Health Insurance Requirements

Macalester College views adequate health insurance as key to supporting student capacity to be healthy and fully engaged in the educational experience. Health insurance is required when seeking health care services off-campus and when participating in intercollegiate athletics. We can’t always anticipate healthcare needs, and just one serious illness or accident can create significant financial hardship, seriously derailing a student’s ability to continue their studies.

The Hamre Center considers all waiver requests. Approval is not guaranteed and is contingent upon meeting the College requirements. Waivers must be submitted each academic year—being approved in the past does not mean your current waiver will be approved as criteria may change. Review the health insurance requirements (below) before submitting a request, even if your request was approved in previous years. All students must provide proof of comprehensive, ACA-compliant health insurance coverage. There are two options to fulfill this requirement.

1. Students can purchase the United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) health insurance. The annual premium cost for the 2026-2027 academic year is $3,329, and it is added to the first tuition statement through Student Accounts.

2. Students with insurance that fulfills the health insurance requirements (below) and can provide documentation that their insurance meets the requirements can waive the UHCSR plan. Once the online waiver is reviewed and approved, the cost is removed from the tuition statement.

All international students will be automatically enrolled in the United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) health insurance plan.

The health insurance portal for the 2026-2027 academic year is now open.

How to enroll in UHCSR or submit a waiver:

1. Go to www.gallagherstudent.com/macalester
2. Click “LOG IN” under “Profile.”
3. Sign in using your Macalester username and password.
4. Complete Duo verification.
5. Choose to either enroll in the UHCSR plan or submit a waiver.
6. Finish the process by August 14, 2026.

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International Students are REQUIRED to enroll in the United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) policy.

HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• provides unlimited coverage while in Minneapolis/St. Paul area or when traveling throughout the US.
• provides access to local doctors, specialists, hospitals, and other healthcare providers in Minneapolis/St. Paul area or when traveling throughout the US for emergency and non-urgent situations.
• provides coverage for inpatient and outpatient hospitalizations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area or when traveling throughout the US.
• provides coverage for lab work, diagnostic x-rays, ambulance services, prescription medications, and athletic injuries in Minneapolis/St. Paul area or when traveling throughout the US.
• provides coverage for injuries sustained while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Emergency-only coverage does not satisfy this requirement.
• provides coverage for inpatient and outpatient mental health, substance abuse, and detoxification in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area or when traveling throughout the US; covers expenses related to self-inflicted injuries and suicide.
• is provided by a company licensed to do business in the United States, with a U.S. claims payment office and a U.S. telephone number.
• covers pre-existing conditions (illnesses or medical conditions that began before the effective date of the insurance coverage) with no waiting period (or the plan must have been in effect long enough that any waiting period has already passed).
• no overall maximum dollar limit (per insured person, per policy year)
• please note that some regional HMOs do not meet Macalester’s requirements and will not be considered valid waivers.

Updated May 2025 by Nicola Michael-Tsai