How to Help Your Students Find Discounts on Prescription Medication Costs

February 3rd, 2023 by Leah Hammond

After visiting a doctor, your students may be prescribed medication, and they may come to you with questions about how to get these medications from the pharmacy and the amount they need to pay out-of-pocket. If your students do not have a health insurance plan in place or if they need to pay for the medications upfront, students may be looking to minimize the amount they have to spend on prescription medications.

There may also be times when a medication isn’t covered under their plan – for example, if a student is taking medication that was prescribed to them before they arrive in the United States, this likely won’t be covered due to pre-existing condition limitations. They may also be prescribed medication that is related to a condition excluded from their plan, like contraceptives or medication for acne.

In this blog, we’ll discuss different ways for students to find discounts on prescription medication costs, from discount drug cards, online cost comparison platforms, and pharmacy discount programs. We’ll offer suggestions on ways to receive discounts on non-covered medications, and we’ll also look at different options for discounts on birth control methods that would not normally be covered under an international health insurance plan.

Discount Drug Programs

Students can utilize discount drug programs to reduce the out-of-pocket expense they would need to pay at the pharmacy, and they can also use these programs for prescription medication that may be related to a general exclusion of the plan that wouldn’t be covered. Below, we’ll look into some different options available to your students to help with the expenses associated with covered, and non-covered, prescription medications.

Discount Pharmacy Cards

Most of the plans offered through ISI come with a discount prescription pharmacy card. This is not insurance coverage, but instead, is a discount card students can present at the pharmacy when picking up their prescription medication that offers a discount on the amount that needs to be paid out of pocket.

For example, our Student Secure plan includes the VantageAmerican Discount Pharmacy Card, which will offer an average savings of 5% to 15% off brand drugs and an average of 15% to 40% off the price of generic drugs. Once the discount is applied to the prescription, the remaining expenses can still be submitted to the insurance company for reimbursement as usual.

These cards sometimes include discounts on routine vision and dental services as well, which are not generally covered by international student health insurance plans, so the benefit of these kinds of discount programs goes beyond just prescription medication. These cards will be included in the policy fulfillment students receive when they purchase the plan, and if they have questions about these programs, they can contact our customer service team for more information.

GoodRx

GoodRx is an online platform that allows students to compare prices and find discounts on prescriptions being paid for without insurance coverage. By using GoodRx, students will be able to find the pharmacy in their area that has the lowest price for their prescription, and they can also find coupons that will provide a discount on the amount they need to pay out of pocket. Once the discount is applied, they will need to pay the remaining amount at the pharmacy, and can then submit a claim to their insurance company to be reimbursed per the plan’s benefits.

Pharmacy Discount Programs

Some pharmacies, like Publix and Walmart, offer certain prescriptions at a set price, making it more affordable for those who have to pay out of pocket for their medication.

For example, Publix offers certain maintenance medications, including Metformin, Lisinopril, and Amlodipine, for $7.50 for a 90-day supply, and antibiotics like Amoxicillin for $7.50 for a 14-day supply. You can view a full list of discounted medications offered through Publix here.

Walmart offers a variety of 30-day medications for just $4.00, as well as some 90-day doses for just $10.00. You can view a list of discounted medications offered through Walmart here.

CostPlus Drug Company

CostPlus is a great option for those who may have a condition that is not covered by their plan and need prescription medications for this condition. CostPlus charges the true cost of each medication – they cut out the pharmacy middleman and negotiate directly with the manufacturer to get the lowest price possible, and only charge a small administrative fee.

CostPlus does require a prescription from a U.S.-based provider, so students would need to visit a doctor to get a prescription before they can take advantage of this service. If the condition at hand is excluded from their plan, they would be responsible for any costs associated with the visit, but they can then use CostPlus to keep their prescription expenses low moving forward.

Birth Control Options without Insurance

In the United States, birth control is only available with a prescription from a doctor. Contraception methods are commonly excluded by international student health insurance plans, which means the initial visit to the doctor and the prescription would not be covered. We understand access to birth control is important, and the good news is there are quite a few low-cost options available for students, both online and in-person, that will offer discounts on the costs associated with birth control prescriptions.

Online

There are many online retailers that offer telehealth appointments with a doctor for birth control, and this can be a convenient way for students to get a prescription without having to pay for an in-person appointment. These platforms are a great option for those who don’t have insurance, and the prescription will be mailed directly to the student. Below you’ll find a few different options you can suggest to your students, but a quick Google search will provide you with a variety of different options available in your state.

Nurx

Nurx offers various services, tests, and birth control ordering options. Options without insurance include the birth control pill starting at $15, the birth control shot ranging from $75 every 3 months, and the birth control patch starting at $180 per month.

Hers

Hers includes a free initial medical consultation, with birth control options starting as low as $12 a month without insurance.

SimpleHealth

SimpleHealth makes it easy with affordable birth control options, free delivery, automatic refills, and unlimited access to speak with a doctor without health insurance.

In-Person

Some students may want to see a doctor in person before getting a prescription for birth control. Instead of making an appointment with a gynecologist, which would generally not be covered under their plan and could be expensive without insurance coverage, there are other low-cost options they can explore.

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood works to make healthcare in the United States accessible and affordable. They offer wellness exams, birth control prescriptions, and STI testing at low costs, and some centers even charge based on income. Students can find a Planned Parenthood location near them online and can contact them to find out more about the costs associated with a visit and a birth control prescription.

State Reproductive and Sexual Health Services

Different states around the country offer reproductive and sexual health services at low-cost, including comprehensive birth control options, pregnancy testing, STI testing and treatment, and reproductive cancer screenings. Students can find clinics that offer these services online here, and the cost of these services are based on each individual’s ability to pay.

Discount Drug Programs

As mentioned earlier, there are quite a few discount drug programs students can utilize when paying for their prescription medications. These programs work for birth control prescriptions as well, so if a participant does visit a doctor for a birth control prescription, they can compare prices and look for the most affordable option through platforms like GoodRx and RxSaver.

At ISI, we believe prescription medication, whether covered or not through insurance, should be easily accessible for your students at affordable prices. If students come to you with questions about prescriptions, you can provide them with the different discount options we’ve discussed in this blog to ensure they’re aware of the different resources available to them to help keep the costs associated with their prescriptions as low as possible! If you have any questions about certain prescriptions or any of the discount programs mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team at ISI and we’d be happy to help!

Tags: birth control methods, CostPlus Drug Company, discount drug cards, discounts, GoodRx, Hers, ISI, Nurx, pharmacy, Planned Parenthood, prescription medication, SimpleHealth, Student Secure, VantageAmerican Discount Pharmacy Card

Posted by Leah Hammond in International Student Health Insurance, International Students in the USA, Product Information, Student Insurance | No Comments

Why consider a group health insurance plan for international students?

January 30th, 2023 by Jennifer Frankel

The United States is one of the most expensive countries in the world when it comes to medical expenses, which is why it is important that any international student have and maintain health insurance for the time they are in the United States. There is no universal or national health care system so in the US international students are expected to either have an insurance plan to help cover the costs or they should expect to pay the cost out-of-pocket. Many international students would be surprised to see how expensive medical care is, and while it’s first class care, one hospitalization could easily break the bank.

This is why more and more schools are requiring that their international students have health insurance. Some schools may leave students on their own to select their own plan, but oftentimes students will look for the more affordable and oftentimes less comprehensive option. Other times, schools may be dealing with an administrative nightmare where they are trying to figure out who has health insurance, what coverage they have, do they have coverage for the right duration, etc.? With so many questions, some schools are rethinking how they administer their insurance and opting for a group health insurance plan for their international students.

In this blog, we are going to look at the advantages of having a group health insurance plan in place for all of their international students and why this can ease administration and provide you and your school comfort that you have the right level of coverage in place for all of your international students.

Easy Administration

Knowing that all of your students are covered isn’t always easy, but on a group health insurance plan you and your office are the ones to handle enrollments. This means that your office is the one to enroll students for the correct period. No more chasing down students for their proof of insurance or going back and forth on the correct period of coverage they should have. Now, you are the ones in control of which insurance plan your students have, the period they are enrolled, and you also have access to their policy documents in case any questions come up.

Suitable Coverage

On a group plan, your office is the one customizing the benefits on your international student health insurance group plan. Oftentimes on an individual plan, students may look for the cheapest and you may not be familiar with all the different plans your students find. Will they actually cover your students if they get hurt or sick? Will they pay directly to the provider they went to? Does the plan have decent coverage? Having a group plan that you have designed ensures that your policy has the benefits that you deem as important – and you know everyone has the same level of coverage.

Relationships Matter

Calling a 1-800 number can be extraordinarily frustrating when you are trying to navigate a phone tree during an emergency. Having a group plan oftentimes means you have an extra level of support for you and your students to go to directly. At ISI, for example, we have a team of dedicated account managers that are assigned to each school. These account managers are on hand to help with any issues that arise, including in true emergencies such as hospitalization, medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, and more. You have a person that knows you, and that is there to help.

Students Know Where to Go

Every insurance plan is different and not all provider networks are equal. When students are on different plans, they may have specific providers that they can and cannot go to. When you have a group plan, you have one network of doctors, hospitals and clinics that students can use. You know how the plan works inside and outside the network, and you can be sure that your student’s insurance plan will pay directly and work with the insurance company to ease any financial burden.

Ease in the Claims Process

The US healthcare system can be difficult to navigate, which is why knowing how your insurance plan works is key. After all, claims are the reason you have insurance, right? If your international students are on multiple health insurance plans, then being able to navigate each one can be a challenge. One group health insurance plan for international students simplifies the process by only having to know one claims process – and to know it will work. You can also get an idea of what is going on with your international student body by looking at the claims report.

Many of our international students are abroad for one purpose – to get an education. But like with life, things come up and happen. With the costly medical care in the US, having health insurance in place for international students allows students to focus on what really matters, their education, regardless of the medical attention they will need while they are studying.

If you are interested in learning more about ISI and their group insurance plans, check out our group health insurance page where you can also request a quote.

Tags: account managers, claims process, colleges and universities, easy administration, group health insurance page, International students, request a quote, suitable coverage, US healthcare system

Posted by Jennifer Frankel in Insurance Explained, International Student Health Insurance, International Students in the USA, Product Information, Student Insurance | No Comments

Common Questions: Is the Affordable Care Act Suitable for International Students?

December 6th, 2022 by Jennifer Frankel

The Affordable Care Act – also referred to as ACA, Obamacare, or PPACA – has now been around for over a decade having been signed into law by former President Obama on March 23, 2010. The ACA required US citizens and permanent residents to maintain “minimum essential healthcare coverage” or be subject to pay a fine when paying taxes to the International Revenue Service (IRS). This fine has since been eliminated in many cases but it changed the landscape of the way that US insurance companies did and continue to do business.

While the initial intent of the bill was to expand coverage to US citizens, there were questions surrounding its impact on international students, scholars, and other populations. Now, having been in existence for a while, there is a lot of clarity about what school and student responsibilities are. In this blog, we will examine some popular questions regarding ACA coverage.

Does the ACA apply to international students?

If a student is holding an F, J, M, or Q visa in the U.S., they are considered a non-resident alien for tax purposes for the first 5 years and are exempt from the mandate. There is no insurance requirement for F1 students, and it is up to the school to determine what the requirements are.

Does the ACA apply to J visa holders similarly?

Similar to the requirement for F visa holders, any J visa holder who is a non-resident for tax purposes is also exempt from the ACA. But, unlike F1 visa holders who have no federal requirements, the Department of State does require that all J1 and J2 visa holders maintain a certain level of insurance requirements while in the US at all times (which is significantly less than what the ACA requires).

>>Learn the insurance requirements for J visa holders

How are schools navigating their group insurance plan for students?

Many schools throughout the US do require some level of health insurance; however that can vary by school. The most common ways to administer a school’s insurance plan includes:

A group plan just for international students (which may or may not include scholars)
A group plan for all students, including US and international students
No group plan, but may require all students to enroll in an individual plan that meets certain requirements

While the way in which insurance is administered can vary school by school, it is important that all international students carry some insurance while they are in the US. It can be challenging to explain how expensive the healthcare system in the US is and how there is no national or universal healthcare system.

What does an ACA compliant plan mean?

An ACA compliant group plan is often found on college campuses when both domestic and international students are on one plan, but it doesn’t have to be. ACA coverage requires the plan to be filed in that state and to also meet the “minimum essential healthcare coverage”. The 10 benefit requirements are:

Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)
Emergency services
Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays)
Pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care (both before and after birth)
Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (this includes counseling and psychotherapy)
Prescription drugs
Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills)
Laboratory services
Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage aren’t essential health benefits)

In addition to these 10 requirements, these plans are also required to include coverage for both birth control (https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/birth-control-benefits/) and breastfeeding (https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/breast-feeding-benefits/). These plans must also provide unlimited coverage, pre-existing coverage from day one, including wellness, and maternity must be covered the same as any other illness.

Due to rising costs, many schools have decided to look at alternate options since prices are on the rise and students struggle to afford to pay the high costs. And since international students and scholars don’t need ACA compliant coverage, schools have more flexibility to build a plan more in line with the needs of international students, both in terms of budget and benefits.

What does it mean if I don’t have an ACA compliant plan?

Many schools and students have been questioning how essential an ACA compliant plan is as the costs are often thousands and thousands of dollars every year. But schools may appreciate the comprehensive benefits an ACA plan might bring.

For plans that are not ACA, you can customize the plan specifically to meet the unique needs of your international student population (which may or may not include those essential benefits discussed above). This means you can still have unlimited coverage, if you think that’s appropriate – or you can have wellness included. However, you do not have to. By being able to customize your plan, you can get the benefits you want with more flexibility to customize the plan.

What are the advantages of a non-ACA plan?

A non-ACA plan allows you to customize your insurance plan based on the benefits you need. Many times these carriers are more in tune with the unique needs of your student or scholar population and may also include:

Emergency medical evacuation – required on a J visa!
Repatriation of remains – required on a J visa!
Emergency reunion
24-7 multilingual travel assistance

You will also find that these plans are much less expensive and have a lower out of pocket cost (the deductible, copays and coinsurance tend to be lower) when students use the plan.

It is important no matter the plan, that you understand what it does and doesn’t cover. Reviewing the master policy is essential to understanding your policy. Ask for it and do not rely solely on the brochure. Once reviewing this document, carefully review the exclusions to know what is and what isn’t covered.

What questions should you ask about your insurance proposal?

If you are reviewing an insurance plan, it’s important to review the policy in full and know what it does and doesn’t cover. Questions you can ask include:

Provider Network – How much do you pay inside and outside the network? Are there providers nearby and what does the claim process look like?
Coverage Area – Where are my students covered (in the state, throughout the US, or outside the student’s home country?)?
Insurer – Who is insuring the plan and what is their rating by A.M. Best or Standard and Poor’s?
Claims – Where are the claims processed? How long should it take? Is there a way for students to follow up on their claim? Is it by reimbursement or will it be paid directly to the provider?
Benefits and Exclusions – Look through the policy and be sure to understand the benefits and exclusions to understand how your policy will be paying out claims. When in doubt, ask!

If you or your organization is looking at group plan options, our team would be happy to help provide you with a customized proposal for your school. To get started, please request a quote and our University Relations Team will be in touch with you shortly.

Tags: ACA, Affordable Care Act, benefits, customized proposal, exclusions, group plan, health insurance, healthcare system in the US, insurance proposal, insurance requirements for J visa holders, International students, maternity, minimum essential healthcare coverage, wellness

Posted by Jennifer Frankel in Insurance Explained, International Student Health Insurance, Student Insurance | No Comments

Telemedicine Services for Your International Students Group Insurance Plan

November 4th, 2022 by Alejandra Ramirez

Nowadays, a lot of products and services have turned to technology to offer online solutions to their customers, and healthcare is no exception. In this post, we will outline when telemedicine services are a better option for your international students or program participants to seek medical care. We will also discuss the variety of telemedicine companies we work with in case you are interested in adding one of these services to your existing group plan or if you would like to get a quote for a plan that includes these services.

When to use telehealth services

Some facilities now encourage patients to use their online services instead of going in person.

Social distancing helped us be more open to receiving online healthcare services when in-person care was not available. However, it has also shown us how convenient they are as we don’t need to drive to a facility full of other sick people and wait for a doctor to become available if we don’t have an appointment. Typically, online telemedicine services are offered 24/7 and all you need is a wi-fi connection and either a computer or phone.

If your international students or participants have a non-urgent medical need that they would like to receive care for such as flu symptoms, allergies, mild illnesses or injuries, etc. they can choose to use the telemedicine services that are offered at a lower cost than their deductible (if their plan has one) and sometimes even for free with some of our group plans.

What to expect during a telemedicine visit

Typically, students and participants can expect to be able to speak to a licensed physician within minutes after requesting a visit during business hours and they can choose between a phone or video consultation.

Please note that if the insured needs following in-person visits and treatment, they will be subject to the corresponding out-of-pocket expenses depending on the plan such as deductible, co-pays, coinsurance, etc.

Telemedicine and Online Counseling Services

We have partnered with some of the most reputable telehealth providers to offer immediate reliable healthcare solutions to your students and participants 24/7 no matter where they are. Please see below for a few examples of the additional online services we offer:

General Medicine

The companies we have partnered with offer 24/7 care for non-emergency conditions like cold & flu, sinus infections, allergies, and more. Medical care can be available in both English and Spanish with the option to request an interpreter for all other languages if needed depending on the telemedicine service provider.

If your students or program participants need coverage in the US we offer the option to add one of the following service providers depending on the plan.

If your students or program participants travel anywhere outside the US they can have access to telemedicine through one of the following service providers depending on the plan.

* Only available in specific countries.

Some of our group plans include this type of service at no cost or at a low copay for participants! You may contact your account manager for more information about your current plan benefits. If you would like to get a quote for a plan that includes this service, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Mental Health

Online counseling services allow students to schedule a visit with a therapist or psychiatrist wherever they are for challenges like depression, anxiety, stress, and many others. Therapists are typically available by phone or video 7 days a week and the hours may vary depending on the different platforms. Our plans offer this type of service through the following companies.

This type of service can be offered to participants for free, for a limited number of visits, or at a low copay depending on the plan that you choose.

You can contact us to learn more about a specific telehealth service or to get a quote for a plan that includes one or more of these services.

Tags: International Student Insurance Orientation Video, online counseling for international students, online doctors visits for international students, online therapy for international students, teladoc for group insurance, teladoc for international students, telehealth for international students, telehealth services for group insurance, telemedicine for international insurance, telemedicine for international students, virtual doctors visits for international students

Posted by Alejandra Ramirez in Health & Safety Abroad, International Student Health Insurance, International Students in the USA, Product Information, School Resources, Student Insurance, Study Abroad | No Comments

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September 1st, 2022 by Sutherland Beever

As schools in the United States begin to hum with the excitement of a shiny new school year and the rhythmic sounds of students’ laughter and voices once again echo down long hallways, it’s easy to fall into the mindset of thinking that all students are elated to be back in the classroom.

While most students have been looking forward to the newfound freedom and experiences that the school year offers, others are crippled with overwhelming amounts of anxiety, homesickness, and general feelings of hopelessness.

Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States and is estimated to be the second leading cause of death among young adults, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

With September being Suicide Prevention Awareness month, the team here at InternationalStudentInsurance.com felt called to help raise recognition for this important cause and help ensure that young people everywhere are given the resources they need during such a challenging time of their lives.

As administrators, teachers, and role models for the next generation, the adults that help mold young minds hold an incredible power – to help ensure students receive the support and help that they need. Below you will find a great deal of information to help identify students who may be suicidal and resources to offer any students that fall into this category. This information is provided by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Warning signs that a student may be at risk of attempting suicide:

Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
Talking about feeling empty or hopeless or having no reason to live
Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
Feeling unbearable emotional or physical pain
Talking about being a burden to others
Withdrawing from family and friends
Giving away important possessions
Talking or thinking about death often

Other serious warning signs that a student may be at risk for attempting suicide include:

Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy
Making a plan or looking for ways to kill themselves, such as searching for lethal methods online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
Talking about feeling great guilt or shame
Using alcohol or drugs more often
Acting anxious or agitated
Changing eating or sleeping habits
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

24/7 Resources:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
Chat at 988lifeline.org
Crisis Text Line
Text “HELLO” to 741741

How to Help Hurting Students:

The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the anxiety that younger generations are facing, and that combined with homesickness and culture shock can be a deadly combination. Use this blog as a starting point to help keep suicide prevention and awareness at the forefront of your thoughts this semester.

Tags: anxiety, COVID-19 pandemic, Culture Shock, homesickness, mental health, Suicide Prevention, Suicide Prevention Awareness, support, warning signs

Posted by Sutherland Beever in Health & Safety Abroad, International Student Health Insurance, International Students in the USA, School Resources, Study Abroad | No Comments

How to Best Assist Your Students With Insurance Claims

August 12th, 2022 by Natalie Holland

After a student seeks treatment, they are required to submit an insurance claim for their visit. As an administrator, students may come to you with questions about the claims process or a denied bill, leaving you wondering how you can best assist. Typically, when done correctly, the claims process is easy and straightforward. However, when students receive a medical bill or a denied claim, they can panic. Just because a student gets the bill in their mailbox doesn’t mean it’s necessarily their responsibility to pay it. They shouldn’t fear but rather check back to ensure all steps of the claims process are completed.

If a student comes to you with a medical bill or questions about their claim, here’s how you can best assist them.

Advise students to check their online account:

Every student has access to an online claims account with the insurance carrier for their plan. This is a location in which they can submit their claims, check up on the status of pending claims, or download claims decisions for review. When in doubt, this is the first place to look. Steps for registering their online account, along with necessary links, are included on their Student Zone for easy access.

Advise students to call the insurance carrier:

After a student has logged into their account and looked at the information presented, they may still have questions. The next place to go for assistance is the insurance carrier. They can be contacted by email or phone, often 24 hours a day, with language assistance. All the contact information for the student’s insurance carrier will be listed on the Student Zone or the back of their ID card.

Whenever a bill is received, a student’s first step should be to contact the insurance company to see why the bill has yet to be paid. The carrier will be able to outline the rationale behind any delays and clearly explain what documents may be pending to finalize the claim. If the carrier lets the student know that the claim is not on file, it’s important that the student calls the phone number listed on the bill they’ve received to make sure the provider has the correct insurance details on file and that they submit the claim as quickly as possible.

Advise students to submit any missing information:

If additional information is pending, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure the insurance company receives it.

Often, students may forget to present their ID cards during their visit. In these situations, the member needs to contact the hospital or clinic directly and ask that they submit an itemized bill to their insurance. It’s important that the participant has their insurance ID card handy when placing the call, as the provider will likely need to ask a few questions about the information listed on the card.

If the student needs to submit their portion of the claim, direct them to their Student Zone where they can download the claim form as well as the accident form if the visit was due to an accident. After filling this out, they can submit it to the insurance company via email, fax, regular mail, or right on their online account. Depending on the method it was submitted, it will take a few days for this to be received and then reflected back on their account.

If medical records have not yet been received by the insurance company, the student should contact the facility where they sought treatment as soon as possible. They will need to authorize them to send the requested records to the insurance carrier for review.

Once received, new information will reopen the claims process, likely putting the final determination back another 30-45 business days. You can advise your students to be patient and continue checking their account for updates.

If a claim is denied, students have the right to appeal any denied bills directly with the insurance company. If the student chooses not to appeal, they can try to negotiate the balance directly with the provider. The provider has the ability to lower the balance or even write it off completely, but this is at their discretion.

Contact your account manager:

When in doubt, contact your dedicated Account Manager at ISI. They are well equipped to assist you with any questions or concerns regarding a student’s claim. In the unfortunate event that a claim is denied, your account manager will offer their experience and knowledge to help members file an appeal to have the claim reconsidered. They are regularly assisting with making sure claims are processed correctly, so don’t hesitate to reach out so they can help you and your members navigate through each of the points listed above.

Tags: Account Manager, claim form, claims process, denied claim, insurance carrier, Insurance Claims, insurance details, insurance ID card, itemized bill, medical bill, medical records, online claims account, pending claims, Student Zone

Posted by Natalie Holland in Health & Safety Abroad, Insurance Explained, International Student Health Insurance, International Students in the USA, School Resources, Student Insurance | 1 Comment

Mental Health, Alcohol and Insurance

August 4th, 2022 by Angela Perrilliat

Pandemic pandemonium

The COVID-19 pandemic has been rough on everyone, and people began coping in different ways. Some people began exercising extensively, while others started on their journey to become the best bread maker they could be. However, some people focused their stress and anxiety into less healthy coping mechanisms, such as drinking or doing other various drugs.

Pre-pandemic perception

According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 53% of full-time college aged students ages 18-22 reported drinking alcohol in the previous 30 days, and 33% reported engaging in binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as drinking alcohol with the intent to raise your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) to .08 or above. This is about 5 drinks in 2 hours for males, and 4 drinks in 2 hours for females.

Note: Although this study was conducted on students between the ages of 18 and 22, it is important to note that 21 is the minimum age for alcohol possession and consumption in the United States!

On-pandemic status

Even though drinking was used for coping with the stress and anxiety that COVID-19 brought, the statistics above dropped off in 2020 and 2021 as colleges and universities had been having online classes rather than in-person learning. In addition, social distancing may have made college parties fewer and further between, as people generally did not feel comfortable in large groups.

Post-pandemic status

With on-campus learning resuming this year, in addition to the COVID-19 vaccine being widely available, these statistics may begin to resume as new domestic and international students leave home and begin to experience college life in the United States. Also, students may continue their current alcohol use or form different habits around drinking as they begin to take part in more social activities.

Long-term effects of alcohol use

Using alcohol may alleviate anxiety and stress in the short term, but prolonged alcohol use can be detrimental to students.

The long-term mental effects of alcohol use can result in:

Memory loss

Higher risk of anxiety and depression

Mood swings or changes in personality

Disrupted sleep

Learning difficulties

Loss of attention span

Diminished brain matter (which in worst case scenarios may result in trouble with speaking and understanding language, dementia, seizures and/or stroke)

As you may see, most of the symptoms can really affect a person physically and mentally, and impair many abilities that you need to have as a student, such as memory, good attention span and learning. It is highly encouraged that you get help if you drink regularly and notice any of these symptoms or if family or friends feel concerned for your well-being and bring this issue to you. Even if you are physically well, mental health issues may bring you physical problems and become a very big worry.

Insurance and inebriation

Besides long-term symptoms on the brain and illnesses (such as liver disease, pancreatitis, chronic gastritis, etc.), there are immediate risks such as bicycle/car accidents caused by driving under the influence or other physical accidents due to numbness in the extremities or poor coordination. It is important to note that many international student insurance plans specifically do not cover injuries sustained while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is often listed in the exclusions of your plan, and as always, we encourage you to read through all the benefits and exclusions of your plan.

However, our student plans do include coverage for alcohol and substance abuse treatment as a mental health benefit! As mentioned above, your well-being is of the utmost importance and you can ask for help or counseling at any time.

So, don’t forget! We at ISI wish everyone a safe and healthy return to campus as things slowly start to return to normal, and if you are going to have some drinks with friends or campus colleagues, try to do it safely.

This video teaches international students how to deal with drugs and alcohol on college campuses including an overview of the laws, how to act responsible, consequences, and how to get help.

Please visit www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/explained/ for more information.

Tags: alcohol, alcohol and substance abuse, Alcoholism, anxiety and depression, colleges and universities, COVID-19 pandemic, drinking alcohol, effects of alcohol use, international student insurance, international student insurance plans, International students, mental health, mental health benefit, stress

Posted by Angela Perrilliat in Health & Safety Abroad, International Student Health Insurance, International Students in the USA, School Resources, Student Insurance, Study Abroad | No Comments

Trip Cancellation Insurance – Considerations for Study Abroad

June 30th, 2022 by Sally McLeod

As countries loosen border restrictions and the world begins to navigate a new normal surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, many are beginning to revisit that long awaited trip outside the country that may have been planned or even canceled during the last few years. The same goes for colleges and universities revisiting their study abroad programs and educational trips that have been put on hold as decisions are now being made to ramp up travel for the upcoming academic year.

While travel is becoming easier than in the past few years, it’s important to recognize that there are new obstacles that require additional caution as travel still isn’t what it once was. New protocols have been put into place since the pandemic began and it’s important to familiarize yourself with every country’s travel regulations and restrictions in addition to keeping in mind that despite vaccinations, COVID-19 and its variants continue to spread and infect people across the globe.

So, what can be done to ensure your study abroad trip goes as smoothly as planned, despite these additional challenges? One trend we’ve noticed is the need for trip cancellation insurance and the increase in inquiries from individuals and schools alike. We’re here to break down just what trip cancellation insurance is in addition to the acronym that has become increasingly popularized, CFAR.

What is trip cancellation insurance?

Trip cancellation insurance is exactly that – insurance in case you need to cancel your trip. Trip cancellation insurance protects your non-refundable travel expenses in the event something unexpected were to happen, whether it’s a traffic accident on the way to the airport, stolen travel documents, an illness or injury, death of a family member and so on. Depending on the plan, you can be reimbursed up to 100% of your trip cost if you need to cancel, in addition to other travel benefits. Additional benefits on these plans may also include:

Baggage protection and reimbursement
Replacement for lost passports or other travel documentation
Expenses paid for replacement items if your baggage is delayed
Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation

Trip cancellation vs. travel insurance

While these two terms can be interchangeable, they aren’t necessarily the same thing. Travel insurance may also be referring to health and travel insurance, which is different from trip cancellation insurance. While you’ll want to be sure you have a health insurance plan in place for your students while they are abroad, it’s important to also familiarize yourself with any additional benefits on a health and travel insurance plan to see if you need trip cancellation insurance as additional protection.

Is trip cancellation necessary?

You may feel that your health and travel insurance plan provides enough protection for other trip related costs and that trip cancellation insurance isn’t necessary. Oftentimes, health and travel insurance includes benefits for travel expenses such as lost checked luggage, trip interruption, travel delays and traditionally also includes coverage for Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains. Health and Travel insurance is generally very affordable when going outside the United States and starts around $1.00 per day for comprehensive coverage, while trip cancellation insurance premiums depend on the cost of the trip itself and can range anywhere from about 4-10% of the total non-refundable trip cost.

You may not need to purchase a trip cancellation plan if many of your pre-paid deposits for your trip are refundable or you have purchased all flights and accommodations with enough flexibility and coverage, that trip cancellation coverage isn’t worth the additional expense.

The fine print

While trip cancellation plans offer coverage for the non-refundable expenses of your trip in the event you need to cancel, there are oftentimes still restrictions under which you can cancel and be refunded – and at what level you will be reimbursed. This has become a hot topic of discussion since the rise of COVID-19, as many trip cancellation plans have exclusions for pandemic related expenses. Luckily, this is where a Cancel for Any Reason add-on found on many trip cancellation plans comes into play and can be a great resolution for this ongoing issue.

CFAR

CFAR, otherwise known as Cancel for Any Reason, has become the most coveted component in trip cancellation plans since the beginning of the pandemic. This benefit is ideal for avoiding strict guidelines found in other trip cancellation plans, and oftentimes covers up to 75% of non-refundable expenses and can be found as an add on or purchased for an additional cost to many trip cancellation plans.

CFAR is an important benefit to have to avoid pandemic related exclusions, and allows you the comfort and flexibility knowing that you are not limited in why you need to cancel. It’s important to be aware that the CFAR benefit cannot be added on at any time and you’ll oftentimes need to purchase this within a certain period of time (usually 20 days) after your initial trip deposit.

The CFAR benefit, while allowing for ultimate flexibility, comes at a price and generally will increase your trip cancellation coverage significantly. It’s also important to note that while you can “Cancel for Any Reason” you generally will be required to cancel at least 48 hours prior to your departure.

Aside from a few items to be aware of, the CFAR benefit allows you to be the most protected and flexible with any trip and is a great option to consider as you begin to revisit and plan your upcoming study abroad programs!

Find out more about our Trip Cancellation plans and decide which is best for you and your program!

Tags: Cancel for Any Reason, CFAR, COVID-19, COVID-19 pandemic, educational trips, Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation, health insurance plan, protocols, reimbursement, study abroad, study abroad programs, study abroad trip, travel benefits, travel expenses, travel insurance, travel regulations and restrictions, Trip Cancellation Insurance, vaccinations

Posted by Sally McLeod in Health & Safety Abroad, Insurance Explained, International Student Health Insurance, International Students in the USA, Study Abroad | No Comments

What’s the difference between extending, renewing and buying a new international student insurance plan?

May 24th, 2022 by Jennifer Frankel

Do you have students who enroll in their insurance plan but stop coverage over the summer or re-enroll in a new plan each semester? Alternatively, do you have students who keep their insurance plan active year after year? The way you and your students manage their insurance can impact their coverage and how existing conditions they have may be covered.

Extensions, renewals or enrolling in a new policy may at first glance seem like interchangeable insurance jargon, but they are not. It is important to understand the differences and what impact they may have on your students’ coverage. In today’s blog, we will demystify these terms to help you better understand their insurance plan and how to best administer it.

To begin our discussion, we will first look at the three terms and what they mean:

Extension

When a student extends their insurance plan, it means they are adding more time to the end of their policy. Typically, the policy number stays the same but the end date will change to a later point in time. In cases like these, students may have to pay a nominal administrative fee to extend their plan in addition to the cost for the additional coverage.

Renewal

Similar to extending a policy, a renewal will also add more time to the end of the policy and will typically keep the same policy number. What makes the renewal distinct from extensions is that you are finishing a certificate period year and starting a new one. That means that some benefits that say “per certificate period year” will start over in their benefits. An example would be if you had an insurance plan that had $500,000 coverage per certificate period year. When you renew the plan, the $500,000 limit will start over. If you are extending an existing plan, you would continue to have the same $500,000 coverage minus any payment in claims.

New Policy

While this isn’t an official insurance term, it’s important to clarify that a new policy is when a student enrolls in a new plan by completing a new application. Generally, a new policy number is given and a new ID card is issued.

Now that we understand what all three terms mean, the next step is to understand what the benefits are on their international student insurance plan, particularly how pre-existing conditions are handled.

A pre-existing condition is essentially any condition that has happened before the start of the insurance plan. There is typically a look back period and international student insurance plans may have a waiting period before pre-existing conditions are covered such as a 12 or six months. There are some plans that may not cover pre-existing conditions at all, others that may limit the coverage for pre-existing conditions, or still others that may cover pre-existing conditions from day one. So what makes a covered condition different from a pre-existing condition? As long as the condition is covered on the plan, the difference will be when the accident happened and the dates of coverage of the plan.

For simplicity purposes, let’s take these examples:

Example 1. A student has coverage from August – December and they break their leg in September. This condition would be considered an eligible medical expense and would be covered.

Example 2. A student has coverage from August – December and they break their leg in July. This condition would be considered a pre-existing condition since the accident happened before the plan started.

Using these same rules of thumb, this can be used to show what happens if a student buys a new plan versus extending/renewing a new policy. Let’s take Example 1 where a student has a plan from August – December and they break their leg in September, the medical expenses would be covered the same as any other illness/injury until the end of the policy in December. Now, let’s say the student extends coverage through until next August. Any medical expenses for this injury would continue to be covered since it’s the same plan. If they plan to study another year and they renew their plan, their leg would continue to be covered because, again, it’s the same plan.

However, let’s take the same Example 1. The student has a plan from August – December and they break their leg in September, the medical expenses would be covered the same as any other illness/injury until the end of the policy in December. Let’s say the student decides to buy a new plan that starts in January and goes until August. In a case like this, the student would have completed a new application, been issued a new ID card with a new policy number. If the student had ongoing medical treatment for the broken leg on the new plan in February, this broken leg would now be considered a pre-existing condition and may not be covered or may be subject to a waiting period.

So if that’s the case, why wouldn’t a student always extend or renew their plan? There are a few reasons for this:

Breaks – in some cases, students may not want to pay for coverage during winter break or summer break, so they will stop coverage so that they do not have to pay for insurance during those breaks.
Administrative Fees – sometimes there is a small fee the student must pay each time they extend or renew, so they may choose to enroll in a new plan to avoid those fees (those fees are often $5 but depends on the carrier).
Renewal Premium – rates will often increase year to year when a student renews the same plan so it might be more affordable to buy a new plan rather than keeping their existing plan active.
Convenience – sometimes it’s just easier to go through the application than to log into their account to extend coverage.

No matter the reason, it’s important to understand the coverage of your student’s policy, how to administer it, and what the implications are. Each insurance plan is different so it’s important to contact the insurance company to be sure you and your students understand how this all works to avoid any unnecessary surprises and expenses.

If you have questions or need help, please contact our insurance team at info@internationalstudentinsurance.com.

Tags: enrolling in a new policy, Extensions, international student insurance plan, Pre-existing conditions, renewals, waiting period

Posted by Jennifer Frankel in Health & Safety Abroad, Insurance Explained, International Student Health Insurance, International Students in the USA, Student Insurance | No Comments

How To Negotiate Medical Bills With Providers

April 5th, 2022 by Sutherland Beever

Unpaid medical bills are daunting, and while it would be easier for students to collect unopened invoices in a shoebox and hide them forever under the bed, it’s best to tackle them head-on.

This blog will help you help your international students manage unpaid medical bills in 4 straightforward steps.

Step One: Complete a Medical Release Form & Set Expectations Appropriately

Due to HIPPA laws in the United States, as an international advisor, you won’t be able to call and discuss any of your student’s medical bills or health history without their OK.

The hospital or doctor’s office will likely have a form that the student will need to complete in order to allow you to discuss their protected medical history. Help the student find the form (they’re usually located on the provider’s website) and let the student know that you’re here to help, but resolving unpaid bills will need to be a team effort.

There are a few different outcomes with any unpaid medical bills:

Worst Case Scenario: The provider may not offer any reductions and will continue to charge the full amount due.
Better Scenario: The total amount of the bills is reduced by at least a small percentage.
Best Scenario: The bills are written off completely, meaning the student doesn’t owe a dime.

Step Two: Gather The Bills and Ensure They’re Correct

Before you’re able to help the student negotiate the bills it’s important that you can paint a full picture of what is owed and to whom. Encourage the student to provide you with a copy of each and every bill that they’ve received, along with copies of any documentation from the student’s insurance company stating why the bills weren’t covered. You’ll also want to ensure you have copies of each of the Explanation of Benefits (or EOBs for short) from the insurance company, showing why a bill was denied.

Once all of the documents are collected, take the time to review them in detail. The people that work in the billing department can make mistakes from time to time and those mistakes could mean duplicate charges. Ensure that the student was only billed for treatment that they received and only billed once for each service.

Step Three: Do Your Research

Now that the necessary form is on file for you to discuss the medical bills on behalf of your student, and you understand the total amount of the debt it’s time to do some research.

It’s common knowledge that providers grossly overcharge for services, so look online to compare how much the student was charged vs. what the average amount would be. Being able to confidently iterate to providers that you know they’re overcharging for services, if that is the case, can be helpful during your negotiation (that’s step 4).

Here are some examples:

If your student was charged $100,000 for an appendectomy, but the national average is closer to $30,000 you can use this as ammunition during your conversation with the provider in the hopes that they’ll lower the overall amount of the debt.
Hospitals can often charge hundreds of dollars for a pregnancy test,

It is also important to be able to accurately explain a student’s financial situation or inability to pay for the medical bills. Have a conversation with a student about what their home life looks like and what amount, if any, they’d be able to pay towards the medical bills each month.

Providers will oftentimes accept a lower amount than what was invoiced if the student is able to offer a lump sum payment. Be sure to inquire about this as well before calling the provider to negotiate the debt. See what amount, if any, the student and their family would be able to pay to get rid of the bills once and for all.

Step Four: Call the Provider(s)

Now you are ready for action! Gather all of the information that you’ve collected thus far and give the provider a ring. Just like at colleges or universities, most hospitals have a financial aid office – and it’s the job of the people that work there to help lower-income patients afford their medical treatment. Rather than calling the number on the bill, first look at the provider’s website to see if they have a financial aid office.

Here is everything that you’ll want to have available during the call:

Each of the bills
The dollar amounts that are normally charged for any given service and any errors that have been found within the bills
The dollar amount that the student could afford to pay each month towards their debt.
The lump-sum amount that the student is willing to pay the provider to get rid of the balance completely.

Sometimes providers will ask that a student writes what is called a Letter of Hardship to explain their financial situation and why their debts should be reduced or eliminated. If this is the case, take all of the documentation and information that has been collected and help the student write a letter asking the provider to kindly eliminate the debt. The more heartfelt and detailed the letter, the better!

Regardless if you and the student are able to have a conversation over the phone or if you have to write a letter, be sure to check back in with the provider 30 days or so down the road for the resolution. Don’t expect them to contact the student again – it’s now the student’s job to ensure that the provider is reviewing their request.

Posted by Sutherland Beever in Uncategorized | No Comments