Many schools and Universities require their international students to purchase student insurance plans that cover emergency medical treatment as well as wellness visits or surgeries.
GeoBlue provides private international student health insurance plans that meet F1 and J1 visa requirements, including plans that cover preexisting conditions, dental, mental health issues, maternity issues and more.
University-Sponsored Plans
Although some universities require all international students to carry health insurance, others only recommend it. Given the rising costs associated with healthcare in the U.S., international students need access to affordable medical treatment when necessary – and there are plenty of options available to them to cover such expenses.
CUNY strongly suggests that F-1 international students and their dependents purchase its university-sponsored plan, with predetermined coverage levels. Some schools also give students the choice of selecting their own private insurance plan as long as it satisfies school requirements.
However, if a student opts out of their school’s insurance plan, it is essential that they understand that any unreimbursed medical costs they incur will fall under their responsibility and that an appropriate plan be selected that provides both comprehensive coverage and affordable premiums.
International students should keep in mind that their home country may provide free or public healthcare access that may make seeking treatment in the US more risky than in their own. This may cause them to act more cautiously when seeking medical help abroad.
Understanding their options and taking the steps necessary to obtain quality coverage are two keys to making studying in the United States more enjoyable for international students. IMG provides plans that meet all U.S. school requirements as well as coverage for Schengen visa holders traveling overseas.
Private Plans
Private health insurance plans provide students who do not meet school or life event eligibility with greater freedom in selecting their policy at often lower costs than school-sponsored plans. Not only can students choose their premiums and deductible amounts freely, these plans also typically offer greater flexibility regarding coverage benefits such as home country travel coverage – an essential feature when studying abroad! Many of our international student policies allow this feature to enable visits home.
Students should also understand that medical care in the U.S. works differently from what they are accustomed to back home. Many international students will face out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles, copays and separate ER deductibles when choosing their plan.
Therefore, it is vital for students to conduct extensive research before making a final decision. There are various resources available to students that can help them navigate their options and make informed choices regarding their health insurance needs. Once a plan has been selected, enrollment processes must be completed – this may involve enrolling online, via phone call, or submitting paper applications – submitting accurate information and documents so as to receive optimal coverage.
Opt-Out Options
OPT is key to retaining and recruiting talented international students to the United States, making it a vital factor in maintaining legal immigration levels and stimulating our economy. Unfortunately, those looking to restrict or end legal immigration often focus on OPT/STEM extensions as their target – something courts have ruled in favor of and which the government supports.
OPT eligibility depends on your degree level; for instance, those holding a Bachelor’s degree can apply for 12 months after graduation to use as OPT; master’s and doctoral students may use OPT but cannot exceed totaling 12 months across multiple higher degrees levels combined.
OPT requires you to actively seek employment or report it through the SEVP portal, and should end after 90 days regardless of EAD validity. To prevent this, ensure you enroll in courses or pursue internships related to your field of study or take an internship that falls within that 90-day window.
Employer type does not matter as long as it relates directly to your field of study. Start and end dates must also fall within your OPT eligibility range (use the ISS OPT Date Calculator to assess this). Employers can change during OPT but must report this change via SEVP portal.
Cost
No matter if you opt-out or enroll in a university-sponsored plan, it’s essential that you understand how much health insurance costs. Costs for international student health coverage may depend on factors like length of stay abroad and optional items (sports/dental etc). Furthermore, providers who are within an insurer’s network have contracted rates, while providers outside their network tend to charge more.
International student insurance prices can also be affected by your deductible amount, which is the amount paid out-of-pocket before health insurance begins paying benefits. Deductibles typically range from zero dollars up to thousands, so it’s crucial that when selecting a plan you factor this into consideration.
Navigating coursework, living arrangements and an unfamiliar country can be enough of a strain without adding unexpected medical bills as another worry. Health insurance coverage can help ease some of this stress so students can concentrate on their studies instead of unexpected medical bills. By reviewing various options carefully and making informed decisions tailored specifically to personal needs and financial considerations – students will experience a more relaxed time abroad!