Health Insurance Policies for Students Studying Abroad

Won't your home school insurance cover the student while abroad? I was a study abroad student, and my regular university insurance covered me just as though I were at the local campus.

Yes-have you already checked with your own policy. Our regular health insurance covered our daughter. Nothing actually happened while she was gone so not sure how the logistics would have worked out but we did not need anything additional.

Hello! To echo what everyone else said, check with your insurance (and check to see what it covers), but also check with the school. When I studied abroad the first time, my regular insurance covered me. However, 3 years later when I did an overseas internship, the school required you to purchase their plan (this was due to a student that did in fact die overseas from meningitis and her parents insurance did not cover repatriation of remains). Check with the study abroad office at the school as well; if they have a lot of students going abroad they often offer a plan through the school. Thankfully I never had to use the insurance in either case.

My daughter was required to purchase a plan from CSA travel insurance. (this was in 2003). We never needed to use the plan. However, I purchased a policy from them for my husband and I in 2008, and we had to submit a claim. They payed it quick and without any issues. I liked the company. If you do purchase a policy, (from them or anyone else) make sure you spend some time reading what needs to be done in case of a problem. There are usually things you need to do in order to be able to file a claim. (In our case, there were some statements and bills we had to get at the time of the incident) The policy was sent to us online. I printed it and never even looked at it. However, we had the copy with us and it made all the difference in being able to follow all the requirements. I believe that is why we had success with our claim. I would read the policy and make notes on what she should do in an emergency and at least send the notes with her.

Yeah, some universities require international students to purchase a mandatory health insurance plan through the university for basic health care coverage while studying abroad. In this case, enrollment and fee collection is normally handled by the university. Different places handle this differently, so I would agree with others and recommend checking with the student's center for international experience (or equivalent) at their home institution and/or at the university they will be attending so that you get accurate and current information.

NLM - My daughter is currently studying NUI Maynooth and University of Arizona recommended that we purchase health insurance for her. Rather than purchase the recommended health insurance I checked with my health insurance provider and they said that she would be covered, but that any medical claims would be processed as a out of network claim.

My college uses iNext for short term study aborad- I'm not sure if they use it for long term.

Thanks to everyone for all their advice. I did check into the insurance provided by the university as well as my insurance policy through my employer which she is currently on and both would cover her to a point, but it seems that some of the short term policies that are available through international organizations provide coverage and assistance that is more specific to someone who is abroad for a short time. For instance, both of the organizations I have been looking into have 24 hour help lines that will assist in finding a doctor/clinic while in another country as well as other types of assistance she may need specific to being in another country. Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts much appreciated!

NLM - keep in mind, your child won't be alone in Italy. When I was a student abroad in Austria, I developed a toothache and needed a dentist. My school had a list of approved doctors and dentists for just such emergencies. They even took me there and translated for me. Buying extra insurance is your option, of course, but the programs in place were designed with students in mind. I would save my money.

Also, if your regular health insurance will work, you might also look into an ISIC card. For $22, you get basic travel insurance (which I think includes repatriation of remains in this case), as well as qualifies you for TONS of student discounts in Europe. Many schools and programs require them anyways, but if not, they can be purchased from STA Travel's website.