Four Reasons to Choose LewerMark for the Upcoming School Year
When the New Year rang in five months ago, few people, if anyone, expected COVID-19 to affect us so profoundly. But now, every week we learn something new as we try and plan for what the “new normal” will look like for international students next school year.
For nearly three decades, at LewerMark, our goal has always been simple—help students stay in school. And, during the past two months, that is what we have done! Our Client Advocacy Team has taken thousands of calls about testing and treatment and coverages and the answer is often, “Yes, your policy covers it.”
We’ve written extensively about why schools should mandate a health insurance plan for international students. A LewerMark health insurance plan frees up advisors and students from facing the complex decision of health insurance year after year. Our customer support staff helps both students and advisors with their questions related to their coverage, where they can go for medical services, and how much a doctor’s visit or prescription will cost.
When looking ahead to the 2020-2021 school year, we’d like to share four reasons you should partner with LewerMark:
1. We focus exclusively on health insurance for international students and study abroad
LewerMark has a nearly 40-year history of experience and innovation in servicing the international education community. Our plans are designed specifically for international students. We highly recommend separating domestic and international student plans so that your international students receive the benefit of reduced costs (say goodbye to deductibles and coinsurance!) and unique coverages that aren’t covered under a typical insurance plan. Our plans feature mental health support from US licensed counselors speaking more than 30 languages, compassionate visit coverage, repatriation, and medical evacuation services.
2. Our plans provide the level of insurance your international students expect
International student populations have a wide variety of experiences when it comes to healthcare and health insurance. Many have heard healthcare is expensive in the United States, but they may still be shocked by an unexpected hospital bill. LewerMark’s policies are crafted for international students, with no extraneous coverages, making them highly suitable and highly effective. Many of our plans offer 100-percent coverage of eligible charges in a preferred provider network with no deductible.
3. We offer mental health benefits through Lifeworks
Two years ago, LewerMark partnered with Lifeworks to add mental health support to its international student health insurance plans. The International Student Support Program (My SSP) is built for convenience and ease of use, with a focus on preventative support and fostering students’ wellbeing. Lifeworks My SSP is equipped to address a wide range of mental health challenges, including peer pressure, loneliness, stress, depression, and anxiety, as well as issues such as financial stress and balancing responsibilities with experiencing the fun of a new culture. It can also help students coping with feeling homesick, loss of a loved one, harassment, eating disorders, substance abuse, gender issues, and dealing with pregnancy and childcare.
My SSP provides 24/7 access to immediate support in six core languages and ongoing support in more than 60 languages. The platform can integrate with your existing campus resources and students can reach out via app, chat, web, telephone, and video.
4. Access to telemedicine
Even before the coronavirus pandemic forced healthcare online, LewerMark had been piloting a telemedicine offering through Teladoc. Students in Washington and Alaska already have this option, and we are exploring the expansion of telemedicine offerings to other states.
Telemedicine is a natural option for international students, who will likely be more comfortable using an app or website to receive care than going to an in-office visit. According to recent studies, telehealth platforms are providing high satisfaction rates as well as easier access to care, which just might make telemedicine the healthcare of the future.
Key Takeaway
LewerMark focuses exclusively on international student health insurance. We provide specifically suitable plans with coverages students need and offers additional benefits including mental health support and telemedicine. To better protect your international student body with a group plan specifically designed for them, reach out today.
