Health Insurance For Duke University International Students

Your primary source for healthcare options right here on campus. Student Health offers a wide range of healthcare services for all Duke students, many of which are covered by the student health fee. Every time you need services, you'll discover professional and compassionate care that directly contributes to your well-being and overall success.

To make an appointment call (919) 681-9355 and choose option 1.  | https://students.duke.edu/wellness/studenthealth/

If you are an international student holding an F1 or J1 visa, enrollment in the SMIP is mandatory. Domestic Students requesting a waiver must have private insurance that meets the following requirements.

Duke Student Waiver Criteria: 

• The student does not hold an F1 or J1 visa.
• Plan must be in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA Compliant)
• The claims administrator of the plan is based in the United States, has a U.S. telephone number and address for submission of claims, and the insurance policy has not been issued outside the U.S.
• The policy is not a traveling policy.
• The plan provides unlimited emergency and non-emergency routine health care and mental health benefits in the Durham, NC area, including at Duke Medicine. (In order to meet these criteria, your plan must provide in network benefits at Duke Health facilities for the following services: Primary Care Doctors office visits, Specialty office visits, Preventative care office visits, Lab services, X-rays, and imaging)
• The plan provides inpatient and outpatient mental health care (with at least 30 visits per year) with chemical dependency benefits that are comparable to the coverage provided by the Duke SMIP.
• The plan provides unlimited coverage for prescription medication.

In addition to waiver approval by the automated system, please note that all waivers may be audited. If the waiver submitted does not meet the waiver criteria, you will be enrolled in the SMIP.

Your university has selected Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina to offer Student Blue.

2023-2024 Health Plan Brochure 

ID cards will be mailed out to all enrolled students after the waiver deadline. If you need to access care or wish to obtain your ID card before the waiver deadline, Opt-In to confirm your enrollment in the Duke SMIP.

Insurance cards will be mailed to the mailing address listed in Duke Hub. If you need an additional insurance card you can contact Student Blue (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina) at 1-888-234-2417.

You can access additional information by registering for Blue Connect here once you receive your ID card in the mail.

To find your PPO Network List of doctors, Hospitals and Urgent Care Centers click here. Use this convenient tool to easily locate BCBSNC participating network providers.

If you have a life-threatening emergency, go to the Emergency Room or call 911. The Emergency Room usually sees the most urgent patients first. If it is urgent but not life threatening, you can go to an urgent care center which will usually cost you less money. https://www.bluecrossnc.com/find-a-doctor-or-facility/individual-group/blueoptions

Visit the Student Blue website here or contact their claims department at 1-888-234-2417 or email@studentbluenc.com.

Infants, children, and adults with minor injuries and illnesses can be treated at this urgent care clinic in Durham.

Duke Urgent Care Croasdaile

1821 Hillandale Rd
Suite 24A
Durham, NC 27705-267  | 919-726-0067 | View website

Yes, your plan covers you wherever you are.  As long as you are enrolled in the medical plan and paid the premium, you'll be covered. Your plan provides 24 hour Worldwide Travel Assistance,  which includes services ranging from a lost passport to helping with emergency medical assistance or arranging for emergency medical evacuation or repatriation of remains.  It’s important to contact GeoBlue at 1-844-268-2686 before making arrangements on your own. Otherwise these services will not be covered. 

Other information about seeking medical care abroad:

• Always keep your BCBS ID card with you.
• Save a copy of the plan brochure and/or bookmark your student health website.
• If you get sick while abroad, you will likely need to pay for your care first and then need submit bills for reimbursement. Your covered expenses will likely be considered an out-of-network expense.
• Before you submit claims for reimbursement, have the itemized bill(s) translated into English. Also include a letter informing the claims administrator you already paid for the healthcare service and need to be reimbursed. Write your name, ID number, address and school name on your bill(s). This will help the claims company process your reimbursement request correctly and promptly.

Dependents (i.e. spouse and/or children) of eligible students may be enrolled in the SMIP. Any dependents to be covered under Duke SMIP should be enrolled by August 30 (Fall enrollees) or January 30 (Spring Enrollees) by visiting www.studentbluenc.com/#/duke, NO EXCEPTIONS. Payment for dependent premiums will be made directly to Student Blue (Blue Cross). Duke DOES NOT enroll dependents. Please contact Student Blue at 1-888-234-2417 for dependent enrollment questions.

For questions regarding Eligibility, Enrollment or Waivers, call Gallagher Student Health at 866-931-5275 or email us at GGB.JCB.Studentservices@ajg.com