• 16
  Oct
  2009

• Health insurance policy limits

  
  Filed Under: Health Insurance
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A recent survey on students brings to light the fact that the clause on policy limits is the most unclear aspects of a international students medical insurance policy. Not many know that such a clause exists. Those who do know of it, are not sure about the different types of limits that exist. And finally, very few people are aware of the limits on the policy that they are paying for. We try to clear some of this jargon.

There are two kinds of limits in a policy:

1. Maximum dollar amount per claim: This will pay a maximum pre-decided amount per claim, for each claim, and no more than that. So if you have a $10000 cap per claim, you get a maximum of that amount each time you file a claim.
2. Maximum dollar for lifetime: This is the total that the policy will pay in your lifetime. So, every time you use the policy for some payment, that amount is subtracted from the total pre-decided amount.

Most policies have a combination of these two clauses, as in a $500,000 per claim limit and $1,000,000 lifetime limit. While buying a policy, always make sure that the two limits are as high as possible. If you can find a policy that can give unlimited limit(s), nothing like that. Well, there it is. One more concept cleared.

• 15
  Oct
  2009

• Health care reform and you

  
  Filed Under: Health Insurance
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The Senate Finance Committee has voted "Yes" to approve an overhaul of the health care system in the USA. That is a big step forward. As we look at the bill up for debate, what do we see about health insurance for students, and more specifically international students medical insurance? Does the bill have anything specific for them? On the face of it if the bill is to be debated in its present state the answer would be No.

Does that mean there will be some adverse effect on this group? The answer is probably No to that too. In fact, there is absolutely nothing concrete for this demographic. The bill seems to altogether ignore students. The main concentration is on employer-provided plans and individual-funded plans.

There is an option to allow full-time students to continue in their parents' health policy for a longer period or rather till they are older. That might help some native students, but not much to even them. International or immigrant students don't feature at all.

This might just be an oversight that might be fixed during debate. It might be a deliberate move to leave out students for now, and include them at a later date. Who knows? But, it still warrants that all students buy enough health insurance to take care of them should they fall ill.

• 14
  Oct
  2009

• Travel, mosquitoes and health insurance

  
  Filed Under: Health Insurance
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Malaria infection in the USA is unheard of, yet hundreds of cases of malaria are reported here every year. Where does the infection occur then? Well, usually, when travelling to tropical countries. Most malaria infections happen in African or Indian subcontinents.

Many international students, as part of study tours or during a break, travel overseas. When travelling abroad, especially to places known to have disease carrying mosquitoes, you need to take some precautions.

1. Always sleep in a mosquito net. That is the single most effective way of preventing malaria


2. Carry a bug spray. Remember that a bug spray that kills mosquitoes in your country may not be as effective in another country. Use a spray that actually works.


3. In case you feel chills, high temperature or other flu-like symptoms, contact a health care center immediately. Malaria is 100% curable, if diagnosed and treated quickly

In case you are infected treatment, tests, medicines, stay at the hospital, etc. need not cost you a fortune. Your international student medical insurance policy can be very useful in taking care of most of your medical expenditure. Always stay covered.

• 13
  Oct
  2009

• The hazards of not buying health insurance

  
  Filed Under: Health Insurance
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An international student plans to study in the USA. He/She hears from someone in their native country how exorbitant health care expenditure in the States can be. Slowly they come to know about how international student health insurance works in the USA. The true shock awaits only when they reach here and realize that even though health care in the US may be among the very best in the world, the cost of that health care is staggeringly high.

A minor illness can cost thousands of dollars, and a minor surgery (like appendicitis) might go well over $25,000. Costs that have the ability to literally bankrupt anyone, and alter the course of one's life. According to a survey, two-thirds of all bankruptcies filed by individuals every year are direct results of an inability to pay for sky-rocketing health care expenditure.

Many students understood too late that health care costs actually have the potential to halt their careers mid-way, since they could only afford to pay either the tuition or the hospital bills. Some schools and universities, having seen the severity of problems faced by uninsured students, have made proof of purchase of health insurance a mandatory requirement before commencing classes.

Be aware of the hazards of not buying health insurance before you decide to trust your luck and take your chances. Buy medical insurance, stay covered, stay safe.