In the excitement of preparing your high schooler to study abroad, you may feel a little anxious. This could be your child’s first time living away from home for a long period of time, or you may have some concerns regarding their chosen destination.

In reality, you probably have a few looming “what if…” scenarios playing through your head:

• What if my child becomes seriously ill and needs to be hospitalized?
• What if my son or daughter has an accident playing an intramural sport?
• What if my child is caught in the middle of a terrorist attack?

Whatever the scenario, one investment you can make to help ease your mind is study abroad medical insurance.

 

Why High School Study Abroad Health Insurance?

There are many reasons why your high schooler may need study abroad health insurance:

 

1. High school study abroad programs often require students to possess health insurance.

Students can either register for a plan that's predetermined by their program or purchase their own medical coverage and submit a waiver form to their program officials.

Students planning to waive the program’s insurance plan may seek other coverage options that better align with their budget. However, alternative travel medical plans must still comply with the program’s health insurance requirements.

 

2. A domestic policy may not cover your child internationally.

It’s vital to check if your current health insurance plan extends across international borders. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to start searching for a policy that does. Some key benefits to consider for a study abroad medical insurance plan include:

• An Emergency Medical Evacuation benefit for potentially life-threatening illnesses or injuries incurred while studying abroad. This will cover eligible costs associated with transporting your child from an emergency facility with insufficient care to the nearest hospital that can provide the medically-necessary treatment.
• A Sports and Activity benefit that can help reduce medical costs for the treatment of covered injuries or illnesses resulting from sanctioned intercollegiate, interscholastic, intramural, or club sports.
• A Terrorism benefit in case your child sustains injuries and illnesses resulting from a covered act of terrorism. This benefit would help reduce medical costs resulting from the necessary treatment. 

 

3. Your child will need a student visa in order to study abroad.

Some visas require applicants to provide proof of subsistence for food, accommodations, and medical costs incurred during the trip. An international student health policy like StudentSecure® may help prove your ability to cover unexpected medical costs incurred in your host country.

 

What Type of Insurance is Right for My Child?

The insurance best fit for your child depends on the amount of coverage you need as well as your budget.

For example, an elite plan will have a higher cost but will provide a higher maximum coverage limit and a lower deductible.

A more economical plan will have a lower cost but will provide a lower maximum coverage limit and a higher deductible.

StudentSecure offers four products to meet your child’s unique medical insurance needs. Each plan meets J-1 visas insurance requirements as well as the requirements of many schools.

 

StudentSecure Plans

StudentSecure Elite:

This plan provides the highest overall maximum medical benefit of $5,000,000, as well as the lowest deductible amount compared to the other StudentSecure products.

For claims incurred inside the PPO network within the U.S. or claims incurred outside the U.S.: Your child is covered for 100% of eligible expenses, after the deductible and up to the overall maximum limit.

For claims incurred outside the PPO network within the U.S.: Your child is covered for usual, resonable, and customary charges.

StudentSecure Select:

StudentSecure Select provides a $600,000 overall maximum per certificate period and a $300,000 Emergency Medical Evacuation Benefit.

For claims incurred inside the PPO network within the U.S.: Your child is covered for 80% of the next $5,000 of eligible expenses after the deductible, then 100% to the overall maximum limit.

For claims incurred outside the PPO network within the U.S.: Your child is covered for usual, reasonable, and customary charges.

For claims incurred outside the U.S.:Your child is covered for 100% of eligible expenses, after the deductible and up to the certificate period maximum.

StudentSecure Budget:

This budget-friendly plan features a $500,000 overall maximum coverage limit and a $250,000 Emergency Medical Evaluation benefit.

For claims incurred inside the PPO network within the U.S.: Your child is covered for 80% of the next $25,000 of eligible expenses after the deductible, then 100% to the overall maximum limit.

For claims incurred outside the PPO network within the U.S.: Your child is covered for usual, reasonable, and customary charges.

For claims incurred outside the U.S.: Your child is covered for 100% of eligible expenses, after the deductible and up to the certificate period maximum.

StudentSecure Smart:

StudentSecure Smart is designed for students searching for a more budget-friendly medical insurance plan. It provides a $200,000 overall maximum coverage limit and a $25,000 Emergency Medical Evacuation benefit.

For claims incurred inside the PPO network within the U.S.: Your child is covered for 80% of eligible expenses after the deductible, then 100% to the overall maximum limit.

For claims incurred outside the PPO network within the U.S.: Your child is covered for usual, reasonable, and customary charges.

For claims incurred outside the U.S.: Your child is covered for 100% of eligible expenses, after the deductible and up to the certificate period maximum.

 

*Note that StudentSecure Smart is the only StudentSecure plan that does not offer coverage for terrorism or intercollegiate, interscholastic, intramural, or club sports. Please see the Description of Coverage for the full benefits and exclusions of the policy.

 

Get a Free Quote

If your child needs international medical insurance, but you’re not ready to commit to a policy, you can get a free StudentSecure quote to help figure the costs. You’ll be able to save your quote for a later date you’re ready to purchase. 

 

 

Resources for Your High Schooler

Before your child leaves for their study abroad adventure, make sure they explore these study abroad resources. They’ll gain a better understanding of how to prepare for their trip and what to expect while they’re abroad.

• The Disadvantages of Study Abroad
• The Advantages of Studying Abroad
• Challenges for International Students in the United States
• Study Abroad Checklist
• Preparing to Stay with Your Host Family