Health Insurance & Immunization Requirements
For the most current information about student health insurance and immunization requirements, please go to the website for Student Health and Counseling Services. Information about the new student health insurance plan will be up on the Student Health and Counseling Services website in July: http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/Health_Center/index.shtml
Student Health Insurance
The University requires that ALL students have supplemental health insurance. This will help to cover the cost of health care that cannot be obtained at the Health Centers, especially in emergency situations where hospitalization may be required. All students carrying 6 units or more, international students and Health Sciences campus students are automatically enrolled in the USC Student Health Insurance Plan. The Health Insurance Plan works in conjunction with the University's Student Health Centers. For this reason, all students enrolled in the USC Student Health Insurance Plan are required to pay the Student Health Fee. Enrollment may be waived only if documented proof of adequate health coverage, from another plan, is presented to the Student Health Services Office at the Student Health Center on your campus.
All insurance enrollments or waivers must be completed during registration week prior to the deadline date, at the Student Health Center on the campus where the student is enrolled. To waive coverage in the USC student Health Insurance Plan, students must meet the University's requirements.
Waiver
Students who are enrolled in an alternate health insurance plan (or who are on their parents' plan) may waive (relinquish) enrollment in the USC Student Health Insurance Plan by providing proof of comparable coverage (see criteria below). All insurance waivers, for the Fall Semester or entire academic year, must be submitted by the deadline (TBD).
Criteria for Waiver
To waive the USC Student Health Insurance Plan, your other coverage must:
- Provide at least $500,000 in lifetime aggregate coverage (no per incident maximum)
- Cover the student for the entire coverage period
- Have effective dates covering entire semester:
- Fall 2007 - (Dates TBD)
- Fall 2007 & Spring 2008, Full Academic Year - (Dates TBD)
- Pay for at least 80% of covered expenses
- Provide proof with your name on it (identification card or insurance policy)
- Have a deductible of $2500 or less per policy year, and
- provide a plan description in the English language with currency amounts converted to U.S. dollars
For more information please call the Student Services Office at (213) 740-0551. A detailed description of the plan is available online (http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/Health_Center/ins.index.shtml), or you may request this information by email from the Insurance Coordinator. Please email: uphcins@usc.edu.
Immunization Requirements
USC requires proof of measles (Rubeola) immunity from all new, incoming students. In addition, the university requires all new, incoming International Students to receive a tuberculosis skin test (PPD).
Measles Immunity Requirement
USC requires all students to show proof of measles (Rubeola) immunity before being allowed to register for classes. There are a number of documents you can use to serve as this proof:
- A letter on printed letterhead stationary from a physician or clinic stating the month and year you were vaccinated or when you had the disease.
OR
- A photocopy of your immunization record indicating the month and year of your measles immunization.
OR
- A photocopy of your medical record stating the month and year you were vaccinated or when you had the disease.
If you are unable to provide any of the above documentations, you will be asked to receive the immunization or have a blood test to prove immunity and then provide us with the documentation.
Tuberculosis Screening Requirement
USC requires all international students to be screened for tuberculosis prior to their first semester for enrollment. There are a number of documents you can use to serve as proof of this screening:
- Documentation of a negative tuberculosis skin test (PPD) performed and read in millimeters in the United States or Canada within 6 months prior to enrollment at USC.
OR
- Documentation of a positive tuberculosis skin test (PPD) and a written report of a negative chest x-ray performed in the United States or Canada, within 6 months prior to enrollment at USC.
OR
- Documentation of INH therapy for prophylaxis for at least six months and a written report of a negative chest x-ray performed in the United States or Canada within 6 months prior to enrollment at USC.
Tuberculosis skin testing must be administered and read in the United States or Canada and must include measurement of reaction in millimeters. A history of BCG immunization does not fulfill this requirement. Chest x-rays must be performed in the United States or Canada and must be in the form of a written report. X-ray films will not be accepted.
If you are unable to provide any of the above documentations, you will be asked to receive a tuberculosis skin test (PPD) and/or a chest x-ray and then provide us with the documentation by the deadline (TBD).
All Measles and TB Screening documents should be mailed, delivered or faxed to:
USC University Park Health CenterAttention: Immunization Compliance Officer
849 W. 34th Street, Room 120
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0311
Fax: (213)821-2740
