OPT Health Insurance For International Students

A typical international student's first decision associated with healthcare insurance is usually when he/she purchases an Opt insurance plan. OPT insurance is insurance for an international student on an F-1 visa (and his/her dependents) when undergoing OPT, usually a 12- or 29-month employment period meant for the international student to gain practical knowledge in his/her field of study.

For international students, the OPT period is usually a period between college and full-time work, and OPT insurance is meant for exactly this period to help the F-1 holder and his/her dependent during this period. As the plan is short-term, it can mainly be used to cover unforeseen health problems.

Most school-sponsored health insurance plans do not offer coverage for a student under OPT, and if they do, it's often priced much higher than the international student health insurance plan. Until the F-1 holder returns to the home country, or gains employment, Optional practical training insurance provides health coverage that is so important in the United States.

Although it is not required by law, OPT insurance is a wise decision for those international students who want to ensure that their life, savings, and credit history remain in good condition. The high costs of U.S. healthcare make OPT health insurance mandatory by logic.

Some of the typical benefits offered by OPT insurance include inpatient and outpatient care, emergency medical assistance, ambulance services, dental expenses (excluding routine care), emergency medical evacuation, accidental death and dismemberment, as well as repatriation of remains. Most plans also cover prescription drugs for new ailments.

Your OPT insurance will, however, not cover known or planned medical conditions such as pregnancy, periodic eye and dental care, and pre-existing conditions. The look-back period for pre-existing conditions can be just a year.

You can choose maximum coverage from a range: $25,000 to $1 million. You can also choose from a range of deductibles higher deductibles usually reducing the premium. The plan duration depends on how long you want to be covered, and can be purchased for five days to one year.

When making choices regarding OPT insurance, you might want to consider your future plan after completion of your OPT. You can purchase monthly coverage, which may make sense if you are planning to look for permanent employment in the United States. You can also purchase coverage for a year, if you are certain to return to your home country after the OPT.

Dan Miller often writes about international student insurance.