USA university student health insurance

[StiggyZardust]

Hello DS is off to do 6 months in USA as part of his degree course. We need to buy health insurance for him. We've been sent a list of providers by the university but I don't know where to start. Has anyone got personal experience of this and could recommend a provider please?

Health insurance is the U.S. is complicated. How many options do you have and what are your specific concerns? Most providers are local to a catchment area (large city, part of the state, etc). Some doctors will only accept certain insurance plans. I wouldn't go outside the list of providers for these reasons.

We have been given lower limits for insurance values. There are about 12 options for the university he's going to attend. Each of those has standard different levels of cover, bit overwhelmed! Need proof of purchase in order to proceed with his visa.

It would be very strange for a university to offer a healthcare policy which does meet the basic standards for visa compliance. Usually big employers have a policy with one provider and then different options from that provider in terms of what is covered. I would find out which of the providers has a contract with the university and pick a policy from them. That way he's certain to find doctors which are in-network if needed. Have you been told about HMO and PPO differences and capitation of services, and copays?