If you are an international student, you’ll soon realize that the first thing that Hollywood did not prepare you for is the high cost of U.S. healthcare. It is easy to get lost in the jungle that is international student insurance; knowing basic facts about insurance will help the international student make a better choice.

You will be required to have international student health insurance before commencing study at a U.S. university or college. Most schools offer a sponsored insurance plan that is applied to each international student automatically. Students can opt out of the college-sponsored plan by providing proof that they have other comparable health insurance coverage.

Remember that students who are U.S. citizens might already have existing insurance plans through their parents’ plans. International students must either enrol in the college-sponsored plan or look for international student health insurance elsewhere.Oftentimes, outside coverage is less expensive than the college -sponsored plan, and is much more flexible.

Purchasing international student insurance can be done either online, or through an agent. Several comparison sites help you to compare the prices and coverage of plans in a relaxed environment, so that you can make the best decision for you.

Dependents also need to be covered under the insurance plan However, they can be added to the international student health insurance plan. They can also be covered under separate short-term insurance plans.

To release their liability, most colleges require an international student to sign a waiver in case he/she opts for outside insurance. To sign this, the student must have insurance that satisfies the college’s specified criteria. If you buy insurance online, the site’s customer service department will help you fill the form and provide details of eligible plans.

Your international student health insurance will typically offer benefits covering hospitalization and outpatient treatment, prescription medicines, emergency medical evacuation, and accidental death and dismemberment. In case of your passing on, sending your remains back home is also covered. Most plans also cover maternity, mental health, and sports injuries.

For your international student health insurance to continue, you must be a full-time student. Coverage may not extend to the Optional Practical Training period after graduation. You can consider purchasing short-term insurance plans for that period.