Student Health Cover

When you plan on studying abroad, the most important thing to consider is your wellbeing in a foreign country. While the UK and Ireland are one of the top destinations for higher education among Indian students, it is necessary that you understand the importance of student health cover rules there. Therefore, we are bringing this comprehensive guide to you to share with you the reasons for securing health insurance, why it is essential, and how to select the right coverage for your needs.

GET IN TOUCH WITH US

What is Student Health Cover?

Starting from the basics, this question is indeed important, along with developing a sound comprehension of the benefits of it and its coverage, such as medical treatments, hospital stays, GP visits, visits, prescription medications and emergency care.

Definition and Purpose

Health cover can be understood as health insurance which provides a safety net for students, ensuring they can access necessary medical care if they fall ill or have an unforeseen medical exigency while studying abroad.

Coverage Benefits

In the UK, for instance, international students on visas longer than six months are required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This is a mandatory fee and grants access to the National Health Service (NHS), covering many healthcare services, including emergency treatments.

However, it’s worth noting that certain costs, such as prescription charges in England, aren’t included and would require separate payment.

On the other hand, in Ireland, the healthcare system combines public and private services, for which international students don’t qualify because they hold an appropriate insurance policy. While the EU/EEA students can rely on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in emergencies, non-EU students typically need private health insurance for their entire study period. This ensures that they are financially covered for medical care without the risk of high out-of-pocket expenses or placing additional financial pressure on the university in case of illness.

Consequently, some universities in both nations even collaborate with insurance providers to offer health cover plans tailored for their international students, making it easier for them to access reliable healthcare options while they study abroad.

Why Do You Need Health Cover as an International Student?

Simply put, healthcare expenses if paid out of your pocket can be overwhelming with the given currency difference between our countries. This calls for preparedness in advance, like for everything else, when you are planning to travel overseas to a new nation and staying there for the duration of your academic programme.

Mandatory Requirement

UK visa requirements for international students regarding health insurance are addressed through the country’s National Health Service (NHS) through an Immigration Health Surcharge (HIS). Depending on the situation, generally the students pay up to £776 per year, which gives them access to the basics such as GP visits and some specialist consultations. However, the NHS usually doesn’t cover certain services, such as dental care, optical treatments, and prescriptions. For such things, a health insurance will come in handy.

Ireland, on the other hand, has a blend of private and public services; therefore, all non-EU/EEA students are mandated to have private health insurance. This should cover hospitalisation, accidents, and illnesses for the full duration of their stay. In lieu of this, several Irish universities offer group health insurance schemes, which simplifies compliance with this requirement.

The importance of compliance with health cover policies for a student visa can be understood from the fact that if you fail to fulfil this as a requirement, it might result in a visa application rejection or delay until you fulfil the mandate.

Financial Protection and Peace of Mind

Good healthcare coverage ensures financial protection, which further makes for your peace of mind. In case of medical emergencies, IHS in the UK provides access to the NHS, and private health insurance in Ireland covers your treatment. This means that students can give due attention to their academic success and cultural adjustments without any stress, which is crucial in a new environment.

Types of Student Health Cover Plans

UK health insurance is primarily managed through IHS, which you pay along with the visa application fee. This provides you access to the NHS, which otherwise with private medical care is a lot expensive; however, one should note that this covers limited and general aspects of medical care, such as preventive care—vaccines and screenings for early-stage health issue detection. But private medical insurance covers even the unexpected medical costs, such as dental and vision care, along with mental health care, depending on the policy you take.

For Ireland, one must get insurance from Irish or international healthcare insurance providers since non-citizens do not qualify for medical care in the absence of insurance. This means you need coverage for routine medical requirements and unexpected healthcare needs so that your financial stability stays intact.

Comprehensive vs. Basic Plans

While there are two types of health insurance plans, it is essential you understand the difference.

  • Comprehensive health cover plan: Covers a broad range such as hospital stays, doctors’ visits, surgeries, preventive services, mental health support, and in very few instances, it even covers dental and vision care.
  • Basic health care plan: On a general note, it covers very essential services such as emergency care and hospitalisation and may exclude coverage for prescriptions or rehabilitation.

Therefore, factors to consider when choosing a plan should include your unique medical needs, budget, hospitals available on panel, and requirements for your visa application.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Coverage

The duration of coverage should be in alignment with your study programme as explained below:

  • Short-term coverage: As the name suggests, this applies to course durations, which are shorter compared to degree programmes. Internships, exchange semesters, or any other academic coursework that is less than the six-month mark fall under this category. These are further divided into emergency-only plans (urgent medical or hospital visits), basic plans (for GP visits or minor treatments), and travel insurance with medical benefit plans (for medical coverage with protection against travel-related risks).
  • Long-term coverage: Students studying overseas for over six months, such as for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, go for such coverage plans. Since it covers routine check-ups, specialist care, chronic illness management, emergency care, and even specific illnesses, it is generally recommended given the longer overseas stay duration.

Consequently, based on the course, individual needs, and visa requirements, you can choose the plan accordingly while ensuring that you also keep the specific country’s medical rules and regulations in mind before making your final decision.

How to Choose the Right Student Health Cover

Factors to Consider

  • Coverage details (inclusions and exclusions): While most plans cover preventive care, emergency service, and GP visits, it is important to note that generally dental care, optical treatment, and specific chronic disease management are not covered unless you get it added or buy plans that include these. Moreover, some plans can even cover mental health support or telemedicine consultation, which can be great for an international student.
  • Cost and premiums: The costs vary based on the plans, i.e., short-term plans are generally cheaper, while long-term plans are costlier but comparatively provide more benefits. In some cases, the university-sponsored plans are a part of the tuition fee, which makes them even more affordable.
  • Accessibility of services and network hospitals: This is an important aspect of choosing an insurer since their broader network ensures easier access to local hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in your vicinity. It is further advised that you look for repatriation and evacuation services included in your insurance, which better prepares you under unforeseen circumstances.

Compare Health Cover Providers

Considering the following factors when finalising your student health coverage provider will prove beneficial:

  • Tips on comparing different insurance companies: Coverage options, cost transparency, customisation, and network access are prime factors to be taken into account. For example, when you look at cost transparency, you should pay attention to premiums, cost deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses so that you can weigh your options well and see if you are getting value for money. Also, major and reputed companies such as Allianz Worldwide Care are good reflections of providing customisable plans.
  • What to look for in terms of customer service, claim process, and flexibility: To choose a cost-effective and reliable provider, opt for the ones who have 24/7 customer support, such as Cigna Global, which means you have someone there for you all the time; fast claim processing, which means less paperwork; and plan flexibility so that you can add essential coverage, such as dental or evacuation services.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Student Health Cover

Research and Select a Plan 

  • How to start your research for health coverage: Begin with understanding the requirements of your destination country. Also, you can take help from trusted comparison platforms such as CompareTheMarket to explore your options and look for options that give you tailored plans.
  • Understanding policy documents and coverage terms: Reading the policy in-depth is always a great decision. It helps you evaluate what’s included, what’s excluded, what are the deductibles, claim processes, and additional coverages on a worldwide and cross-border level.

Prepare Necessary Documents

  • Proof of admission, identification, and other essential documents: A valid passport, offer letter, health history such as vaccination records, payment details for policy, and eligibility criterion fulfilment if you’re applying through a university group health insurance are key requirements.
  • Details about submitting applications and receiving policy details: Generally, online applications are accepted, and for this, filling out the form, uploading the documents, and confirming the payment are required. Also, once you’re done with this stage, verifying the policy number and emergency contact details and then collecting a hard or soft copy of the policy is a wise move.

Activation and Validity of Your Health Cover

  • Steps to ensure your policy is activated upon arrival in the UK: Some policies are automatically activated upon your arrival in the destination country, while others need manual activation by the insurer. In either case, it is recommended you keep the insurer updated about your travel dates and stay in contact with them while also keeping a soft or hard copy of the policy.
  • Checking the policy period and renewals: Always ensure that the start and end dates align with the duration of your programme and in case the initial coverage period is shorter than the course duration under certain circumstances, then always ensure to get the renewal done before the expiration date without facing issues such as lapse to keep things easier for yourself.

What is Covered Under Student Health Cover?

Medical Treatments and Hospitalisation

It assists students in routine medical visits, specialist visits, and hospital stays through which students are secure in case of minor illnesses and serious conditions.

Prescription Medications

Covers prescribed medication and medical supplies, which are helpful in both sudden and ongoing medical needs for wellbeing and recovery.

Emergency Care and Ambulance Services

Provides urgent medical care such as ambulance services when an unforeseen need for healthcare arises. Therefore, it ascertains that students get vital treatment and have minimal stress in critical health crises.

Mental Health Support and Counselling

Understanding the necessity for mental well-being, many universities have on-campus support groups. While they’re helpful, in certain situations expert care is required. Therefore, healthcare plans in the UK and Ireland often include support and counselling services so that students can find the balance between academic and personal life in a new country.

What is Not Covered by Student Health Cover?

Pre-Existing Conditions

Generally, ailments that are pre-diagnosed before the insurance cover commences are either not covered or covered with restrictions.

Non-Medical Expenses

Costs like elective surgeries, non-prescribed treatments, and over-the-counter medications are not a part of standard coverage. For such things, students must either spend out of their pockets or make other arrangements.

Dental and Optical Services

Dental and optical care-related treatments such as routine check-ups, glasses, and other dental procedures are not covered by health insurance except for certain scenarios. For this reason, additional coverage or separate plans may be needed for the same.

How to Make a Claim on Your Health Insurance

Understanding the Claims Process

  • Inform your insurance provider about the claim, fill out the form, and prepare the necessary documents, which include medical reports, prescriptions, and invoices. You then must follow the specific step-by-step guide that your insurer provides to making a claim and minimise the risk of rejection and delays.
  • Ensure to maintain records and documents such as medical visits, treatments, and related expenses in an organised manner. These help greatly to substantiate your claim and get timely approvals.

Tips for Faster Claim Approvals

  • Common reasons for claim rejections are incomplete or inaccurate information; therefore, it is advisable that you thoroughly check all details before submission.
  • Ensuring that all documents and required details are accurate and are properly formatted based on the insurer’s guidelines makes the process faster and rejection proof.

FAQ

Free healthcare for international non-EU students is not available in Ireland.
Once international students pay for the immigration health surcharge, they get access to the NHS at no additional cost, just like a permanent UK resident.
The Irish citizens and specific visitors get free healthcare in Ireland. Some people also qualify for healthcare at reduced rates, but under certain circumstances only.
In most cases, international students must pay for dental treatments; if you’re unsure based on your unique circumstances, you can get in touch with your university or your GP.

Conclusion

In essence, it is essential that you take a health insurance when opting to study abroad, given that each country has a varying medical care system, and the resulting costs can be significant. These covers can ensure that students get the necessary medical supplies, check-ups, and treatments when the need arises and that the students are financially secure and stress-free in this context.

However, it is also important that students are well-aware of their plan and have a thorough knowledge of all that is covered and excluded from their coverage so that they can make the right use of it. With plans that include dental, vision, evacuation, and even repatriation facilities, these act like your shield throughout your stay abroad, and in unfortunate circumstances, they even assist beyond that. Understanding the depth of the situation, at Fateh we are always there for your assistance.

Fateh has helped over 35,000 students conquer their dreams with our 120+ top UK university partnerships. Are you planning to study an MBA in the UK? Contact us today.