International Student Health Insurance Basic Coverage Plan

By Ray Sondeo

If you are an international student traveling to the United States for studies, one aspect of American life might shock you more than others. Not the lifestyle or the culture, but the cost of medical treatment! You will be required to carry international student medical insurance, which is available through several plans to suit your budget.

Having proof of insurance is a prerequisite for enrollment in most U.S. colleges and universities. For international students (F1 visas) and their dependents (F2 visas), low-cost international student health insurance plans with a range of deductibles are available. The plans are also valid for students who have enrolled in study abroad programs in countries other than the United States.

The student can choose a plan most suited to his/her needs. There is a range of deductibles from zero to $2500, and plans can be purchased for periods ranging from 5 days to 3 years. Unless a change in situation renders the student ineligible, the plans are generally renewable until the student remains in college.

Dependents can also be insured along with the student. International student health insurance plans generally provide basic coverage such as doctor visits, hospital admission, prescription drugs, and emergency medical evacuation. Unlike visitor plans, most international student medical insurance plans cover previously existing conditions and pregnancy.

To make the decision of choosing an insurance plan as hassle- and confusion-free as possible, companies which administers these international student health insurance plans, offers the facility to compare different plans.

If your institution has certain prerequisites for student health insurance plans, agencies can recommend plans that match your requirement. In fact, you could even save some money signing up for these plans instead of the college plan. If you think you will benefit from it, you can also add, for an extra premium, hazardous sports coverage.

To better facilitate the process, the plan can be purchased by the method that suits the applicant best - online, fax, or mail. Payment can be made using money orders, checks, credit cards, or wire transfer. For cash-strapped international students, the cashless or direct claims settlement options of international student health insurance plans are a big plus.

Your international student insurance plans are underwritten by companies such as Nationwide, Lloyd's and AIG, which are rated high by the most trusted name in insurance ratings, A.M. Best Company. - 29956

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