CONTENTS

• Insurance Coverage for You and Your Dependents
• Processing Insurance Claims
• Choosing an Insurance Policy

INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR YOU AND YOUR DEPENDENTS

If your university requires that you use its health plan, you must enroll in the university plan and contact your LASPAU advisor. Please fax LASPAU proof of your enrollment in the university health plan. This proof can be either a copy of your university health plan ID card -- if it lists the dates of your coverage -- or a letter from the university health services listing the dates of your coverage. Virginia Surety Insurance

If you are enrolled in LASPAU's insurance plan, your insurance carrier is Virginia Surety Insurance Company and all of your claims will be handled through Seven Corners, Inc.. You will receive an insurance card from through LASPAU. The coverage, provided at no cost to you, is only for you and does not include any of your dependents with you. Please contact LASPAU if you have any questions after reading over the Virginia Surety frequently asked questions (FAQs) and the Virginia Surety plan summation (PDF), which describe the benefits and coverage in detail. If you are covered by Virginia Surety and need to be reimbursed for medical expenses, you can download an Virginia Surety claim form (PDF) here.

Eye and Dental Coverage

The insurance coverage you receive through Virginia Surety does not cover routine eye exams and dental checkups. We recommend that you see your optometrist and dentist before leaving your home country, as these types of checkups can be expensive. If you are interested in purchasing a separate dental coverage policy, the international student office at your university may be able to recommend a reputable insurance company. Your university’s health plan may also include access to an on-campus dental clinic.

Prescription Medication

If you are taking a prescription medication, we recommend that you bring a sufficient amount with you to your host country, as well as a copy of your prescription. Many pharmacies will not honor a prescription written in another country, and you may need to obtain a new prescription from a physician in your host country. The visit required to obtain the prescription might not be covered by the Virginia Surety insurance plan.

Mental Health

Keep in mind that your emotional well-being is as important as your physical well-being. It can sometimes be difficult to adjust to new surroundings. If you find that you are depressed, confused, or unhappy, we recommend that you see a professional, just as you would for a physical problem. Most universities have mental health professionals who can help you. Please contact your advisor at LASPAU if you need assistance.

Dependents' Health Insurance

Health insurance regulations for dependents vary from country to country; you are responsible for verifying that your dependents have adequate insurance while in your host country. The Virginia Surety coverage provided by your contract is only for you and does not cover dependents. Often the best option for grantees who need insurance for their dependents is to purchase the coverage offered by the host university. Visit your host university's international student office to find out what your options are. If university coverage is not available, you may want to contact Virginia Surety yourself to arrange for coverage for your dependents.

LASPAU strongly recommends that grantees and dependents consider the need for maternity benefits in appropriate cases.

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PROCESSING INSURANCE CLAIMS

All insurance policies designed to cover accidents and illnesses will require you or your dependents to complete and submit a claim form with your medical bills when you ask for payment or reimbursement. Please keep the following guidelines in mind to avoid delays:

• Pay the deductible (that is, the amount you have to pay before your insurance will cover any of your bills). The deductible may vary from one company to another, so check your policy to find out how much you have to pay.
  
  
• Use the claim form issued by the insurance company, and follow the instructions printed on it.
  
  
• Fill out the form completely.
  
  
• Send all of your bills together, if possible.
  
  
• Sign the form and send it to the address for making claims, which may differ from the company’s main address.
  
  
• Keep a copy of everything you submit to the insurance company and record the date you sent it, in case you have to contact the insurance company again.
  
  
• In all correspondence to the insurance company, be sure to include an address and phone number where you can be reached as well as your insurance ID number.

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CHOOSING AN INSURANCE POLICY

If you need to select a health insurance policy for your dependents, keep the following in mind:

• The reliability of the company: Does it treat people fairly? Does it pay claims promptly? Does it have staff to answer your questions and resolve your problems? Ask other students what their experiences have been with the insurance company or ask the international student office if they have any suggestions.
  
  
• Specific monetary limits: Some policies state specific dollar amounts that they will pay for particular services. Other policies pay "usual" or "customary" charges, which means that they pay what is usually charged in the local area. Be careful when evaluating policies with specific amounts; these amounts may not cover the full charges for serious illnesses, and you might find yourself responsible for large medical bills.
  
  
• Benefit period: Some insurance policies limit the amount of time they will cover any one accident or illness. Once this benefit period has elapsed, you will be responsible for all charges associated with treatment for this illness, even if you are still insured and the maximum coverage amount has not been reached.
  
  
• Exclusions: Most insurance policies exclude coverage for certain conditions. Read the list of exclusions carefully so that you understand exactly what is not covered by the policy. You would be responsible for paying any excluded charges yourself. If you are presently being treated for an accident, illness, or condition (including maternity), pay close attention to how the policy you are considering handles preexisting conditions.
  
  
• Insurance agents: An agent is an individual who represents one or several insurance companies and sells insurance to individuals and groups. When working with an agent, you should feel free to ask questions and take the time to learn about and understand several choices before you make a decision. If you are uncertain or confused, consult a knowledgeable friend, the international office at your university, or LASPAU before you sign anything.
  
  
• Deductibles: Make sure you understand how the deductible is paid for any policy you are considering. Under some policies the deductible is annual, and you pay only once each year if you use the insurance. Under other policies, you pay the deductible each time you have an illness or accident. In choosing a policy, think carefully about how much you can afford to pay out of your pocket each time you are sick or injured, and weigh the cost of the deductible against the premium cost before you decide on a policy.
  
  
• If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you find a policy with a very low premium, it probably does not provide the level of protection you need.
  

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