Why Evaluating International Student Health Insurance Is Tricky

In a world with a seemingly limitless number of health insurance plans, it can be difficult to find a plan that truly fits your needs. It’s even more tricky when it comes to evaluating international student health insurance.

Not All Plans Are Created Equal

This is something you may already know, but a good many people believe that shopping for insurance is just about finding the cheapest plan available. Almost nothing could be further from the truth; almost no two plans are the same, and plans are not created equal.

Some plans may seem to be a great deal—but look closer. Are you getting the exact same coverage for that low, low price? Chances are you’re not. This is especially important when you’re considering international student health insurance plans; a plan may look incredibly attractive because of its low price, but it may not provide adequate coverage for international students.

International Students Have Different Needs

Another common myth is that international student health insurance can just be rolled into the same plans for domestic students. This strategy often backfires for schools, however, because international students have different needs than domestic students. When schools fail to consider how the international student body differs from the domestic population in terms of their health insurance needs, it’s likely that the plan won’t provide adequate coverage.

In fact, most plans for domestic students don’t include coverage for emergency evacuation or repatriation services—services that should be automatically included in any plan meant to provide coverage for international students.

You Don’t Know What You Need

Evaluating insurance is a tricky proposition to begin with; complex insurance terminology can make anyone’s head spin—how does an out-of-pocket maximum relate to a deductible and how about that $20 copay per visit? The task becomes even more difficult if you’re not sure what you’re looking for. International students and school administrators alike can stumble when it comes to comparing plans: a plan that throws around a lot of jargon might sound like it’s offering you fantastic coverage—but there may not be much substance behind all the terminology. Like anything, insurance plans can be presented in a bright and shiny manner, but when you look under the hood, the engine doesn’t work too well!

Dig a little deeper and be sure you understand exactly what you’re looking for in your international student health insurance policy. Ensure that the policy provides for the basics and know the terms that describe that kind of coverage. Watch out for “weasel words” or inflated language that try to make standard or basic coverage sound better. For example, does that plan really have a $500,000 maximum? Or is there an underlying $50,000 maximum that would apply and effectively cap your benefit at $50,000, making the $500,000 benefit a basic misdirection? Make a list of the required features for your plan—and carefully research additional features to ensure that they’re actually things your plan needs.

The Intangibles: Support Services

Whether you’re an individual international student or a school administrator selecting a plan for every international student attending your institution, you need to look beyond the coverage provided in an insurance plan. Good plans for international student health insurance offer support services specifically tailored to the needs of international students. That can mean everything from providing students with assistance in their native language to helping them locate appropriate medical services and navigate the U.S. healthcare system.

Support services should also be extended to school administrators, to help them communicate with and educate students about their plan coverage. Different plans offer different levels of support, and support services may not be included in the price of the plan. Always do a little research to determine what level of support comes with the plan—and how other users have rated those services. Some companies may promise a lot, but not all of them can deliver.

Take Your Time

Some people will try to rush through shopping for an insurance policy—often because it seems too frustrating or intimidating to keep shopping. Resist the urge to simply renew your existing coverage to “get it done and over with.” Take your time to evaluate all of your options and find a plan that truly fits your needs.