurance Program does not cover dental or eye care, including glasses and contacts, for adults. It does cover dental and eye care for children. Most health insurance plans in the U.S. do not cover dental or eye care for either adults or children.
Health Insurance Requirements: Scholars who will be employed by ISU
If you will be employed in a benefits-eligible position at Iowa State University, please be aware that you must enroll yourself and your accompanying dependents in the ISU employee health insurance plan (the “ISU Plan”) upon arrival at the university. For more information about this requirement and the ISU plan, please visit: https://www.hr.iastate.edu/medical-plan or contact the ISU Benefits Office at benefits@iastate.edu.