This was presented at the NAFSA Region I in Spokane WA in 2013, about Keeping International Students Healthy in the US. It was presented by Apinant Hoontrakul, Cynthia Cox (Oregon State University) and Sage Mwiinga (The College of Idaho)

2.  Apinant Hoontrakul
 International Student Insurance
 Marketing Manager/ Licensed Insurance Agent
 Cynthia Cox
 Oregon State University
 International Student Advisor
 Sage Mwiinga
 The College of Idaho
 International Student Advisor

3.  What students need to know:
 Healthcare inside vs. outside the US
 Health insurance
 Staying healthy
 Tools and strategies to educate students
 Crisis management: what to do in an emergency
 Discussions

4. What students should know about...

5. Healthcare in the US is expensive!

6. 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

7. •
•
•
•
Minor sicknesses & injuries
Wellness & preventative care
Serious medical conditions
Emergency

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

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

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

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

13.  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

14. 
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

15. What students should know about...

16.  Leaving home for the first time
 Having appropriate transportation
 Making adjustments:
 Cultural differences
 Climate differences

17.  Mental issues
 Physical issues
 Poor Diet & Physical health
 Risky Behaviors
 Sex
 Drugs
 Alcohol
 Environmental

18.  Get involved
 School associations
 Community organizations
 Intramural/club sports
 Gym and recreational areas

19.  Develop support systems
 Advisors and Support Staff
 Mental health counselors
 *Stigma associated with mental health

20.  Develop a healthy lifestyle
 Exercise
 Eat
 Sleep

21. Tools and Strategies

22.  Orientations
 Physical materials
 Virtual resources
 Educational video example:
http://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/explained/ushealthcare-system-video.php

23. -Website
-Pre-Departure Guide
-Email

24.  Welcome Packets
 Email Communication
 Request for allergy information
 Student Experience Blogs –
(http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/blog/student-experience)
 Facebook
 RA Training on Cultural Awareness

25. - Student Health Services at Orientation
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGtafBJjJrA&feature=player_embedded

26.  Video
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGtafBJjJrA

27.  New International Student Orientation
 “Your Health & Welfare at The College of Idaho”
 Team-building activities (social support network).
 Use of upperclassmen – share personal experiences.
 International Student First Year Mentor

28.  International Coffee hour
 Student Health Mentors give presentations
 Online Ongoing Orientation
 Alcohol Awareness Module
 Sexual Health Module
 Potential Mental Health or “Healthy Living” module

30.  Residence Life programing
 Alcohol Awareness, Suicide Prevention, etc.
 International Student Support Group
 International Student Organization
 Collaboration with other offices on campus
 Partnerships with local community members
 Religious organizations, alumni, etc

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

34.  Apinant Hoontrakul
 ahoontrakul@internationalstudentinsurance.com
 Cynthia Cox
 cynthia.cox2@oregonstate.edu
 Sage Mwiinga
 smwiinga@collegeofidaho.edu
 Ismail Warsame
 ismail.warsame@oregonstate.edu