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According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), around 1.1 million international students were enrolled at US colleges and universities in the 2019-2020 school year. If you’re one of those international students traveling to the US, you might get into some shock to find that you don’t have the same universal health programs in your home country. Expensive health and medical procedures can ruin you financially without health insurance coverage. Most colleges in the United States require foreign students to have health insurance.
This is how it works.
The mandate
Many US colleges and universities require student health insurance. This requirement includes health insurance for international students. Some colleges offer health insurance for students, but regardless of whether the university requires health insurance, you will need to find coverage to meet the mandate given by the U.S. Department of State, a government agency that governs American foreign policy. According to the IRS, you must be considered a “resident alien” for federal income tax purposes in order to fall under a federal health insurance mandate.
The visa changes everything
Your foreign student health insurance requirements will depend on the type of visa you have. For example, if you have a J-1 or J-2 visa, you must have insurance. However, F-1 visa holders do not need State Department-required insurance, and some schools bring students in with these visas. You need to check first.
Some states are lifting visa exemptions and requiring all students to have insurance regardless of what the State Department says. It is not a blanket rule for everyone.
Don’t make the mistake of believing that you can count on free health care like community health clinics. Access to these healthcare facilities is extremely limited and you may not meet eligibility requirements. There is no guarantee that you will not need emergency service or even routine health care while you are in the United States as an international student
The US has one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world. Even if your school state doesn’t have a mandate, it can be beneficial to get health insurance to cover costly US health care.
Does the school have insurance?
Before making the final decision to take out health insurance, check with your school to see what is available to you. A college can be a huge institution with multi-billion dollar foundations and many employees. It can have its own insurance plan and enroll overseas students in these plans. However, some schools are more organized than others, and it may take some scramble to get this process up and running. Some US universities have health insurance specialists who will consult with you and advise you on your health insurance options.
Other health options
Whether or not your school has a health insurance mandate, you may still need medical care in a country where it is expensive and there is a lack of universal health coverage. Finding health insurance as an overseas student can be a challenge, but other health options might suffice.
While access to free clinics in your area may be limited, it can’t hurt to check if you need urgent medical care. If you have an emergency, you may be able to get emergency care on campus to treat you for immediate health needs.
These school clinics are sometimes staffed by students and supervised by health professionals. The services are usually limited to basic care such as first aid. However, some campus health centers are quite sophisticated and comparable to primary health centers. Even if the services of the health centers on campus are not free, they are usually available to students for a small fee.
You can also get private insurance, but it must be domestically – in other words, you need to get US health insurance. You can’t buy a plan from another country hoping it will work here. Most schools and the State Department disagree. To be eligible for international student health insurance, you must be a full-time student enrolled in a US college or university.
A practical solution to health insurance for international students is a short-term health insurance or a short-term insurance. If you are only in the United States for a short time and are already covered by your parents’ health insurance at home, this simple and workable solution will keep costs down.
Short-term health insurance is also cheaper for students with a small budget. Some insurance companies that sell international student health insurance do not offer policies for students doing an optional internship (OPT) or students on an F-1 visa. For these students, temporary health insurance may be the only option.
Enrolling in courses could be difficult
If you are an international student with no health insurance, you may not be able to sign up for classes even if you go through customs and settle down. The best thing to do is to contact your school and ask about the enrollment process and health insurance requirements. The school can advise you, and once you know the rules, you can get the right health insurance to meet the school’s needs.
Gasoline gas best health insurance
When you are young and in good health, the last thing on your mind is health insurance. The problem is, you never know when an unexpected illness or medical emergency might occur. Why not find an affordable health plan to avoid the burden of unexpected medical expenses and financial debt? Several private insurance companies offer health insurance specifically for international students. We have compiled a list of some of the best health insurance policies available to get you started.
Stay healthy while studying abroad
You want to focus on your education and not be distracted by things like buying health insurance. However, now that you understand how important the insurance mandate is and how much you need it, it is worth taking the time to research and compare your options in order to find your best international student health insurance option. The key is to find an affordable plan that still offers comprehensive medical coverage.
frequently asked Questions
Can foreign students get health insurance?
1
Can foreign students get health insurance?
asked 2021-06-25
Janet Hunt, insurance agent
1
Yes. Most colleges require it, and many schools offer plans. However, this is not always the case and prices vary widely. The policy must be domestic and not be a foreign health insurance. Private insurance is available for foreign students, including short-term health insurance.
Reply link
answered 2021-06-25
Benzinga
What are the main considerations?
1
What are the main considerations?
asked 2021-06-25
Janet Hunt, insurance agent
1
If, as an international student, you have decided to take out health insurance, there are a few things to consider. Find out if the plan covers both accidents and illness. You should also review expenses such as co-payments and deductibles. Can you use any doctor of your choice? One of the most important aspects is the policy exclusions (things not covered by the plan).
Reply link
answered 2021-06-25
Benzinga
Can international students use Medicaid?
1
Can international students use Medicaid?
asked 2021-06-25
Janet Hunt, insurance agent
1
Yes, if you qualify as a “Qualified Non-Citizen” you can get coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or Medicaid, but must meet state income and residency requirements. However, as an overseas student, it can be difficult to get Medicaid or CHIP insurance due to long waiting times (up to 5 years with few exceptions).
Reply link
answered 2021-06-25
Benzinga
source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/health-insurance-for-international-students-benzinga/
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