5 Tips about International Student Health Insurance

Choosing between the infinite number of international student health insurance plans can be quite confusing. There is a great deal of variation in the plans that isn’t always noticeable through the intense jargon used. Below are some tips that I’ve picked out to help sort between the comprehensive and the not so comprehensive.

1. J-1 Scholar Requirements

Although the United States Federal Government does not have any regulations for F-1 visa holders regarding insurance requirements, it does have a regulation for J-1 Exchange Visitors. I would recommend F-1/M-1 visa holders to use this as their minimum guide as well:

1. Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness;
2. Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
3. Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000; and
4. A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

(as taken from www.travel.state.gov) These minimum requirements are a great starting point if you don’t know much about insurance. Using the following list as a point of reference, you can more easily sort through the infinite amount of plans out there and weed out the less comprehensive plans.

Pick a plan that meets J-1 Scholar Requirements.

2. Co-payment/deductible Amounts

One of the first things international students always say to me is “O.K. so your premium prices are low, but how much is going to be coming out of my pocket due to co-payments and deductibles?” If this thought hasn’t come into your mind while searching for a cheap international student insurance plan, put it on the list, because it’s a very good question. More often then not, that’s the way insurance companies get you. They entice with extremely low, to good to be true premiums, that are simply, too good to be true. Next thing you know, you have a sore throat and go to the doctors. Then that doctor won’t even look at you until you pay the upfront $500 deductible. Always look at the deductible and co-payment amounts. If they are starred, read the fine print at the bottom. Most campuses have an on-site medical center, and a good plan will allow you to go there first at a reduced co-payment and deductible fee.

Pick a plan that minimizes out of pocket expense.

3. Web Enrollment

Doing things on the web can be just plain easier! Look for a plan that is offered through a user-friendly website. The first things you should look for are rates, benefit charts, and plan comparison charts. Once you’ve picked out your plan, make sure you can download the policy! It’s always a good idea to keep this for your records. Before enrolling, make sure that you have instant access to your official Certificate of Insurance and Temporary IDcard. Not only is this convenient waiving out of your schools insurance, its automatic confirmation of coverage. Next, you should make sure that the site has online claim tracking, that way in the event that you file a claim you can quickly check the status of it. Lastly, just as an FYI, beware of Insurance Sites that have a great deal of advertising. Although its not always true, it usually signifies that something fishy is going on.

Pick a plan that has convenient user options.

4. Availability of Network Provider

Always, always, always, look at the benefit difference between in-network (sometimes called preferred network) and out of network. Whether the difference is big, small, or non existent, your next step is to use the zip code of your residency in order to see how many providers are with in a certain number of miles. You can do this through a search on the network provider’s website. A red flag should go up if the company you are purchasing from doesn’t have this feature. If there ends up being no network providers within your area, another option is to pick a plan that allows coverage for out of network providers if there is no in-network providers with in a certain amount of miles. Having access to providers in your area is important for one obvious reason: when an emergency arises, the last thing you’ll be thinking about is “does my insurance cover this?” Making sure that you are in a locale that has several providers within 5-10 miles is key to saving on out of pocket expenses, and of course, saving aggravation.

Pick a plan that has providers in your specific location.

5. Customer Service

One of the most annoying things about a company is bad customer service. No one wants to sit on the phone for twenty-five minutes with an automated operated asking you to press a button that corresponds with why you are calling. It’s aggravating and time consuming, especially if you only have ‘one, simple, quick question.’ It’s important to pick a plan that, during normal business hours, has real life people answering the phones. Further, these real, life people should be helpful in the way that they take care of the details. Purchasing international student insurance usually means that requirements need to be fulfilled, and that a waiver form needs to be sent in with a representative’s signature. Moreover, purchasing insurance for J-1/J-2 Exchange Visitor Visas means that government requirements must be fulfilled. Make sure that the representative is aware of that – it should be one of the first five questions he/she asks you when you contact them about purchasing a plan.

Pick a plan with accessible and knowledgeable customer service representatives.

For more information on our International Student Health Insurance Plans, visit www.intlstudentprotection.com.