Healthy, Happy & Helping: Healthcare for International Students in the US

Introduction

Annemarie EstradaDirector of Client ServicesInternational Student Insurance

Meghan LaneAssistant Director, DSO/AROUniversity of South Florida

Kelly HallAssistant Director, INTO USF ImmigrationUniversity of South Florida

Agenda

• Intro to the US Healthcare System• Seeking Appropriate Treatment • Affordable Care Act• Risk Factors to Watch Out For• Staying Healthy – Mind and Body• Conclusion and Interactive Forum

Healthcare Outside the US

Nationalized health care Hospitalization for major and minor conditions Medical treatment is less expensive Slower access to non-emergency treatment

Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System

Is Health Insurance Necessary? YES! Prepare to pay out of pocket

No government assistance

Using Health Insurance in the U.S. PPO Networks

Pre-certification

Pre-existing conditions

EME/Repatriation

Introduction to the U.S. Healthcare System

Why Students Seek Treatment Cold/ Flu

General Sickness/ Feeling Unwell

Acute Sickness/ Injuries /Emergencies

Where Students Seek Treatment is Important Student Health Center

Doctor’s Office (Primary Care Provider)

Urgent Care Center/ Walk-in Clinic

Emergency Room

Affordable Care ActFacing the Change

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Affordable Care Act – Final Rule

Student health insurance coverage is a written agreement between an institution of higher education and a health insurance issuer and provided to students and their dependents

If coverage is sold directly to a student, then the coverage is individual health insurance coverage.

Affordable Care Act What this means for you? Annual Limits

• Policy year September 24, 2012 until December 31, 2013: Annual limits of no less than $500,000

• Policy year on or after January 1, 2014: No annual limits  

Preventative Care• Student health coverage is required to provide preventive

services without cost-sharing.

Lifetime Limits• Plan may not impose lifetime limits

Pre-existing condition limitations• Plans may not impose pre-existing condition limitation on those

younger than age 19.• After January 2014, pre-existing conditions cannot be excluded

Clarity on the ACA

IRS enforces individual mandate based on resident vs. non-resident alien analysis

F, M, Q and J visa holders are exempt for 5 years from:

maintaining minimum essential coverage

International students can choose their plan:

School’s group plan

Individual health insurance

State exchanges

International students will still need to meet the US Department of State (J visa) and their school’s insurance minimums

 

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision

Play Healthcare video

http://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/explained/us-healthcare-system-video.php

What Students Need To Know

Before Arrival Routine Dental

Physical Exams

Eye Exams

Maintenance Drugs

Vaccinations/Immunizations

Secure Insurance

After Arrival

Orientation

• Student Health Center

• Advisors and Support Staff

Campus/City Tour

• Nearby health providers

• Pharmacies

What Students Need To Know

Risk Factors To Watch Out For

Loneliness

Risky behavior

Drugs/Alcohol

Depression

Behavioral Issues

Stigma associated with mental health

Staying HealthyMind and Body

College Experience• Intramural/Intercollegiate/Club Sports

• School associations

• Religious/cultural organizations

• Gym and recreational areas

• Unifying student body

Resources

Developing a Support System• Advisors and Support Staff

• Mental health counselors

Developing a healthy lifestyle• Exercise

• Eating

• Sleep

Case Study Instructions

We will analyze three case studies of medical issues that can arise with international students.

As a group, discuss the issues and how you would address the problem.

Henrietta Potter who is an international student from the United Kingdom and Florida School. She is playing volleyball on the beach with some friends and falls and breaks a collar bone. She doesn’t have health insurance, what things should she consider prior to seeking treatment?

- Student health center- Negotiating with the provider about non-insured cash

discounts- Do not go to the emergency room, go to the urgent care

center- Shop around for discount pharmacies- Buy insurance for the future

Case Study #1

Young Hwa Kim , an J-1 scholar from South Korea, at Troy School was diagnosed with severe paranoid schizophrenia. This is a condition that usually manifests itself during late teen or early 20’s. She was hospitalized in a psychiatric institution and was unable to continue her studies, however she was also deemed unfit to travel without a medical escort. What action plan does your school currently have to deal with a situation like this?

- Have medical evacuation coverage and mental health coverage on your insurance plan (J minimum health coverage not always enough)

- Communicating with the natural family, provider, insurance, etc.

Case Study #2

Desiree Marley an international student from Jamaica attending Sunny College finds out she’s pregnant 2 years into her program. She has the school’s insurance plan, however the policy does not cover maternity. She has two more years left in her program and is committed to completing her degree. What are the best practices to handle this case?

- Student Health Center- Local charities/non-profits- Negotiating with women’s clinics- Reevaluate your insurance plan- Have the baby back home- Prevention for the future – condoms, birth control, etc.

Case Study #3

Interactive Forum

What does your school do to address the health needs of your international

students?

Interactive Forum

How do you overcome mental

health issues and the stigma associated

with it?

Interactive Forum

What support system does your school have in place to make sure international students are happy & healthy?

Wrap Up

Questions?

Thank you!

Annemarie EstradaDirector of Client ServicesInternational Student Insurance

Meghan LaneAssistant Director, DSO/AROUniversity of South Florida

Kelly HallAssistant Director, INTO USF ImmigrationUniversity of South Florida