Trine University International Booklet 2016 | Page 24

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Health insurance is important because without insurance, medical care is expensive. Trine requires all
international students and their dependents (F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2) to have health insurance per
immigration regulations; it is required to maintain your status. Each international student must provide
proof of insurance for themselves and their F-2 or J-2 dependents (if they have any) to the Office of
International Services.
How U.S. Medical Insurance Works
The insurance plan for international students at Trine University is International Student Insurance. With
the plan, it is less costly to visit a physician or go to a hospital or clinic on the Preferred Provider list
provided by the insurance company. Generally, the insurance company pays a higher percentage of the
costs if an individual uses a Preferred Provider. If the provider is not on the Preferred Provider list, the
insurance company typically pays a lower percentage.
Most insurance policies require individuals to pay a portion of the medical cost or deductible. Some
insurance policies require a copayment or copay which is sometimes a fixed amount. Some Preferred
Provider Organization (PPO) policies place dollar limits on how much the insurance will pay for services.
When possible, it is helpful to ask the health insurance company what the costs will be for services.
Many plans limit the amount to be paid for an individual’s medical bills.
When an individual purchases health insurance, he/she is given a card to show he/she is covered by the
insurance company. Providers will ask to see the card before providing treatment. After seeing a
physician or going to the hospital, the physician or hospital might ask for the copayment before an
individual leaves. Other physicians or hospitals might send the bill to the insurance company and will
send the individual a bill after the insurance pays its portion. The remaining costs must be paid by the
individual.
After going to the hospital or physician, individuals receive a notice or Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
from the insurance company that explains how m uch the insurance company will pay. The physician or
hospital will send a bill requesting the individual to pay the remaining costs. If a person disagrees with
the insurance company, he/she can file an appeal. The insurance company can explain its own appeals
process.
U.S. Laws about Health Insurance
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) prevents anyone other than the patient to
discuss medical issues with healthcare professionals and insurance companies. This means no one can
call a patient’s physician or insurance company and get information about the patient’s health (physical
or mental). Patients can authorize healthcare professionals to share the information with specific
individuals; this authorization must be provided in writing and contain the patient’s signature.

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