• 30
  Nov
  2009

• Do I have to buy that University-provided insurance?

  
  Filed Under: Health Insurance
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When international students decide to pursue their higher education in the USA, they enter into a world of big opportunities, new learnings, and a great future to look forward to. All that, however, comes a little later. One of the first things they come across is the highly confusing world of health care and international student insurance.

Health care expenditure is inevitable, no matter what part of the world you live and study in. In the USA, it is also pretty costly. So, much so that not having a good health insurance policy can mean a risk that threatens your finances and sometimes your very career.

Many universities realize this and have consequently made it mandatory to buy some form of international student medical insurance before commencing classes. In many places, all students are enrolled by default. Students then have a choice to opt out of the university provided insurance policy by showing proof of comparable or better health coverage and signing a waiver form.

The coverage provided by the university might not be right for everyone. These policies can be pretty inflexible, and might not suit each individual need. For international students, it is advisable to look for some other policies available in the market rather than blindly going with the one provided by the university.

• 27
  Nov
  2009

• Watch that deductible, it could prove too costly

  
  Filed Under: Health Insurance
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Many international students who visit the USA for their higher education do not fully comprehend the meaning of all the terms associated with international student medical insurance policies. Since the University makes it mandatory to have some minimum health insurance and also conveniently offers a policy that meets all demands, many students do not think much before signing up for that.

However, mandatory or not, you are still paying for it. The health insurance should actually be of help if and when you need it. It really is very simple to understand some very basic terminology associated with a policy.

Deductible is the minimum amount you need to pay out of your pockets before the insurer will pay for the rest of the bill. Now, many students decide to buy a policy with a high deductible. The immediate advantage seems obvious, since the premium comes down drastically. But, before you accept a deal like that, remember that it can prove really costly in the longer run.

We are not saying that a high deductible in an international student insurance policy is always a bad thing. It can be a good way of keeping premiums low, but you need to understand the risk before deciding to go that way.

• 26
  Nov
  2009

• Opt for OPT Health Insurance

  
  Filed Under: Health Insurance
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One of the most peculiar stages during education for international students is when they decide to get some Optional Practical Training. It is just like being an employee, but not quite. It is also a part of education, but you are no longer considered a full time student either.

Since you are neither a full time student nor a full time employee in complete sense of the words, it creates a very real problem with respect to health insurance coverage. Any international student health insurance you might have purchased as a student might no longer cover you. Also, because you are most probably on a short-term contract with the employer, you might not get health benefits usually available to most employees.

At the very beginning of a career, with all its stress, it is necessary that you keep in mind that your health needs to be insured against the vagaries of life. Exactly for this stage of one's life, OPT Insurance has been created. It covers all international students who have opted for OPT.

Financial stability is very necessary when taking those fledgling steps to a great life ahead. Unfortunately, health care expenses have an ugly habit of popping up when least expected. Cover yourself, be safe.

• 25
  Nov
  2009

• Thanksgiving - the most dangerous US holiday

  
  Filed Under: Health Insurance
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According to traffic fatality data collected by Forbes.com for six federal holidays, Thanksgiving takes the dubious top spot of being the deadliest. There were, on an average, 567 reported deaths each year since 1982 on this day. 41% of them were alcohol related.

The data only includes fatalities and doesn't include injuries (severe or otherwise). It once again underscores the vital importance of responsible driving, avoiding DUI and buying an international student health insurance policy.

Another thing to be noted here is the percentage of alcohol-related accidents. Keep in mind that there is a chance that, if you are driving under influence, health insurance might not cover a cent of your medical expenses. At the cost of sounding preachy, we say it is just irresponsible to drink and drive; and insurance companies refuse to cover willful law-breaking.

Injuries sustained in an unfortunate auto accident and the medical expenditure afterwards, as we are all aware, can cause a severe dent in our budgets. A good international student insurance can often mitigate the pain by taking care of the financial aspect of the emotionally draining time spent in a hospital