If you are planning to study in the United States, insuring your health matters. Even if you live in the safest place in the country, it is still dangers to reside there without having any policy to cover your medical bills in case you get sick or injured.
To compare health insurance plans for international students in the US properly, let us dispel the usual misconceptions about them first.
Young Students Do Not Need Health Insurance
While it may be true that younger adults are less prone to health conditions, age does not exempt anyone from getting insurance. It is a non-negotiable requirement in America, which makes college expenses much more expensive. Fortunately, younger individuals are usually charged with less premiums. Nevertheless, shop around hard enough to find the most affordable rates on the market.
Every Policy Covers Everything
Wrong. Insurance products are sometimes more different than similar in the United States, and the same can be said about international student health plans. Needless to say, it is incorrect to judge policies by price alone. You must understand what features make each product unique, so you can meet any minimum coverage standard. The worst thing you could do is to sign off a low-cost policy only to learn it is not comprehensive enough in the eyes of the government or the school.
It Can Be Bought After Enrollment
First of all, an American college or university rarely admits any student without sufficient health insurance. Again, the nation requires all students to be financially covered to pay for unexpected medical expenses, which can easily put people in debt for a long time.
Let’s say you managed you to be admitted without an acceptable policy, you may no longer qualify for health insurance the moment when you need it most. Insurers generally do not accept customers with existing conditions supposed to be covered by the policy.
Schools Provide Plenty of Options
Many colleges and universities in the country offer their own health plans, especially for foreign students. These educational institutions hardly allow students to get a different insurance product. If your chosen school is one of them, you may be required to buy a probable unnecessary policy just to be admitted. Furthermore, your school may even include the insurance premium into the tuition bill. If you do not review the list of costs enough, you may pay for a large expense without your knowledge.
An Existing Policy Can Be Cancelled After Applying for a Waiver
Some schools allow international students who have existing health insurance to get a waiver, so they do not need to buy an additional policy anymore. However, you cannot cancel your health plan after your waiver is granted. Doing so constitutes fraud. If you are found guilty of it, you may be kicked out of the college or university and be deported from America.
International student health insurance products in the United States are not supposed to be confusing, and yet sometimes they are. Know the requirements set in place by your visa and prospective school to play by the rules and avoid major consequences.