Maintain U.S. Health Insurance

3. Continue to maintain U.S. health insurance. Once you have been issued an OPT I-20, you will automatically be charged for and enrolled in the U-M Blue Care Network International Health Insurance (IHI) plan beginning on the first month after your I-20 program end date, regardless of whether the I-765 is submitted to USCIS.

If an OPT I-20 has been issued for you AND:

• you currently have GradCare, this coverage will automatically end with your I-20 expiration, and you will be automatically enrolled in the U-M Blue Care Network IHI plan.
• you have received a waiver of the U-M Blue Care Network IHI plan during your academic program due to another insurance plan, you will still be automatically enrolled in the U-M Blue Care Network IHI plan after your I-20 program end date unless a new waiver request Links to an external site. is submitted to, and approved by, the International Health Insurance office.
• you plan to use the insurance provided by your OPT employer, please submit your request through M-Passport Links to an external site. > Requests > International Health Insurance (IHI) Waiver Request – OPT (please note that this request will appear in your MPassport list of requests only after your I-20 program end date has passed). Your waiver must be approved to avoid any charges for the U-M Blue Care Network IHI plan.
• you plan to use other insurance that is not through your employer while on OPT, you must submit and be approved for a private health insurance waiver Links to an external site.. If you plan to use private insurance, please visit our website Links to an external site. to learn more about alternate insurance requirements and the waiver process.

If you decide not to file for OPT, you must consult Links to an external site. an advisor with the International Center to have your OPT I-20 cancelled which will also cancel your U-M Blue Care Network IHI plan.