Step-by-Step Guide: How Do I Submit an Insurance Claim?
September 9th, 2013 by Jennifer Frankel
No matter whether you’ve paid for your charges to your medical bills up front or if the insurance company will pay your doctor or hospital directly, you will need to submit an insurance claim form to the insurance company. This insurance claim form informs the insurance company about the situation, what medical treatment you have sought, and what they need to reimburse you or your provider. To help you along, we’ve compiled step-by-step instructions to help you submit your insurance claim form.
1. Obtain itemized receipts and bills. First, you will need to ask your doctor, clinic or hospital for an itemized bill. An itemized bill lists every service that your doctor provided as well as the cost of each of the services. Your health insurance company will need you to attach the original itemized bills and receipts to the claim form.
2. Get your claim form. Next you will need to obtain a health insurance claim form, which you can do so from the brochure section of our site. Here you will be asked questions such as your insurance information, to whom you want the payment made, what was the visit for (accident/illness), etc. Your claim form will also provide you with additional instructions as to what other information they may need from your doctor or health care facility.
3. Make copies. This is very important. Once you’ve filled out your claim form and have received your itemized bill from your doctor, make copies of everything. This will help avoid any errors that might be made in the claim process and will make it easier for you to re-file your health insurance claim should it get lost.
4. Review then send. Read the claims form again and make sure that you’ve completed all of the necessary fields and attached the necessary receipts and bills. Claims can take approximately 30 business days to process and you may want to contact the number on the back of your card a week after submitting the paperwork to make sure they aren’t missing anything. Once you have everything in order, send out the claim form to your insurance company. The address on where to send the documents are listed on the form. We recommend emailing the claim as this can expedite the process.
Would you like to renew your plan or purchase a different insurance plan?
Top 5 Tips for a Smooth Schengen Visa Application
September 6th, 2013 by Jennifer Frankel
Going through the visa application process is always stressful, made worse by the possibility of having your application rejected, which generally leads to panic and anxiety. Some countries are more lax with visa applications, while others are stricter. Other factors in the ease of the application process include what passport you carry and diplomatic relations between countries.
We have collected some tips to help make your application process as simple and seamless as possible.
1. Do your research.
Most foreign embassies provide information on their websites regarding their Schengen visa application and requirements. You can find everything from application requirements to visa fees, as well as timetables for visa processing. Some countries have specific or different requirements based on your nationality, so make sure you’re aware of these things beforehand. Talking to people who have had experience in applying for the visa you want can be helpful, as well.
2. Make a checklist of requirements.
Some embassies include a checklist of requirements in their Schengen visa application form, which can be extremely helpful in keeping track of which requirements you have and which you need. Not every embassy has this, but it shouldn’t be difficult for you to make your own. This is also helpful when compiling everything for submission.
3. Give yourself enough time.
This will vary depending on where you are as well as where you are going. It’s generally best not to have to worry about deadlines being too close for comfort. Try to give yourself enough time so that if your initial application is rejected, you have enough time to re-apply and get your visa before your scheduled flight. Take note of when the visa of your host country expires, so you can get your next visa and leave before that date.
4. Have a Plan B.
Things don’t always go as planned, so it’s always a good idea to have a back-up plan. If your visa is running out and the country you’re planning on going to next has a long visa turnaround time, go to another country or try to find a way to extend your current visa.
5. Look presentable and act confident on application day.
Some countries require a personal visit for visa processing. Some embassies have a strictly-enforced dress code. Some also conduct an interview as they collect your documents. Try to look your best and make a good impression.
September 2013 Travel Warnings
September 3rd, 2013 by Jennifer Frankel
The September 2013 travel warnings are a listing of any warnings that have been posted by the US Department of State in the month of August, warning travelers who plan to visit those countries. Remember to exercise extra care if you are visiting these countries, and check with your travel insurance provider to make sure you still have coverage in place – sometimes coverage can be excluded to countries that are under a travel warning.
Countries listed through the month of August 2013 include:
Algeria – August 23, 2013
The Department of State continues to warn US citizens of the risk of traveling to Algeria due to the current security situation and the continuing threat posed by terrorism. The Department of State urges US citizens who travel to Algeria to carefully evaluate the risks posed to their safety. There is a high threat of terrorism and kidnappings in Algeria, and although the major cities are heavily policed, attacks could still potentially take place.
Afghanistan – August 23, 2013
US citizens are warned against travel to Afghanistan, as the security threat to all US citizens in Afghanistan remains critical. No province in Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence, and the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts, both targeted and random, against US and other Western nationals at this time. There is an ongoing and significant risk of kidnapping and assassination of US citizens and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) employees throughout the country.
Egypt – August 15, 2013
The Department of State warns US citizens to defer travel to Egypt and US citizens living in Egypt to depart due to the continuing political and social unrest. On August 14, the Government of Egypt declared a State of Emergency that includes a curfew from 7 pm to 6 am in select governates, including Cairo and Alexandria. The US Embassy encourages US citizens who choose to remain in Egypt to comply with local regulations and follow local media for updates regarding your location.
Haiti – August 13, 2013
The Department of State issued a Travel Warning informing US citizens traveling to or living in Haiti about the security situation in Haiti regarding the crime level, lack of adequate infrastructure (particularly in medical facilities), seasonal severe inclement weather, and limited police protection. The Department of State urges US citizens to exercise caution when visiting Haiti. Although hundreds of thousands of US citizens safely visit Haiti each year, the poor state of Haiti’s emergency response network should be considered when planning travel.
El Salvador – August 9, 2013
The Department of State continued to warn US citizens that crime and violence levels in El Salvador remain critically high. Tens of thousands of US citizens safely visit El Salvador each year for study, tourism, business, and volunteer work, but crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country.
Pakistan – August 9, 2013
The Department of State warns US citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan. On August 8, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency US government personnel from the US Consulate General in Lahore, Pakistan. This is due to the presence of several foreign and indigenous terrorist groups posing a potential threat to US citizens in Pakistan.
Yemen – August 6, 2013
The US Department of State warns US citizens of the high security threat level in Yemen due to terrorist activities and civil unrest. The Department urges US citizens to defer travel to Yemen and those US citizens currently living in Yemen to depart immediately. On August 6, 2013, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency US government personnel from Yemen due to the continued potential for terrorist attack.
While traveling, please keep these August 2013 travel warnings in mind. Travelers are also advised to enroll through the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to stay up to date on travel security information.
Why Do International Students Need Health Insurance?
August 30th, 2013 by Jennifer Frankel
If you are an international student studying in the United States, you may be required to have health insurance coverage for the entire time you are abroad. Even if your visa does not require you to have health insurance, chances are your college or university will. The majority of colleges and universities require international students to provide proof of adequate health insurance coverage before enrollment. So why do international students need health insurance?
No National Healthcare
International students need to purchase a health insurance plan since there is very limited government-funded healthcare in the US, most of which is not accessible to international students. The cost for health care in the United States is extremely high and increases annually – so if you do not have an insurance plan, you may be stuck footing the bill. When you have a health insurance plan, this private insurance company will pay toward your eligible costs – leaving you with a much smaller out of pocket bill.
Less Out of Pocket Expenses
Even if you have an insurance plan you should expect to pay something out of pocket, since most plans have deductibles, copays, or coinsurance – but the amount you’ll pay is just a fraction of what you would spend if you didn’t have insurance. Especially in the event of an emergency situation, the costs can add up. A surgical procedure can easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, uninsured hospitalization for a single day can cost several thousand dollars, an ambulance or a CT scan can cost around $2,000-$3,000, and an IV injection can cost around $200.
Network Discount Advantage
Sometimes doctors charge up to seven times as much to an uninsured patient as they do for the insured because health insurance companies are able to negotiate drastic discounts for their patients. Health insurance companies pay the majority or even all of the costs, thereby drastically reducing the cost to you, even after paying $200-$4,300 a month in premiums.
For this reason, it is imperative that you have health insurance coverage. Even if you are healthy, you never know when you are going to become seriously ill or injured. If you do need medical care, having a student health insurance in the USA will prevent you from becoming financially crippled by medical bills.
Neosho County Community College International Student Insurance
August 28th, 2013 by Ross Mason
Neosho County Community College now has a group health insurance plan for students, check out the Student Zone for information on your health insurance plan.
As an international student studying in the United States, it is likely that your college or university requires that you present proof of adequate international student health insurance coverage during your stay in the US. Generally you must present proof of this insurance before you are allowed to enroll in classes. International students at Neosho County Community College are required to have health insurance at the time of enrollment. Although the school does not endorse certain insurance companies, it does provide a list of the minimum insurance requirements that a student’s plan must meet.
Neosho County Community College’s health insurance requirements include:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Coverage of at least $10,000 for repatriation of remains
- Coverage of at least $15,000 for medical evacuation
- A deductible per accident or illness not exceeding $500
- Include inpatient and outpatient coverage for sickness and accidents
Alternative Student Insurance
Our Student Health Insurance plan offers four plans that meet Neosho’s health insurance requirements: Smart, Budget, Select and Elite. For an international student aged between 18-24 years old – the cost for one year will be:
- Smart – $345.80 per year
- Budget – $513.24 per year
- Select – $1,066.52 per year
- Elite – $1,961.96 per year
If you would like to learn more about the coverage offered by our plan, please visit our website or contact our customer service team, any member of which will be more than happy to help you and answer any questions you might have. For more information about Neosho County Community College’s health insurance requirements, please visit their school requirements page.
Updated July 2, 2019
How to Make the Most of Your Study Abroad
August 26th, 2013 by Jennifer Frankel
Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime experience, and it can be one of the best times of your life. However, if you spend your time locked away in your room, on Facebook, or only socialize with people from your home country, well, you may as well have stayed at home.
The following are some tips on how to make the most of your study abroad experience:
1. Make a list of exactly what you want to get out of your experience.
Whether that’s seeing the sights, experiencing a different style of learning, or something else, figure out exactly what you want to do and make a plan to make sure you do it. You don’t want to come back home and realize that you didn’t do half the things you’d intended to.
2. Branch out.
Culture shock can be hard, but it’s important to reach out and interact with fellow students. It can be tempting to find a group of fellow study abroad students from your home country, but if you only spend time with them, what’s the point of studying abroad? It might be nerve-wracking to approach someone new, but as soon as you say you’re from a different country, people will be falling over themselves to talk to you.
3. Don’t let your grades fall.
Don’t forget: you’re here to study abroad. Have fun, but not so much that you completely ruin your GPA. Try to find the right balance between experiencing your host country and keeping up with your coursework.
4. Try everything.
The point of studying abroad is to experience a new culture, so try to experience everything you can – even the really gross-looking food. Who knows, you may find that it becomes your new favorite.
5. Budget carefully.
You will want to come home with souvenirs and mementos – and you should! But try not to spend all of the money you’ve budgeted for “fun things” in the first month of your stay. Be mindful of how much you’re spending, and how much you can afford to spend.
If you would like to learn more about studying abroad, please visit our study abroad page for more information and advice. If you need further information on healthcare when studying abroad, please do not hesitate to contact one of our insurance experts who will be happy to assist you!
Top 5 Things To Do In Poland
August 23rd, 2013 by Ross Mason
Wrocław Cathedral in Poland
International students who study in Poland will have no shortage of things to do, particularly if they are interested in history. Poland is a land of Gothic castles, old markets, and high-rise houses filled with history.
Here is a list of the top 5 things to do in Poland as an international student. You should take the time to experience most of these if you plan on spending any time in Poland:
1. Hiking in the mountains
Winter or summer, the mountains in Poland make for a great holiday destination. They offer water and winter sports for both beginners and experts, and several ski resorts famous for their cross-country trails. Students who are interested in nature can go off-road skiing on the traverses of mountain hills and rough country roads in the forest.
2. Snow sailing in Karpacz
This is a special event that generally occurs on the last weekend of February at the slops of Bialy Jar Mountain. Sailors and mariners compete in Polish skiing and snowboarding. The competition is open to all, but the participants should have a license or certificate in sailing.
3. Enjoy therapeutic mud
Therapeutic mud is a popular activity in Poland in which a person enjoys soaking in various types of peat that has numerous mineral and organic mixtures in it. It includes, but is not limited to, cranberries, blueberries, and heather. Polish use it to detoxify, revitalize, and energize the body.
4. Visit Auschwitz-Birkinau
Auschwitz-Birkenau is a system of concentration and extermination camps operated by the Nazi army during World War II. It is a sobering experience, and something no international student with an interest in history should pass on the chance to experience.
5. Drive around the Polish countryside
Driving around Poland, you will see a number of interesting sights, including hermit works of art, wooden cars, and houses that look like they’ve been pulled out of a book of fairy tales.
For more information on Poland, and to learn more about the country and experience it – please visit our Poland International Student Insurance pages for more information.
UNC Chapel Hill International Student Insurance
August 21st, 2013 by Ross Mason
Beginning in fall of 2010, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors implemented a “hard waiver” student health insurance plan on all sixteen 4-year campuses. “Hard waiver” means that a student is required to hold a “creditable coverage” health insurance policy or else enroll in the UNC Chapel Hill International Student Insurance plan. All international students who have F or J immigration status are required to carry health insurance for themselves and their dependents throughout the duration of their academic program.
“Hard waiver” does not mean that a student must enroll in the UNC System Student Health Insurance Plan, but it does mean that students must show evidence of creditable health insurance coverage.
Creditable coverage includes all of the following benefits:
- The health insurance plan must have a minimum medical benefit of $100,000 coverage for each specific illness or injury.
- The plan must have a deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
- The plan must provide at least $25,000 in benefits for repatriation of remains to the home country in case of death.
- The plan must pay up to $50,000 for medical evacuation to the home country.
- Policy active for the entire duration of the academic semester
Alternative Health Insurance
Our Student Health Insurance plan offers four plan levels that meet all of these requirements: Smart, Budget, Select and Elite. Choosing either of these plans over UNC Chapel Hill’s school sponsored plan will save you a considerable amount of money. For example, for an international student aged between 18 and 24:
- UNC Chapel Hill plan $2,616.80 per year
- Our Student Health plan:
- Smart – $371.28 per year
- Budget – $513.24 per year
- Select – $1,161.16 per year
- Elite – $2,380.56 per year
Saving you up to $2,245.52 per year!
To view our plan in more detail, please visit our website to compare the different plan options. You can also visit the UNC Chapel Hill School Insurance Requirement page for more information and to apply online.
Updated 8/5/2020
Top 5 Mistakes To Avoid As A New International Student
August 19th, 2013 by Ross Mason
The start of the new school year is right upon us, and for many international students you will be trying to settle in, registering for all your classes and attending orientation sessions. It could also be the first time many students have been abroad, and away from your family/ friends and everything that is familiar. It can be quite a daunting prospect – but with so much going on, there are some things you will want to avoid doing.
With our top 5 mistakes to avoid as a new international student, we set you on the straight and narrow:
1. Keeping to yourself or students from the same country
One of the biggest pitfalls you can fall into, it keeping to yourself and not going out and interacting and meeting new people. We all know that starting somewhere new can be nerve-wracking, or may put you outside of your comfort zone, but you need to remember that everyone is in the same boat. The sooner you get out there and start to mix with other students, the most settled you will feel as you will start to make new friends. The same also applies to just talking with or socializing with students from the same country as you. Some schools in the USA could have a large population of students from your home country, but sticking within that group will limit your experience – so go out and talk to other students from other countries and from the USA.
2. Not attending classes and orientation
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to not attend classes or your student orientation. You will be having lots of fun during the first few weeks, making new friends and experiencing a whole range of new things. But, you still need to remember that you are there to learn, so make sure you make a point of attending all your classes and student orientations so that you do not miss out on anything!
3. Failing to explore your surroundings
It is really important that you get to know your surroundings. Explore the local area, get to know where the “un-safe” areas are (if there are even any places that are un-safe), and find out how to get around. This will not only help you learn more about your new home, but it can help you settle down much more quickly if you are more familiar with the area and how to get around.
4. Not taking care of yourself
Your health and wellbeing should never be put in jeopardy, so try not to burn the candle at both ends. Always make sure you are getting enough rest, and eating properly. There is always the temptation to eat all the junk food and experience the glories of American fast food – but after a while you will realize that is probably not the best for you! You will also need to prepare in advance and make sure you are covered by health insurance, either through your schools plan or an alternative insurance plan – not having health insurance in the USA can put your in severe financial burden. Check out our video on how the US healthcare system works for more information and guidance.
5. Keeping things bottled up!
No matter how small the problem you have, talk to someone – whether its a friend, your family or better yet, your international student advisor. Keepings things to yourself will not make the situation better, in fact it will just make it worse. You will most likely find that people will be open to helping you, and could be experiencing the same thing or have a very simple solution. So whatever you do, talk and keep your fears and problems out in the open so that they can be resolved!
Hopefully these quick tips will help you avoid some of the more common pitfalls that international students can fall into at the start of a new semester. You can also visit the insurance explained section of our website for more information about health and wellness abroad, including information on visa compliance and much more!
Why Does Insurance Matter to Me?
August 17th, 2013 by Jennifer Frankel
As an international student studying in the United States, your US school most likely requires that you present proof of adequate health insurance coverage before you are allowed to enroll in your classes. While dealing with all the worry and stress that comes with choosing a health insurance plan, you may be wondering, “ Why does insurance matter to me? ”
Although it is true that health insurance can be expensive, in the long run (and even in the short run), it is always better to have it than to not. You never know when disaster will strike in the form of injury or illness, and it is always best to be prepared. If you do not have health insurance and you become sick or hurt, you may be stuck with colossal medical bills (our latest video shows some examples of the cost of the medical care in the USA), and end up paying far more than you would have paid for health insurance in the first place. It is always better to be safe than sorry, and even if (as is hopefully the case) you end up never needing to make use of your health insurance coverage, it is far better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
In addition to providing you with access to preventive care, prescription drugs, and treatment for illnesses or injuries, health insurance protects you from the financial ruin that can occur when significant medical care is needed, particularly in the case of a chronic or ongoing illness.
Without health insurance, people are more likely to go without preventive care, to delay or forgo medical care which can be detrimental to your health. Having health insurance allows you to stay healthy, without worrying about accruing huge expenses. Did you also know that if an uninsured person is ill and comes to an emergency room for care, they are often charged more for medical services than insured patients.
Make sure that, should the unexpected occur, you are safe and protected. Having adequate health insurance coverage is well worth the cost. Read more about international student health insurance and how it can work for you in our insurance explained section of our website and if you have any question, please contact one of our insurance experts for help.
