Posted on Thursday, April 24th, 2014 at 7:05 pm

If you are an international student, you may be confused about how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act applies to you. Also known as PPACA, ACA, or ObamaCare, this legislation can be confusing, especially as much of the information out there doesn’t directly speak to international students. To help you on your way, here’s an overview of how the ACA applies to you:

International Students Are Exempt from the ACA
Good news is here! All international students holding a F, J, Q and M visa are exempt from the individual mandate for the first 5 calendar years that they are in the US. This means that whether you are an international student or even if you are on OPT, you can choose the most suitable health insurance policy that meets both your individual needs and budget – without having to worry about any penalty.

What This Means For You
Many health insurance plans that meet the ACA minimum essential health benefits are often not appropriate for the needs of foreign students. They are designed with US citizens in mind, offering long-term care without medical evacuation and repatriation benefits – not to mention they come with an expensive price tag and large out of pocket costs.

International students can purchase a comprehensive health insurance plan that is tailored to address their needs including:

• Outpatient Care
• Inpatient Care
• Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
• Prescription Medications
• Maternity, Mental Health, Organize Sports, and more!

Insurance Options That Meet Your Needs

Our Student Secure plan is an excellent option for international students with three levels to choose the plan that works best for your specific needs. Check our School Requirements to see if our plan will work for your institution.

Want to learn more about the Affordable Care Act? Read our latest article on the Impacts of the ACA on International Students.

Posted by Jennifer Frankel

Jennifer is the International Director at International Student Insurance. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Florida where she holds a Masters in International Business and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. She has lived and worked abroad in Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica and England, and traveled extensively in South America, Europe and Asia.