Student Zone – FREE iPhone App
August 16th, 2011 by International-Student-Insurance
With the growth in smart phone usage around the world, more and more students have been requesting that we provide access to all the main services we offer through their mobile phones. We are proud to announce that the InternationalStudentInsurance.com Student Zone app is now live and available to download. The free application provides current customers with a world of information, help and advice right at their fingertips to take with them wherever there phone is!
The ISI Student Zone app includes:
- Mobile Access to your account – login with your certificate number and date of birth to:
- Update your personal details
- Renew your coverage
- View claims information
- Update credit card information on file
- View your insurance ID card
- Quick access to the insurance helpline
- Provider Search
- Email and Call us
Chinese Student Health Insurance in Ontario
August 15th, 2011 by Jennifer FrankelOntario offers its citizens and permanent resident’s health care under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). If you will be a full-time student in Ontario you are ineligible for this plan unless you are independently employed. If you cannot enroll in the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, you may be required to enroll in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) instead.
Eligibility for the UHIP is determined based on whether you are a full time student with a valid study permit or temporary resident visa issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. As a foreign student, you must also be registered in a degree program at an accredited and participating Ontario university or affiliated college and pursuing an undergraduate, graduate or post graduate degree. The UHIP begins when you first arrive in Ontario and covers hospital and medical services of non-resident students at Ontario Universities and affiliated colleges and their families.
If you are a Chinese student studying in Ontario, however, you will need to be familiar with what is and what is not covered under the UHIP plan. Benefits like vision, dental, prescription medication are specifically excluded from the plan so if you’d like additional coverage you would need to purchase a private student health insurance plan to cover additional services. The UHIP plan will cover you in other provinces, but will only cover medically necessary emergency services if you travel to another country. If that is the case you may want to consider purchasing a student travel insurance plan for any out-of-country traveling you intend to do.
Pregnancy Insurance for International Students
August 10th, 2011 by ahoontrakulNot all international student health insurance plans are the same, so it is important to know the benefits and exclusions of each insurance policy before you make your final decision on which plan is best suited for you. After all, no one wants an unpleasant surprise where you find out a visit or treatment is not covered.
An example of a very common benefit that many international students often overlook is maternity coverage. Being pregnant is a happy moment in your life, but if you are unprepared it can become a financial burden. If you are uninsured and become pregnant, you will find it extremely difficult to find an insurance policy that would cover your pregnancy leaving you to bear the financial cost. According to the American Pregnancy Association the estimated cost of a low risk delivery alone is $10,000 – $12,000 not to mention prenatal check-ups that you need before the actual delivery.
To be eligible for the some student plans you must be a full-time student or hold a valid educational visa in the US
Having an insurance plan that covers maternity will help protect you against having to pay this yourself. However, be aware that some international student health insurance plans may not provide coverage for pregnancy. Our international student health insurance plan called the Student Secure plan offers maternity coverage under the Budget, Select, and Elite levels as long as you are not pregnant when the plan goes into effect.
There are other student plan options that allow students to add their spouse as a dependent so they can have limited maternity coverage. Our Student Health Advantage plan provides coverage for maternity for dependents on the Platinum level if the student is also enrolled in the plan.
Another insurance plan that is available is our major medical insurance plan called the Global Medical. This policy does not require you to be a student to apply, so a spouse of a student can apply independently if the student already has coverage and does not need coverage for himself. However, the Global Medical plan has a 10 month waiting period before you are eligible for maternity benefits. This means that the maternity benefit will only cover you if the inception occurs after being on the plan for at least 10 months.
Learn more about the benefits of the Global Medical plan
Lastly, we have the Atlas Travel Plan. If you are already pregnant and outside your home country, you may apply for this plan. While the Atlas Travel Plan is not designed to provide maternity coverage, it provides limited coverage in case you have complications from your pregnancy during the first 26 weeks of the pregnancy.
Complications of pregnancy
Complications of Pregnancy is defined by the insurance company as: Illnesses whose diagnoses are distinct from Pregnancy, but are adversely affected by Pregnancy or caused by Pregnancy, and not associated with a normal Pregnancy. This includes: ectopic Pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, hyperemesis gravidarum, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, missed abortion and conditions of comparable severity.
If you have questions on a plan best suited for you, feel free to contact our licensed insurance representatives.
Chinese Student Health Insurance in Canada
August 8th, 2011 by Jennifer FrankelIf you are planning to study in Canada, you may wonder what type of health care you are eligible for. As you may know, Canada has a nationalized health care system that is universal to both citizens and permanent residence. Whether you are eligible as a Chinese international student will depend on the province you are located in while studying in Canada.
Geographically, Canada is divided into 9 provinces, all of which have their own national health care, and along with that, their own eligibility rules. To help you determine whether you are eligible as a Chinese international student, we have put together a summary of the various provinces and the health care eligibility specific to foreign students. Over the next few months, we will examine the eligibility of each health care system and how it relates to international students.
Even if you are eligible, it is also important to confirm what facilities you have access to. You may find that having national health care gives you access to public facilities, however having a private student health insurance will in many cases allow you to choose private doctors and hospitals.
It is important that before studying in Canada, you ask questions to your university, student health insurance, and embassy to get a clear understanding of what access, coverage, and area your plan will work in. We know that studying overseas can be difficult, especially if English is not your first language! Ask us questions as we discuss health insurance options in each province as it relates to you.
International Student Insurance for Estonia
August 1st, 2011 by Jennifer FrankelStudents planning to study in Estonia should be aware that there is no student visa required. Instead, non-European Union residents will need to apply for a visa depending on the length of their stay. Because Estonia is part of the Schengen area, this country has similar rules to other nations within the Schengen region in Europe as we will explain in further detail.
Estonia primarily offers two visa categories: short-term visa and longer-stay visa. The difference between the two is explained by the duration of your time in Estonia:
If you plan to travel to Estonia for three months or less within a six month timeframe, you may not be required to apply for a visa depending on your passport. Ultimately, this decision is going to depend on your citizenship as determined by the passport you are traveling under. The following nations do not require a visa if you will be traveling to Estonia for shorter than 3 months (you will want to check with the Embassy however as some restrictions do apply):
Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador. Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Israel, Japan, Macao Special Administrative Region, Macedonia*, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, St Kitts-Nevis, Taiwan, United States of America, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela
If you will be traveling under a passport not listed above, then you may need to apply for the Short-term visa (type C). These visas are intended for stays less than 3 months beginning when you first enter the Schengen area. If this is the case, you will need to purchase an Estonia travel insurance. According to the Short term visa requirements, you will need to show proof of coverage that your Estonia student insurance is valid the entire length of your stay and covers at least 30,000 euros.
If you will be traveling for more than 3 months, you will instead need to apply for the Long-stay visa (type D). With a Long-stay visa you can get authorization to enter the country once or multiple times depending on your reason for travel. Additionally, you will be able to stay up to one year. To apply, however, you will need to have your international student insurance for Estonia in effect throughout the length of your visit in the Schengen area. Be sure to have a minimum of 30,000 euros in coverage as this is a minimum requirement for your visa.
One popular option that will meet both the Short-term and Long-stay visa is our Estonia student insurance. This plan provides comprehensive coverage meeting and exceeding the 30,000 euro requirement. This Estonia travel insurance is designed to cover you outside your home country, and will cover you internationally, including in Europe. Once you have purchased the international student insurance for Estonia, you will receive a confirmation email along with access to your visa letter. This letter has been specifically customized to meet the needs while you study in Estonia. If you have any specific questions on your Estonia student insurance, please feel free to contact one of our insurance specialist today!
Chinese Student Health Insurance in Japan
August 1st, 2011 by Jennifer FrankelJapan might just be one of the most interesting countries with a contrast of modernization and tradition. Ancient temples, bullet trains, futuristic cities, and the agrarian country side, Japan has it all! Although it is considered to be one of the most expensive countries in the world, you will find that studying in Japan is priceless! Before arriving in Japan, however, be sure to acquire comprehensive insurance so that your precious savings don’t go toward your medical bills.
It is important to recognize that Japan has a National Health Insurance program that you can apply for as a foreign student. This plan is designed to cover 70% of your medical expenses for illnesses and injuries (that’s right – maternity is not covered!). The plan does have some limitations in terms of what is covered and how much will be covered so it is important to take the time to contact the National Health Insurance program to see what is covered and what is not covered.
Be sure to apply early after you have arrived as you may be required to pay retroactive payments should you not pay your premium upon arrival. Rates will depend on where you are residing, however in 2010 in parts of Tokyo the price for one year was ¥3,325. Be sure to ask about discounts as rates may be reduced depending on your income level!
Additionally, you may find that your school may offer their own health insurance plan for foreign students. As a Chinese international student, you will need to contact the office for foreign students to see if additional coverage is provided. If not, some Chinese students will purchase their own private international insurance in Japan to reduce their out-of-pocket expense. This insurance can be purchased in advance of your arrival and many times will cover you in multiple countries should you plan to travel to neighboring countries.
Student Secure VS. Enhance Student Secure 6 Month Pre-Ex Plan
July 26th, 2011 by ahoontrakulMany colleges and universities in the US allow international students to waive their school’s insurance plan if students can show a good alternate health insurance policy. Our International Student Health Insurance plan called the Student Secure offers comprehensive coverage and therefore meets and exceeds most school insurance requirements.
There are a handful of universities, mostly in Florida, that have stricter insurance requirements including a waiting period that cannot exceed 6 months for a pre-existing condition. In these cases, we have designed an even more comprehensive plan called our Student Secure 6 Month Pre-Existing Condition plan which will work in these situations.
To understand the different between the two plans you must know what a pre-existing condition is. A pre-existing condition is any sickness, injury or medical condition that you had prior to the insurance effective date. If you have a pre-existing condition, many insurance policies will not cover that particular condition for a specific period of time. Certain universities require that this period cannot exceed 6 months from when the policy begins. For these students, our Student Secure 6 Month Pre-Ex Plan is especially designed to meet this requirement.
To see which plan will work for your school, check out the school requirements for international students.
Chinese Student Health Insurance in Singapore
July 25th, 2011 by Jennifer FrankelAs a Chinese international student studying in Singapore, you will be amazed to see that Singapore is unlike any other Asian nation. Not only does this country host such diversity due to years of migration, but it is highly modernized with cultural and architectural beauty. Enjoy the delicious food, bargain shopping, and stylish bars! Before arriving to study in Singapore, it is important to consider health insurance before arriving in Singapore. As a Chinese international student, you will soon find that you are not eligible for the universal health care offered to citizens and permanent residence in Singapore. Instead, you will be responsible for your own health care. To help you cover the expenses, it is recommended that you purchase a private health insurance plan that will cover you outside your home country in Singapore.
As a Chinese international student coming to Singapore, you are eligible for the Student Secure plan. The Student Secure plan is available in three levels (the smart, budget and select) which are designed to provide you with coverage options based on your particular need. These plans can be purchased as low as $28 and can be purchased on a monthly basis. These plans provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient medical coverage up to $200,000 (smart), $250,000 (budget) or $300,000 (select). All three plans provide coverage for hospitalization, doctor visits, prescription medication, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation. The Budget and Select plan also includes maternity, mental health, sports coverage, and pre-existing conditions, etc.
After you purchase this plan, you will immediately receive a confirmation e-mail. In this e-mail, it will contain your insurance card, letter of coverage, receipt and policy details.
Chinese Student Health Insurance in the US
July 18th, 2011 by Jennifer FrankelDo you plan on studying in the United States? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity where you can study in top-notch universities and colleges and enjoy the American life! Travel around the US, eat the various foods, explore the culture, and all the while get a good-quality education.
If you plan to come to the US to study, one important factor to consider before coming to the US is your health care. As a Chinese international student, you will find that the health care system in the US is much different than that of China. Depending on the type of visa you have, you may or may not need to present proof of insurance. If insurance is not required by your visa, however, you may find that your school or program may require the health insurance instead. This sometimes strict insurance requirement is primarily because most insurance in the US is private so if you do not have an insurance plan in place, you will be assuming all of the costs – and like many countries, these costs can add up to thousands and thousands of dollars that you would be responsible for paying!
Don’t get caught in this situation, know what you need to do before arriving in the US as a Chinese international student so that you have a safety net in place. Typically, Chinese students come to the US to study either on a J-1 exchange visa or an F-1 international student visa. If you will be coming to the US on a J-1 visa, you will need to meet the following requirements according to the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs:
(a) Minimum Insurance Coverage – Insurance shall cover: (1) medical benefits of at least $50,000 per person per accident or illness; (2) repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500; and (3) expenses associated with medical evaluation in the amount of $10,000.
Some programs may supply you with insurance coverage or you may be required to purchase insurance on your own. If you will be coming to the US in advance of your program, you may not be eligible for your school’s insurance plan. In this case, as a Chinese international student, you will be responsible for having a health insurance plan during the entire length of your stay.
If you will instead be coming to the US under a F-1 international student visa, you will notice that there are no insurance requirements set forth by the government. Even though there may not be a governmental requirement, most programs recommend that you have an insurance plan in place and many schools may not allow you to study if you do not have any insurance! It is important to check with your university or college about any insurance requirements they may have. Some schools require Chinese international students to purchase the plan set forth by the school, while others will allow you to waive the insurance plan altogether if you can provide proof of insurance. Each school is different so it is important to verify what your requirements are so that you will be properly covered for the length of your stay in the US.
Read it in Chinese (中文）中国留美学生医疗保险须知
