International Student Health Insurance: What are my Options?
One of the most important things for international students to remember before attending school in the United States is to choose a health insurance plan. Going over your health insurance options can be daunting, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Whether you are beginning to make your plans to study abroad or are already enrolled in a program, it's never too early to begin exploring your health insurance options.
If you are planning to study abroad in the US, here are some things to think about when it comes to picking health insurance.
Why is health insurance so important?
In the US, health insurance is the best way to ensure that you get health care without being hit with sizable medical costs. If you are from a country with a different style of healthcare system than the US, it's easy to forget how important it is to have health insurance during your stay.
Whether you are taking one semester abroad or completing a full degree program, getting health insurance is essential, and will give you a great deal of peace of mind should you need health care while you are in school.
What are my options if I want to get health insurance?
If you are studying abroad in the US, you will likely have two primary options for purchasing health insurance: acquiring it on your own, or going with your school's plan.
People with student visas are eligible to enter the health insurance Marketplace and look for a plan that suits them. If you want to go this route to acquire health insurance, the primary benefit is that you will have more flexibility in finding a plan that suits your particular preferences. However, purchasing insurance from the Marketplace can also be expensive, so you will need to consider your budget before purchasing a plan.
Choosing your school's health insurance plan has a lot of benefits. Because the insurance company is working in partnership with the school, the plan will likely cost less than plans offered outside your school, and if your school has an on-site clinic, any health insurance offered by the school will certainly be accepted there.
Whether you choose your school's health insurance or a plan offered on the Marketplace, be sure to weigh all the pros and cons of any plan and go with the one that best suits what you need.
When should I start looking for insurance?
Given how important health insurance is, you should start looking for it as soon as you have decided that you are going to study in the US. Even if you won't know about school insurance plans until you are enrolled, it can be a good idea to survey the marketplace, see which insurance plans are available in the regions where you plan to study, and catalog your Marketplace options. That way, once you are enrolled you can easily compare the plans you have already studied to your school's health insurance options.
No matter where you live in the world, ECPI University welcomes you. ECPI University offers degree programs in some of the most exciting and essential fields in the world, including cyber security, cloud computing, mechatronics, healthcare administration, culinary arts, and more. ECPI University offers accelerated learning, in which you could earn a degree faster thanks to our year-round class schedule.
If you are interested in studying abroad in the US and want to know more about ECPI University, don't hesitate to contact a friendly admissions advisor today!
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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