When embarking on your journey as an international student in the United States, one important thing to take into account is your health care. The health care system in the U.S. can be intricate, but with proper understanding and support, you can make informed choices to maintain your health while having a rewarding study experience.

US health care system and insurance

The System consists of a both private and public health care services, insurance networks and health insurance various provider. By familiarizing yourself with the key element and distinctions among health care services, you can select the options that suit you best and steer clear of unexpected costs.

In the United States, healthcare is mainly funded privately. Private insurance plans provide access to a wide variety of medical provides and services, usually enabling fast access to treatment.

Healthcare is publicly funded for certain groups, but international students are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare in the U.S. because it requires U.S. citizenship.

Health Insurance providers

Health insurance providers function as intermediaries between health care providers (hospitals, clinics, etc.) and health care customers. An insurance network consists of healthcare providers who have partnered with an insurance company to offer medical care and services to individuals covered by the plan.

When selecting an insurance plan, you need to evaluate the network of providers and the potential additional costs involved.

Additional (out-of-pocket) costs

Out-of-pocket costs are the expenses that you must pay yourself as they are not for covered by your health insurance policy. These costs include:

●  Deductibles: This is the amount of money you must pay for medical services before your insurance kicks in. e.g. If there is a deductible of $500 on your policy, you’ll have to pay the first $500 of your health service treatment yourself. Anything over this amount is paid by your health insurance.

●  Coinsurance: Coinsurance is the percentage of healthcare costs that a policyholder is required to pay after they have met their deductible. It is a form of cost-sharing between the insurance company and the insured person. For example, if your health insurance plan has an 80/20 coinsurance structure, once you’ve paid your deductible, the insurance company would cover 80% of the remaining covered costs, while you would be responsible for paying the other 20%.

●  Copayments for covered services:Copayments, or copays, are fixed amounts that a policyholder must pay out-of-pocket for specific healthcare services, such as doctor visits, prescription medications, or emergency room visits, at the time of service.

●  Costs that your insurance may not cover: Your health insurance may not cover certain health services such as some specialized or elective treatments (e.g. cosmetic surgery). In this case you you’ll have to meet the full cost yourself.

When planning your overseas study, visit the websites of universities you are interested in, as they often have detailed information on health insurance requirements and options for international students.