International Student Insurance

Mandatory Medical Insurance

ALL international students on an F-1 visa at TCC are required to purchase medical insurance through Cigna Health and Life Insurance during each academic term on campus (fall, winter, spring and summer). 

Please DO NOT buy health insurance coverage from your home country as it will not be accepted by TCC. If you already have coverage from home, you will still be required to purchase Cigna Insurance.

Why is health insurance mandatory?

The cost of healthcare in the United States is extremely expensive. You must have medical insurance to protect yourself from these high costs. In the U.S., individuals are responsible for all costs, including:

  • Doctor appointments
  • Dental appointments
  • Vision care
  • Hospital care
  • Emergency care
  • Prescription medications

If you are ever in a life-threatening situation or fear your life is in danger, CALL 9-1-1. You are also able to go directly to a hospital emergency room if you are sick or seriously injured. 

For illnesses that do not require immediate care (ex. cold/flu), you can schedule an appointment or visit a Walk-in Clinic. 

Cigna Health and Life Insurance

Tacoma Community College has partnered with Cigna to provide you with comprehensive health insurance while you study here in the U.S.

As part of our relationship with you as a full-time international student, we facilitate the mandatory health insurance program provided to you through Cigna. Healthcare in the United States can be very expensive and complicated. This plan provides international students support designed to help as you face the challenges of balancing school, adjusting to a new culture, and adapting to other responsibilities so that you don’t need to worry about these expenses and complications.

  • Summary of Benefits
    • This document highlights what services Cigna offers and offers step-by-step instructions for registering for the student portal, finding ID cards, finding in network providers, and submitting claims. This document also provides students with the customer service number available 24/7.

 When does a student's coverage officially start?  

Brand new students to TCC are automatically covered up to 30 days before the start of classes under the 30-day Extended Coverage Benefit provision under the policy. This provision does not apply to students transferring to TCC from other US-based schools.

Are my dependents covered?

Dependents ARE NOT covered by Cigna and therefore, we strongly encourage they purchase a separate individual insurance plan. Dependents can be a spouse (husband or wife) and/or children.

 

For questions about other benefits, how to file a claim or deciding whether to make a doctor's appointment, please contact Cigna directly in one of the following ways:

Cigna Contact Information

For questions about benefits, claims, ID cards, etc., please contact:

  • Call us at: 1 (800) 441-2668 (Toll-free 24/7)
  • Secure Mailbox: CignaEnvoy.com