<p>There's a possibility I will be studying abroad for a full year in Cork, Ireland. I'll need medical coverage during that time but have no idea where or who I should go to. Does anyone know of a reputable provider of medical coverage for study abroad students?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Does your school provide an option to compare? My daughter is planning to study abroad for a year and our insurance does cover her there, although I had them send it to me in writing. (England) If they didn’t, the school offered a policy, but I would have compared that to others. Try the travel ins review sites for quotes and ask your study abroad office.</p>
<p>Since you are just visiting, probably not, but it might be worth checking if the national health system will cover you.</p>
<p>Anyone studying in the UK for 6 months or more is covered by the National Health Service, if I remember right.</p>
<p>My D1 studied in Scotland last semester. The study abroad program required we purchase a specific insurance policy to be covered while she was overseas. My policy covered her, the extra policy (billed through her school as part of the study abroad fee) covered her AND students studying in the UK are fully covered by the national health care. Luckily she did not require medical services while there but I know she was fully covered!</p>
<p>Even if you are covered by a national service, it is still wise to get extra insurance in case for any medical reason you need to be repatriated to the US (eg you die).</p>
<p>My daughter’s school (she is doing the program through them) said all she needed was to show our insurance covered her. When I asked if she needed extra, they said “no”. Anthem, our insurance said she was covered for 100% emergency and most office visits wouldn’t require a payment and if they did, she wouldn’t have more than 100.00 up front cost. I’ve read many insurances cover if you need to be repatriated, but I can ask.
It’s nice to know about the UK national health care since she will be 1 year.
If you have multiple, which do they use?</p>
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<p>Medical care in the UK is completely free at the point of use (no bills or copays or insurance or any of that nonsense). If she really wanted, she could choose to ‘go private’ and pay using her American insurance. I can think of no reason why she would, since American insurance always leaves you paying something.</p>
<p>People go private if they want to be seen in a slightly plusher facility, or a little bit quicker for non-urgent surgery. It’s generally agreed that medical standards are lower in private facilities than in NHS ones.</p>
<p>Agreeing with Cupcake above about unthinkable expenses-- look up the ISIC card, it offers not only student discounts abroad, but additional international health coverage/repatriation and travel insurance.</p>
<p>I will have my daughter bring up the ISIC card at her many study abroad meetings coming up(if anything the school is thorough!)
I didn’t see a price on insurance at quick glance but the insurance doesn’t cover for things such as mental illness or doing certain activities, always good to check the “not covered” before you go as a heads-up.
A lot of prepare for but, an exciting time for the students.</p>
<p>Cork is in the Irish Republic so has a different health system to the UK. It is worth checking it out. Our only experience, on holiday 10 years ago was a fixed fee for both a doctor’s visit and a filled prescription at the local pharmacy. We had an EU citizens health card. Neither charge was great.</p>
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<p>Be aware that many Irish people dislike this term for historical reasons.</p>