Health Requirements

State law requires proof of immunization against certain diseases for all students. You will need to turn in your Medical History Record, which includes Tuberculosis Screening and Immunization forms. Immunizations must be verified on a validated record or medical history record by a physician or health agency and professionally translated into english. The exact dates the immunizations were given must be shown.

You must obtain your immunizations and complete and return the Medical History Record to MSU Student Health Services or your registration will be delayed.

The Medical History Record should be sent by fax to +1 406-994-2504 or by e-mail to immune@montana.edu, or you can bring it with you and turn it in. Before you send the Medical History Record with proof of immunizations, we recommend that you make a copy for your personal record and bring it with you.

If you have any additional questions regarding the immunization requirements or the Medical History Record before you arrive at MSU, please feel free to contact Student Health Services at +1 406-994-2311 or immune@montana.edu

Health Insurance

MSU Student Health Service provides general medical and dental services for all enrolled students. Costs are minimal because students pay a basic fee each semester as part of their tuition and fees. If a student needs emergency or specialized medical care at an off-campus clinic or the hospital, charges can be much more expensive.

MSU requires all international students to either enroll in the MSU Health and Accident Insurance Plan or show proof of adequate private insurance coverage, which includes sickness and accident coverage for a minimum amount of $100,000/year. Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation insurance is required for J-1 Students. For more information,  about J-1 health insurance requirements, please visit the U.S. Department of State's website.

Dependents of J-1 students are required to obtain health insurance. Dependents of F-1 students are highly recommended to obtain health insurance as well.

Most health insurance policies in the U.S. do not pay for 100% of medical expenses incurred by illness or accident.

Medical examinations not covered by the university's student health coverage are eye examinations, eyeglasses, or dental work. It is advisable that you have this work done before leaving home, as these expenses can be expensive in the United States. In any situation where the cost of medical treatment is not covered by insurance, the student is responsible for payment. 

Medical insurance coverage should cover the following minimum benefits:

  • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness. Many U.S. policies will not offer this benefit level specifically for each accident or illness.
  • If you should die in the U.S., your policy must include repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000 to bring your remains back to your home country for burial.
  • If, because of serious injury or ilnness, you must be sent home on the advice of a doctor, the policy must cover up to $50,000 for the expense of your travel.
  • The deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

You should be familiar with the following terms:

  • "Co-pay": the co-pay is the amount that must be paid after each visit to a doctor's office.
  • "Deductible": the amount the insured is required and obligated to pay by the insurance policy. The deductible is chosen by the insured.    Generally the lower the deductible, the higher the insurance premium.
  • "Out of pocket expenses": direct outlays of cash which will not be reimbursed.

Three Ways to Insure Yourself or Your Family Members

MSU Insurance Private U.S. Company

Blue Cross Blue Shield 

MSU Student Health Insurance 

  • No MSU insurance plan for dependents is available.
  • The student health insurance fee is automatically charged to the student's account each semester unless waived by the student. Please use the Office of International Programs' waiver form (linked via DocuSign).
 Purchase a health insurance plan from a private company in the U.S. Please check each plan's coverage to be sure it offers enough coverage.

Please be aware of the following:

  1. All students registered in seven or more on-campus credits are eligible to use the Health Service. Doctor visits are always free.
  2. Students with fewer than seven credits, students whose classes are off-campus, and students' spouses, may pay the health fee at any time during the semester for access to the clinic. The Health Service does not see children.
  3. If you have MSU insurance and go to the Health Service, all lab tests, xrays, minor surgeries, procedures, and medical supplies such as crutches are free. You will have a co-pay for any prescriptions (this varies, depending on the prescription).
  4. If you do not have MSU insurance and go to the Health Service, the doctor visit is still free, but you will have to pay for any xrays, labs or minor procedures. The pharmacy at the Health Service can usually bill your insurance company for prescriptions. Charges for services such as xrays or labs are due at the time of the visit. The Student Health Service will give you a statement to send to your insurance carrier. If you have an international policy, often they will reimburse you for 100% of the services if you use the Student Health Service.
  5. The dental clinic is available to students only. The charges for services at the dental clinic are about half of what they would be if you went to an off-campus dental clinic.
  6. Ambulances are very expensive. Use it only if it is a true emergency.
  7. Most insurances do NOT cover dental or vision (eyeglasses/contacts). It has to be a separate contract.
  8. Please make sure that perscription medications are covered.
  9. You should check the insurance plan's "cap", which is the maximum amount of money a policy will pay for any claim or total payout.

Note: Make sure to read the information provided by your insurance company carefully in order to understand what your coverage includes and how it works. Keep your insurance card in your wallet or purse at all times.

Prescriptions

  • With MSU insurance: $15, $30 or $50, depending on your prescription.
  • Without MSU insurance: Varies, depending on your insurance coverage. Please bring your prescription insurance card to the pharmacy window.

Note: Except for the pharmacy, we do not bill insurance other than the student policy. Save all receipts for submitting to your insurance carrier.

Useful Numbers