Policy Statement

International students enrolled in credit or non-credit courses at the University of Memphis must maintain major medical, repatriation of remains, and medical evacuation insurance coverage throughout enrollment at the university, including periods when students are not registered for classes. The coverage must be equal to or greater than the standard set forth by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) policy 2:03:00:00.

Registration Process

The Center for International Programs and Services (CIPS) will place a registration hold on each UofM F-1 and J-1 student upon his or her admission to the University of Memphis (UofM). In order for this registration hold to be removed, the student will either purchase the TBR insurance policy directly from the TBR carrier and provide payment confirmation to the CIPS office or the student will show proof of insurance purchased through an independent carrier or provided through a government sponsorship or other university-approved official sponsorship.  Payment for coverage must be made in full for at least the up-coming semester.

F-1 students participating in the Intensive English for Internationals (IEI) program must present proof of TBR insurance coverage, coverage from an independent carrier or coverage through a government sponsorship or other university-approved official sponsorship by the final day of the late registration period. Students not providing proof by the final day of the late registration period will be required to purchase the TBR insurance on the final day of the late registration period or risk termination of their I-20’s. Payment for coverage must be made in full for at least the up-coming session.

If you choose to purchase the University health insurance, please visit the Pearce & Pearce website for further details on that policy, how to buy, and coverage: http://www.studentinsurance.com/

If you are using off-campus health insurance, you need to obtain approval for this coverage through:

• The insurance company completing the Certification of Insurance from an Independent Carrier form and
• The insurance company mailing the original Certification of Insurance from an Independent Carrier form and a copy of the purchased policy (in English) directly to the CIPS or IEI office. Coverage provided by an independent carrier must be equal to, or better than, the coverage provided by the TBR plan.

Students holding insurance coverage through a government sponsorship or through a university-approved official sponsorship must provide proof of coverage in the form of an official letter from the sponsoring agency and a copy of the provided policy (in English.) The coverage must be equal to, or better than, the coverage provided by the TBR plan.

Waivers

A waiver of the requirement to purchase Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains insurance may be possible in the following circumstance:

F-1 students must purchase Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains coverage unless they provide evidence that their spouse or parent is a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or H-1B employee.

J-1 students, by federal regulation, are required to purchase Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains coverage regardless of their ties to the U.S. No waivers will be granted after the first week of classes each term.

Whom do I Contact with Further Questions?