![]() eduPASS | The International Student's Guide to Studying and Living in the USA |
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Unlike other countries, the United States does not provide socialized medicine. Because medical care can be very expensive, it is important to have health insurance, even if the school does not require it.
International visitors do not have to worry about any unusual health hazards in the United States. Tap water is safe to drink nationwide.
If you need an ambulance or emergency medical care, dial 911 on any
phone 24 hours a day. You can also dial 0 to reach the operator.
They will send an ambulance to transport you to a hospital emergency
room. The hospital will need the name of your health insurance company
and policy number, so you should always carry your health insurance
card with you.
Your school may have a health center on campus for minor health
issues. Most such health centers are staffed by a nurse practitioner,
with a doctor on campus only one or two days a week. For genuine
emergencies, however, you should go directly to a hospital emergency room.
Bring a copy of your medical records with you to the US, including
immunization and vaccination records and prescriptions. It is
generally a good idea to visit your doctor before you leave for the
US. Some schools will require you to complete a physical upon
arrival. (This is often required of all students, not just
international students, so that the school's medical center has a
recent medical history on file.)
International students should note that in addition to tuition, fees, room
and board, and living expenses, they will have to pay for health
insurance. US law requires universities to verify that international
students on a J-1 visa (and their J-2 dependents) have health insurance
before allowing them to enroll.
The federal government does not require students on an F-1 visa to
have health insurance, but the school may set its own requirements.
Many schools require all international students to have health
insurance, regardless of the type of visa.
If health insurance is required, it must meet certain minimum
standards set by the United States Information Agency (USIA). These
standards include:
Your school will probably offer a group health insurance program to
students who do not have their own health insurance. Typically the
insurance will cover hospital care and doctor fees with a deductible
and 20% co-payment. A $250 deductible means that you pay the first
$250 in medical expenses. A 20% co-payment means that the insurance pays
80% of the expenses above the deductible, and you pay
20%. Prescription drugs might not be included, and there may be a
small fee for doctor visits. Details, of course, vary from school to
school. Contact the school for information about their health
insurance programs and requirements.
There are a variety of student health insurance programs that are available to
international students:
Although it is possible to purchase dental insurance coverage, most
schools do not include dental coverage as part of the school's health
insurance program. So you will probably have to pay for any dentist
bills yourself. If your school is located near a dental school, the
school may offer a low cost dental clinic where dental students treat
patients under close supervision of dental professors. If you want to
know the locations of nearby dentists, call 1-800-DENTIST (1-800-336-8478).
Medical Emergencies
Medical Records
Health Insurance
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