Related Articles
On April 7, the whole world celebrated the International Health Day proclaimed by WHO. Even though we are facing the Covid-19 pandemic, this celebration is expected to ignite the spirit to continue to build a better world so that every human being has equal rights to access health services.
As an international student, access to health services in your study destination is very important. Since international students are usually not eligible for free health care from local governments, you need health insurance that can help you in a variety of medical situations.
Some overseas universities currently require international students to purchase health insurance from their designated insurance provider. But there are also universities that allow students to choose their own insurance provider. Well, if you are given the freedom to choose, there are some tips that can help you buy the best health insurance policy.
Purchase an Insurance Policy that Complies with University Requirements & Visa Management
Many countries have specific requirements for health insurance, especially when there are several types of student visas available. If you want to choose your own insurance, you will usually be given a list of criteria that must be met by the health insurance of your choice in order to qualify for a visa. Read the list carefully and purchase a policy that covers all the costs listed on the list (eg repatriation or evacuation costs). Also make sure that the policy meets the list of criteria provided by your destination university.
In addition, you must also choose an insurance provider who can provide all the documents requested by the university and the agency that processes your student visa. Don’t forget to ask about the time it will take to issue the documents so you can collect all the files you need before the deadline.
Check If You Can Meet The Terms Of The Insurance Policy
Each type of health insurance for international students has its own requirements. For example, there is a type of health insurance that requires a minimum duration of tuition per week for policyholders. So you have to make sure that you can meet the requirements of the insurance provider so that your insurance policy remains valid.
Check Back All the Benefits You Will Get
Want to get a standard of health care that suits your needs? First of all, you have to find an insurance policy that covers all the medical expenses you need, such as doctor consultations, hospitalization, and drug redemption. Then you can choose the benefit ceiling you want.
If you want coverage for medical expenses related to teeth and glasses, you usually have to buy an additional insurance package. Don’t forget to ask for detailed information about special benefits available to international students, such as repatriation and evacuation fees.
Find Out All The Costs You Have To Pay For Yourself
In addition to the cost of monthly insurance premiums, there is a possibility that you will also have to spend money when processing insurance claims. This usually happens if you take out an insurance policy that has a copay policy (a system of sharing medical expenses between the policy holder and the insurance company) or charges a deductible fee (the fee that the policyholder must pay in the event of a claim). Ask your insurance provider for complete information about these costs so you can make a more mature personal health budget.
Adjust Insurance Policy With Study Duration
Health insurance for international students is usually renewable for up to 4-5 years. But if you only take a program that lasts less than 1 year, there are actually several travel insurances that provide health coverage similar to health insurance. So there is a possibility that you only need to buy travel insurance. Try contacting your university of choice and the body that processes student visas to ask if you can use travel insurance in lieu of health insurance.
Read Cancellation Policy
There is a possibility that you will face various unexpected situations on your study journey. For example, your student visa has problems or there is an emergency situation that makes you have to postpone studying abroad. If you are suddenly in a situation where you do not need the health insurance you have purchased, you should understand the insurance cancellation policy. That way, you’ll know if you’re eligible to stop paying premiums and receive a refund. Usually you will receive a full refund if the insurance is canceled before
