Keeping student healthy in the USA was a NAFSA regional presentation for region IV

2.  Apinant Hoontrakul
 International Student Insurance
 Marketing Manager/ Licensed Insurance Agent
 Stacey Schmidt
 Northern State University
 International Student Advisor
 Name, Name
 William Deng, Graduate Student – Northern State University
 Euiho Choi, Student – Northern State University

3.  Case Studies
 What students need to know:
 Healthcare inside vs. outside the US
 Health insurance
 Staying healthy
 Tools and strategies to educate students
 Discussions

4.  We will analyze 2 case studies of financial hardship.
 As a group, discuss the issues and how you would address the
problem. (10 minutes)
 Each group share their findings

5.  Ann was diagnosed with severe paranoid schizophrenia. This is a
condition that usually manifests itself during late teen or early
20’s. She was hospitalized in a psychiatric institution and was
unable to continue her studies, however she was also deemed
unfit to travel without a medical escort. What action plan does
your school currently have to deal with a situation like this?

6.  Shawanna is an international student from Jamaica. She finds
out she’s pregnant 2 years into her program. She has the
school’s insurance plan, however the policy does not cover
maternity. She has two more years left in her program and is
committed to completing her degree. What are the best
practices to handle this case?

7. What students should know about...

8.  How much does it cost to go to the doctor in your country?
 Do you have to buy health insurance in your country?
 Do you have a choice?
 Who pays for it?

9. Healthcare in the US is expensive!

11. Outside the US
Inside the US
 Medical treatment is less
 Medical treatment is
 Nationalized health care
 Private insurance
 Visit hospital for major and
 Hospital is not the “go-to”
expensive
minor conditions
expensive
for all treatment

12. •
•
•
•
Minor sicknesses & injuries
Wellness & preventative care
Serious medical conditions
Emergency

13. What students should know about...
•
•
•
•
Key insurance provisions
How to use insurance
Common misconceptions
The Affordable Care Act

15. Out-of-pocket costs
Wellness Care/ Preventative Care
Mental health
Maternity
Pre-existing Conditions

16.  Where to get treatment
 Provider Network
 How to file a claim
 Who to contact to get assistance

17. “Don’t have to pay anything”
Covers “everything”
Dental & vision

19.  IRS enforces mandate based on resident vs. non-resident alien
analysis
 F, M, Q and J (student/scholar) visa holders are exempt for 5
years from:
 maintaining minimum essential coverage
 paying the shared responsibility payment
 International students can choose their plan:
 School’s group plan
 Individual health insurance
 State exchanges
 International students will still need to meet the US Department
of State (J visa) and their school’s insurance minimums

20. 
Annual Limits:
 Policy year September 24, 2012 until December 31, 2013:
Annual limits of no less than $500,000
 Policy year on or after January 1, 2014:
No annual limits



Preventative Care: Student health coverage is
required to provide preventive services without costsharing.
Lifetime Limits: Plan may not impose lifetime limits
Pre-existing condition limitations: Plans may not
impose pre-existing condition limitation on those
younger than age 19.
•
After January 2014, pre-existing conditions cannot be excluded

21. What students should know about...

22. Meet Euiho
Meet Willie

24.  Temperature
 Proper Clothing
 Shoes
 Reality of how cold/warm it will be during your stay
 Transportation
 How will I get to my school
 Is there a flight directly there
 What type of transportation is at the school

27.  Develop a healthy lifestyle
 Eat well-Intake Calories
 Basal Metabolic Rate(BMR)
 BMR=66+(6.3 x weight)+(12.9 x height)-(6.8 x age)Men
 655+(4.3x weight)+(4.7 x height)-(4.7 x age)Women
 Exercise regularly
 Sleep well
 No Drugs
 Limit Alcohol use and know rules regarding it.

29.  Studies do come first…but
 Different clubs on campus
 Community organizations
 Intramural/sports
 Gym and recreational areas
 Volunteering
 Helps with English Skills

32.  Only call 911 in Emergency Situations
 Go see the student health office/nurse when possible
 Get a ride from a friend to the doctors office
 Do not let an illness go too long without seeking medical
treatment.
 Carry health insurance information with you.
 Do not take other peoples medicines.
 Get prescriptions filled and pick them up.

35.  Develop support systems
 Advisors and Support Staff
 Good Friends
 Family Members
 Mental health counselors
 *Stigma associated with mental health

37. Staying
Healthy
Mind
& Body

38. Tools and Strategies

39. Discuss Health Insurance Fees
Websites, emails regarding insurance
Help explain enrollment
Brochures
Airplane items - list
Bringing enough perscription meds, contacts for the
time you are here. Perscriptions in English in case they
need to be filled.
 Food Allergies – need to have medical note to be off of
meal plan or out of residence hall.
 Updated on illnesses in other countries. Do you need
to prepare.
 Online chat sessions
 Facebook Page
 Weekly Newsletters







40.  Keep copies of all personal documents
in student file.
 Explain what their insurance card will
look like when it comes to them. Ours
are just on a piece of paper that need
to be cut out. Most get tossed.
 How to dial 911
 Tour of Nurse office and medical
facilities

41.  Have students check carefully all medical bills.
Students bring bills to our office so we can help
make sure the insurance has paid and work with
them on what needs to be paid.
 Make sure to update emergency contacts and
addresses
 Health concerns as weather changes.
 Humidifier – AC – Winter clothing
 Allergies
 Rides available for appointments

42.  Taking cultural differences in mind
 Contacting families and friends. Who visits and
what proper hospital etiquette is.
 When something major occurs…. What should the school
do? What do you do?
 Plan of action with Student Affairs
 Phone Chain for Emergencies
 Plan of action on campus. Picking one residence
hall for containment of illnesses.
 Make sure to have Emergency Contact Information
 When to Call Parents
 Emergency Evacuation Situations
 Who Pays for it

43.  Questions
 Tools
 Effective strategies
 Personal experience

44.  Apinant Hoontrakul
 ahoontrakul@internationalstudentinsurance.com
 Stacey Schmidt
 Stacey.schmidt@northern.edu
 William Deng
 William.deng@wolves.northern.edu
 Euiho Choi
 Euiho.choi@wolves.northern.edu