US health insurance

[Putneypa]

DC is (fingers crossed) studying in the US next academic year and we have been asked to provide health insurance policy details. Has anyone any experience of taking out such a policy for a student / any recommended policy providers? Many thanks

It’s worth checking if the college has an arrangement - DD has had hers through the university; it was cheaper than doing it independently.

I was offered insurance through my college I agree with checking there first as work is the other place that most people access insurance through.

Your DC should check if the US university has any recommended providers. Some universities are quite strict about what the policy should cover so it’s important to make sure the policy you take out meets their requirements.

I also agree that your child should contact their home university to find out if the institution’s insurance policy can be used - most universities have emergency travel insurance which covers students who are doing a university approved activity abroad.

There is often a policy available from the uni recommended provider, although it may be limited to that state. If they plan to travel look into a gap year policy before they leave (not so easy once abroad) .

We did it through the recommended company from the college and it was pretty expensive $160 a month. They weren’t great tbh and so wouldn’t recommend them. He had to have an X-ray and he paid the excess. We then had notification that it wasn’t covered and we had to pay for it in full. We disputed and they changed their mind.

DS did his through the Uni he went to. Check the paperwork from the US Uni. Also look at vaccination requirements.

DC's partner is doing a fully funded phd in the US. He has to take out the uni's healthcare insurance which is around US$5,000 for the year.

DS2 is heading to the US this year and we'll take out the plan linked to the university.