Study Abroad Health Insurance is special international health insurance for students and teachers studying abroad. It can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Just know that they face a different set of criteria when choosing a plan than, for example, a honeymooning couple visiting Tahiti for 10 days. Whether you have a high schooler going on a foreign exchange, you’re a college student studying abroad, or a teacher doing an international fellowship, there is a plan that fits. Here is some important advice to consider when searching for the right plan.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Get Insurance
If you’re planning to go abroad for an extended period, exploring available options in advance will help you get the best coverage at the best price. Advance planning will also help you avoid unpleasant surprises that can put a huge financial strain on you and your family.
Study Abroad Health Insurance is Designed for Extended Periods
Students and teachers studying abroad need a plan that will last the duration of their stay and cover them for the types of medical emergencies they might experience. Most countries won’t cover medical costs for non-citizens, and your US health insurance won’t cover you overseas.
Study abroad health insurance for students and teachers is different from short-term travel health insurance. Study abroad health insurance is for an extended period of time. Most short-term travel plans max out at 180 days, which isn’t long enough for a study abroad program. Study abroad health insurance plans are specially designed with low deductibles and other features that apply to students and teachers abroad. Let’s take a look at some of those features.
Evacuation Coverage
Let’s be realistic. Students don’t always end up traveling to the safest places for their experience abroad. Some choose a location because they want to make a difference, and sometimes their sense of adventure just gets the better of them. We can’t always predict when political situations are going to change, or where the next natural disaster might occur. It’s important to have evacuation coverage so you (or your child studying abroad) can get back to the US as quickly as possible. Most study abroad health insurance plans include the cost of evacuation for a variety of reasons, including civil unrest and natural disasters. This coverage also includes repatriation of remains in the event of a death — something nobody wants to think about, but coverage that provides some relief to surviving family members.
Coverage for Sports Injuries
So your son really wants to pitch for the baseball team at the high school in Japan where he’s an exchange student. What if he gets hit by a line drive? Some study abroad health insurance plans include limited coverage for intramural sports. The caveat is, they only cover non-contact sports. Sorry, football is out! But you can add coverage for a variety of other “hazardous” sports as an option. Just be sure to read the list of covered activities, and make sure your student doesn’t plan on taking up bungee jumping if it isn’t on the list (Don’t worry, it is!). If you want a plant with no sports restrictions, GeoBlue Student Navigator has none and only excludes professional sports.
Personal Liability Coverage
Let’s say you’re overseas studying at a foreign university as part of your degree program. You’ve made a lot of friends and you go out on a Friday night with a few buddies for a beer. Or several. OK, maybe a few more than that. Before you know it, there’s a brawl in the bar and somehow you end up in the middle of it. A few days later, nursing your black eye, you get a call from the lawyer representing the guy who’s front teeth you knocked out. He expects you to pay for his expensive dental work. Luckily, your study abroad health insurance has personal liability coverage that will take care of it. You can continue your studies without that distraction, and you’ll probably still have the funds to go out again. Maybe to a different bar next time.
Coverage for Dental Emergencies
Some study abroad health insurance plans provide coverage for dental emergencies. For example, should you experience a sudden abscess that needs a root canal or you break a couple teeth in a car accident. These things can happen! It won’t cover routine checkups or orthodontics.
Mental Health Coverage
Another option included in many study abroad health insurance plans is in-patient and out-patient mental health treatment. Coverage can be limited, so be sure to ask about the details of your plan.
Prescription Drugs
With most study abroad health insurance plans, medications prescribed by a hospital or doctor in connection with a medical emergency or health care issue abroad will be covered. However, maintenance medications that you were already taking before your international coverage began are generally not covered. If you take maintenance medications, be sure to discuss your travel plans with your current health care provider. Remember, there are a lot of rules about bringing medications overseas. Check the rules of the country you are visiting. Some of the better plans do cover these things, send us an email and we can help you out.
Are Pre-Existing Conditions Covered?
A pre-existing condition is any health issue you had before the coverage begins. For regular US health insurance, companies cannot exclude you for pre-existing conditions. Unfortunately, this does not apply to international health insurance policies. Some study abroad health insurance plans will cover pre-existing conditions after the first year of coverage. That means if you extend your coverage for a second year, they will begin to cover your pre-existing conditions.
Your pre-existing conditions — from pregnancy to a former battle with cancer — will affect your eligibility and coverage options. Keep in mind that after your coverage begins, that weird rash you get when the humidity reaches 90% or that broken leg from slipping on an icy sidewalk, would not be a pre-existing condition. Always be clear when signing up for a new policy. Claims related to a pre-existing condition you neglected to mention (like you’re already pregnant or you have a heart condition) will not be paid by the insurer. GeoBlue Student Navigator is the exception to this rule. If you can show that you are currently insured when you apply, it will cover many pre-existing conditions without waiting periods. It also has no sports restrictions, except for professional sports.
How Much Does Study Abroad Health Insurance Cost?
While costs vary widely depending on the options you choose, it’s often not as expensive as you’d think. Generally, the higher the deductible the lower the monthly premium. Plans that are more expensive come from better known companies, like GeoBlue (BlueShiled/BlueCross). They have less fine print in the insurance contract. Plans that are a bit more affordable may come from smaller companies. They often have more exclusions in the fine print. This isn’t bad, but it is important to be aware of what is included and what isn’t. One of my favorite “middle of the road” companies is Seven Corners. They have several levels of plans to choose from.
We Can Help You Sort It Out
You can take a look at the different plans for students and teachers studying abroad on my web site here: International Health Insurance for Students Studying Abroad.
If you’d like a quote, some help sorting out the type of plan you need, or further advice, contact us here. We can’t wait to hear about your travel plans!