FAQ's
Find answers to almost all questions about your health insurance as an international student or scholar in the USA.
How do I find the right Compass insurance plan for me?
Go to the Homepage and provide your personal information (school, state, visa status, date of birth, and coverage dates). We will then show you all the plans we can offer you. All plans are suitable but may differ for example in the extent of coverage and the amount of deductibles.
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?
If you are unsure how to interpret any of these items, contact us and we are happy to help!
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?
If you are unsure how to interpret any of these items, contact us and we are happy to help!
Am I eligible for a listed Insurance Plan?
Determining your eligibility for a specific health insurance plan as an international student in the USA involves a few key steps:
- Review the Plan Details: Start by carefully reading the description of the insurance plan. Pay special attention to the eligibility criteria listed in the policy document. This often includes requirements related to your visa status, age, enrollment status at an educational institution, and sometimes your country of origin.
- Check Visa and Enrollment Requirements: Most plans require you to be enrolled as a full-time student at a recognized educational institution in the USA and hold a valid student visa (such as F-1 or J-1). Make sure your current visa and enrollment status meet these requirements.
- Look at Age Restrictions: Some insurance plans may have age restrictions. Verify that you fall within the eligible age range specified by the plan.
- Evaluate Your Residency Status: Plans might also have stipulations regarding your residency status. Ensure that your status aligns with what is required by the insurance plan.
- Consider Health and Pre-existing Conditions: Some plans may not cover certain pre-existing conditions or might have a waiting period or require that you are in good health. Check if any of these restrictions apply to you.
- Contact Customer Support: If you are unsure about any of the eligibility criteria or have specific questions, contact our customer support team. They can provide detailed information and help clarify any doubts you may have.
What are the most important insurance terms and what do they mean?
As an international student or scholar, you have many options when shopping for a health plan. These terms are critical to understanding what you are buying:
- 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.
How are prizes calculated and is there an enrollment fee?
For non-experts, it is often very difficult to compare different plans from various providers. Focusing solely on the price is a mistake! The devil is often in the details, and a seemingly inexpensive offer can turn out to be a plan where you end up paying more instead of saving!
When it comes to prices, it is important to check the deductibles included in the plans. A low premium often means a high deductible, which means you'll pay more out-of-pocket in case of a claim.
Always check whether the premiums are calculated on a daily basis or if the plans can only be purchased monthly. With monthly billing, you often pay for periods you don't need. At Compass, all plans are billed on a daily basis. This means you only pay for the days you actually need, which can save you a lot of money!
Additionally, some providers charge enrollment or set-up fees on top of the premiums. These should also be considered in the total cost calculation. At Compass, there are no hidden enrollment fees - the prices displayed are the final prices!
When it comes to prices, it is important to check the deductibles included in the plans. A low premium often means a high deductible, which means you'll pay more out-of-pocket in case of a claim.
Always check whether the premiums are calculated on a daily basis or if the plans can only be purchased monthly. With monthly billing, you often pay for periods you don't need. At Compass, all plans are billed on a daily basis. This means you only pay for the days you actually need, which can save you a lot of money!
Additionally, some providers charge enrollment or set-up fees on top of the premiums. These should also be considered in the total cost calculation. At Compass, there are no hidden enrollment fees - the prices displayed are the final prices!
What is the Upgrade Option 1 - Virtual Healthcare?
During the booking process you have the option to upgrade your plan with Virtual Healthcare Services. This product is different because it isn’t at all connected to any insurance policy. It will supplement your insurance plan and save you significant money when you use their services instead of visiting a private doctor’s office, urgent care, or the emergency room.
Benefits of this virtual package are:
Benefits of this virtual package are:
- No deductible, copay, or co-insurance. Once the membership is purchased, there is no additional cost for the consultation.
- No claims to file and no need to search for a network provider.
- Unlike a medical policy, there are no policy exclusions or limits for pre-existing conditions, mental health, acne, plus more!
- Unlimited online access to medical providers and counseling 24/7/365 by phone, video, or app!
- Unlimited visits for teletherapy. Schedule appointments with counselors or psychiatrists for mental health and manage your self-care with less waiting, privacy, no worries about insurance benefits or network providers, and no out-of-pocket costs.
What is the Upgrade Option 2 - Pharmacy Program?
During the booking process you have the option to upgrade your plan with the ScriptSaver Plus Pharmacy Program. This Pharmacy Program allows you to know upfront what the cost for your prescritions will be. Prescriptions you need immediately (Acute) can be picked up for FREE at over 64,000 pharmacies nationwide and Chronic Medications (Ongoing Maintenance) are delivered to your home for FREE as well. Tracking is setup as soon as it leaves our pharmacy so you will know where it is every step of the way. Beyond the great pricing, we have an experienced team of pharmacists who provide the highest level of care when patients need.
When do I get access to the Compass Wellness App?
If you upgrade your plan with the Virtual Healthcare Services, you will also get access to our Compass Wellness App, powered by AllyHealth.
With this app you no longer have to worry about locating documents, logins or contact details: it gives you access to everything at one place!
Call the assist line for help
Get access to Virtual Healthcare
Access and manage your documents
and a lot more!
With this app you no longer have to worry about locating documents, logins or contact details: it gives you access to everything at one place!
Call the assist line for help
Get access to Virtual Healthcare
Access and manage your documents
and a lot more!