What does international student health insurance cover?

Prioritising your health and wellbeing when studying abroad can help you make the most of your academic journey and all the fun experiences that come with it.

Whether you’re going for a semester, a year, or your whole university or college course, consider purchasing international student health insurance so you can access quality medical treatment with confidence during your studies.

Continue reading to explore some of the key benefits included in international student medical insurance plans.

Outpatient services

Student health insurance plans can offer cover for outpatient care, which typically involves services like consultations, routine checkups and small routine procedures.

Visiting the doctor is sometimes a challenge as an international student, where you might not be eligible for the local healthcare system or unfamiliar with how it works. International medical insurance cover can give you access to specialist and doctor consultations, allowing you to get prompt support for a variety of health concerns so you don’t lose time from your studies.

Coverage can also include services like x-rays, diagnostic and pathology tests, and MRI, CT, and PET scans. Having a plan that includes a broad range of outpatient cover gives you peace of mind that your health needs are looked after when you’re far from home.

Inpatient treatment

International student health insurance can provide protection against the costs of inpatient care, which usually requires a stay in hospital overnight and is used to treat more serious health conditions.

Receiving hospital treatment abroad can be a less daunting experience with health insurance in place, reducing any financial strain and enabling you to seek treatment at leading private medical facilities across the world within your chosen area of cover.

Your insurance can cover many of the costs associated with inpatient care, such as:

• Accident & emergency room treatment

• Day patient treatment

• Accommodation and meal charges

• Physician, surgeon and anaesthetist fees

• Intensive care unit charges

To learn about the main differences between inpatient and outpatient care, check out our blog here.

Emergency medical and non-medical evacuation

Emergency medical evacuation cover is another common feature of international student medical insurance plans.

It’s designed for circumstances where you’re experiencing a life-threatening or critical medical condition and the treatment you need isn’t available locally. It involves the arrangement of urgent medical treatment and transport to the closest location where appropriate care or medical facilities are available. 

Emergency non-medical evacuation is often included in plans too, ensuring transport to a safe location during life-threatening situations resulting from events like natural disasters or civil and political unrest.

Additional benefits

As well as the plan’s main features, you can get a diverse range of additional benefits with your cover.

This includes our second medical opinion service, which you can utilise if you’re unsure about your diagnosis or a proposed treatment plan. Intended for critical illnesses or complex cases like cancer, major trauma or severe burns, it gives you access to a network of 50,000 medical experts across the world. Your case would be assigned to a doctor with expertise in your medical condition, who will review your medical history and produce a final report within 7-10 working days.

With our home country cover benefit, you can have reassurance that your healthcare needs are protected during short trips to see friends and family. But note that this cover is restricted to the treatment of emergency medical conditions or acute episodes of pre-existing medical conditions.

You can choose to include cover for pre-existing medical conditions for an additional premium if your plan’s duration is at least six months. Bear in mind, however, that this optional extra is only designed for the emergency treatment of existing conditions, such as congenital and hereditary conditions.

The plan also offers security risk assistance as an additional benefit, providing support if you’re faced with challenges such as travel disruption, a stolen passport or an accident abroad. You can stay informed of any developments as they unfold with access to up-to-date country-specific risk information and travel safety tips at the click of a button. Cover for an emergency non-medical evacuation could apply as well if the situation becomes life-threatening, where arrangements would be made to transport you to a place of safety.

What isn't covered

Since student health insurance is aimed to providing protection for a fixed, shorter duration, it typically excludes certain types of medical treatment, such as:

• Cancer treatment

• Routine health checks and assessments

• Maternity care

• Routine dental treatment

Other services not generally covered by international health insurance include elective cosmetic surgery, treatment outside your selected area of cover, and injuries arising from activities like racing or professional sports.

How much does international student health insurance cost?

Budget is an important consideration when selecting student health insurance cover, with the cost determined based on a number of factors.

The length of your course can have an impact on your insurance premium, with the cost differing significantly for those studying abroad for one semester compared to those who are studying a full three-year course.

As insurance premium tax (IPT) can vary based on where your residence is, your location can affect the cost of your premium. Adding optional extra to your plan, such as cover for pre-existing medical conditions, can also influence your insurance premium amount.

You can find out more about how international health cover works and what to expect by reading our blog here.