How do I choose the right plan?

​As an international student or scholar, you have many options when shopping for a health plan.
​As an experienced team with many years of medical claims experience, we would like to offer some practical,
'real life' scenarios to help you select the best plan for you. 
​Always remember that insurance is intended for unexpected medical expenses you cannot afford to pay yourself.
​The expression "You get what you pay for", in our opinion, was made for health insurance. 
Always compare premiums to the benefits payable- can you afford NOT to be protected?

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Scenario #1
​Can you afford the least expensive plan?

If you buy a policy with a $500 deductible per Illness per Injury, be prepared to pay. It is possible to have a skin rash, urinary tract infection, sore throat, cut finger, ingrown toenail, and anxiety all during the course of a year. These six conditions equal $3,000 in deductibles before the insurance policy pays anything (often deductible is waived if seen at the Student Health Center). Always compare the difference in premium between plans to see if the savings is worth the extra exposure.

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Scenario #2
Completely Unexpected.

Even the healthiest person can suddenly be admitted to the hospital and need an appendectomy - a surgery you cannot delay. If this happens to you, ensure you have a plan with adequate coverage. Beware of high deductibles, unlimited co-insurance, limitations on certain services such as surgery, and a maximum benefit which will not be enough for a serious problem. The United States has the most expensive healthcare system of any country.  A stay in the hospital can result in bills amounting to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Uncomplicated, routine appendectomies cost thousands of dollars. A complicated appendectomy with peritonitis is extremely expensive. It is never wise to select an inexpensive policy based on the theory you are careful, young, healthy and will not need it.

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Scenario #3
Be prepared to Care for Yourself.

Students and Scholars need to be healthy and strong to succeed. Invest in yourself. Consider a plan which will allow you mental health services - including virtual therapy. Limited routine/preventive services will help provide vaccines such as HPV and routine GYN care. Policies without any preventive or mental health coverage leave you vulnerable.  

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Scenario #4
Select a plan for protection.

What if you are riding a bicycle or standing on a street corner and randomly hit by a car? The car didn't stop, and the driver never found. You have multiple fractures and are hospitalized for a couple weeks. Your total medical expenses well exceed $350,000. You are relieved because you purchased our comprehensive plan - $500,000 maximum benefit, includes mental health benefits, and the out-of-pocket expense is limited to $2,000 maximum.  The difference in premium between the low-end plan and this plan is minimal given the benefits you received. What a relief! 

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Scenario #5
You are busy! What is convenient & affordable?

Virtual care for both medical and mental health is indispensable! Our plans include unlimited visits for both telemedicine and teletherapy - all without additional out of pocket cost, claims to file, or pre-existing exclusion. Imagine being away from campus, holiday season, and you suffer an unexpected loss. Or do you need a prescription for pinkeye or a urinary tract infection? This service can help. It is a great addition to any of our plans.

3 Easy Steps to book your plan at Compass

How to start the
​booking process?

The booking process on this site starts with you providing your visa type, name of your University/College and date of birth. Why?

• Visa type determines if government minimum requirements are needed. Our plans are made to meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of State for J visa holders. We monitor government requirements to ensure the plans are in compliance.
• Our sales model is to provide you with plans which meet the waiver requirements of your educational institution. This model allows you to waive out of the expensive school policy for a more economical policy.    
• Age is needed to determine which policy is available and rate.

How to pick a plan if more than one is available to you?

In most situations, more than one plan will be available to you. In order to make the correct choice, consider the following:

• Price. When considering price, don't just look at plan costs. Always check deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, limitations and exclusions. A lower plan cost could still mean a higher cost to you if you get ill or injured. 
• Pay now, or pay later? Consider if the plan has you paying little up front, but later paying a lot of out-of-pocket costs each time you need medical care. 
• Benefits. Take a few minutes to look beyond the price. Compare the benefits available in the plans, including the limitations and exclusions. Imagine a common medical problem that could happen to anyone at any time - such as acute appendicitis and needing surgery. If the cost was $50,000 calculate your out of pocket costs with each plan you are considering. Which plan will better protect you?
• Limitations and Exclusions. Take a few minutes to know what is limited or excluded. This is just as important as knowing what is covered.
• Additional Services. Which program provides the most comprehensive coverage?
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If you are unsure how to interpret any of these items, contact us by call/chat/email. ​

Understand the
​insurance terms. 

This is critical to understanding what you are buying:
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• Deductible: The amount of covered Allowable Charges payable by the Insured Person during each Period of Insurance before the Plan benefits are applied. Such amount will not be reimbursed under the Plan. The Deductible is not considered part of the Out-Of-Pocket Maximum. 
• Copayment: A fixed dollar amount that may be applied per office visit (or other designated service per Policy) each time medical services are received. Ancillary services such as Laboratory and Radiology service (i.e. blood tests, x-rays) that may be in conjunction with an office visit do not require a separate Copayment. Copayments do not apply to the Deductible, Coinsurance or to the Out-Of-Pocket Maximum.''
• Coinsurance: The percentage amount of the Allowable Charges that the Insured Person and the Insurer will share after the Deductible and Copayment is met.
• Out-of-Pocket Maximum:  The maximum dollar amount an Insured Person is responsible to pay during a Period of Insurance. After an Insured Person has reached the Out-of-Pocket Maximum, the Plan covers benefits at 100% for the remainder of the Period of Insurance. Some benefits, however, will always remain payable at the percentage shown in the Schedule of Benefits. The Out-of-Pocket Maximum is met by Coinsurance. Penalties and amounts above the Usual, Customary, and Reasonable Charge do not count toward the Out-of-Pocket Maximum.
• Pre-Existing: A pre-existing condition is a disease or physical condition for which medical advice or treatment has been received within 12 months immediately prior to becoming covered under the Plan.