Optional practical training insurance refers to the insurance taken by an international student and his/her dependents during the training period that usually follows graduation. Often, this is the first time the F-1 visa holder makes a decision on what insurance to purchase, and it can be confusing to navigate the world of insurance in the United States.
OPT insurance is designed as a short-term health insurance to help F-1 visa holders and their dependents tide over the optional practical training period with medical coverage for sudden and unexpected ailments and accidents.
Most school-sponsored health insurance plans do not offer coverage for a student under OPT, and if they do, it’s often priced much higher than the international student health insurance plan. Until the F-1 holder returns to the home country, or gains employment, Optional practical training insurance for international students provides health coverage that is so important in the United States.
One thing to note is that unlike international student health insurance, OPT health insurance is not mandatory, but it is important to remember the high costs of healthcare in the United States before taking a decision to live without insurance. In the United States, it just takes one accident or health complication to empty out savings and destroy the credit report of a person.
Your OPT health insurance offers usual short-term insurance benefits. Some of the medical benefits include physician consultation, hospitalization, ambulance services, prescription drugs, diagnostics, and emergency medical evacuation. Most plans also provide AD&D and repatriation of mortal remains benefits.
Being a short-term insurance plan, Optional practical training insurance typically excludes maternity benefits and routine eye and dental exams. Most OPT insurance plans also exclude pre-existing conditions; however, it is possible to find plans with look-back periods as short as one year.
Benefits of OPT health insurance plans range from coverage of $25,000 to $1 million, and a range of deductibles are available, depending on by the plan. Most Optional practical training insurance for international students plans can be purchased for durations from five days to a year.
When making choices regarding OPT insurance, you might want to consider your future plan after completion of your OPT. You can purchase monthly coverage, which may make sense if you are planning to look for permanent employment in the United States. You can also purchase coverage for a year, if you are certain to return to your home country after the OPT.
Dan Miller often writes about OPT health insurance
Tags: education, health, insurance, international education, international student, international student insurance, medical insurance, student insurance, student medical insurance, study abroad