If you’ve been planning to study abroad, you may be required to arrange funds to support your medical expenses while living in that specific country. Medical treatment in many countries is not free or affordable. Therefore, student health insurance can save you from running the risk of facing huge bills. More importantly, a health cover is mandatory based on the country and institute you choose to study.
Sometimes, even a minor injury or a toothache can cost you in the thousands. So, investing in student health care is a crucial step for those studying abroad.
Medical Insurance requirements while applying at a university
Most universities require copies of your medical insurance documents while applying for admissions. On the other hand, several institutes partner with insurance firms, offering international students specific insurance policies, making it easier to select appropriate packages. However, sometimes these packages can often lead to being more expensive than non-university medical insurance packages.
If you’re looking for a more affordable plan, then you’ll find loads of insurers offering a variety of student healthcare plans. However, you may note that some countries and institutions only accept specific healthcare insurance packages.
The average cost of a healthcare cover may range between $200 and $1,000 per year. However, this cost will depend on where you decide to study.
If you’re an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen and plan to study in another European country, you’ll be issued a European Health Insurance (EHIC) card. This card entitles you to state-provided healthcare, and the cost would equal that of the locals, which is sometimes free. However, this card will not cover private medical expenses.
Some universities that have issued scholarship programs to international students may arrange and pay for medical insurance for the student. However, this is not always the case, and hence, it is crucial to check with that institution.
What should a student health insurance cover?
The requirements for student health insurance will depend on your nationality and where you want to study. That being said, here’s a generalised list that most international medical insurance policies cover:
- Emergency hospital treatment
- Ambulance and emergency services
- Emergency evacuation/repatriation
- Doctor/physician appointments
- Emergency dental work
- Tests and X-Rays
Pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes or epilepsy must be declared before taking out a policy. If you do not mention these conditions, your health insurance coverage may get invalidated, and the insurer might refuse to pay for any treatment while studying abroad.
If you want to know more about the student health cover packages best suited to you, connect with Expert Education. Our team can help you understand the policies based on where you wish to study.