Medical Insurance

Insurance Requirement

International students are required to purchase the insurance policy that is offered through the Global Engagement Center.

Alert- Change in Procedure:

The Insurance company has recently changed. Our new broker is Compass, and the insurance will be provided by Cigna. Students will receive an email from the new company to purchase insurance. Please follow instructions in that email. If you do not purchase the insurance you will be dropped from your Fall classes so make sure you purchase the insurance!
Using Your Insurance Policy
How do I get my insurance ID card?
What should I do if I need to see a doctor?

If open, the OCC Health Center is the preferred first step for non-emergency issues. All enrolled OCC or IEC@OCC students who have paid the health fee can use the OCC Health Center.

If you cannot visit the OCC Health Center first, or need a higher level of care, seek medical care from an in-network Cigna doctor or urgent care. Remember, in order for a medical bill to be paid at 100% after copays when you seek treatment off campus, the doctor or hospital you visit must be a member of the OCC Cigna Plan.
How do I find a PPO doctor, hospital, or urgent care center in my Network?
What if it is an emergency, such as an accident or life-threatening situation?
Should I visit the Emergency Room, Urgent Care, or the OCC Student Health Center?

OCC Student Health Center

If you are feeling unwell, but it is not an emergency, visiting the OCC Student Health Center is always the cheapest, easiest option. The Health Center has medical professionals who can help you with routine things and can write prescriptions when necessary.

Emergency Room or 911

Visiting the Emergency room or calling 911 should only be done in real, serious, and life-threatening emergencies. The wait times and costs at an emergency room are quite high and there are better options if you need to see a medical professional immediately, but you are not experiencing a life-threatening emergency.

If you do experience a life-threatening emergency, you may receive treatment at any hospital. There is a copay for each hospital visit, inpatient or outpatient per visit (waived if admitted to hospital).

Urgent Care

If you are sick or injured and it is not a life-threatening emergency, but you cannot wait for a scheduled doctor's appointment or you are outside of OCC Health Center service hours, you may want to visit an urgent care center instead. Urgent Care Centers are less expensive and provide faster service than the typical emergency room visit – this will save you money and time.

Urgent care centers provide treatment for minor injuries or sickness. Usually, appointments are not required.

Always check with the doctor or medical facility directly to confirm they are still participating in the Cigna network before you receive treatment.
Can I use my own insurance from back home?

No, you cannot use an international medical insurance in place of the OCC coverage. However, OCC students in F-1 status may be eligible to waive the OCC insurance requirement if medically insured by a parent or spouse through a U.S. employer. Students on valid OPT may be eligible to waive this requirement if covered by a U.S. employer (Medi Cal is not employer insurance). All insurance coverage must meet the standards of the American Health Care Act (2017). Email occinternational@cccd.edu to make the request.
I will no longer attend OCC, can I request a refund for my policy?

If you are leaving the U.S., have applied or been approved for an adjustment of status, and/or do not plan to attend OCC any longer, you may be eligible for a refund within the first 45 days of the policy. If you have used your insurance coverage during the policy period, you will not be eligible for a refund. Please note that all refund requests are subject to final review by Compass. For more information, please see the Medical Insurance Waiver/Refund Request Form.
More Questions?

If you have medical health questions you can contact the OCC Health Center.

For questions about purchasing your insurance or removing holds, contact the Global Engagement Center.

If you are seriously injured or need immediate medical assistance, call 911.

For additional support or accommodations, contact the Global Engagement Center staff. We can assist you in letting your professors know & help coordinate any student support services.

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