We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Health Insurance, USA

Hi,

I am a mature student going to study in the USA for 2 years. My course starts in late August but I arrive in the US one month before the obligatory health insurance policy kicks in. I plan to take travel insurance for the first month but am unsure on two fronts:

1) Travel insurance asks 'return' date. I won't actually be returning at the end of that period of insurance so is it dishonest to fill in the start date of my US policy?

2) If the worst happened and I had an accident, would the Uni's health policy deny me any subsequent treatments for what would then be an 'pre-existing condition'?

Any advice greatly appreciated!
«1

Comments

  • RibAd
    RibAd Posts: 343 Forumite
    travel insurance impllies that you will be travelling on a trip ie a temporary absence from your home address, to a holiday destination and returning home, so even if you did take out travel insurance, it would be a waste of money as you are not covered as you are and have made formal arrangements to be away for 2 years.
    Try getting a specialist cover ie like backpacking cover if they will cover something like this.

    as regards to the Uni's health policy, you can only find that info from them. I suggest that you ask the necessasry questions regarding pre existing medical conditions as they may or may not cover, and maybe can offer an alternative to fill the gap in cover.
  • Your thoughts concur with mine. I've already tried getting help from the University but I'll need to get back to them and be more insistent. Thanks for your help.

    Anyone out there who's been a mature student in the USA? It'd be great to get some tips!

    Katie Bairdie
  • RibAd
    RibAd Posts: 343 Forumite
    The only other alternative may be to try the Association of British Insurers (ABI) visit http://www.abi.org.uk or The British Insurer's Brokers Association http://www.biba.org.uk/

    unless anyone has any other ideas?
  • looby-loo_2
    looby-loo_2 Posts: 1,566 Forumite
    I don't know if it is dependent on income but my Alliance and Leicester bank account gives me free year round travel insurance. I used this in the USA and when I made a claim they paid quickly.

    As it is year round you would be covered for the whole trip
    Doing voluntary work overseas for as long as it takes .......
    My DD might make the odd post for me
  • Thanks RibAd. I'm heading off to speak to an insurance broker about it today. Looby-loo - thanks for the suggestion; I'll bring this up with the broker and see if it's a possibility. I've now realised another issue - if I travel within the States I'm going to have to take out an annual policy there! Jings - this is a hassle!

    Thanks for all the help guys.

    K
  • Just wanted to let you know that I've found a solution. A company called P J Hayman have offered me a suitable policy; they've added 25% to the usual price of a one month policy, so it's not cheap, but at least I'll have cover.

    Thanks again.
    K
  • docij
    docij Posts: 193 Forumite
    Where abouts are you studying? My daughter has just finished her second year of a 4 year degree course in the US. PM me if you want to friendly student contact in the US.
  • RibAd
    RibAd Posts: 343 Forumite
    Great that you got a solution! :) May not have been cheap, but at least you'll be reassured on cover.
  • jonesMUFCforever
    jonesMUFCforever Posts: 28,898 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    looby-loo wrote: »
    I don't know if it is dependent on income but my Alliance and Leicester bank account gives me free year round travel insurance. I used this in the USA and when I made a claim they paid quickly.

    As it is year round you would be covered for the whole trip

    Check the terms and conditions. These policies usually have a 30 day (some up to 90 days) limit and you have to start and finish in the UK within that timescale.
    Yes you get an annual insurance but that does not mean you get365 days of continious cover.
  • docij wrote: »
    Where abouts are you studying? My daughter has just finished her second year of a 4 year degree course in the US. PM me if you want to friendly student contact in the US.

    Hi docij,

    I'm a new user and don't even know what PM means! I'm going to do a post graduate degree at the University of Montana. It'd certainly be helpful to have a contact!

    K
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.7K Life & Family
  • 262.3K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.