Foreign nationals studying in the USA are required by the university to buy international students medical insurance. Often the guidelines provided by the university would include suggestions on what typically ought to be covered, what it would roughly cost and maybe even a list of standard insurers that may be approached.
Most insurers design international student insurance plans to suit the peculiar needs of students traveling outside their country. A medical maximum coverage of $200,000 or $300,000 per injury or illness is the norm; and universities expect students to cover themselves for at least as much.
In the event that the guidelines are not provided, then a careful analysis prior to purchase of the policy becomes necessary. An experienced insurance agent should be able to provide guidance and advise a student about how much the insurance for international student plan should cover.
Go online and get a list of the common procedures done in the state where you will be and the coverage amount for each of them. Several states publish a list of the 25 most common procedures. The list would indicate the procedures, the facilities where they might be done and also the costs accruing to the patient.
For instance, the list would show you that an overnight stay might cost you $5000 or more in a particular state, or an appendectomy would set you back $18,000 and even an over-the-counter headache pill would cost a pretty penny.
These formidable costs make insurance doubly imperative, especially if traveling with spouse or partner. Maternity and childcare insurance will cover you for $200 doctor?s visits and $1000 ultrasound scans. If a c-section is indicated, buy extra coverage. Also remember that all policies do not cover post-natal complications.
One needs to know that international student medical insurance coverage varies for the student and the student?s spouse. An unmarried partner is not covered for birth, but immediately after the marriage, she may be added to the list. Most insurers do not insure post pregnancy at all, so it might be wiser to cover a pregnancy before conception, even if it does mean that the premium is higher.
Buy an medical insurance for international students of about $500,000 for yourself; buy greater coverage if with partner. But do all this after a careful understanding of the benefits and costs. Remember that availing of the doctors and hospitals in the network would be both convenient and cheaper. However, if out-of-network facilities become imperative, keep track of every single expense, so you can make your claim accurately.
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