University Health Services- website
Health Insurance
The state of Massachusetts requires all international students to have health insurance from either their home embassy or a U.S. company. Foreign health insurance policies are not considered to be comparable and therefore are not acceptable. You will automatically be billed for the health insurance policy which is offered to students through Boston College (see website above for information about the BC health insurance). Do not enroll in a foreign health insurance plan, as you will then have duplicate coverage and will not be able to receive a refund.
J-1 exchange visitor students only:
The Department of State requires that all J-1 exchange visitor students and their dependents obtain health insurance for the duration of their program which meets the minimum criteria as is described in the enclosed handout. The Boston College health insurance plan, administered through Koster Insurance Agency, meets these minimum requirements. Students will automatically be enrolled and billed for the Boston College medical insurance at their time of registration. Students with spouses and/or children must complete a dependent enrollment plan (available at the Health Services Department) in order to obtain coverage for their family members. Any J-1 exchange visitor who fails to maintain the insurance coverage, or makes a material misrepresentation to Boston College concerning such coverage, will be in violation of his/her immigration status and subject to termination as a J-1.
Waiving Your Health Insurance Requirement
If you have comparable health insurance from another company which is based in the U.S., you will be able to waive this insurance fee once you arrive at B.C. Students who do not want to be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan can waive it by providing proof of comparable coverage. You must submit a copy of your insurance ID card or insurance plan. All waiver forms must be submitted by September 12, 2008 for the first semester and for newly enrolled students for the second semester by January 27, 2009. Students who do not complete a waiver form by the deadline will be billed the Student Only premium and enrolled in the Plan. If you waive the insurance at the beginning of the first semester it will be waived for the entire year.
Students over the age of 18 must complete the electronic waiver by logging onto 
http://agora.bc.edu/.
Health Insurance Information
Boston College is pleased to offer the Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Elect Preferred PPO as their student health insurance plan. Students will have access to the BCBS nationwide network of preferred providers and pharmacies and to other BCBNS programs, such as fitness benefits reimbursement for designated weight loss programs, or “Living Healthy Naturally” – discounts on different types of complementary and alternative medicine services.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Elect Preferred (PPO) Coverage
The plan offers comprehensive benefits that include hospital room and board, inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, lab work, x-rays, chemotherapy, radiation, inpatient and outpatient mental health, physician office and consultant visits, ambulance, and prescription drugs.
Refer to the plan’s brochure, available at http://www.gallagherkoster.com/. Select Boston College from the drop down menu. Click on “Plan Documents” for complete details about coverage, limitations, and exclusions. You can also review the plan on the Student Services Medical Insurance page.
Immunization Requirements
Massachusetts law requires all full-time students to have proof of immunizations against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria. Undergraduate students will also have to show proof of immunization again Hepatitis B. An IMMUNIZATION VERIFICATION FORM must be completed and submitted within 30 days of your first day of classes or you will assessed a fee of $50 on your student account.
For more specific information about requirements as well as to download the IMMUNIZATION VERIFICATION FORM please visit the University Health Services website.