The Guide for Schools: Health Insurance for International Students
Health insurance for international students studying in the US has become a growing concern for colleges and universities across the country. Here’s what schools need to know about health insurance for international students.
They Need Separate Coverage
Some schools have made the decision to simply roll health insurance for international students in with policies meant for domestic students. If you already have a policy in place for domestic students, this seems like a great option. After all, students all need health coverage.
Take a closer look. Health insurance for international students should include coverage policies for things like emergency evacuation services or repatriation services, which are rarely offered to domestic students. That’s why your school should have separate health insurance for international students.
They Need More Support
The US healthcare system is intimidating and confusing even for students who have grown up using it. For international students, who often have very different healthcare systems, trying to figure out how to get appropriate medical service can be absolutely overwhelming, especially if English is their second or third language. Insurance terms can sound like a foreign language to domestic students, let alone an international student! International students need more support and guidance when they attempt to access the US healthcare system.
Your school’s health insurance for international students should come with additional support features that provide students with the assistance they need, whether it’s guidance on accessing the system, help understanding their coverage, or assistance in another language.
They’re ACA-Exempt
Students studying on five-year visas are currently exempt from the requirements of the ACA, which means your policy for international students doesn’t need to accommodate the Act.
Your policy for domestic students may need to incorporate ACA-compatible plans, which in turn raises prices. Don’t burden international students with higher costs for coverage they don’t need. Also, with uncertainty about the future of the ACA, it’s better to consider a plan that will provide your students with excellent coverage no matter what.
Why You Should Mandate Your International Student Health Care Plan
Some schools opt not to mandate their health insurance for international students, which can lead to a whole host of problems. Mandating the plan is a much better option, since it provides each and every student with the same level of coverage.
When students are left to shop for health insurance on their own in our US system, they will likely be frustrated and seduced by the promise of low premiums. This can lead to inadequate coverage or omissions (i.e. emergency evacuation services or repatriation services). This could easily lead to nasty surprises and high out-of-pocket costs—costs that students may be entirely unprepared for when they need medical service.
Mandating the plan helps protect students from out-of-pocket costs, and it protects medical providers from unpaid fees. Mandating the plan can also help with your recruitment efforts.
Evaluating Plans Is Tricky
Trying to select health insurance for international students is no small task. You must be sure to carefully evaluate the plans offered by various providers and compare both price and coverage among them. Other considerations to factor: Is the plan ACA-exempt? Does it include coverage international students need? If the cost is low, is the plan offering the same coverage as other plans? And if the price is high, what extras is the plan offering you?
You must also consider additional “perks” that may or may not be included in the price of the plan. Some providers will charge extra for providing additional assistance, such as language support for students—others include this in the price of the plan. Take your time selecting a plan, and remember that not all international student health care plans are created equal.
