Healthcare for students in the US
The US has no national health service, and medical care is extremely expensive without insurance. Health cover is essential — and many universities require international students to have it, often enrolling you in their own plan by default.
Why insurance is non-negotiable
A single emergency-room visit or short hospital stay can cost thousands of dollars. Without insurance you are personally liable for the full amount, so cover is not optional in practice.
University health plans
- Most universities offer a Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and automatically bill you for it.
- Some let you waive the plan if you can prove comparable cover that meets the university's minimum requirements.
- Plans usually include access to an on-campus student health center for routine care.
Understand the jargon
- Premium — what you pay for the policy.
- Deductible — what you pay before insurance kicks in.
- Copay — a fixed fee per visit or prescription.
- In-network — providers your plan has negotiated rates with; going out-of-network costs far more.
Official source: Check your university's international student services and health-insurance requirements.