The winter is here, and we are bundling up in order to face the chilling weather and of course, the snow. If you are an international student and have still not insured yourself with a suitable Health Insurance plan, it’s high time. One of the requirements many schools have, is that students either enroll in their school’s insurance plan or they have to show proof of coverage that meets certain requirements.
Why do you need Health Insurance?
Having health insurance is important for several reasons.
Health insurance can provide peace of mind against high medical bills when studying outside your home country – especially while in the US.
Uninsured people receive less medical care and less timely care, they have worse health outcomes, and lack of insurance is a fiscal burden for them and their families.
Moreover, the benefits of expanding coverage outweigh the costs for added services.
However, not all insurance plans are the same, and as a buyer it’s important that you research the plan you’re considering and understand what it will cover before an injury or illness strikes. Typically school insurance plans are very expensive, and although it’s an easier option to enroll in your school’s plan – there are cheaper insurance plans available!
One common question that comes up to our mind is: “Does international student health insurance cover everything?” and the answer is a simple one: no. Every health insurance plan will have items that are not covered on the plan, also known as exclusions. Although each plan will have exclusions, this doesn’t mean that you need to take a gamble when it comes to having health insurance, but it does mean that it’s imperative for you to check out both the benefits (items that are covered on the plan) and the exclusions of the plan that you’re interested in.
Why Do Plans Have Exclusions?
Insurance plans have exclusions in order to contain costs, and keep the annual premium at a reasonable level. If a plan covered everything, without any limitation, the cost of insurance would be so high, and more than likely not offer you much financial relief compared to your actual medical bills. If you have certain benefits that you want included in your plan then it’s important to look for those specific items to be covered in the plan you buy.
One important thing to always remember, although you might not find a plan that covers “everything,” it is possible to find a plan that covers everything you need.
What Benefits Do I Need?
Every international student will have varying needs when it comes to specific benefits but there are a few key items that your school (or your visa) might require you to have. The first step is to check with your school and see what requirements they want you to meet with your plan (if any).
If your school doesn’t require you to have a plan or if they only require you to have basic coverage, keep in mind that it’s still important to find a plan that will provide you with the protection you need- beyond your school’s checklist. Sometimes the school-required coverage isn’t enough as an international student or depending on your personal situation. For example, if you’ll need treatment for a medical condition that you had prior to buying a health insurance plan, it’s important to find a plan that includes coverage for pre-existing conditions, and that you notate any waiting periods related to the plan’s pre-existing condition coverage.
If your school requires you to find a plan that will meet a long list of requirements, keep in mind that you also need to make sure the plan you find will include the coverage you need. For your own protection, international students, scholars and travelers need to have coverage for a few key items- even if your school or visa doesn’t require you to:
Outpatient and Inpatient Medical Coverage
Emergency Medical Evacuation
Repatriation of Remains
If you need certain items included in a plan, whether to meet a certain requirement or to simply give you the coverage you need, it is possible to find a plan that is designed specifically with student needs in mind.
Clark’s Health Insurance Plan
Clarkies are insured through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance plan. The students are charged approximately $1679 every year in order to stay safe and healthy. Though the plan seems to be a bit expensive but covers lots of benefits which an international student would require. Let me tell you my story. I injured my finger while playing cricket for my team in the New England Cricket tournament. I was worried about the medical expenses as well because in US, you might have to shell out thousands of dollars from your pocket just for a fracture. Guess what, my total bill was just $50. I just had to pay a co-pay of $25 every time I visit the doctor. Rest of the expenses was covered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. Well now you can judge the necessity of a Health insurance, especially when you are an international student and are living far away from your home.
Cheers!!
