Foreign nationals studying in the USA are required by the university to buy international students medical insurance. Often the guidelines provided by the university would include suggestions on what typically ought to be covered, what it would roughly cost and maybe even a list of standard insurers that may be approached.

Most universities require a student to be covered for a medical maximum of $200,000 to $300,000 per injury or illness. There are several policies that suit the unique needs of medical insurance for international students.

In the event that the guidelines are not provided, then a careful analysis prior to purchase of the policy becomes necessary. An experienced insurance agent should be able to provide guidance and advise a student about how much the international student medical insurance plan should cover.

First, procure a list of the prices of the 25 most common procedures done in the state where you plan to study. This published list is mandatory in California, and other states have been asking for the same. The price list is indicative of the costs you might accrue for a particular medical condition or procedure.

To give you an estimate, just a hospital stay, overnight, in some states, might cost you $5000 to $8000, a suddenly detected appendix might cost you $18000 to remove and even an aspirin might cost you $5.

If you have traveled with spouse or partner, then do insure for maternity and childcare. Pre-natal appointments are between $100-$200, and these are just the doctor’s fees. An ultra sound test is between $300 and $1000. The coverage for a c-section is different from that for a regular birth. Post natal complications may or may not  be covered by insurance, depending on the international student insurance policy.

One needs to know that international student medical insurance coverage varies for the student and the student’s spouse. An unmarried partner is not covered for birth, but immediately after the marriage, she may be added to the list. Most insurers do not insure post pregnancy at all, so it might be wiser to cover a pregnancy before conception, even if it does mean that the premium is higher.

The best thing is to insure yourself with international student insurance for about $ 500,000 if single, higher if with partner, after perusal of the insurer’s clauses. If treatment is by a network doctor or hospital, direct billing should be possible so that the financial strain upfront is reduced. In case of hospitalization in an out-of-network hospital, keep careful track of all operating and non-operation expenses, prescribed medicines (sometimes an aspirin can cost $5) so you can make your claims accurately.  Jim Gardener