International Student Health Insurance

All International Students on an F-1 Visa are required to purchase the OCU-sponsored Student Health Insurance Policy. The policy is administered by Academic Health Plans and underwritten by ACE American Insurance Company. Claims and payments are processed by Health Special Risk, Inc.

Over the past few years, the policy has remained essential the same. Effective August 1st, 2007, the International Student Health Insurance policy will have significant changes that will effect all International Students. Outlined below are some of the more significant changes and what they mean to each International Student on the health insurance policy.

1. $100.00 Deductible - a deductible is the amount that must be paid by the insured person for health care services before the insurance company will pay claims. This means that the first $100.00 of health care that an International student receives outside of the Student Health Clinic during the policy year (August - August) will be the International Student's responsibility. Once you have "met" or paid your $100.00 deductible, your benefits will be paid according to the Schedule of Benefits in the Academic Health Plans policy brochure. Click here for a copy of the brochure.

2. The Student Health Clinic should be the International Student's first stop for any illness or injury that is not an emergency. International students do not have to meet his/her deductible for services in the Student Health Clinic. The Student Health Clinic will file all eligible services with Academic Health Plans, leaving the International student with no out-of-pocket expense in most situations.

3. $75.00 Emergency Room Co-Pay - a co-pay is the amount an insured person must pay for a covered service, in addition to the insurance payment. This means that every visit to the Emergency Room will cost the International Student $75.00 in addition to any other payments. The $75.00 co-pay does not count towards the $100.00 deductible. In addition to the co-pay, there is a maximum payout of $600.00 by Academic Health Plans for each Emergency Room Visit.

Most illnesses and injuries do not require a trip to the emergency room. There are several clinics that are open late if the International Student cannot possibly wait until the Student Health Clinic opens. Click here for a list of some after-hours clinics. Remember that Emergency Rooms are for emergencies only. The definition of an emergency is a sudden, serious, and unexpected acute illness, injury or condition (including sudden and unexpected severe pain) that you reasonably perceive could permanently endanger your health if medical treatment is not received immediately. This would include uncontrolled bleeding, your arm is obviously broken, you are having a heart attack, or similar acute illnesses or injuries. An illness or injury that you have had for more than a day is not an emergency. The $75.00 co-pay is non-refundable and goes towards your medical bills at the Emergency Room.

4. Prescription Co-Pays - Prescription medications that are filled at a pharmacy (not those dispensed from the Student Health Clinic) have a co-pay of $15.00 for generic drugs and $30.00 for name-brand drugs. A co-pay is the amount an insured person must pay for a covered service, in addition to the insurance payment. The co-pays are non-refundable and do not apply towards the $100.00 deductible. In the past International Students have had to pay full price for prescriptions and file a claim with Academic Health Plans to get reimbursed. Now, International Students will only need to pay either the $15.00 or $30.00 depending on the drug. International Students must show their Insurance ID Card each time they get a prescription filled in order to get the prescription benefit.

Questions or Concerns about health insurance or the changes? Contact OCU Student Health & Disability Services or Academic Health Plans.