international student insurance

Archive for the ‘International Student in the USA’ Category

International Students in Ohio

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

International students in Ohio can look forward to a plethora of outdoor activities. With 134 state nature preserves, not even the ice and snow of winter can keep locals indoors; the cold months only provide more activities like ice skating, snowmobiling, winter camping, sledding and ice fishing. Ohio maintains its outdoor appeal since it offers a vast array of scenery with its prairies, wetlands, Lake Erie and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. International students in Ohio who want to enjoy the land but are not sure how, are able to take advantage of the state’s outdoor programs. Year-round Ohio offers assist in learning the outdoors through fishing workshops, hunting shows and archery tournaments.

International students coming to Ohio also have the opportunity to get a rare glimpse into the Amish community lifestyle. Located in the central-eastern portion of the state is an Amish community of approximately 40,000 Amish individuals. Here you are able to experience the Amish way of life through “home-style” dining, country inns and handmade items. This community offers those from abroad a look into what American life was like before telephones, electricity or vehicles were abound.

Students who would like to study in Ohio but are more interested in city life are able to explore their options in Columbus or Cleveland. The cities of Ohio also provide plenty of entertainment with its numerous museums including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the International Women’s Air and Space Museum and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Just as any other city in the US, there is also an array of restaurants, parks and other sightseeing choices.

International students in Ohio who need to ensure they have adequate health insurance coverage might be eligible for the Student Secure plan. This plan meets and exceeds many school and government requirements. For information on this plan and its benefits you can contact one of our licensed agents today.

 

Find a Doctor in the US

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

It’s the New Year’s and you have discovered that you can purchase our more affordable insurance plan instead of your university’s plan. As an international student, you may wonder to yourself, “how do I find a doctor in the US?” or “can I visit any doctor I want to?”

Whether you have purchased our Student Secure plan, Atlas plan or Citizen Secure plan, you can find a doctor in the US very easily. All three plans are what are referred to as a preferred provider organization, or PPO.  PPO is an optional network with contracted doctors or hospitals that you can go to. While this network is not required, these doctors and hospitals usually have discounted rates and have agreed to accept direct payment from the insurance company (this means that the insurance company pays covered expenses directly to your doctor or hospital, instead of paying first and being reimbursed).

If you choose the Student Secure Select level, the Atlas Plan or the Citizen Secure. By choosing a provider that is inside the network, you will receive 100% coverage for eligible expenses after you have met any deductible (up to your policy maximum). Coverage may change if you are outside the network so be sure to check the benefits on your plan as this is common in PPO networks.

Whether you go to a doctor or hospital in or out of the network, simply show your insurance ID card to the doctor office. Your doctor can then call the phone number located on your insurance ID card to arrange direct payment.

With any of these plans, you can simply use our online provider search tool to find a doctor or hospital anywhere around the US. We have multiple plans available to fit your needs; if you need help choosing the right plan contact our insurance agents to assist.

 

Nepal International Student Insurance

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Many international students coming to the US from Nepal will need to purchase a Nepalese student health insurance. The United States is the most expensive country for medical care costs according to the World Health Organization, and it is important to purchase insurance to help cover any medical expenses that may come up when you study in the US. Here is a simple guide to follow to make sure you are properly insured when you come to the United States:

1. Insurance School Requirements – If you are coming to the US on a F-1 international student visa, insurance requirements are typically set by your school. Some colleges, universities, and even high schools may have a mandatory insurance plan in place. Others may not require any insurance, or, in other situations, you can purchase your own Nepal international student insurance plan as an alternative. Before purchasing insurance, we recommend that you contact your school or check out our School Requirements Database to see what your school requires.

2. Purchasing Your own Nepal International Student Insurance - There are a few situations where you may be purchasing your own student health plan. In some cases, schools may not have insurance or any requirements for their international students. Since health care can be expensive to cover out of pocket, most people will purchase their own Nepal international student insurance to help cover the high costs in case the unexpected happens. Even with schools who have a student health plan, many schools allow their students to waive with an alternative insurance plan. If this is your case, check with your school to see if there are minimum requirements that your alternative insurance plan must meet. Some students will choose an alternative insurance plan for a few reasons:

I. Coverage may be more comprehensive than what is currently being offered.
II. Rates may be more affordable for an international student.
III. Students want more flexibility with their plan. Many school-sponsored insurance plans will end once the student begins their OPT. With many individual plans you may be able to continue coverage while on OPT or CPT.

3. Waiver and Compliance Forms - If you purchase your own Nepal international student insurance, you may need to notify your school of your alternative student health plan. Depending on your school, this could mean showing them the brochure, completing the school’s waiver/compliance form, or have the insurance company present a letter to show proof of coverage. Either way, check with your insurance company before purchasing to make sure they can assist you with the paperwork you need.

4. Begin Your International Experience - As a Nepalese student studying in the US, this is an opportunity of a lifetime! Enjoy yourself, step out of your comfort zone, and know that in case the unexpected happens that you are properly insured. International Student Insurance works with students around the world and are familiar with the steps involved. If you are unsure of how to get started, contact one of our representatives to help review your insurance requirements and see that you are properly insured.

 

Student Health Insurance for Broward College

Monday, January 9th, 2012

With all of the sand, sun and outdoor activities that Ft. Lauderdale, Florida has to offer it is understandable why international students choose to study at Broward College. If you are one of the many students gaining your overseas experience at Broward College this year it is important to ensure your health insurance meets their requirements. Without coverage that complies with the student health insurance for Broward College standards, you are unable to enroll in classes.

International Student Insurance offers the Student Secure plan which not only complies with the student health insurance for Broward College requirements but has many other benefits as well. To give you an idea of the cost, the Student Secure Budget plan for 12 months of coverage including the  U.S. is $564.00 for international students between the ages of 19-24. The budget level meets the Broward College requirements by providing medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, hospital room and board, physician visits, surgery, hospital miscellaneous, and anesthesia. It also provides benefits that are not required by Broward College like maternity, emergency dental, mental health disorders, terrorism and organized sports activities.

The Student Secure plan offers 24/7 worldwide travel and medical assistance that includes lost luggage assistance, pre-trip destination information and travel document replacement. You will also have access to the Student Zone which allows you to retrieving plan documents and managing your account online.

To have your compliance form approved and sent to your college is a simple process. After you purchase the Student Secure plan, sign the international student health insurance for Broward College compliance form then fax or email it to us. We will take care of the rest for you.

If you have any questions regarding this plan please feel free to contact us and one of our licensed agents will assist you with any questions you might have.

 

Student Health Insurance for University of Hawaii

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

Aloha! Are you looking to study abroad in one of the most tropical locations the United States has to offer? If so, you have more than likely checked out Hawaii and considered joining the 1.3 million people that occupy the islands. Hawaii has a number of Universities for you to consider, the University of Hawaii alone has multiple locations to choose from. If you select the University of Hawaii you will need to also decide if you will be purchasing student health insurance for University of Hawaii from the university health insurance plan or looking elsewhere. To assist you in weighing your options, I have included some information that might be helpful.

The student health insurance for University of Hawaii offers all eligible students a few insurance plans that they can elect to purchase or waive out of. The university medical plan does not come standard with repatriation or accidental death and dismemberment benefits. If you do elect to waive out of this plan you will need to find a plan that meets the university waiver form requirements.

With the Student Secure 6-month Pre-Ex plan, select level, you will go above and beyond the requirements. Also, the Student Secure plan will save you money! Take a look below for a comparison of the student health insurance for University of Hawaii versus the Student Secure plan (6-month Pre Ex) for a 19 to 24 year old student.

              University of Hawaii                  Student Secure Select Plan

$2518.56 per year                       $1,764 per year
That saves you over $754 per year!!  Apply Now

The Student Secure plan includes emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, doctor office visits, maternity, mental health, sports coverage and more. If you would like more information or to purchase this International Student Health Insurance plan feel free to visit us online or contact one of our licensed agents who would be more than happy to assist you.

 

Winter Break Trip Insurance

Saturday, December 17th, 2011

It’s winter and the school semester is almost over! During this winter break if you are not returning home, why not take a trip abroad and experience the season in another country?

Whether you are going to the famous Christmas Market in Germany, going skiing in the Swiss Alps or flying to the other side of the world to escape the cold, it is best if you are prepare for your trip with winter break trip travel insurance.

Many students looking for travel insurance for winter break will find that our Atlas Travel Medical plan provides comprehensive medical sickness and injury coverage for an affordable price whether it is a few days or a few weeks. Because it can be purchase for as little as 5 days and can provide coverage worldwide outside of your home country it is very flexible and will fit the need for most trips. This plan covers you for doctor visits, hospitalization, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, and much more.

If you will be participating in more adventurous sports on your trip such as skiing, you can also add the optional sport rider to the plan to cover those activities as well!

You can get your insurance documents and ID card right away, so if you need proof of insurance quickly you will be able to provide it if it is required by the local authority of the destination country.

If you are worried about inclement weather disrupting your trips and causing your flight to be canceled, be sure to check our previous blogs about how to avoid stress while traveling during the holiday season.

Feel free to contact any of our licensed insurance agent if you have any questions about your insurance needs for an upcoming trip and we would be happy to help you!

 

Student Health Insurance for Florida International University

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Every year, international students flock to Florida International University (FIU) to begin their studies in the United States. FIU has the second highest number of foreign students in the state of Florida with 2,677 students, a 4% increase over last year’s figures. And, who can blame them? Located in Miami, Florida International University hosts a variety of activities for international students both on and off campus. As we enter the new academic semester, many international students are evaluating their student health insurance for Florida International University.

FIU has an existing health insurance plan that students can enroll in or, alternatively, they can choose to purchase their international student insurance plan as long as it meets their stated requirements on their compliance form.

International Student Insurance offers the Student Secure 6-month Pre-Ex plan that will meet the requirements of FIU. This student health insurance for Florida International University offers comprehensive coverage including doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medication, sports coverage, mental health, and pre-existing condition coverage (after a 6 month waiting period). Not only is the plan comprehensive, but it is also more affordable – take a look at the cost of the FIU insurance plan compared with the Student Secure plan for a 19 to 24 year old student:

FIU Insurance Plan Student Secure Plan
 $1,905 per year  $1,188 per year

That is a saving of over $717 per year!! Apply Now!

If you choose the Student Secure plan as your student health insurance for Florida International University, you will need to complete their compliance form to remove any hold to register for classes. To do this, once you have purchased the plan, you can email or fax your compliance form to us. Make sure that you have completed the student section, and we’ll complete the insurance section and fax it to your school. We can typically get this processed in less than one business day! Contact our insurance agents if you have any questions. Good luck Panthers!

 

US Destinations for International Students

Monday, December 5th, 2011

Get it while it’s hot…but not too hot. With modernization there are many benefits, but there are sometimes adverse effects such as global warming. If you are considering studying abroad in the United States there is no better time than now. Some of our top natural attractions are having their existence threatened, meaning they might not be future US destinations for international students.

Here are the top 3 disappearing places in the US according to Yahoo news, meaning they are great US destinations for international students to visit.

1) The Glaciers of Glacier National Park, Montana:

With peaks and hidden valleys abound, this mountainous park is known for bringing in hikers to explore the more than 700 miles of trails it has to offer. For those wanting to get in good with their history professor, here you are able to learn about the human existence in the area that dates back to over 10,000 years ago. The number of glaciers for which the park was named is dwindling fast and it is estimated that by 2030, the few remaining will also have disappeared.

2) Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings, Colorado:

Ancient ruins in the United States? Yes we have them! Hundreds of years ago ancestors used what resources they had available to them and created their home in the cliffs. These cliff dwellings are still around today for visitors to explore. However, with pollution and other environmental wear and tear this piece of history might not be around forever.

3) Coral Reefs of Biscayne National Park, South Florida:

Pollution, overfishing and disease have left these coral reef habitats frail, however there is still flourishing beauty to be found today. This is one of the great US destinations for international students who want to see this underwater world.

If you are planning on studying in the United States make sure that you have international student health insurance so instead of worrying about getting a cold you can enjoy your US destinations for international students check list.

 

M-1 Visa Student Insurance

Friday, November 4th, 2011

While many students in the United States usually enter with either a F-1 or J-1 visa, many people often forget about the M-1 student visa for vocational schools. Once a student has been accepted to a vocational program, they are issued an I-20 form which can be used to apply for the M-1 visa.

While the M-1 student visa does not have any insurance requirements set by the government, most schools will have their own health insurance requirements.

If you are a full-time student on a M-1 visa, our M-1 visa student health insurance plan, called the Student Secure plan, can provide you coverage while you are studying in the US. The plan offers comprehensive insurance that would cover you in case you become sick or injured. If your program is less than one year, you can also choose to have the plan for any number of months as you are not required to sign up for a full year.

Another popular plan for vocational students is the Atlas Travel Plan. This plan also provides medical coverage while you are in the United States. If you need further help deciding which plan is right for you or if you have special insurance requirements, please feel free to contact us to speak with a qualify insurance agent.

 

Popular Majors for International Students

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Many students dream about going overseas to study. There is little doubt that the world is interconnected and having an international perspective (and perhaps grasp of another language) will make you more competitive in the job market. The number of international students has been on a steady increase year after year. According to the Open Doors Report, popular majors for international students have been the following:

  • 21.1% Business/Management
  • 18.4% Engineering
  • 8.9% Physical/Life Sciences
  • 8.8% Math and Computer Science
  • 8.7% Social Sciences

As you can see, the majority of international students – 1 in 5 to be exact – study business and management. The popular majors for international students within this field include finance, accounting, marketing, economics, human resources, and management. Following business, the second most commonly studied field is engineering. Many international students recognize that studying in the United States can be expensive, so studying a field where the benefit will outweigh the cost upon graduation is a huge consideration for incoming students.

According to these statistics, the popular majors for international students are greatly influenced by the largest sending countries: India and China. Many of these students who return home after studying such technical skills find that they have a competitive edge. Students are able to find and secure meaningful jobs after having exposure to some of the most novel and up-to-date information, technology and training.

While a US degree can be invaluable to students, language fluency is automatically acquired through studies in the United States. In many cases, English fluency – in both engineering and business – is an important requirement to advance to higher positions within these fields. Scientific journals as well as international business is primarily done in English. Having not only a US degree combined with English fluency creates a recipe for long-term career success.