Opt for OPT Insurance for Peace of Mind
OPT insurance refers to the insurance taken by an international student and his/her dependents during the training period that usually follows graduation.Often, this is the first time the F-1 visa holder makes a decision on what insurance to purchase, and it can be confusing to navigate the world of insurance in the United States.
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, OPT insurance provides health coverage that is so important in the United States.
One thing to note is that unlike international student health insurance, OPT health insurance is not mandatory, but it is important to remember the high costs of healthcare in the United States before taking a decision to live without insurance.However, remember the high costs of U.S. healthcare, and remember that one accident or medical incident can scar your life forever.
Some of the typical benefits offered by OPT health 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.
Being a short-term insurance plan, optional practical training insurance typically excludes maternity benefits and routine eye and dental exams.The look-back period determines what constitutes a pre-existing condition, and is typically a year to three years.
Benefits of OPT health insurance plans range from coverage of $ 25000 to $ 1 million, and a range of deductibles are available, depending on by the plan.Most OPT insurance plans can be purchased for durations from five days to a year.
An international student must choose OPT insurance wisely, considering future plans as well.Students planning to return home after their OPT period runs out will do well with the one-year plan, and those who are hoping to receive permanent employment and consequently, employer-sponsored insurance, might want to purchase insurance monthly, or for three months at a time.