Finding Affordable International Student Insurance

In order for you to make an informed decision you need to do your homework on what Student Insurance Plans are available for your International Student. You will need to weigh the Benefits of your selected University's Sponsored Student Insurance plan against what's available from private international insurance companies.

A while back a friend of mine contacted to me and asked me to check out International Student Insurance for him and being in the business I said sure no problem. In order to do a good job of investigating the options for him I decided to look at what was being offered by the university first.

Frankly I was shocked at what I found out. First my friend was lucky because even though the University did sponsor a student insurance plan they didn't require that the international students purchase it, only that their private insurance plan meet their requirements. And believe me their requirements weren't that high.

It had to, of course, meet the U.S. governments requirement for the J-1 Visa and provide for Medical, Evacuation and Repatriation insurance. Here are their requirements:

• Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness.
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
• Proof of paid coverage for the whole semester, not monthly installments
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500 and medical evacuation to one's home country of at least $10,000*

These requirements are really basic, but the prices the students are charged for the university sponsored insurance plan aren't basic!

So being the insurance guy that I am I began comparing the Student Insurance plans that I offer to this one.

First I looked at the plan offered by my friends university and a few of the plans that I offer and found out that the difference if price the university plan is $777 more per year than my most expensive plan, amazing. To make the plans more beneficial to the students I chose a $500,000 maximum per illness/injury instead of the required $50,000. One of the Student Insurance plan I offer is Student Health Advantage, I am using it's benefits here.

Medical Evac: University plan: $10,000 - Student Health Advantage: $500,000.

Deductible(in Network): University plan: $250 - Student Health Advantage: $50.

Deductible(out of Network): University plan: $250 - Student Health Advantage: $100.

Pct Paid(in Network): University plan: 80% - Student Health Advantage: 100%.

Pct Paid(out of Network): University plan: 60% - Student Health Advantage: 80%.

ER co-pay: University plan: $100 wo/Admission - Student Health Advantage: $250 wo/Adm.

Cost: Univ. plan: $1,809 annual - Student Health Advantage: $1,032 annual.

You can see from this quick look that the probability is that you or your International student would be better off with the Student Health Advantage Insurance plan.

We have a total of 4 International Student Insurance plans as well as Student Trip Insurance.

Now let's take a look at the International Student Insurance plans that are available to you. We'll take an in depth look at each one of the plans we offer. Remember, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me and I'll do my best to help you out.

This plan is designed for Students studying outside of their home country or for someone participating in a cultural exchange program. Universities in the U.S. and in most other countries require that their international students have a medical insurance policy that meets their University requirements. The Patriot Exchange Program meets or exceeds those requirements in most cases.

OK, enough drivel, let's look at why the Patriot Exchange Program may be the Student Insurance one you need..

The Patriot Exchange Program is what is called a "scheduled benefit" insurance plan. What does this mean? It means that the maximum coverage you select is per illness or injury. So maximum you select would provide medical coverage for that amount for each illness or injury. There is a lifetime maximum of $5,000,000 no matter what per illness/injury you select.

This insurance plan is available in 2 forms, the Standard Short Term Travel Plan" and the "Basic Short Term Travel Plan". One the differences between these 2 plans is that with the standard plan you have the option to select your maximum ($50,000, $250,000 or $500,000), with the basic plan the maximum per illness or injury is $10,000. There are other differences and we will explain them as we progress through this analysis.

Both plans can be purchased in monthly increments and can include coverage not only for the student/participant but also for their spouse and unmarried children traveling with you. If the plan is purchased for a minimum of 3 months your coverage may be renewed, without a break in coverage, for up to 48 months.

That's it for the basics, now let's look at the highlights which are common for both the Long Term and Short Term Travel Plan.

Plan Information & Highlights for Patriot Exchange Program

Plan Maximum - Standard Plan: choice of $50,000, $250,000 or $500,000 per illness/injury with a Lifetime Maximum of $5,000,000. Basic Plan: $10,000 per illness/injuy with a Lifetime Maximum of $5,000,000.

Coinsurance: 100%.
Deductible: $100.
Treatment Period: 60 days per chronic illness.
MyIMG: 24 hour secure access from anywhere in the world to manage your account at anytime.
International Emergency Care: A wide range of international emergency benefits available including emergency evacuation, emergency reunion and return of mortal remains.
Dependent Coverage: Coverage not only provided for dependents but for faculty, scholars, students and exchage participants as well.
Option Add-On Plan: Additional coverage is available for high school sports, personal liability and legal assistance.

Now let's take a look at the Benefits for the Standard Short Term Travel Plan.

First, URC is Usual, Reasonable and Customary charges for eligible expenses in the area where you receive treatment.
Medical Benefits

Hospital Room and Board: Up to semi-private room rate
Hospital Intensive Care: URC
Physical Therapy: URC - 1 visit per day
Physician Visit: URC
Student Health Center: $5 co-pay per visit
Prescription Drugs: Up to Policy Maximum
Eligible Medical Expenses: URC
Emergency Room: URC
Emergency Room Illness with In-Patient Admission: URC
Emergency Room Illness without In-Patient Admission: Additional $250 deductible
Dental: Injury due to Accident: $500
Dental: Sudden and Unexpected Pain: #350

International Emergency Care, when coordinated through Plan Administrator
Emergency Medical Evacuation: $50,000 Lifetime Maximum
Emergency Reunion: $15,000
Return of Mortal Remains: $25,000
Political Evacuation: Up to $10,000

Additional Benefits
Accidental Death: $25,000
Dismemberment: $25,000 2 limbs; $12,500 1 limb
Terrorism Coverage: Up to $50,000 Lifetime Maximum
Sudden Recurrence of a Pre-existing Condition (U.S. Citizens)
     Medical: Up to $50,000 of eligible expenses
     Emergency Medical Evacuation: Up to $25,000 of eligible costs and expenses

Now Basic Short Term Travel Plan.

Hospital Room and Board: Up to semi-private room rate
Hospital Intensive Care: URC
Physical Therapy: URC - 1 visit per day
Physician Visit: URC
Student Health Center: $5 co-pay per visit
Prescription Drugs: Up to Policy Maximum
Eligible Medical Expenses: URC
Emergency Room: URC
Emergency Room Illness with In-Patient Admission: URC
Emergency Room Illness without In-Patient Admission: Additional $250 deductible

International Emergency Care, when coordinated through Plan Administrator
Emergency Medical Evacuation: $25,000 Lifetime Maximum
Emergency Reunion: $5,000
Return of Mortal Remains: $7,500
Political Evacuation: Up to $10,000

Additional Benefits
Accidental Death: $5,000
Dismemberment: $5,000 2 limbs; $2,500 1 limb
Terrorism Coverage: Up to $50,000 Lifetime Maximum
Sudden Recurrence of a Pre-existing Condition (U.S. Citizens)
     Medical: Up to $5,000 of eligible expenses
     Emergency Medical Evacuation: Up to $25,000 of eligible costs and expenses

Common to both Stanard and Basic Short Term Travel Plans

Optional Add-On Plan
Baggage:
     Loss/Theft of Baggage: $250
     Loss/Theft of Valuables: $250
     Loss/Theft of Personal Papers: $250
Legal Assistance: Binder Fee: $500 when served with summons
Personal Liability:
     Injury to third party: $2,000 limit after $100 deductible
     Damage to third person property: $500 limit after $100 deductible. Secondary to any other Insurance in Force.
Limited High School Sports Coverage: URC

Optional Rider, applies to all individuals listed on the Application Form
Sports Rider: Up to Policy Maximum

The Patriot Exchange Program is, of course, available to both U.S. Citizens and Non-U.S. Citizens. You have a number of options when purchasing this plan.

U.S. citizens may only purchase this plan if they are traveling overseas to study or participate in a cultural exchange program.
If you are a U.S. Citizen the plan provides coverage Worldwide excluding the U.S.
If you are not a U.S. Citizen it provides coverage Worldwide excluding your Home Country.
You can purchase this plan for  Europe to Europe travel only. This is in some cases a better rate when purchasing the Standard Short Term Travel Plan.

If the Patriot Exchange Program Travel Medical Insurance Plan looks like it will provide the coverage you need then don't forget to use the links here. You can purchase it very easily from one of my website on-line.