My son is trying to waive NYU’s student health insurance as an international student. What insurance companies/plans have successfully met the waiver requirements recently (ISO, PSI, Wellaway, etc.), and which one is most reliable/cost-effective?
For international students at New York University (NYU) looking to waive the student health insurance plan, several insurance providers have successfully met the waiver requirements for the 2025–2026 academic year.
Compliant Insurance Providers
- ISO: Offers three NYU-approved plans—Share, Care, and Care Elite.
- PSI: The PSI Platinum plan is commonly used by students to waive the school plan.
- WellAway: Provides compliant options such as the Violet Exclusive and the Royal Series (Royal Plus, Royal 100, and Royal 500).
- Student Medicover: Offers plans like Prime 500 specifically designed for NYU F-1 students.
- GoGlobalSafe (GGS): Offers several waiver-compliant plans, including Royal 500 and Royal 1500.
ISO and Student Medicover are frequently highlighted for their balance of affordability and compliance with NYU's requirements. For instance, while NYU's official plan can exceed $4,000 annually, alternative plans from GGS or ISO start as low as $762 to $950 per year, potentially saving students over $2,200. Additionally, many of these plans utilize the UnitedHealthcare (UHC) PPO or Aetna PPO networks, which are widely accepted in New York City.
To successfully waive the NYU SHIP, students must ensure their chosen plan meets specific criteria, including a deductible no higher than $1,500 and unlimited coverage per accident or illness, among other requirements.