Foreign nationals studying in the USA are required by the university to buy international students 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 universities require a student to be covered for a medical maximum of $200,000 to $300,000 per injury or illness. There are several policies that suit the unique needs of medical insurance for international students.
Perchance the university has not provided guidelines, students would be wise to analyze their possible requirements and compare and contrast several international students insurance plans, before zeroing in on one. A reputed insurance advisor would come in handy here.
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.
An unmarried partner is not covered at all, pre or post-partum, but may be added to the list once married. Even then, post pregnancy complications would still not be covered. Do realize that covering your spouse in addition to yourself is expensive, but necessary.
The best thing is to insure yourself with insurance for international student for about $ 500,000 if single, higher if with partner, after perusal of the insurer’s clauses. If treatment is by a network doctor or hospital, direct billing should be possible so that the financial strain upfront is reduced. In case of hospitalization in an out-of-network hospital, keep careful track of all operating and non-operation expenses, prescribed medicines (sometimes an aspirin can cost $5) so you can make your claims accurately.
