Health Insurance in USA: Benefits, various policies and Facilities

The preparation for studying abroad takes a lot of time and documents, one such document being health insurance. Aspirants willing to study in USA must keep in mind the need for health insurance. Health insurance in USA is one of the most important documents for immigrants as almost all the universities mandate it. Moreover, the US government also asks for health insurance from candidates possessing a J-1 and J-2 Visa.

The healthcare services in USA are quite costly but world-class. Moreover, getting proper treatment in an international country may be troublesome for some individuals. In such cases, genuine health insurance helps students in finding a suitable clinic and also bear the entire medical expense.

Is Health Insurance a mandate while studying in USA

International individuals visiting USA for their studies are advised to get health insurance as it helps foreign candidates a lot as they continue to reside in an unfamiliar country. However, apart from the advisability, getting health insurance is, indeed, mandatory for some international candidates, such as:-

• Candidates possessing a J-1 Visa must possess health insurance before entering USA.
• Moreover, the dependents of J-1 Visa candidates, i.e., individuals possessing a J-2 Visa must also have health insurance.
• Candidates with an F-1 Visa need not apply for health insurance as it is not mandatory

Apart from the Visa types, health insurance is also mandated by educational institutions. Some of the US universities have made it necessary to possess health insurance for the betterment of the aspirants.

How Do Insurance Policies of Different Institutes Work?

A majority of the universities situated in USA consider health insurance as a major issue as it is a matter of its student’s health. However, the insurance policy varies with the university itself.

• Some of the institutions offer school-sponsored group insurance policies. This allows a group of people or a community of students enrolled at the university to get the benefit of health insurance.
• A few universities have made it compulsory to get school-sponsored group insurance while some allow the students to keep alternate health insurance at their side, allowing them a real choice.
• On the other hand, there exist some universities that take admission with optional health insurance policies. Hence, for these institutions, the applicants need not necessarily possess health insurance.

Unexpected Challenges can Hamper education Greatly

It seems that Health insurance is not able to directly affect the studies of an individual. However, it poses indirect challenges such as:-

1. Without health insurance, it is difficult for students to get admission to US universities.
2. Secondly, if a candidate falls ill without having health insurance, then it may affect the financial condition of the student.
3. The US healthcare system may cost hundreds of dollars while health insurance would lower the price to an unaffordable and practical amount.

Healthcare Facilities in USA

The United States of America caters to one of the best healthcare facilities in the world for its citizens. However, it also corresponds to one of the most expensive healthcare industries across the globe. Therefore, living in USA without health insurance means that an individual has to bear all the expenses on their own, which will be too much for a student.

Health insurance in USA takes care of the following things for an individual :

1. Emergency services
2. Hospitalisation
3. Laboratory tests
4. Mental health and substance abuse
5. Prescription drugs
6. Rehabilitation services, etc.

How to select the perfect Health insurance in USA?

With the availability of numerous health insurance plans, it may become difficult to select the perfect Health insurance in USA. therefore, candidates should keep the following points in mind while selecting a health insurance policy:-

• If the policy takes care of all your medical needs
• Whether the policy is cost-effective or not
• If it offers a monthly or an annual cover
• Is it available in a given period of time
• Is it acceptable in all regions of USA

If the health insurance clears the above-mentioned eligibility criteria, then you may choose it.

Why is there a need for Health insurance in USA

Health insurance is an essential part of a study-abroad application for an aspirant. Health insurance has been made compulsory by the US government and some of its institutions keep in mind its positive aspects and benefits to the students. The advantages of having health insurance as an international student can be summed up in the following points:-

1. Health insurance bears all the healthcare expenses of the student
2. This keeps the tension of arranging the medical expenses of the candidate
3. Health insurance also ensures that the individual received proper and high-class treatment for his/her illness
4. It further makes sure that the student is physically and mentally healthy for pursuing the studies

How does it work?

Health insurance in USA is a strong and long network of people who have invested in the same policy. Each member has to pay a small amount of money as a premium. As most people remain healthy at a particular time, the insurance company can use the collected amount to bear the medical expenses of the ill enrollees.

In this way, both the company and the enrolled people benefit from the insurance policy. However, there still exists a risk factor taken by both parties but every sector includes a risk element, so it is bearable.

What is advisable?

It is always advisable to possess health insurance as taking risks with one’s health is a foolish act. Even if the university does not mandate having a health insurance policy, the candidate should still apply for it for the betterment of his health and budget.

Some of the popular health insurance schemes in USA are listed as follows:-

• Medicaid and CHIP
• Medicare
• COBRA insurance
• IMG Global
• Cigna Global
• Allianz Worldwide care
• Foyer Global Health

Moreover, students hailing from an economically weaker background can take the benefit of health insurance without worrying about arranging for the expenses. It is almost like a scholarship but for healthcare facilities.