International Student Health Insurance

Every year, hundreds of young Indian students choose to leave the nest for further studies. You could travel to the United States, Germany, or the United Kingdom to pursue your interests and obtain the education you seek. However, studying abroad may be pricey. Aside from tuition and living expenses, a sickness or an unexpected scenario might leave a large hole in your pocket. To save you and your family's money, it's always a good idea to obtain international student health insurance before travelling to extend your horizons.

What is International Health Insurance for Students?

Student health insurance is mainly designed to safeguard students financially if they have medical crises while studying abroad. It grants you access to a wide range of healthcare services while living and studying abroad. Depending on the kind of policy, these plans cover hospitalization for diseases, accidents, or injuries, as well as pre- and post-hospitalization bills, OPD treatment, daycare treatments, ambulance charges, and other costs.

Some student policies provide extra benefits such as maternity insurance, dental care, etc. Health insurance for students is more than just a financial decision. It may also be a legal necessity in certain nations. More often than not, a university may need confirmation of insurance coverage before submitting your student visa.   

How to Choose a Global Student Health Plan?

When choosing a student medical insurance, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1) Coverage

Look for a worldwide student health plan that offers cashless coverage. This will save you a lot of time managing your money. Check to see whether your insurance provider has a partnership with an offshore TPA to handle cashless claims and provide hassle-free settlements.

2) Places Covered

Read between the lines and ensure you understand where your worldwide health insurance coverage extends. Check with your plan to see if it covers treatments taken in the United States or Canada. Also, check for coverage in foreign cities and suburbs where you could seek medical treatment.

3) Coverage Amount

Select a coverage amount that will cover your medical care expenditures abroad. If you pick a smaller sum covered, your out-of-pocket costs may rise. However, a very large sum insured will result in a costly premium, so make an appropriate selection.

4) Renewal Benefits

Choose a worldwide healthcare plan that includes renewal perks, such as a cumulative bonus and yearly health checkups, with each renewal. This will guarantee that your foreign medical insurance provides comprehensive and cost-effective coverage.

Types of International Student Health Insurance

1) Private medical insurance

Thousands of firms worldwide provide private medical insurance, allowing you to choose the most suitable coverage. Private medical insurance premiums are typically paid monthly or annually; some businesses provide student-specific coverage.

2) Government-mandated health cover

Some nations require international students to pay an automatic health fee or purchase government-mandated health insurance coverage. These may differ by country, state, and province.

There are three common ways in which governments may mandate specific health coverage:

1. A healthcare surcharge is when you pay a healthcare surcharge as part of the visa application process (e.g., UK).

2. Provincial or state-issued medical insurance, where you apply directly to the state for your health coverage (e.g., in some Canadian provinces).

3. Mandated insurance plans, where you buy a specific government-mandated medical insurance plan through a registered health insurer (e.g. Australia).

How to Claim Health Insurance for International Students?

Student health insurance provides essential medical expenditure coverage while ensuring students' well-being. In the case of a medical emergency or illness, students should understand how to collect their health insurance benefits. This tutorial will walk you through the process of claiming student health insurance abroad.

1) Understand Terms & Conditions of Insurance

Before filing a claim, you should fully grasp the terms & conditions of your student health insurance coverage. Familiarize yourself with the coverage specifics, such as the types of medical costs covered, the claim settlement procedure, and any restrictions or exclusions included in the policy. This will allow you to manage the claims procedure more efficiently.

2) Visit Network Hospitals

Many insurers have partnered with hospitals that allow cashless treatments, making the claim process smoother and more accessible. Find out if your insurer has network hospitals near you.

3) Notify the Insurance Provider

In the case of a medical emergency or hospitalization, notify your insurance provider as soon as possible. Most insurance providers have particular helpline numbers or customer service channels that you may use to start the claims process. Give them precise and complete information about the medical problem, and follow their recommendations for the following actions.

4) Collect the Required Documents

To avail of the claim, gather all required documents as per the requirement of your insurance provider. However, here is the list of the required documents:

1) Claim form

2) Medical reports

3) Hospital bills

4) Discharge details

5) Original receipts and invoices

6) Identity proof

5) File your Claim

Once you've gathered all of the relevant documents, send them to your insurance provider within the timeframe indicated in your policy. Before submitting any papers, make duplicates of them for your own records.

6) Follow-up/Track the Claim

After completing the claim documentation, monitoring the claim's status is important. Follow up with your insurance provider frequently to check that the claim is being processed. You can inquire about the status of your claim, the projected timing of settlement, and any additional papers or information necessary.

Inclusions of International Health Insurance?

The ideal student health insurance coverage for you will depend on your circumstances and the nation you are studying in. In most circumstances, you may expand your coverage to include extra benefits. Here are some health services to watch out for:

1. Coverage for inpatient care, which includes procedures, room expenses, and related medical treatments.

2. Routine checkups, immunizations, and screenings are among the worldwide health policies in place.

3. Emergency care coverage includes trips to the ER, ambulance services, and treatment for acute diseases or injuries.

4. It covers pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care. However, there may be limitations or waiting periods.

5. Coverage for doctor's appointments, diagnostic testing, and minor operations that do not need hospitalization.

6. Some plans cover wellness services, including health checkups, alternative treatments, and exercise programs.

Exclusions of International Student Medical Insurance

There are some exclusions in international health insurance for students, which is very important to keep in mind while looking for a student health plan. Let's know in detail:

1. Many health insurance policies for international students prohibit coverage for pre-existing illnesses, while others may provide coverage after a waiting period.

2. Long-term management of chronic illnesses such as diabetes or hypertension may be limited or not covered at all.

3. New or untested therapies or drugs that have not gained widespread acceptance may be omitted.

4. Maternity care coverage may be limited or excluded, particularly for pregnancies occurring early after the policy's beginning.

5. Treatment for substance abuse or addiction may be prohibited or limited.

6. Injuries or conditions caused by extreme sports or high-risk activities may be eliminated.

7. Non-medical services, such as travel and lodging fees unrelated to medical care, are often excluded from insurance reimbursement.