What is health insurance?
Many international students may not be familiar with health insurance because it is not required in their country.  Simply put, health insurance is protection against medical costs. A health insurance policy is a contract between an insurer and an individual or group, in which the insurer agrees to provide specified health insurance at an agreed-upon price--the premium. Depending on your policy and the provider, your premium may be payable either in a lump sum or in installments. Health insurance usually provides either direct payment or reimbursement for expenses associated with illnesses and injuries. The cost and range of protection provided by your health insurance will depend on your insurance provider and the particular policy you purchase.

Why do you need it?
Health insurance is a necessity in the U.S.  The costs of medical care and treatment is expensive and expected to rise even further in the years to come.  Think for a moment about the enormous medical costs you would incur if you suffered a major injury tomorrow or were suddenly stricken with a life-threatening illness.  Uninsured people live with such risk every day of their lives.  For this reason, the U.S. government has made it mandatory for all international students to have health insurance.  Without it, you will not be allowed to enroll or register for classes.

What do you need to know?
If you are unfamiliar with how insurance works, getting the appropriate health insurance can be very confusing.  You need to know where to get the insurance, understand the various types of private health insurance that are available, become familiar with common health insurance terms such as deductibles, co-payments, limitations, exclusions, and riders.

To make things easier, most U.S. universities and colleges, select a specific health plan that students can join through the school.  These plans are designed specifically to meet the needs of college students.  At all schools, joining the student health plan is mandatory, unless the student can prove that he or she has sufficient coverage through another insurance plan.  

The school's student health plan may be the right choice for international students for the following reasons:

• Healthcare providers in the U.S. usually will not recognize out-of-country coverage.  So, if you come from a country with a national health plan, it may not cover your care in the U.S., and you may be asked for payment at the time of treatment.  With a U.S. health insurance, you are assured that your health plan is recognized by doctors and hospitals in the U.S. and that you have some financial protection from unexpected or catastrophic medical costs.

• Student health insurance plans are more affordable than most other comprehensive health plans in the United States.

• Most student health insurance plans include a unique feature--travel assistance services. Wherever you are, travel assistance will help you find appropriate medical care and will help with other travel-related emergencies.

A number of U.S. companies also offer student health plans to international students, which you may also consider.  It is advisable to compare your school's plan with that offered by private companies to ascertain which might be cheaper, more comprehensive and will serve your needs the best.   While price is an important consideration, there are also other factors that may influence your decision when it comes to choosing a health insurance plan.  See the following links to find the insurance option that is right for you.

When to get it
If you're going to be on an F-1 visa, you can get your insurance before your travel to the U.S. or after you get there.  But you will need to have the insurance before you'll be allowed to start classes.  If you're going to be on a J-1 visa, you must have the insurance before you leave your home country.