International Student health insurance FAQ and Answers

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Student medical insurance coverage

International student health insurance is a specially designed insurance medical coverage and financial protection to students studying abroad. It ensures that international students have access to necessary healthcare services and financial assistance in the event of illnesses, accidents, or emergencies while studying in a foreign country.

The FAQs related to international student medical insurance covers important aspects, such as the importance of having health insurance while studying abroad, its mandatory nature in many countries and educational institutions, what the insurance typically covers (including hospitalization, doctor visits, prescription medications, and emergency medical care), how to buy the best student medical insurance, its cost considerations, and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

Students might ask about using their home country's health insurance abroad, the length of coverage, the option of extending coverage if their studies are prolonged, and what steps to take in case of needing medical assistance while abroad.

These FAQs aim to provide international students with crucial information about the necessity and benefits of health insurance coverage while studying abroad, helping them make an informed decision and to ensure their well-being during their education in a foreign country.

International Student Health Insurance Coverage highlights

International student insurance benefits for students

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Get answers to all your questions?

01. How will I get insurance policy document?

Yes. After your enrollment is processed, your Certificate of Insurance will be mailed to the mailing address you specified while enrolling.

02. Can I renew my policy if I extend the duration of my studies?

Yes, as long as you remain eligible (see FAQ 1). To renew your policy online you may do so 24 hours before your policy lapses. If you wish to renew via fax or mail then please allow at least 10 business days for renewal.

03. How soon can the insurance coverage start?

The coverage will come into effect as early as the following day after you complete your enrollment online, provided you correctly complete your Online Enrollment and correct payment is received.

04. What should I do if I want to change the policy start date after I have completed my online application?

Please send any corrections to us in writing by email, fax or mail and we will confirm the changes. When sending correspondence, please include a daytime phone number and reference your Online Order Transaction number.

05. I want to know more about special pre certification for maternity in the Student Health Advantage plan and how does it work?

Insurance Company(IMG) will need to know ahead of time about the hospital, etc where the delivery is to take place to arrange payment and pre-authorize benefit payment. As soon as you find out you are pregnant, then call IMG customer service (M-F 9-4 EST) to find out what you should do.
Student Health Advantage Details

06. If I need to continue coverage in the second year, will pregnancy and maternity be covered by Student Health Advantage? How does it work?

As long as you do NOT let the coverage lapse (forget to renew your policy when it expires) there will not be a break in coverage and a pregnancy started in the first year will continue to be covered in the next year of the policy. Should the policy lapse, then you may have issues getting coverage for an existing pregnancy. Conception must occur AFTER the start date of the policy. There is no waiting period or other condition.
Student Health Advantage Details

07. I see that the Patriot Exchange plan is per sickness/injury plan. So what exactly constitute the steps for sickness and injury? For example: checkup, then referral, then curing, then treatment?

Yes, your example is accurate. You would pay only one $100 deductible for one sickness regardless of how many times you had to go to the doctor for the follow up etc.

08. The plan requires only $5 copay per visit to the student health center. Does this mean the insured is entitled to visit the student health center or does this has to be allowed by University policy?

This would have to be allowed by the university. Also, a co-pay is a payment made evert visit (unlike the deductible), so in your above example, the $5 would be paid for first visit, another $5 for follow up.

09. Does this plan cover pre-existing conditions?

Several of our student insurance cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions are defined by the policy as "an injury, illness or condition which was contracted or which first manifested itself, or for which a licensed physician was consulted, or for which treatment or medication was prescribed, prior to the effective date of the insurance plan.

Most plans will exclude a pre-existing condition from coverage for a short waiting period of 6 to 12 months following the effective date of coverage unless stipulated by State or Federal regulation. A Covered Person seeking coverage of a pre-existing condition must fulfill this waiting period without any gaps in insurance.

10. Does this plan cover f1 student pregnant insurance?

Yes, many of our international student insurance cover pregnancy of an insured student or enrolled spouse if the pregnancy begins during the coverage period. They do not cover the pregnancy of a dependent child.

11. I am F1 student. My wife is now 5 months pregnant. Her due date is in the early November. Is my newborn eligible for the Atlas America coverage? If so, when should I file an application or enroll for him?

Atlas America will not cover pregnancy. However once the child is born you may cover the baby by filling in an additional form, we can help you with this when the time comes.

12. How much does health insurance cost for a college student?

The health insurance cost for the college student will depend on the student insurance coverage benefits, the age of the student, the medical maximum coverage required and the deductible for the plan. The cost of student health insurance coverage within the US is more expensive when compared to coverage outside the US.

13. Which are some of best student insurance plans for maternity for dependents?

Students and scholars on F or J visas have the best student insurance coverage for maternity coverage. However, the benefits have been reduced a few years ago such that the best coverage is 80% coverage of costs, so the students will have to be aware that they will be responsible for a portion of all costs. Also note that unless their wife is the J1 visa holder they will have to be the primary on the policy and the wife (with J2) will be secondary. Also note that prices are DIFFERENT for the primary and the spouse, so when students quote the prices, quote them for two people at the same time since the cost will be MUCH HIGHER for the wife's coverage.

There are five policies that cover maternity at an 80% coverage without a set limit on benefits. Here is the list in order of their approximate cost. Note that conception has to occur after the start of the plan and most plans ask that students must let them know at least three months before the delivery date.

  • Study USA Pref 300 and Pref 500 both cover maternity at a 80/70% (in network/out of network). Conception has to occur after the start of this plan.
  • Liaison Student plans Choice and Plus have a $10k limit on maternity benefits at 80/60 coverage respectively.
  • Student Secure Secure Elite, Select and Smart plans also cover at 80/70% to the maximum of the plan. The Select plan can be purchased with a $300k maximum, Smart plan can be purchased with a $250k maximum and the Elite can be purchased with $500k.
  • Student Health Advantage Platinum has a $5000 maximum limit to maternity and newborn care coverage. It has a $1 million maximum and a $35 deductible and covers at 80/60%. The plan also covers pre-existing conditions with a 6 month waiting period.

14. I'm an international graduate student who will be studying full time at Boston College. Would you be able to suggest any other medical insurance plan that provides preventive care services than the one offered at the university (UHC) so that I can waive the enrolled medical insurance plan at Boston COLLEGE?

GeoBlue student insurance is a student health insurance plan that provides preventive care services along with the other benefits that are usually available with all student health insurance plans.

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Steps to buy F1 visa international student insurance in the USA

The steps for buying the best student health insurance for international students in the US are:

  • Find out from your University / School / College if they a health insurance policy for international students.
  • If they offer a plan, is it mandatory to buy that University plan, or do they allow other student insurance plans.
  • If you are allowed to buy outside student insurance, then compare student insurance plans offered on American Visitor Insurance.
  • Compare the international student insurance here with the University plan based on price as well as coverage benefits.
  • You can also buy health insurance for F2 visa holders and medical insurance for J2 visa holders if required.
  • Select the international student health insurance plan that best fits your budget and needs.
  • On buying the US student insurance plan online, you will receive all the relevant documents by email.

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AmericanVisitorInsurance and/or its associates have tried to answer these frequently asked questions to the best of our knowledge. However we make no guarantee regarding the accuracy of our answers. The exact answers for some of the questions can change periodically as insurance companies change their plans/policies. AmericanVisitorInsurance is not liable for any problem resulting from the content on this FAQ. If you do not agree with the terms of this disclaimer, please do not use any information in this FAQ..
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