If you are an international student, you’ll soon realize that the first thing that Hollywood did not prepare you for is the high cost of U.S. healthcare. You must navigate the world of insurance, and to do that successfully, you must understand at least the rudiments of study abroad insurance.
You will be required to have international student health insurance before commencing study at a U.S. university or college. Your institution will likely offer an insurance plan that might be automatically applied to your account, unless you opt out of it. To opt out, you must prove that you have insurance with equal or better benefits.
Students who are U.S. citizens might already have coverage through their parents insurance policy. However, international students must enroll in an insurance plan, either through the college or purchase outside insurance. College-sponsored plans may be more convenient, but they are often inflexible, may not offer all the benefits that you want, and may also be more expensive than other plans in the market.
Purchasing international student medical insurance can be done either online, or through an agent. Going the online route can provide the convenience, flexibility and non-pushy atmosphere that an international student will benefit from to make the best choice.
You must also consider coverage for your dependents. They cannot be insured under a student insurance plan unless you are the primary plan holder. However, they can be covered under other short-term insurance plans.
To release their liability, most colleges require an international student to sign a waiver in case he/she opts for outside insurance. To sign this, the student must have insurance that satisfies the college’s specified criteria. Insurance comparison sites that provide a range of insurance products are usually able to clarify questions about this aspect.
Your international student health insurance will typically offer benefits covering hospitalization and outpatient treatment, prescription medicines, emergency medical evacuation, and accidental death and dismemberment. In case of your passing on, sending your remains back home is also covered. Most plans also cover maternity, mental health, and sports injuries.
A plan holder must remain a full-time student in order to continue insurance. If a student is under the Optional Practical Training period after graduation, he/she must look for other insurance. A good option for that time is a short-term insurance plan.
Dan Miller often writes about international student insurance.
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