IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The LSU Student Health Insurance Plan (LSU SHIP) coverage dates for the Fall 2026 semester are from August 14, 2026 through January 5, 2027, with a cost of $1,541. To waive (opt out) the 2026-2027 LSU SHIP for Fall 2026, you must submit a waiver form by the Friday, September 11, 2026 deadline. If no waiver is submitted by the deadline, student will remain enrolled in the LSU Student Health Insurance Plan. Detailed information about LSU Medical Health Insurance Plan is available at www.gallagherstudent.com/LSU-BatonRouge.
Introduction
All non-immigrant international students in F and J student visa status are required to purchase and maintain adequate medical health insurance and repatriation/medical evacuation coverage while they are enrolled at LSU, whether enrolled part-time or full-time. There are no exceptions to these requirements.
The medical health insurance policy and repatriation/medical evacuation coverage must meet LSU’s medical health insurance guidelines under the Affordable Care Act. The LSU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is provided by Gallagher Student Health/United Healthcare and meets all requirements.
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Important Points of Contact
Gallagher Student Health/United Healthcare
LSU Student Health Center
LSU Graduate School
Full-time graduate assistants (20 hours per week, or 50% effort) receive a health insurance benefit whereby the LSU Graduate School covers 75% of the student health insurance premium cost.
LSU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
F and J international students are automatically charged for and enrolled in LSU Student Health Insurance Plan (LSU SHIP) each semester that they are registered for credit hours, and the plan covers
- medical health insurance.
- repatriation of remains and medical evacuation to the home country.
To add dependents to LSU SHIP, F and J students must have insurance through LSU SHIP and be fully registered for credit hours at LSU for the current semester.
Please email isshealth@lsu.edu with any questions.
Enrolled F-1 or J-1 students may request a waiver of LSU SHIP if the student provides proof of a private medical health insurance plan that meets LSU's plan requirements. Private plans must be provided by one of the following:
- a sponsor, for example: government-sponsored scholarships, LSU student-athletes, bilateral exchange students.
- a U.S. employer.
- a U.S.-based parent, spouse, or domestic partner.
NOTE: If the private plan does not include repatriation and medical evacuation coverage, students will be required to purchase coverage through the LSU health insurance provider.
Waiver process
To request the waiver, follow these steps to submit the request by the waiver deadline.
- Go to www.gallagherstudent.com/lsu-batonrouge.
- Follow the login instructions.
- Click Waive under Plan Summary.
- Gather your health insurance information.
- Follow the instructions to complete the form.
After successfully submitting a waiver request, students will receive a reference number via email. Note: The final waiver determination may take 24-48 hours.
If the waiver is approved, the charges for the LSU policy will be credited to the student's account after approximately 10 business days.
If the private health insurance plan does not meet all requirements, students will remain enrolled in LSU SHIP.
All F and J students enrolled at LSU are required to maintain coverage for repatriation of remains and medical evacuation. The LSU SHIP includes this coverage.
What is this type of coverage?
- Repatriation of Remains is transporting the remains of an insured person back to their home country in case of death.
- Medical Evacuation is transferring an insured person to the nearest hospital or to their home country in case of an emergency injury or sickness.
Without coverage, the person's family members would pay to have the person's remains transported back to their home country or pay all costs related to the medical evacuation. The cost is thousands of dollars for either transportation need.
What are the requirements?
For students waiving LSU SHIP, they must purchase coverage for the following:
- Repatriation of Remains: The required minimum amount of coverage is $25,000. Pre-existing condition-related deaths must be covered; coverage must remain in force during entire stay in the U.S.
- Medical Evacuation: The required minimum amount of coverage is $50,000. Pre-existing condition-related illnesses must be covered; coverage must remain in force during entire stay in the U.S.
If you are an F visa status holder, and your private medical health insurance policy does not include these required benefits, you must purchase these benefits separately from Gallagher by following the instructions below. The policy is effective for one full year.
- Go to Medical Evacuation and Repatriation site.
- Click "Enroll."
- Complete the form with your information and payment.
Insurance for J visa status holders is monitored by International Student Services. Our office will notify you by email if your private plan does not include these benefits.
It is important that all students print their student medical health insurance card (ID Card) and always keep it with them, regardless of what health insurance provider they have.
LSU SHIP ID cards are usually available 5-7 business days after eligibility is confirmed.
Important: Students with LSU SHIP who need to see a doctor are required to first report to LSU’s Student Health Center (SHC), or any insurance claims will not be covered or paid. However, this requirement does not apply in the case of a medical emergency or if the center is closed.
LSU-sponsored J student visa holders and their J-2 dependents (if applicable) are required to have adequate medical health insurance and repatriation/medical evacuation coverage for the entire duration of their J program, including all dates between semesters. The medical health insurance must
- meet U.S. Department of State requirements.
- LSU requirements.
- have the appropriate coverage dates.
Non-compliance may result in possible loss of J-1/J-2 status, per U.S. Department of State regulations.
Read our Article - Insurance Information for J Visa Holders for the U.S. Department of State requirements and the additional steps of the waiver process for J-1s/J-2s.