All F-1 and J-1 students are automatically enrolled in UMKC’s International Student Health Insurance plan.

What is included in the plan?

You can obtain a brochure and plan information at International Student Affairs Office (ISAO).

I have health insurance from home. Do I have to enroll in insurance through UMKC?

Are you are a non-immigrant international student with a F-1 or J-1 visa?

• YES. enrollment in this Plan is mandatory and automatic when you enroll in classes.
• A small number of F-1 or J-1 students may be eligible for a health insurance waiver (such as if you are sponsored by your government). Contact ISAO to learn about waivers. 

How do I get a copy of my insurance card?

You can digitally access your insurance card with the Sydney Health app. If you want a hard copy of your insurance card, call (833) 332-0798.

Is my family covered?

Family coverage is available but not automatic. You will need to enroll them using the Anthem website. 

Dependents must enroll in the Plan when the student first enrolls or within 30 days of the date the dependent entered the United States.

What are the coverage periods? How much does it cost?

How do I pay for my health insurance?

The cost of the insurance will be included in your UMKC bill when you enroll in classes.

Will the cost of health insurance for my dependents be included in my student bill?

NO. You will need to mail the correct premium directly to Anthem Student Health. Only mail the cost of the premium after you have deducted the cost of the F-1/J-1 student’s insurance.

UMKC has a Student Health Center that is free for UMKC students. 

Location

Brookside 51 Building, 5110 Oak Street, Stuite 237 Kansas City, MO 64112 https://www.umkc.edu/studenthealth/

Regular Hours of Operation

• Monday, Thursday and Friday: 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., 1:30–4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., 1:30–6:30 p.m.

To visit the Health Center, you will need to make an appointment.

There are 3 ways to do that:

• To make an appointment online, visit our secure Open Communicator portal.
• To make an appointment in person.
• To make an appointment by phone, call (816) 235-6133.

Once you make the appointment, here are some tips:

Arrive early. If it is your first appointment, there is some initial information that they will need to get.
Complete your paperwork before you go. Here are the forms that you will need to provide:

• Health History Form
  • This form gives information on your medical history, current medications, allergies and family history. This is normal and standard for every doctor’s office. You can ignore the questions about gender and sexual orientation.
• Consent-Authorization for Release of Information Form
  • This form gives permission to send, receive, or share your personal medical history. This information will ONLY be used to help treat you or to bill your insurance. It will NEVER be shared with anyone else.
    If you decide you do not need your appointment, cancel it. If you do not cancel your appointment, you will be charged a $5 no-show fee.

When you arrive for your appointment:

1. Check in at the kiosk. This means that you will electronically sign some forms giving permission for the Health Center to do things.
2. Provide your completed forms to the front desk staff. The staff will make a note that you have arrived and will get your information ready for your visit. This process is called checking in.
3. After you are checked in, have a seat and wait for a Registered Nurse to call your name.
4. The nurse will escort you to the examination room.
5. The nurse will do several things:Ask basic health questions.
6. Take your vital signs (weight, height, temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respirations).
7. Suggest you to have a free rapid HIV test. Every student is asked about this, as a precaution, so do not be surprised.
8. The Nurse Practitioner or Doctor(NP) will come in the examination room to discuss why you are there and to provide treatment.

Transitioning to the U.S. can be difficult. UMKC wants to help! At UMKC, people view your mental health as important as your physical health. UMKC also offers Counseling services to all UMKC students. Their address is 5110 Oak Street, Suite 201, Kansas City, MO 64112. You can contact them by phone at (816) 235-1635. 

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Counseling can happen one-on-one or in a group. The choice is up to you.

Here are some of the things that you might talk about in counseling:

Counseling can help you better understand what you are experiencing and can help you come up with ideas on how to change it. It is not a sign of weakness. Sometimes we just need someone to ask the right questions so that we can find the answer.

Doctors and/or Pharmacies in Kansas City

In many countries, when you are sick, you go to the hospital. That is where the doctors are.

In the US, it is different. The only time you go to the hospital is when it is serious. If you go to the hospital, it will be very expensive. Even with insurance, it can cost you $500 or more. In the U.S., it is less expensive to visit a doctor in a private office, Urgent Care Center, or Minute Clinic.

If the UMKC Health Center is unable to provide the medical care that you need, you can find other providers off campus that accept your UMKC student health insurance. UMKC does not have a pharmacy, you will need to use a pharmacy off campus to get your prescription medications.

• Find a doctor or pharmacy off campus

Emergency Numbers

• Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222
• Call 9-1-1 for situations that threaten life or property and need immediate attention