February 2012 Travel Warning Updates
February 14th, 2012 by Jennifer FrankelSpring Break is right around the corner and many students are making travel arrangements overseas. Whether you are planning just a few days, or weeks, you will want to make sure that you are aware of the current international climate no matter where you go. Since our last January 2012 travel warning update, here is the February 2012 travel warning updates from the US State Department:
- Travel Warning for the Philippines – January 5th marked an extended travel warning for the Philippines due to potential terrorist risks. While the warning states that risks extend throughout the country, it cites recent incidents in Mindanao and in the Sulu Archipelago.
- Travel Warning for Sudan – Replacing the existing travel warning from June 2011, the Department of State continues to warn travelers of “security concerns” along the Darfur region, Blue Nile, and Southern Kordofan States.
- Travel Warning for Nigeria – The Department of State extended the current travel warning in Nigeria due to the “risks of kidnapping, robbery, and other armed attacks.” The official statement warns against travel unless essential; the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, issued a State of Emergency in the country.
- Travel Warning for the Democratic Republic of the Congo – Replacing the July 2011 warning, the US Department of State reissued a new statement that warns against unnecessary travel to eastern and northeastern areas of Congo primarily due to security and military concerns.
- Travel Warning for Iraq – An extended travel warning has been issued for Iraq due to persisting security concerns with air and land travel, particularly with kidnapping and terrorist violence. The Department of State recommends avoiding travel as the Embassy’s response capabilities are limited.
- Travel Warning for Pakistan – The warning for Pakistan has been extended as security concerns continue to be present in the nation. Protests, demonstrations, and rallies present additional risks that travelers should avoid.
- Travel Warning for Syria – The US Department of State “suspended all embassy operations effective February 6, 2012” due to the ongoing violence. US citizens are recommended to avoid travel to the nation and, for those individual who are currently in the country, to leave immediately.
- Travel Warning for Mexico – While the US State Department notes that “the Mexican government makes considerable effort to protect US citizens and other visitors”, drug-related violence and crime has affected locals and foreigners traveling to Mexico. The advisory warns against traveling to 14 of 31 Mexican states. The US Department of State lists a state by state advisory that should be reviewed before traveling to the region.
Healthy Pregnancy While Traveling
February 13th, 2012 by Bryanna DavisHaving a baby is a monumental moment in many people’s lives. No matter what country someone is from or having a baby in, there is one common goal: to have a healthy pregnancy while traveling. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following day-to-day tips, especially when traveling, to keep carrying moms and their unborn baby safe from infection:
- Wash your hands often, especially after the following:
Using the bathroom
Cooking or eating
Touching raw food products
Gardening or touching soil
Handling pets
Being around people who are sick
Changing diapers
Coming in contact with saliva
Interacting with children - Do not share eating utensils, food or cups with children:
Many parents share these items with their children, however, a child’s saliva could contain a virus that can be dangerous for those who are pregnant. - Ensure your meat is fully cooked:
The inside should not be pink and it should leak clear juice before consumption. Also, try to avoid lunch meats such as deli meat and hot dogs unless they are reheated to steaming temperatures. - Avoid unpasteurized milk and foods
- Avoid dirty kitty cat litter:
If this is inevitable, ensure gloves are worn during the process and hands are thoroughly washed afterwards. - Stay away from rodents and their droppings:
This includes pets such as hamsters and guinea pigs. - Ensure you do not have an STD:
Some individuals can be infected and not have any symptoms. It is important to get tested so necessary measures can be taken to help avoid the baby becoming infected as well. - Get properly vaccinated:
Some vaccines must be done before pregnancy, some during and some after. To help support a healthy pregnancy while traveling, talk to your doctor about what extra vaccines are needed and when they should be taken. - Avoid people who have infections:
Traveling involves being around a lot of people, often in small areas. Try to avoid being near those who seem ill and wear a protective face mask when possible. - Get the facts about group B Strep:
Get tested to find out if you carry these bacteria and find out how to protect your baby during labor from contracting it.
For a health pregnancy while traveling, it is also important to ensure you have international health insurance that includes maternity. The Student Secure plan and Citizen Secure plan offer varying maternity coverage. If you would like more information on either of these plans, contact one of our licensed agents today.
Student Health Insurance for University of South Florida
February 11th, 2012 by ahoontrakulThe University of South Florida has selected ISI as a pre-approved insurance option for international students. Learn more and apply online to meet your school’s requirements.
Since it was founded in 1956, the University of South Florida has grown and become one of the largest public universities in the US with well over 45,000 students enrolled. Today, the university has more than 1,400 international students and 200 research scholars from over 150 countries around the world.
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is located in Tampa. As one of Florida’s major metropolitan cities, Tampa has a lot to offer including many crystal clear beaches, world class museums, and even two major amusement parks. USF gives international students a great city to call home during their study in the US.
As with many major universities, international students are required to have health insurance while they are studying at University of South Florida. Every semester, international students consider the choices for their student health insurance for University of South Florida. International students have the choice of enrolling in the insurance plan that the university offers or purchasing their own health insurance plan that meets all the requirements listed on the university’s student health insurance compliance form.
International Student Insurance has a plan that is designed to provide coverage that meets the requirements for University of South Florida called the Student Secure-USF Plan. This student health insurance for University of South Florida provides comprehensive coverage for sicknesses and injuries including doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medication, sports coverage, mental health, and pre-existing condition coverage (after a 6 month waiting period). This is a great choice for international students because it provides great coverage at a much more affordable price compared to the university’s plan. Here’s a comparison of the cost for USF’s insurance plan to the Student Secure-USF Plan for those ages 24 and younger:
USF Insurance plan cost – $2,957 per year
Student Secure plan cost – $741 per year
Total Saving- $2,215 per year
International Student Insurance has been pre-approved to offer the StudentSecure-USF plan and will meet all of your school’s insurance requirements. As long as you note that you are attending the University of South Florida on your application, you will not need to complete the USF student health insurance compliance form as we will take care of all of this for you!
If you choose to purchase your own insurance plan, you will need to have enrolled in the plan and submitted your waiver form by August 10, 2020 (returning students) or August 21, 2020 (new students). Be sure to complete this in advance otherwise you might get stuck buying the school’s expensive plan for another semester! If you have any questions, feel free to contact our International Student Insurance agents.
Updated 8/7/2020
Repatriation of Remains and Emergency Medical Evacuation
February 9th, 2012 by Bryanna DavisMost international students run into the same problem when shopping for international student health insurance. Since many schools require their international students to have repatriation of remains and emergency medical evacuation coverage, this is a key item when they are searching for coverage, but they are often unsure exactly what this benefit is or how much they will need.
Before purchasing an insurance plan it is important to know what benefits and exclusions the plan is composed of. If you are an international student searching for a plan that includes both repatriation of remains and emergency medical evacuation, one option you might be interested in is the Student Secure plan since it includes both of these. Depending on which level of the Student Secure plan you purchase, the smart, budget or select, your coverage amount for these benefits will vary. The amount of coverage for repatriation of remains with the Student Secure plan is offered in the amount of $10,000 (smart), $15,000 (budget) or $25,000 (select). Emergency medical evacuation coverage in this plan is $50,000 lifetime (smart), $250,000 lifetime (budget) or $300,000 lifetime (select).
The repatriation of remains benefit will provide coverage for the transportation of the deceased policyholder’s bodily remains back to their area of principle residence in the event of death due to a covered injury or illness. This benefit allows individuals to prepare for the worst.
When recommended by an attending physician, emergency medical evacuation provides transportation to the nearest hospital that is fit to medically treat the covered individual if they are unable to receive the necessary treatment at a local facility.
If you would like more information on the Student Secure plan or repatriation of remains and emergency medical evacuation, please contact one of our licensed agents today and they will assist you with any questions or concerns.
International Students in Ohio
January 29th, 2012 by Bryanna DavisInternational students in Ohio can look forward to a plethora of outdoor activities. With 134 state nature preserves, not even the ice and snow of winter can keep locals indoors; the cold months only provide more activities like ice skating, snowmobiling, winter camping, sledding and ice fishing. Ohio maintains its outdoor appeal since it offers a vast array of scenery with its prairies, wetlands, Lake Erie and the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. International students in Ohio who want to enjoy the land but are not sure how, are able to take advantage of the state’s outdoor programs. Year-round Ohio offers assist in learning the outdoors through fishing workshops, hunting shows and archery tournaments.
International students coming to Ohio also have the opportunity to get a rare glimpse into the Amish community lifestyle. Located in the central-eastern portion of the state is an Amish community of approximately 40,000 Amish individuals. Here you are able to experience the Amish way of life through “home-style” dining, country inns and handmade items. This community offers those from abroad a look into what American life was like before telephones, electricity or vehicles were abound.
Students who would like to study in Ohio but are more interested in city life are able to explore their options in Columbus or Cleveland. The cities of Ohio also provide plenty of entertainment with its numerous museums including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the International Women’s Air and Space Museum and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Just as any other city in the US, there is also an array of restaurants, parks and other sightseeing choices.
International students in Ohio who need to ensure they have adequate health insurance coverage might be eligible for the Student Secure plan. This plan meets and exceeds many school and government requirements. For information on this plan and its benefits you can contact one of our licensed agents today.
Find a Doctor in the US
January 26th, 2012 by ahoontrakulIt’s the New Year’s and you have discovered that you can purchase our more affordable insurance plan instead of your university’s plan. As an international student, you may wonder to yourself, “how do I find a doctor in the US?” or “can I visit any doctor I want to?”
Whether you have purchased our Student Secure plan, Atlas plan or Citizen Secure plan, you can find a doctor in the US very easily. All three plans are what are referred to as a preferred provider organization, or PPO. PPO is an optional network with contracted doctors or hospitals that you can go to. While this network is not required, these doctors and hospitals usually have discounted rates and have agreed to accept direct payment from the insurance company (this means that the insurance company pays covered expenses directly to your doctor or hospital, instead of paying first and being reimbursed).
If you choose the Student Secure Select level, the Atlas Plan or the Citizen Secure. By choosing a provider that is inside the network, you will receive 100% coverage for eligible expenses after you have met any deductible (up to your policy maximum). Coverage may change if you are outside the network so be sure to check the benefits on your plan as this is common in PPO networks.
Whether you go to a doctor or hospital in or out of the network, simply show your insurance ID card to the doctor office. Your doctor can then call the phone number located on your insurance ID card to arrange direct payment.
With any of these plans, you can simply use our online provider search tool to find a doctor or hospital anywhere around the US. We have multiple plans available to fit your needs; if you need help choosing the right plan contact our insurance agents to assist.
Health Insurance Documents
January 22nd, 2012 by Bryanna DavisHaving an international student health insurance plan allows students to feel secure that in the event of an emergency medical situation, they will not be stuck with hefty bills. Although student health insurance plans are great for providing a sense of peace, they are also often required when obtaining a visa and enrolling in classes.
As an international student, moments will arise when you will be faced with the task of retrieving your health insurance documents to prove you have adequate coverage. To ensure that students who have purchased the Student Secure plan are provided with the documents they need at the highest level of convenience, they have access to the Student Zone. Students are able to print their necessary documents from the Student Zone as needed.
Health Insurance Document Breakdown:
The visa letter/confirmation of coverage: This document is often used when students need to show proof of coverage to obtain a visa. The confirmation of coverage includes key information like home country, country of assignment, benefit amounts and length of coverage.
The policy fulfillment: This is your receipt from when you originally purchased your plan. It contains our contact information as well as the breakdown of your important plan information.
The extension endorsement: When you extend your coverage, this document will be your receipt. It includes your certificate ID number, the amount paid and the number of months the plan was extended to.
The ID card: Your ID card is important to have on hand if you seek medical treatment. Although possession of this card does not guarantee all treatment will be covered, it does have information that providers might need to ensure your eligible expenses are covered.
When you are on a strict deadline to provide proof of your health insurance coverage, rest assured that you are able to gather your documents in minutes, not days.
Insurance for Study Abroad in Korea
January 21st, 2012 by ahoontrakulSouth Korea has become well known around the world for its cars, consumer electronics and even their pop culture. For this reason it’s not hard to imagine why it is one of the top study abroad destinations in the East Asia region, 3rd after China and Japan. In the year 2009/2010 there was over 2,000 U.S. students studying abroad in Korea according to the most recent Open Doors Report.
In the past few decades the economy of South Korea has grown remarkably and today it is ranked number 13th as the largest in the world based on GDP. Today, Korean is a major world player in the high-tech electronic industry and is famous for its consumer electronic brands such as Samsung and LG which makes products like HDTVs and smart phones. Not only that, Korean popular culture such as music, TV dramas and movies have brought even more interest to the country from across the world.
Just like any study abroad program, there is a chance that you may become sick or injured while overseas. All Koreans have a Korean national health insurance. However, if you are a foreigner you are ineligible unless you will be staying in Korea for more than one year. If you plan on staying less than one year, our insurance for study abroad in Korea would be able to provide you coverage in case you get hurt or injured while you are abroad. The plan covers doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medication and more. If you plan on taking short trips to visit neighboring countries like China or Japan our insurance for study abroad in Korea plan will also covers you there as well.
So if your school or government is not already providing you with insurance, prepare in advance by purchasing an insurance for study abroad in Korea. If you have any questions about insurance for your upcoming trips feel free to contact us at any time.
Nepal International Student Insurance
January 19th, 2012 by Jennifer FrankelMany international students coming to the US from Nepal will need to purchase a Nepalese student health insurance. The United States is the most expensive country for medical care costs according to the World Health Organization, and it is important to purchase insurance to help cover any medical expenses that may come up when you study in the US. Here is a simple guide to follow to make sure you are properly insured when you come to the United States:
1. Insurance School Requirements – If you are coming to the US on a F-1 international student visa, insurance requirements are typically set by your school. Some colleges, universities, and even high schools may have a mandatory insurance plan in place. Others may not require any insurance, or, in other situations, you can purchase your own Nepal international student insurance plan as an alternative. Before purchasing insurance, we recommend that you contact your school or check out our School Requirements Database to see what your school requires.
2. Purchasing Your own Nepal International Student Insurance – There are a few situations where you may be purchasing your own student health plan. In some cases, schools may not have insurance or any requirements for their international students. Since health care can be expensive to cover out of pocket, most people will purchase their own Nepal international student insurance to help cover the high costs in case the unexpected happens. Even with schools who have a student health plan, many schools allow their students to waive with an alternative insurance plan. If this is your case, check with your school to see if there are minimum requirements that your alternative insurance plan must meet. Some students will choose an alternative insurance plan for a few reasons:
I. Coverage may be more comprehensive than what is currently being offered.
II. Rates may be more affordable for an international student.
III. Students want more flexibility with their plan. Many school-sponsored insurance plans will end once the student begins their OPT. With many individual plans you may be able to continue coverage while on OPT or CPT.
3. Waiver and Compliance Forms – If you purchase your own Nepal international student insurance, you may need to notify your school of your alternative student health plan. Depending on your school, this could mean showing them the brochure, completing the school’s waiver/compliance form, or have the insurance company present a letter to show proof of coverage. Either way, check with your insurance company before purchasing to make sure they can assist you with the paperwork you need.
4. Begin Your International Experience – As a Nepalese student studying in the US, this is an opportunity of a lifetime! Enjoy yourself, step out of your comfort zone, and know that in case the unexpected happens that you are properly insured. International Student Insurance works with students around the world and are familiar with the steps involved. If you are unsure of how to get started, contact one of our representatives to help review your insurance requirements and see that you are properly insured.
Student Health Insurance for Broward College
January 9th, 2012 by Bryanna DavisTo see the latest insurance requirements for Broward College, please see our latest 2020-2021 international student blog.
With all of the sand, sun and outdoor activities that Ft. Lauderdale, Florida has to offer it is understandable why international students choose to study at Broward College. If you are one of the many students gaining your overseas experience at Broward College this year it is important to ensure your health insurance meets their requirements. Without coverage that complies with the student health insurance for Broward College standards, you are unable to enroll in classes.
International Student Insurance offers the Student Secure plan which not only complies with the student health insurance for Broward College requirements but has many other benefits as well. To give you an idea of the cost, the Student Secure Smart plan for 12 months of coverage including the U.S. is $371.28 for international students who are ages 24 and younger. The Smart level meets the Broward College requirements by providing medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, hospital room and board, physician visits, surgery, hospitalization, and anesthesia. It also provides benefits that are not required by Broward College like prescriptions, mental health, and emergency reunion.
The Student Secure plan offers 24/7 worldwide travel and medical assistance that includes lost luggage assistance, pre-trip destination information and travel document replacement. You will also have access to the Student Zone which allows you to retrieving plan documents and managing your account online.
To have your compliance form approved and sent to your college is a simple process. After you purchase the Student Secure plan, sign the international student health insurance for Broward College compliance form then fax or email it to us. We will take care of the rest for you.
If you have any questions regarding this plan please feel free to contact us and one of our licensed agents will assist you with any questions you might have.
Updated on August 5, 2020
