[2025 – 2026] IOWA Student Insurance Waiver Guide
University of Iowa Fall 2025-2026 Insurance Waiver Deadline
September 9,2025 11:59:59 PM EST
“ Simply submit your waiver with us,
save up to $2,265 a year from your insurance cost！ ”
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1.What is an insurance waiver?
The university requires all international students to enroll in medical insurance while studying abroad in the United States. On your IOWA student account, you will see that the University of IOWA has automatically enrolled you in the university’s Student Health Insurance Plan.
However, international students can enroll in a surprisingly more affordable plan designed specifically for them. 25-26 policy year IOWA’s insurance plan costs $3,504 a year. Alternatively, health coverage for international students can be as low as $1,239 a year.
An insurance waiver is an application to switch your plan that better fits your needs. Simply enroll in an insurance plan that meets the school’s waiver requirements and submit an insurance waiver on the school’s website.
2.Why are alternative health insurance plans more affordable?
The insurance costs are calculated based on the risk factors, demographics factors are essential to the health insurance cost. University health plans are usually more expensive because the plans serve a broader range of the population, including international and domestic students.
3.How to pick a health insurance plan?
A good insurance plan protects you from minor illnesses to serious injuries and diseases. When you’re looking for a plan, consider these factors:
- The Cost
Some plans are much more cost-effective than others. But the cost is the only factor you need to take into consideration. A plan with limited coverage can lead to catastrophic financial loss.
- Insurance benefits
Read the insurance policies carefully. A good insurance plan should have a low deductible, high coinsurance, low copays, and a low out-of-pocket maximum.
- Provider network
The Provider network is a group of care providers partnering with the insurance company to provide you with pre-negotiated rates. A powerful network allows you to find trustworthy doctors and hospitals wherever you need them.
4. Student Medicover Insurance Plans vs. IOWA Insurance Plan
IOWA Plan
- $300 Deductible
- 90% Coinsurance
- $10 Copay Physician Visit
- $1,700 Out-of-pocket Maximum
- Adult Vision Benefit
- $1,600 Value Add-On Benefits
Supreme
UHCSR Top Level Coverage Plan
Add-on medical and insurance benefits
- $0 Deductible
- 90% Coinsurance
- $20 Copay Physician Visit
- $5,000 Out-of-pocket Maximum
- $200 Adult Vision Benefit
- $1,600 Value Add-On Benefits
Elite
Deductible Low to $0
Coinsurance Up to 90%
- $0 Deductible
- 90% Coinsurance
- $20 Copay Physician Visit
- $5,000 Out-of-pocket Maximum
- $200 Adult Vision Benefit
- $1,600 Value Add-On Benefits
Prime 100
Affordable Deductible
$200 Adult Vision Benefit
- $100 Deductible
- 80% Coinsurance
- $25 Copay Physician Visit
- $6,350 Out-of-pocket Maximum
- $200 Adult Vision Benefit
- $1,600 Value Add-On Benefits
Prime 500
100% Cover Preventive Care
School Vaccinations in Preferred Providers
- $500 Deductible
- 80% Coinsurance
- $50 Copay Physician Visit
- $7,350 Out-of-pocket Maximum
- $200 Adult Vision Benefit
- $1,600 Value Add-On Benefits
By waiving IOWA-sponsored Student Health Insurance with Student Medicover you can save up to $1,987!
Note: All benefits shown are for services rendered at in-network providers. The premium rates are shown for insured under the age of 25, please contact us for the premium rates or plan options for other age groups.
5. Limited Time Summer Campaign – The More You Refer The More You Get!
6. How do University of Iowa Students Stay Covered with Student Medicover?
SM Users Insurance Claims Cases
Other Student Medicover Insureds Testmonials
7. How to Purchase Student Medicover Insurance?
01
Enroll in Student Medicover Insurance Plan
– Visit the homepage to enroll: www.smcovered.com
– Type or Choose Your Education Institution: University of Iowa
– Choose Visa Status
– Choose your Date of Birth
02
Select the Insurance Plan that Best Fits Your Needs
– Choose Coverage Period
*It is recommended to choose the “Annual” coverage period to avoid any coverage gaps.
– Choose A Plan
Supreme, Elite, Prime 100 and Prime 500 plans meet the school’s requirements to ensure a successful waiver. Supreme is a highly popular plan for its the low deductible and the high coinsurance, while Prime 500 stands out for its affordability.
03
Create a Student Medicover Account or Log In
– If you already have an account, simply log in.
– If you are a new user, create an account by providing your personal details.
If you do not have a US-based address, please check the box labeled “I don’t have a US-based address.”
Please remember your student ID for downloading the official insurance card.
– Check the box at the bottom
– Click “Next”
– Verify that the information is correct, then click “Confirm”
04
Complete the Payment to Finalize Enrollment
– Choose your preferred payment method and complete the payment process.
*If you are paying with a VISA card from your home country’s bank, please use your home country address for the billing address.
05
Access Your Insurance Documrnts（Proof of Insurance）
- Confirmation Letter and Policy Certificate
-Click the “LOGIN” button at the top right corner of this page and enter your account credentials to log in.
– Open the Authenticator App
– You can download “Duo Mobile,” “Google Authenticator,” or similar apps from the app store.
– Use the Authenticator App to scan the QR code displayed on the login page.
– Enter the code from the app to complete the login verification.
(If you encounter any login issues, please contact the assistant at the end of the blog for personalized guidance.)
– Click on “Document Center” to download the Confirmation Letter and Policy Certificate.
*If the new insurance plan has not yet taken effect, please download the documents from the “Future Coverage” section.
- Official Insurance Card
-To download your official insurance card, please visit www.uhcsr.com. Click here to view the detailed process of downloading your insurance card.
8. How to Waive University of Iowa Student Health Insurance Plan?(Updated for 2024; Check for Latest Info)
01
Log In to the University of Iowa Insurance Waiver System Website
– Visit the school’s MyUI website: https://myui.uiowa.edu/my-ui/home.page
– Click “HawkID Login”
– Log in with your school account password.
02
Complete and Submit the Waiver Form to University of Iowa
Fill out the form according to the instructions below:
*Please refer to the waiver instructions for the 2022-2023 academic year below. We are currently updating the information, so please check back soon for the latest form guide for 2024-2025.
– Choose “Student Insurance”, then “Cancel Student Insurance”
– Choose “I now have other health insurance…”, then click “Continue”
03
Done!
The waiver will be reviewed and approved in 5-7 business days. Once approved, pending insurance charge will be removed from your student account balance. Any paid school insurance premium will be refunded to your student account!
9. Contact Us for 1-on-1 waiver assistance.
