• zInternationalStudents Blog

  • Thursday, May 23, 2013

All international exchange students in the USA who are on a J1 visa, and their dependents on a J2 visa need to have a certain minimum health coverage through an exchange student insurance. The government of USA mandates these minimum requirements:
  1. The insurance policy should cover medical expenses up to $50000 at least for illnesses and hospitalization and other expenses

  2. The maximum deductible in the policy can not exceed $500

  3. The plan should have a minimum rating of AM Best rating of A- or better

  4. It should have a minimum coverage of $7500 for repatriation of mortal remains, in case of the unfortunate death of the student

Patriot Exchange USA, Visit USA, Atlas America are some of the plans that offer coverage for a minimum of $50000. If the policy maximum limit is increased further, there are many other plans that can be considered. Take some time to compare all the available plans before making a decision.

It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that the student insurance policy meets all the conditions. Also, it is mandatory to have such coverage for the entire period of stay of the student and his/her dependents.
Sending your son/daughter for higher studies in a university in some far away foreign country? Happy about his/her academic prospects? Sad at having to miss them? Worried about how they will live alone, so far away? Well, it sure brings up many mixed feelings.

When your children are in the USA, they are usually covered by the family's health care coverage or if they are full time students, they have a student insurance policy. But, when an American student goes overseas for studies, it is important (and sometimes even mandatory) to buy some form of foreign student insurance.

It takes care of many unexpected medical expenses, and provides easy access to health care facilities. Foreign student insurance has a wide range of coverage including emergency treatment away from home, hospitalization and medical expenses, maternity benefits, dental fees, prescription drugs coverage, evacuation, repatriation (return of mortal remains to home country) and much more.

Health care expenditure is unpredictable; and it is safe to stay covered for situations when immediate and good quality health care is needed. Equip the student with foreign student insurance, and send them abroad with peace of mind.
With the financial pundits declaring recession in the USA a thing of past now, people are looking forward to better days. International students who came to study in the USA dreaming of a better future and getting to see only uncertainty ahead are relieved to have put the worst behind them too. With hopes of a secure financial future ahead, now is also time to invest wisely in your health. A good international student medical insurance policy is a great way to start.

Most international students who signed on with the university-provided health care for the simple reason that they were the cheapest of the lot, now have an option to consider other policies available in the market. You need to understand that an international student insurance policy, besides being mandatory in many universities, also has to pay for your health care for as long as you study here.

University-provided insurance policies, because of being so "cost-efficient", generally tend to be inflexible and limited in offering coverage in many areas of health care expenditure. A slightly costly alternative (or sometimes an alternative at a similar pricing band) might better serve the purpose.

Now is as good a time as any to shop around a bit and decide on a policy. Compare some plans available in the market, you just might find something more suited to your needs than that policy you signed up by default.
Study abroad insurance is a kind of insurance plan that offers medical coverage to international students studying in the USA or American students studying overseas. Expenses pertaining to hospitalization, intensive care, prescription drugs, emergency evacuation, repatriation and even essential mental health care are covered through this policy.

A study insurance plan can be bought for a period as small as 5 days up to 12 months, and easily renewable depending on the chosen plan. The policy limits for coverage offered starts from $100,000 and can go up to $1,000,000. The deductible amount can be anywhere between $50 to $2500.

The plans can be purchased for either just the student, or optionally for the dependents that may travel with him/her. The plans offer comprehensive coverage for individuals as well as dependents.

As can be seen, there is an immense amount of flexibility offered in such policies. The available options and plans, however, can often be overwhelming. It is advised that the student takes some time to study and compare plans with special attention to features and benefits before buying any particular international student insurance.
For international students winter can be either the most memorable time spent in the USA, or the most forgettable season ever. It all depends on how well you take care of your health. Be healthy, and you will love the snow all around. Catch the flu, and you might want to run away from here. But, if you do catch the flu, you will be grateful if you have an international student health insurance.

For international students who have not experienced harsh winters, here are some tips to stay healthy
  1. Dress in layers. This is the single most important advice to follow. The thickest woolen cloth will not help if that's the only layer. Three considerably thinner clothes - say a t-shirt, a shirt, and a jacket - will work a lot better.

  2. Take the flu shot. Especially with the swine flu still being a real threat.

  3. Err on the side of safety: buy a good international students health insurance policy. In case you do fall ill, let financial worries be the last thing on your mind.

Follow these and some more simple tips, and enjoy the winter.
Young international students coming to study in the USA need to very quickly decide about buying some form of international student medical insurance coverage. In case proof of health insurance is not mandatory in the university, some students decide to take a chance and not buy any coverage. Even if the student is very healthy and might not require any health care throughout his education in the USA, it might not be worth the risk.

Here is why: Health care expenditure is very high in the US. The annual premium amount you save by choosing not to buy insurance might not even be enough for a week spent in a hospital, should the need arise. A minor ailment resulting in a week's hospitalization, and the expenses for simple diagnostics, some prescription medicine and the doctor's consultation fee can go much higher here than in any other part of the world.

Such being the case, international student insurance is no longer a luxury. It is a necessary part of living here. No wonder many universities have made it mandatory, and many others are following suit

Do not take the risk. It is just not worth it.

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