American University International Student Health Insurance Waiver Guide 2026-2027
- lori683
- Jul 9
- 6 min read
If you are an F-1 or J-1 student heading to American University this fall, you have already been auto-enrolled in the AU Student Health Insurance Plan at a cost of 2,759 dollars for the year. That is a lot of money. The good news is you do not have to pay it. You can waive the school plan and choose a VISIT® Insurance alternative that meets all of AU’s requirements and save as much as 1,139 dollars. Your waiver deadline is September 7, 2026. Here is what you need to know.
How Much Can You Save at American University?
The AU SHIP plan charges every student the same rate: $2,759 per year, regardless of your age or health needs. That is how school plans work — one price for everybody.
We do things differently. VISIT® plans use age-based pricing, which means younger students pay less. If you are between 17 and 24, your annual cost with VISIT® starts at $1,620.60 — a savings of as much as $1,138.40 compared to the AU plan.
Savings comparison — School Plan $2,759 vs VISIT® ELITE 450 as low as $1,620.60
A lot of students just figure, well, the university plan is there, so we will just take it. But that is not necessarily cost effective. If you take five minutes to look at your options, you could put over a thousand dollars back in your pocket — with the same level of coverage.
American University Waiver Requirements
Before you choose a plan, you need to know what AU requires for your waiver to be approved. The school will check that your alternative plan meets these specific standards:
What AU Requires:
Coverage type: ACA-Compliant plan
Deductible: Must not exceed the school’s threshold — watch this carefully
US-based claims office: Yes, your plan must be through a carrier with a US-based claims office
Pre-existing conditions: Must be covered with no waiting period
Coverage dates: Your plan must be active from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027
Network: Must include access to in-network providers
Sometimes the school will request that you do not have a deductible over $250 or $500. You really have to watch that you choose the right plan for that. If you pick a plan with a deductible that is too high, your waiver will be denied — even if everything else is correct.
All VISIT® plans listed for American University are designed to meet these requirements. We have already done the homework for you. Every plan on our AU page has been matched to what the school accepts.
How to Submit Your Waiver — Step by Step
This is simpler than most students expect. Here is exactly what to do:
Step 1: Go to visitinsurance.com/american-university and choose your plan. Enrollment takes about 3 minutes.
Step 2: As soon as you enroll, you will receive your digital insurance ID card and your Certification Form instantly. We generate the certification form automatically — you do not need to request it or wait for it.
Step 3: Log into the AU waiver portal and upload your certification form and insurance ID.
Step 4: Wait for AU to review and approve your waiver. Most students hear back within a few days.
4 steps to submit your waiver — less than 10 minutes
That is it. Four steps, and the hardest part — finding a plan that actually meets AU’s requirements — is already done for you.
If you have questions about your waiver at any point, email us at info@visitinsurance.com. We help students with this every single day. We have been doing this for almost 50 years.
Plan Comparison: AU SHIP vs. VISIT® Plans
Here is how the AU school plan compares to three of our most popular options for American University students. All three meet AU’s waiver requirements.
| AU SHIP Plan | |||
Save up to | — | $1,139 | $850 | $298 |
Price (Age 17-24) | $2,759 | $1,620.60 | $1,908.95 | $2,460 |
Price (Age 25-27) | $2,759 | $2,197.30 | $2,544.05 | $2,832 |
Price (Age 28-29) | $2,759 | $3,347.05 | $3,934.70 | $5,135 |
Medical Maximum | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Deductible | $350 | $450 | $250 | $0 |
Coinsurance | 80% | 80% | 80% | 100% |
Student Health Copay | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Urgent Care Copay | 80% coinsurance, after $20 copay/visit | Deductible then $50 copayment | Deductible then $50 copayment | $50 |
ER Deductible | 80% coinsurance, after $350 copay/visit | Deductible then $200 copayment per visit (waived if admitted) | Deductible then $200 copayment per visit (waived if admitted) | 100% of Allowable Charges $200 Copayment (waived if admitted) |
Prescription Copay | $15/$45/$70 | $15/$40/$75 | $15/$40/$75 | $5/$40/$60 |
Max Out-of-Pocket | $10,600 | $5,000 | $5,500 | $5,000 |
Pre-Existing Conditions | No waiting period | No waiting period | No waiting period | No waiting period |
Mental Health | Deductible + 80% Coinsurance | Deductible then 20% Coinsurance | Deductible then 20% Coinsurance | 100% Outpatient: $25 copay |
Preventive Care | 100% In-Network | 100% In-Network | 100% In-Network | 100% In-Network |
Maternity | Deductible + 80% Coinsurance | Deductible + 80% Coinsurance | Deductible + 80% Coinsurance | Deductible + 100% Coinsurance |
Repatriation | — | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
Medical Evacuation | — | $120,000 | $120,000 | $120,000 |
PPO Network | Aetna | UHC | UHC | UHC |
Enroll in a VISIT® plan for American University now → — lock in your rate before September 7, 2026.
Why Students Choose VISIT® Insurance
We are not the school plan — and here is why that matters:
Almost 50 years of experience. We have been helping international students since 1979. We were one of the first international student health insurance providers in the United States — back when there were almost no options for students coming from overseas.
We are a super broker. Unlike the school plan which gives you one option, we offer multiple plans from multiple carriers. That means we can match you to the right plan for your school, your budget, and your medical needs — not just give you a one-size-fits-all.
We actually review your enrollment. One of our students — a tennis player from Croatia — had enrolled in a non-athlete plan by mistake. Because he had spoken with our team first, we knew his situation. When the wrong enrollment came through, we caught it immediately and helped him re-enroll in the correct athletic plan before he ever stepped on the court. That is what happens when you talk to us first.
Age-based pricing. The school plan charges everyone the same rate. We price by age, which means younger students pay significantly less for the same coverage.
Money-back guarantee. If AU denies your waiver, you can request a full refund within 14 days. No risk.
3-minute enrollment with instant documents. Enroll online, get your ID card and certification form immediately, and submit your waiver the same day.
We are not just trying to sell you whatever the most expensive plan is or whatever the cheapest plan is. We are trying to take the time to match the need and the budget at the same time. That is what makes us different.
Do Not Miss the September 7 Deadline
Your waiver deadline at American University is September 7, 2026. That is a hard deadline. If you miss it, you will receive an automatic denial — no exceptions. You will be enrolled in the AU SHIP plan and charged the full $2,759.
Waiver Deadline — September 7, 2026 — Miss it = automatic denial
The waiver portal is open now. You can enroll in a VISIT® plan and submit your waiver documents today. It takes less than 10 minutes total — 3 minutes to enroll, and a few minutes to upload your documents to the AU portal.
Do not wait until September 6. Do it now while you are thinking about it.
Enroll now at visitinsurance.com/american-university → Get your waiver documents instantly.
Questions? We Are Here.
Email us: info@visitinsurance.com Call us: 703-660-9062 (US Eastern Time)
We want you to feel relieved that you have the right insurance — not wondering if maybe you got the wrong thing. That is why we take the time to match every student with the right plan. Not just the cheapest one. The right one.
Money-Back Guarantee
If American University denies your waiver, you may request a full refund within 14 days of the denial date, provided the plan has not been used. Email your denial notice to info@visitinsurance.com and we will process your refund. No risk, no hassle.
VISIT® Insurance has been helping international students find the right health insurance since 1979. We are a licensed insurance broker based in Mount Vernon, Virginia, and we serve students at over 700 universities across the United States.
Disclaimer: Benefits and premiums are subject to change. Please review policy documents for complete coverage details and American University’s current waiver requirements.
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