How to Choose the Right Student Travel Health Insurance Policy

Let’s Travelner discover the importance of student travel health insurance, its coverages, and how to choose the right plan in our comprehensive guide. Stay protected while studying abroad!

How to choose the right student travel health insurance plan?

1. Understanding Student Travel Health Insurance

Student travel health insurance is a unique form of coverage crafted specifically to safeguard students during their international studies. Its primary purpose is to offer protection for unforeseen medical situations, including medical emergencies, healthcare consultations, doctor's appointments, prescribed medications, and any other medical bills that students might face while studying abroad. This type of insurance is vital because it guarantees that students can receive necessary medical attention without being weighed down by exorbitant healthcare expenses. 

2. The Importance of Student Travel Health Insurance

Before delving into the specifics of selecting the perfect insurance policy, let's understand why it's essential for students studying abroad.

Student travel health insurance can help protect your health abroad

• Protecting Your Health Abroad: With student travel health insurance, you’ve protected in case you fall ill or get injured during your stay abroad.
• Compliance with Visa Requirements: Many countries require international students to have health insurance as a part of their visa application. So, having health insurance help student Without it, you may not be allowed to enter or continue your studies in the host country.
• Financial Security: Medical expenses abroad can be exorbitant. Having the right insurance can protect you from unexpected financial burdens, ensuring that you can focus on your studies without worrying about medical bills.

3. Coverages of Health Insurance for students abroad

The specific coverages and limits of student health insurance plans can vary significantly between providers and policies. Here's an overview of the coverages typically provided by international health insurance for students studying abroad:

Student Health Center Services	Coverage for routine check-ups, vaccinations, and other healthcare needs that students may require during their academic journey.
Medical Expenses	Coverage for a wide range of medical expenses, including doctor's visits, hospitalization, prescription medications, medical transportation.
Accidental Injury Coverage	Cover injuries resulting from accidents, such as sports injuries or accidents while traveling
Emergency Medical Evacuation	if a student's condition requires transportation to a more suitable medical facility, the insurance will cover the associated expenses
Mental Health Coverage	This can encompass counseling, therapy, and treatment for mental health conditions
Emergency Dental Care	cover the cost of treatment related-dental
Maternity Care	Some insurance plans provide coverage for maternity care, including prenatal and postnatal care, as well as delivery expenses

4. How Does Health Insurance For Students Abroad Work?

Here's a brief overview of how student health insurance typically operates:

Step 1 - Payment: In most cases, students have to pay for medical expenses before claiming with the insurance provider. Keep all receipts and documentation, as these will be necessary for filing a claim.

Step 2 - Claim Submission: After receiving medical care, students need to submit a claim to their insurance provider. The claim includes details of the treatment, expenses incurred, and any necessary documentation.

Step 3 - Claim Review: The insurance company will review the claim and evaluate that it is eligible for the scope of the policy. If a claim is approved, the insurance provider will reimburse the student for eligible expenses, minus any deductibles or co - payments.

Sometimes, your claim request may be denied.

*** Important note:

• Deductibles are the initial amount you must pay before the insurance coverage kicks in.
• Co-payments is like a "cost-sharing agreement" between you and your insurance. After your deductible is met, instead of paying the entire bill, you and your insurance each pay a portion. For example, if you have 20% coinsurance, you pay 20% of the bill, and your insurance covers the remaining 80%. This continues until you reach the "maximum"
• Renewal: insurance plans typically have a set coverage period, which can be for the duration of the academic year or longer. You need to ensure that your insurance remains active by renewing it as needed.

5. Choosing the Right Student Travel Health Insurance

Selecting the right insurance plan is a crucial decision for every student studying abroad. Here are some factors to consider when making your choice:

• Coverage: Evaluate the extent of coverage offered by the insurance policy. Look for coverage for medical emergencies, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and preventive care.
• Premiums and Deductibles: Consider the cost of premiums and deductibles. A higher premium might mean lower out-of-pocket expenses, while a lower premium could result in higher upfront costs.
• Pre-Existing Conditions: If you have pre-existing medical conditions, ensure that they are covered by the insurance plan.
• Exclusions and Limitations: Thoroughly read the policy's terms and conditions to understand any exclusions or limitations. Some policies may not cover pre-existing conditions or specific activities like extreme sports.

Read the policy carefully to understand any exclusions or limitations.

6. “Student Health Advantage” Plan - International health insurance for students studying abroad

The Student Health AdvantageSM Plan is a specialized and comprehensive medical insurance solution tailored for international students and scholars. Key Features of the Plan are:

• Eligibility: To enroll in this plan, individuals should be at least 31 days old but not yet 65 years old, making it suitable for a broad age range of students and scholars.
• Flexible Coverage Duration: The Student Health AdvantageSM Plan offers coverage for a flexible period, ranging from 1 month up to 12 months. This flexibility allows you to align your insurance with the duration of your study or research program. What's more, it is renewable for up to 60 months, providing continuous coverage throughout your academic journey.
• Full-Time Student or Scholar Requirement: This plan is ideal for full-time students or scholars pursuing their academic and research goals abroad. Additionally, it extends coverage to the spouse of the full-time student or scholar and dependents traveling with them, ensuring that families are well-protected during their international adventures.
• Comprehensive Coverage: The Student Health AdvantageSM Plan offers comprehensive medical insurance that aligns with the requirements of student visas. It includes coverage for a wide range of medical expenses, ensuring that you have access to quality healthcare while studying or conducting research abroad.

	Student Health AdvantageSM	Student Health AdvantageSM Platinum
Maximum Limit	Student: $500,000; Dependent: $100,000	Student: $1,000,000 & Dependent: $100,000
Medical Expenses	In-Network: 90% Out-of-Network: 80% International: 100%	In-Network: 90% Out-of-Network: 80% International: 100%
Covid-19 Medical Expenses	Covered and treated as any other Sickness	Covered and treated as any other Sickness
Emergency Medical Evacuation	$500,000 maximum limit	$500,000 maximum limit
Emergency Reunion	$50,000 maximum limit	$50,000 maximum limit
Student Health Center	Copayment per visit: $5	Copayment per visit: $5
Mental/ nervous	Maximum Limit: $10,000	Maximum Limit: $10,000
Intercollegiate/ Interscholastic/ Intramural or Club Sports	Period of Coverage Limit per illness or injury: $5,000	Period of Coverage Limit per illness or injury: $5,000
Maternity	x	Maximum Limit: $5,000
Personal Liability	Combined Maximum Limit: $10,000	Combined Maximum Limit: $10,000
Incidental Trip	Maximum 14days In-Network: 90% Out-of-Network: 80% International: 100%	Maximum 14days In-Network: 90% Out-of-Network: 80% International: 100%
24-Hour Accidental Death and Dismemberment	US$ 25,000	US$ 25,000

7. Conclusion

Student travel health insurance is a vital safety net for students studying abroad. It ensures that you can focus on your education and exploration, knowing that your health is protected. Don't take unnecessary risks; invest in comprehensive student health insurance for a worry-free international academic journey.