Unlike many countries around the world, the United States does not have a nationalized healthcare system. This means that individuals are responsible to either pay for their own treatment out of pocket or purchase private health insurance to help cover the cost of their medical bills.
In addition, in the current healthcare environment in the United States, medical costs are perhaps the highest in the world. For example, an appendectomy can cost $60,493, a fractured humerus, $47,445, a car accident can cost upwards of $150,000.
Universities in the United States have developed multi-tiered plans to ensure the health of its students so that the overall university community is as healthy as can be and also so that students can maintain their health as they pursue their academic endeavors. This website is meant to support the international dependents of international students and scholars.
Healthcare Considerations for Dependents of International Students and Scholars
It will typically be easier and less expensive if you take care of the following before leaving your home country:
MEDICATIONS
If you are currently taking medications, make sure to carry a supply with you in your carry-on luggage along with a note from your doctor in English.
NOTE: Not all medicines are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or allowed into the United States. More information, including a list of approved medicines, can be found in the FDA Orange Book: www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/default.cfm
EYE AND DENTAL CARE
Eye care and dental care are not covered by Tulane’s insurance plan (nor by most medical insurance plans in the U.S.), so it may be less expensive for you to take care of eye or dental care needs before you leave your home country.
If you and your family are interested in purchasing additional coverage for eye and dental care, the international student can check the Student Health website to view supplemental coverage options: http://campushealth.tulane.edu/
CHECK UP & IMMUNIZATIONS
Get a checkup before you leave to make sure you are in good health and that all of your immunizations are up to date.
Many international students are caught off-guard by healthcare costs in the U.S. and don’t fully understand the importance of purchasing a good insurance plan for the duration of their studies.
Health insurance is designed to cover the majority of medical costs and often work with a network of doctors who are contracted to charge a discounted rate for medical services, making your overall visit more affordable.
International students are defined as any enrolled student that is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. All F-1 and J-1 international students must be enrolled in T-SHIP.
On a case-by-case basis, international students may be considered for an exemption to this requirement when covered by a U.S.-based group health insurance plan (for example, a U.S.-based, employer-sponsored, ACA-compliant group plan). Learn more about exemptions
Cost
For insurance cost see campushealth.tulane.edu/insurance-billing/t-ship.
How to Enroll in Tulane Insurance
All international students will be enrolled in the T-SHIP and will receive information about how to access that coverage.
Tulane Health Insurance Policy does not allow for international students to waive university sponsored coverage.
International students are defined as any enrolled student that is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. All international students must be enrolled in T-SHIP.
Are you an international student who is covered by a U.S.-based group health insurance plan (for example, a U.S.-based, employer-sponsored, ACA-compliant group plan)? Learn how to request an exemption to the T-SHIP requirement.
We hope you find the below information helpful in understanding health insurance in the U.S. and what to look for while shopping for health insurance. When evaluating insurance plans, keep in mind that you must also meet Tulane’s waiver requirements. For example, if Tulane currently has a $250 deductible and you purchase a plan with a $1,000 deductible, you will not qualify to waive out of the Tulane insurance plan.
UNDERSTANDING OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES
While health insurance in the United States can cover most of your medical bills, there will still be a portion that must be paid out of pocket.
DEDUCTIBLE
The deductible is the amount of money you are responsible for paying for medical expenses before the insurance company begins to pay on your behalf. For example: If you choose a plan with a $1,000 deductible, you are responsible for the first $1,000 of your medical bills. After your deductible has been paid your insurance company will begin to pay.
Most insurance plans have different deductibles for different types of coverage, for example you might have to meet a $1,000 deductible before your insurance will pay for a hospital visit, but only a $250 deductible before your insurance will pay towards prescription medication. Keep in mind that the higher your deductible, the lower your premiums will be each month, but you will also be responsible to pay more when you seek treatment.
CO-INSURANCE
Usually, even after you have paid the deductible, an insurance plan pays only a percentage of your medical expenses. The policy might pay 80%, for example, and you would have to pay the remaining 20%. The portion you have to pay is called the co-insurance. For example, if you were injured and your bill came to $3000 in medical expenses, a policy with a $400 deductible and 20% co-insurance would cover $2080 (80% of $2,600).
COPAYMENT
Not to be confused with co-insurance, copayment is the set amount you pay each time a medical service is accessed. Copay fees vary between policies, but are typically $25 or less. Your insurance policy for example, may require you to pay $25 for a doctor’s appointment and $10 per prescription up to a specified coverage limit.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Prescription drugs can be obtained from a pharmacy only with a doctor's written prescription. You may purchase a name brand drug ,that is an original drug, or a generic drug, a copy of a name brand drug made by another company. Generic drugs are usually considerably cheaper and are equally as effective. Over-the counter medications are available without prescription from the pharmacy or food store. Tulane University has a pharmacy in the uptown Student Health Center.
