| HEALTH
INSURANCE |
| |
| QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
| 1. |
Q: |
Why does an international student need health insurance? |
| |
A: |
Unlike The People’s Republic of China
and many other countries, the United States does not have a nationalized
health care system that provides free medical care. Consequently, the
majority of those who live in the United States have no choice but to
pay for their own health care. Since the cost of medical care is so expensive
(for example, one visit to the doctor can cost $75 or more and a room
in the hospital can cost $400 to $500 per day) most people enrolled in
a health insurance plan. |
| 2. |
Q: |
What is health insurance and how does it work? |
| |
A: |
Health insurance is your guarantee that if you become
ill or suffer an accident during your stay in the U.S. , you will be
able to afford proper medical attention. Health insurance works as follows:
You, the member of the health insurance plan (or the “policy-holder”)
pay a fee (or “premium”) to a health insurance company. In
the event you require medical care, the company will pay for all or part
of your medical bills. |
| 3. |
Q: |
What should an international student look for when selecting a health
insurance plan? |
| |
A: |
International students should select a plan which has
adequate coverage given the high cost of medical care in the U.S. and
the fact that students live on a limited budget. An adequate plan should
cover at least $35,000 in medical expenses. This may seem to be an unnecessary
amount but a serious accident or long-term illness can easily cost $35,000
or more.
Since many insurance plans will not pay for medical care for an illness
or physical problem which existed before insurance coverage began, students
who have chronic illnesses or have had health problems in the past which
may reoccur should be sure to select a plan which covers “pre-existing
conditions.”
Many insurance plans require you to pay a certain percentage or set amount
of your medical bills before they will pay the balance of the bill; this
is called a “deductible”; for example, if you have a $100-$200
deductible, this means you pay the first $100-$200 on your medical bill
for each individual illness or accident and the insurance company pay
the balance. Other plans expect you to pay the first $100 or $200 depending
on the plan. Be sure to check the “deductible” when reviewing
insurance policies. Someone who has young children frequently requiring
the care of a doctor may want to select a plan with a low deductible. |
| 4. |
Q: |
What types of health insurance plans are available
to international students? |
| |
A: |
There are several plans available to students enrolled
at Queens College, however we feel that the better plans is Study USA-Health
Care from Travelers Insurance Services located at 2950 Camino Diablo,
Suite 300, Walnut Creek, CA 94597-3991, Phone: 925-932-1387 or 800-937-1387,
e-mail: info@travelinsure.com or
web site: www.travelinsure.com |
| 5. |
Q: |
Once a person is enrolled in a health insurance
plan and incurs a medical expense, how does he or she get a refund? |
| |
A: |
Most health insurance plans work in the following
way:
If you become ill and need the services of a doctor, you pay the doctor’s
bill and then file a “claim” form with the insurance company.
Claim forms are provided by the insurance company and are used to request
a refund. If hospitalization is required, you must show your health
insurance membership card to the hospital staff and they will bill
your insurance company directly. For this reason it is wise to carry
your health insurance card with you at all times
|
| Glossary
of Insurance Terms |
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