Choosing a health insurance plan to cover you in case the unexpected happens is now more important than ever. Whether you’re re-evaluating your health insurance needs, purchasing a plan to meet your school’s or visa requirements, or looking for a plan to cover you on OPT, it can be challenging to make the right decision on the level of coverage that works best for your needs and your budget.
Our Student Secure plan is our most popular health insurance option for international students on a F-1, M-1 or J-1 visa. This plan is available in four levels so students can choose the benefits that work best for their needs.
We’ve highlighted some key benefits to consider to help you choose which level is best for you!
Maximum Coverage
The policy maximum is the total amount that the insurance company is obligated to pay each year for covered expenses; any expenses in excess of the policy maximum will not be covered. The overall policy maximum differs from the maximum paid out per injury / illness, so it’s important to differentiate the two. The maximum per injury or illness is the total amount the plan will cover per condition. So, for example, if you had a major accident, the Smart plan would cover that accident up to $100,000, but the total coverage you would have on the plan is $200,000 each year.
You can see the differences of the four levels and the different coverage options below:
| Smart | Budget | Select | Elite | |
| Overall Maximum | $200,000 | $500,000 | $600,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Maximum per injury / illness | $100,000 | $250,000 | $300,000 | $500,000 |
Deductible & Coinsurance
While evaluating the various levels of coverage, it’s equally important to consider the amount of out of pocket expenses you can expect. The deductible varies depending on which level you choose as well as where you get medical treatment. After the deductible is paid, you will be responsible for any coinsurance. The coinsurance is the difference between what you and the insurance company pays towards the total cost of a covered condition. After the deductible, the Smart level covers 80% of your medical bills (you pay 20%) up to the policy maximum. Alternatively, if you go inside the plan’s network on the Elite level, after the deductible the plan will cover 100% up to the policy maximum.
Learn more about out-of-pocket expenses here
You can see that as you move up in the levels of coverage, the insurance company covers more:
| Smart | Budget | Select | Elite | |
| Deductible per injury / illness | In network: $50 Out of network: $100 | In network: $45 Out of network: $90 | In network: $35 Out of network: $70 | In network: $25 Out of network: $50 |
| Coinsurance (Inside the USA) | In network: 80% up to the maximum Out of network: Usual, Reasonable, and Customary (URC) | In network: 80% up to $25,000, then 100% thereafter Out of network: Usual, Reasonable, and Customary (URC) | In network: 80% up to $5,000, then 100% thereafter Out of network: Usual, Reasonable, and Customary (URC) | In network: 100% In network Out of network: Usual, Reasonable, and Customary (URC) |
Organized Sports
It’s important to understand what type of sports coverage is offered on each level of the Student Secure plan. While all levels of the Student Secure plan cover leisure and recreational sports, you will need to purchase the optional sports rider on the Budget, Select and Elite levels if you want additional coverage for intercollegiate, interscholastic, intramural or club sports. The coverage of this rider varies depending on the level:
| Smart | Budget | Select | Elite | |
| Sports & Activities Leisure, Recreational, Entertainment, Fitness | Up to the Overall Maximum Limit | Up to the Overall Maximum Limit | Up to the Overall Maximum Limit | Up to the Overall Maximum Limit |
| Optional Sports Add-On | No coverage | up to $3,000 | up to $5,000 | up to $5,000 |
Maternity
When conception occurs after the insurance plan’s start date, the Student Secure covers maternity on the Budget, Select and Elite levels, including pre-natal, delivery, and post-natal care as well as expenses for miscarriage and complications of pregnancy.
| Smart | Budget | Select | Elite | |
| Maternity | No Coverage | Up to $5,000 | Up to $10,000 | Up to $25,000 |
Mental Health
The Student Secure provides benefits for mental health, including coverage for substance and alcohol abuse on all levels of the plan. Many schools require students to have mental health coverage on their health insurance plan and it’s important to evaluate which level will meet any necessary requirements.
| Smart | Budget | Select | Elite | |
| Mental Health | Outpatient: Up to $50 per day $500 maximum Inpatient: Up to $5,000 | Outpatient: Maximum of 30 visits. Coverage includes drug and alcohol abuse. Inpatient: Maximum of 30 days. Coverage includes drug and alcohol abuse. | Outpatient: Maximum of 30 visits. Coverage includes drug and alcohol abuse. Inpatient: Maximum of 30 days. Coverage includes drug and alcohol abuse. | Outpatient: Maximum of 30 visits. Coverage includes drug and alcohol abuse. Inpatient: Maximum of 30 days. Coverage includes drug and alcohol abuse. |
Pre-existing Conditions
Pre-existing conditions can be covered on the Student Secure plan after 6 months on the Select or Elite levels and after 12 months for the Budget level. The Smart plan does not cover pre-existing conditions at all. However, all four levels include up to $25,000 in coverage for an acute onset of a pre-existing condition (which means that there would be limited coverage for a sudden and unexpected occurrence or recurrence of a pre-existing condition, except if the condition was chronic or congenital).
| Smart | Budget | Select | Elite | |
| Pre-existing Conditions | No Coverage (acute onset up to $25,000) | 12 month waiting period | 6 month waiting period | 6 month waiting period |
Vaccination & Personal Liability
Additional benefits for vaccinations and personal liability can be found on the Elite level. This level will offer coverage for personal liability up to $250,000 and immunization coverage for routine vaccinations inside the US, up to $150.
It’s important to evaluate each level of coverage and determine what works best for your personal needs in addition to any requirements that you may have from your school. All levels of the Student Secure plan will meet the US department of state requirements for the J visa, in addition to offering coverage for COVID-19, as any other eligible illness allowing for direct payment when going inside the plan’s provider network.
Category: Health & Safety Abroad, Insurance Explained, International Student Health Insurance, International Students in the USA, Product Information, Student Insurance, Study Abroad, Visa Requirements
Tags: coverage for COVID-19, health insurance plan, insurance out of pocket expense, international students, maternity coverage for international students, mental health international students, opt health insurance, Organized Sports Coverage, personal liability, pre-existing conditions, student insurance with vaccinations, student secure
