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Archive for the ‘Student Insurance’ Category
Friday, May 11th, 2012
If you are one of the many international students without health insurance you could be risking more than you think. The United States does not have universal health care meaning the government will not cover your medical expenses that are acquired while you are studying in the US. Since your medical bills are not taken care of by the US government it is highly recommended, and depending on your visa perhaps even required by the US federal government, that you purchase private health insurance.
Since health care in the US can be expensive and bills can accumulate quickly, having health insurance is a means of protection. International students without health insurance could be left with thousands of dollars of debt if a major accident were to occur.
Students with an F-1 visa are not required by the US to have adequate health insurance coverage, however, colleges and universities often have their own insurance requirements in place that international students must meet.
Individuals who will be in the US with a J-1 or J-2 visa must fulfill the following US federal government visa insurance requirements:
• Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
• Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
An insurance policy secured to meet the benefits requirements must be underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-I” or above, a Standard and Poor’s Claims Paying Ability rating of “A-” or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above. Alternatively, the sponsor may ascertain that the participant’s policy is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor’s home country.
If you are one of many international students without health insurance looking for a plan that will meet federal or school requirements, contact one of our agents today to find a plan that will meet your needs.
Tags: International Students without Health Insurance
Posted in Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance, Visa Requirements | No Comments »
Saturday, March 24th, 2012
Study abroad programs come in many different shapes and sizes. In today’s world of international education, you no longer have to study abroad for a semester or a year, many organizations now offer programs that last as little as a week. In many cases, your domestic health insurance policy may not provide coverage outside the US or may only offer limited coverage while you are abroad. Make sure to check with your insurance company as you may need to purchase a short term study abroad insurance if you are not already covered.
It doesn’t matter if you are going abroad for a year, a month or even 5 days. Anything can happen even on a short trip, it only takes a few seconds for an accident to happen or one bad meal to have food poisoning. Having a short term study abroad insurance can ensure that you receive the treatment and care that you need. Some schools may offer insurance to their students however these plans are often more expensive. Additionally, some school plans may require you to purchase a minimum of one month while alternative plans let you purchase just the days that you need even if you’ll be abroad for a few days.
Our short term study abroad insurance plan allows you to buy coverage for a trip as short as 5 days. The plan will provide you with comprehensive coverage including doctor visits, hospitalization, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, lost luggage, etc. $50,000 for a 7 day study abroad program can cost less than $8 total! Even if you choose $1 million worth of coverage, it would not cost more than $15 for 7 days.
If you have any questions about short term study abroad insurance, contact one of our licensed insurance agents. You may also want to read our advice on purchasing your Study Abroad Cancellation Policy.
* Quotes are based on 18-29 years old traveling outside of the US in April 2012.
Tags: Short Term Study Abroad Insurance
Posted in Student Insurance, Study Abroad, Travel Insurance | No Comments »
Friday, March 16th, 2012
Some of the top spring break destinations this year are Cancun and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Negril in Jamaica and Nassau in the Bahamas. Are you a student going on spring break to another country soon? Even those planning to go on a last minute trip still have time to purchase their spring break insurance! The Atlas Travel series can be purchased online and you can receive your ID cards within minutes after your purchase.
Whether you are going on an educational trip to compliment your studies, a community service trip to give back to others or a tropical getaway to relax and enjoy the sun, the Atlas Travel series will provide you with the spring break insurance coverage you need. A few benefits included in this plan are doctor visits, hospitalization, emergency medical evacuation, lost luggage and repatriation of remains.
Do you plan do get in all of the jet skiing, parachuting and spelunking possible while on break? If your trip will involve extreme sports you can include coverage that will protect you while participating in those activities as well.
This plan can be purchased for as little as five days up to twelve months and it won’t break your student budget. Those who are twenty-one years old and in need of coverage for one week outside of the US can purchase this plan for less than $9. Approximately 60 percent of spring breakers are injured while on their trip. Don’t spend your break worrying if you will be included in that 60 percent. For more details or to purchase this spring break insurance you can contact one of our licensed agents.
Before leaving on your journey make sure you also check out the latest travel warnings to ensure you will come back safe and on time to study for finals!
Tags: spring break insurance
Posted in Student Insurance | No Comments »
Saturday, February 25th, 2012
Summer is only a few months away! If you are planning on participating in a summer study abroad program, you may want to consider a study abroad cancellation policy no matter where you are in the planning process.
According to a recent article on USA Today, there are many reasons why study abroad is a necessity – and not a luxury. So regardless of where you are in the planning process, it is an investment in your education and future so you should take steps to protect it.
With your tuition, housing expense, living cost, plane ticket and other fees, the cost of studying abroad can add up. While none of us want to consider the possibility of not going, you don’t have to lose thousands of dollars for an unforeseen emergency. To protect against this, it is important to consider a study abroad cancellation policy.
Depending on which study abroad program you will be participating in, the university or organization hosting your program may have a study abroad cancellation policy. If they do, usually the school will only refund your tuition cost if the destination country becomes too dangerous. However, it is possible that you’ll be responsible for your plane ticket and other miscellaneous costs that you have already paid for. Purchasing a trip cancellation insurance policy can increase your protection against events that even your school might not allow you to cancel for such as sickness/injury or even a death in the family.
Our study abroad cancellation policy can also be purchased with a cancel for any reason option, so you can have coverage even if you just happened to change your mind! Feel free to contact any of our representatives if you have any questions.
Check out other interesting study abroad topics: 10 Things to do before studying abroad, How to choose a guide book.
Tags: study abroad cancellation policy, Travel Insurance, trip cancellation
Posted in Student Insurance, Study Abroad, Travel Insurance | 1 Comment »
Saturday, February 11th, 2012
Since it was founded in 1956, the University of South Florida has grown and become one of the largest public universities in the US with well over 45,000 students enrolled. Today, the university has more than 1,400 international students and 200 research scholars from over 150 countries around the world.
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is located in Tampa. As one of Florida’s major metropolitan cities, Tampa has a lot to offer including many crystal clear beaches, world class museums, and even two major amusement parks. USF gives international students a great city to call home during their study in the US.
As with many major universities, international students are required to have health insurance while they are studying at University of South Florida. Every semester, international students consider the choices for their student health insurance for University of South Florida. International students have the choice of enrolling in the insurance plan that the university offers or purchasing their own health insurance plan that meets all the requirements listed on the university’s student health insurance compliance form.
International Student Insurance has a plan that is designed to provide coverage that meets the requirements for University of South Florida called the Student Secure 6 Month Pre-ex Plan. This student health insurance for University of South Florida provides comprehensive coverage for sicknesses and injuries including doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medication, sports coverage, mental health, and pre-existing condition coverage (after a 6 month waiting period). This is a great choice for international students because it provides great coverage at a much more affordable price compared to the university’s plan. Here’s a comparison of the cost for USF’s insurance plan to the Student Secure 6 Month Pre-ex Plan for 19-24 year old students:
USF Insurance plan cost – $1,806 per year
Student Secure plan cost – $1,188 per year
Total Saving- $618 per year “Apply Now”
If you choose to purchase this plan as your student health insurance for University of South Florida and wish to not be charged for your school’s insurance plan, you will need to complete the USF student health insurance compliance form. After you have purchased our plan, you can simply email or fax us your school’s insurance waiver form. Make sure that you have completed the student section, and we’ll complete the insurance section and fax it to your school. There is often a deadline to complete this process in the beginning of the semester, so be sure to complete this in advance! Otherwise, you might get stuck buying the school’s expensive plan for another semester! If you have any questions, feel free to contact our International Student Insurance agents.
Tags: international student insurance, Student Health Insurance for University of South Florida, USF, USF insurance
Posted in Health & Safety, International Student in the USA, Product Information, Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance | No Comments »
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.
Tags: Find a doctor in the US, find a hospital, finding a doctor
Posted in Health & Safety, Insurance Explained, International Student in the USA, Product Information, Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance | 1 Comment »
Saturday, January 21st, 2012
South Korea has become well known around the world for its cars, consumer electronics and even their pop culture. For this reason it’s not hard to imagine why it is one of the top study abroad destinations in the East Asia region, 3rd after China and Japan. In the year 2009/2010 there was over 2,000 U.S. students studying abroad in Korea according to the most recent Open Doors Report.
In the past few decades the economy of South Korea has grown remarkably and today it is ranked number 13th as the largest in the world based on GDP. Today, Korean is a major world player in the high-tech electronic industry and is famous for its consumer electronic brands such as Samsung and LG which makes products like HDTVs and smart phones. Not only that, Korean popular culture such as music, TV dramas and movies have brought even more interest to the country from across the world.
Just like any study abroad program, there is a chance that you may become sick or injured while overseas. All Koreans have a Korean national health insurance. However, if you are a foreigner you are ineligible unless you will be staying in Korea for more than one year. If you plan on staying less than one year, our insurance for study abroad in Korea would be able to provide you coverage in case you get hurt or injured while you are abroad. The plan covers doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medication and more. If you plan on taking short trips to visit neighboring countries like China or Japan our insurance for study abroad in Korea plan will also covers you there as well.
So if your school or government is not already providing you with insurance, prepare in advance by purchasing an insurance for study abroad in Korea. If you have any questions about insurance for your upcoming trips feel free to contact us at any time.
Tags: Insurance for korea, Insurance for Study Abroad in Korea, Korea Travel Insurance
Posted in Country Requirements, Health & Safety, Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance, Study Abroad | No Comments »
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.
Tags: Nepal International Student Insurance, Nepalese student health
Posted in International Student in the USA, Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance | No Comments »
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.
Posted in International Student in the USA, Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance | No Comments »
Saturday, January 7th, 2012
As you prepare for your trip and pack your suitcase, you often think about the weather and what you plan to wear. If the weather is cold, you will need to bring a sweater or jacket. Or, if you are traveling to a warm place, you may need your swimming suit. You may also think of your toothbrush and shampoo, along with any gifts for anyone you’re visiting. However, most people will never think about what they may need in case they get sick. It is a good idea when traveling abroad that you pack a travel health kit. Below are some tips if you are going to be traveling with medication.
While most countries will have medication to treat minor symptoms like aches and pains, it is likely that the name of the medication will be different than what you are used to, the language may be in a different language or the dosage might be different. Traveling with medication will save you the time and the trouble of trying to find the right medication when you really need to have it. Here are some over the counter medications that you should think of bring on your trip:
- For digestive issues – Especially if you are traveling to a country that serves food you are not used to, if you are prone to indigestion or if you are traveling to country where food hygiene is low, you’ll want to bring:
- Anti-diarrheal
- Antacid
- Laxative
- For colds, fever and pain:
- Decongestant
- Pain killer/fever reducer such as ibuprofen
- Cough drops
- For minor injuries:
- Antibacterial ointments or creams
- Bandages
- Aloe gel for sunburns
- Others
- Antihistamine for allergy
- Hydrocortisone cream for itchiness
- Motion sickness medication
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Travel Insurance ID card
If you are traveling with medication prescribed by your doctor, make sure you have it in the original container from the doctor/pharmacy that is clearly labeled. Also pack copies of your prescriptions and preferably also a letter from your physician describing what your medicine is and what it is for. Some countries may also have restriction on certain medications, so be sure to check with your embassy before traveling.
Lastly, don’t pack these items in your checked luggage, if the airline lost your bag, you don’t want to be left without your important medications.
Tags: packing prescription medication, travel with medicine, Traveling with Medication
Posted in Health & Safety, Student Insurance, Study Abroad | No Comments »
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