International Services - [ health requirements ]
(Student Affairs OP 91.175; revised February, 20 2004)

Policy

It is the policy of Mississippi State University that all international students enrolled at Mississippi State University, but excluding all distance students, be required to purchase stipulated levels of health insurance and maintain repatriation and medical evacuation coverage ensuring repatriation of remains and/or medical evacuation. This policy does not supersede Department of State health insurance requirements for J students and scholars.

Health Insurance Requirements

All international students enrolled at Mississippi State University, as defined above, are required to purchase the MSU Student Association Sponsored Student Insurance Plan which is made available through the Longest Student Health Center. The premium for this plan will be automatically assessed with tuition and other student fees.

Exception for Employer Provided Insurance

Students who are covered by a health insurance plan offered through an employer, either as the employee or the dependent of an employee, may submit written documentation of said coverage before the tenth day of class each term. Such students will not be required to purchase the MSU health plan. Students who lose employer provided coverage during a term must immediately inform the International Services office.

Repatriation and Medical Evacuation Insurance Requirements

All enrolled international students are required to maintain repatriation and medical evacuation coverage. Repatriation expenses for which student or student's families are responsible may include costs for embalming, an autopsy, a hermetically-sealed coffin, a wooden shipment box, mortuary services, and shipping costs. The university will not be responsible for payment of repatriation or medical evacuation expenses.

Repatriation and medical evacuation is included in the health insurance coverage available through the Longest Student Health Center. Those students holding approved employer insurance will be required to purchase repatriation and medical evacuation insurance through the International Services office MEDEX plan (see below). For such students, MSU insurance charges will not be removed from their accounts until repatriation and medical evacuation coverage is purchased. Purchase of repatriation and medical evacuation coverage to supplement employer provided insurance must be done before the tenth day of class.

MEDEX

Students who are covered by employer provided insurance will be required to have a MEDEX policy for the repatriation and medical evacuation components of the university's required coverage. This policy combination is in compliance with international student insurance requirements. Before the MSU insurance hold can be released, the student must present documentation from MEDEX that reflect this coverage. The dates of coverage must correspond with the current academic term. For more MEDEX information and to purchase online coverage go to:
http://www.medexassist.com/plusscholastic.cfm

Additional Health Related Requirements

In addition to health insurance requirements, all international students are required to have a chest x-ray screening for tuberculosis and to provide proof of immunity to measles and rubella. For information about these requirements and what medical documentation is acceptable from other facilities, go to:
http://www.health.msstate.edu/healthcenter/admission/#international