A non-government site powered by Health Insurance Associates, LLC., a health insurance agency.
What is student international health insurance? Banner Image

Compare plans from top companies.

What is student international health insurance?

international student health insuranceStudent international health insurance is health insurance for those students who are traveling abroad. With the increase of students studying abroad, there is also an increase in the need for specialty health insurance. Many do not realize that their health insurance covers them only while in their own country and not cover overseas.

Finding the right student international health insurance does not have to be complicated. You can research health insurance quotes by entering your ZIP now!

According to Penn State’s Division of Student Affairs University Health Services, the United States does not have a national health care plan. For universities like Penn State, it is mandatory to have health insurance for international students. This includes any dependents that follow the individual student to the schools.

Why do you need student international health insurance?

The biggest reason for having student international health insurance is the potential costs associated with not having insurance can be detrimental. In the United States for instance, most health care is managed through private companies that are not government based. Because of this health care is very high and increases yearly.

Another problem is doctors will charge more, up to seven times more, to those patients who are uninsured. These are out of pocket expenses for the patient and not affordable to most students.

In the off chance, that surgery is needed, surgical procedures can cost upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars. A one-day stay at a hospital for an uninsured person can cost thousands of dollars and an ambulance ride can be around two to three thousand.

According to Pacific School of Religion, they require international students to have health insurance for these very reasons. They also had the unfortunate case in the past, where one international student did not have insurance and fell ill. The cost of her medical care was over 40,000 dollars.

Is travel insurance or life insurance comparable to student international health insurance?

If you’re an international student, studying abroad in the United States, the answer to this is up in the air. Usually international travel insurance does not qualify.

What the Pacific School of Religion looks for in these plans is a combination of travel insurance coverage to cover over 250,000 dollars in expenses. The school also goes on to say that life insurance plans are not substitutes for student international health insurance plans.

What should you look for in student international health insurance plans?

Look for plans that are comprehensive and cover all expenses that are health related. Such things include:

  • Infections
  • Illnesses
  • Prescription medicine
  • Emergency room care
  • Vaccinations
  • Tests (x-rays, MRI and CAT scans)
  • Doctor’s visits
  • Preventative health care

Another thing to look for in student international health insurance is coverage for dental and vision if you are in need of it. These medical needs are usually not included in a general policy and would be considered additional health care needs.

If you have budgetary constraints, knowing how much you can pay out of pocket is important. Most policies have monthly premiums where the cost depends on the coverage you need. Monthly premiums can be as high as a thousand dollars a month to as low as thirty dollars a month.

Examine the cost of co-pays or deductibles. Depending on the policy, these can be expensive or less expensive. Usually those with less expensive co-pays have a higher monthly premium, while lower monthly premiums have higher co-pays.

Other things to keep in mind when researching student international health insurance are the following:

  • High medical coverage
  • Mental health coverage
  • Maternity health coverage
  • Evacuation coverage
  • Sports injury coverage

Is there any exclusion in student international health insurance policies?

There are some things to be aware of when applying for student international health insurance. You might not be eligible for certain policies if you have pre-existing conditions. This means that any pre-existing condition due to an illness or injury that happened 12 months before the effective date of coverage will not be covered.

Other exclusions include:

  • Treatment for congenital conditions
  • Birth control
  • Pre-natal/delivery/post-natal care (although some include maternity)
  • Substance abuse
  • Unnecessary medical services

It’s important to know what your anticipated health needs will be when searching for international health insurance. The stresses of incorporating yourself in a new culture and environment can be daunting and the last thing you want to worry about is the cost of medical care.

To research health insurance rates enter your ZIP now in the free toolbox provided!