International Student
On behalf of the staff of the Student Health Center I would like to welcome you to Barry University. This is a very exciting time for you as you prepare to come to the United States and attend college. Frequently we take our health care for granted. No one anticipates being sick, however it happens. With this in mind I would like to take this opportunity to discuss the health care delivery options for you while you are at Barry.
The US health Care system is very different than many of neighboring countries. The quality of the health care is excellent; however access to care is based on the ability to pay. Part of the mission of the Student Health Center is to remove barriers to obtaining health care in order for the students to achieve their academic goals. Three of the main barriers that are very prominent on this campus are; access to health care; transportation issues; and affordability. All too often students have arrived at the SHC ill and have been unable to find a provider in the area to be seen promptly or, they are unable to afford the cost of the office visit fee required by their insurance or, they do not have transportation. This has resulted in unnecessary delays in treatment and in many cases high health care fees. For these reasons I would like to remind you of a few things that you are required to do by the Student Health Center, in order to achieve a smooth transition, and to ensure that you have a rewarding and healthy educational experience.
Barry University requires all international students with an F-1 or J- 1 visa to provide the Student Health Center with proof of adequate health insurance or purchase the student sponsored health insurance plan.
Adequate coverage is defined as insurance benefits comparable to the SHC sponsored plan:
- access to primary care (emergency only care is not comparable coverage)
- Inpatient coverage of 80% of Usual and customary reimbursement
- prescriptive medications
- inpatient and outpatient mental health benefits (including alcohol and substance abuse treatment)
- an individual deductible not to exceed $1500 per policy year
- Maternity benefits
- the insurance company must be licensed to do business in the State of Florida
International Insurance must include all the above plus:
- Repatriation of $10,000
- Medical Evacuation of $25,000
- Claims Agent in the United States
- Claims payable in United States dollars
The University sponsored health insurance is an excellent insurance plan. It is affordable and it provides you with 100% of all services offered in the Student Health Center. In addition, this plan gives you access to a nationwide network of United Health Care physicians.
We respect your rights to seek health care and health care coverage from other reputable companies; therefore, you will be given an opportunity to waive out of the student insurance plan. If you have private insurance you must complete the attached waiver. This waiver must be signed by your insurance representative, and returned to the Student Health Center prior to your arrival at Barry University.
In addition to the insurance waiver you are required to complete and return the following prior to registering for classes:
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