How to Apply For UK International Student's Health Insurance.

UK students looking to study abroad in another European Union (EU) country are entitled to free or reduced-cost medical care through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC lets you see doctors, visit hospitals and get prescriptions while traveling to other EU countries at the same price as citizens of that country. With travel and healthcare costs on the rise, it’s essential to make sure you have health insurance coverage before your studies abroad begin.

About Education In Uk

The UK offers international students various educational opportunities, from two-year undergraduate degrees to research programs. However, the cost of living in the UK can be high, so make sure you have enough money before you arrive. One way to save money is by getting a job on campus or off campus, but your visa will restrict where you can work. Plus, if you are not eligible for an NHS number (National Health Service Number), you must get private health insurance that covers medical expenses abroad.

What is travel insurance?

Travel insurance is designed for people planning to travel outside the country. It provides coverage for incidents that may happen while you're overseas and can be purchased before or after your trip. Travel insurance covers unforeseen injuries, illness, and lost baggage. There are a variety of options when it comes to travel insurance. You have the option of choosing different levels of coverage and paying based on your budget. The four major types of travel insurance cover: health, emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation/interruption, and repatriation.

Why are international students required to purchase insurance?

UK international students must purchase health insurance because the National Health Service does not cover them. The NHS provides free healthcare for UK citizens but does not cover international students. This is why all international students at UK universities are required by their university and the British government to purchase private health insurance.

The only exception to this rule is if your country has a reciprocal agreement with the UK, under which your home country will provide you with free healthcare in the UK.

Who needs it?

International students applying for a visa in the UK need to have health insurance. The good news is that there are many affordable options for international students, including those on low incomes. Read on for more information about how you can apply and what this type of insurance covers. The first step to getting UK International Students Health Insurance is finding an insurer. Several insurers provide plans for students living in the UK, offering different levels of coverage at different prices.

What does travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance protects you from the unexpected. It covers your trip in case of a medical emergency, theft, or loss of belongings. Your travel insurance will also cover expenses like emergency medical evacuation and repatriation if necessary.

Travel insurance costs depend on your destination, health, and age. The most common type of travel insurance is single-trip which is valid for a limited period and can be purchased up until two weeks before departure. UK International Students Health Insurance covers various medical treatments, including routine care, dental work, hospitalization, and transportation costs for ambulance services in an emergency.

For further information about UK International Students Health Insurance, please get in touch with our 24/7 customer service hotline.

What are the best travel insurance providers for international students in the UK?

The best for international students in the UK are World Nomads, Insure My Trip, and Allianz. These companies provide a variety of policies with an array of options that will suit your needs. Below are more detailed descriptions of these three providers. World Nomads: F over 40 years, world nomads h been providing comprehensive coverage at affordable prices. One great perk is their See A Doctor Anytime policy which offers 24/7 medical assistance. Policies can be purchased until ten days before the departure date, so you'll never have to leave without them again. They also offer coverage for adventure sports like bungee jumping and skydiving, which many other providers don't cover.

Do International Students in the UK Need Private Health Insurance?

International students in the UK do not need to purchase a private health insurance policy for visa application or enrollment. You can get private insurance, so you have coverage if you want to get medical treatment in private clinics or hospitals in the UK, but it is unnecessary. The NHS covers most things you need and is used by most British citizens and residents.

How Much Do International Students Have to Pay for Health Insurance in the UK?

International students in the UK have to pay £470 per year for health insurance. This is called an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and you must pay it along with the visa fee when applying for a student visa. You also have to pay a separate IHS for each dependent joining you, if any.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee everyone coming to live in the UK has to pay so they can access NHS benefits. If your study course is shorter than six months, the charge is only £235.

You can use this calculator to determine how much you have to pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge.

How to Pay the UK Student Immigration Health Surcharge?

You must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge when applying for your UK Student Visa. If you submit your visa application online, you must pay the IHS by debit or credit card during the application process. You’ll be redirected to a site where you must complete the payment within 30 minutes before returning to the visa application.

If you submit your application by post, you must pay the IHS online before applying for the visa. You must provide information on the visa type, email address, and passport number.

After payment, you will receive an IHS reference number to submit for your visa application.

How Does the NHS Work for International Students in the UK?

Once you pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, you will be registered to the NHS, and you can benefit from national-level healthcare during your studies. Under the NHS, you do not need to pay anything for:

• Consulting with your doctor or visiting a walk-in clinic.
• Hospital treatment after an emergency (A&E).
• Treatment for minor-injury treatment in a public clinic.
• Consultation or treatment with a specialist when referred by your GP.
• Contraception

The NHS, in most cases, does not cover the cost of the following:

• Prescription medication.
• Dental care.
• Eye care, such as sight tests, glasses, or contact lenses.
• Wigs and fabric support.

After arriving in the UK, you must register with a local General Practitioner (GP) clinic, the first place you must head to seek medical treatment or consultation.

What Are General Practitioners (GP)?

Doctors serving under the NHS are known as General Practitioners (GP). They work in local clinics and with other doctors, nurses, and administrative staff. You should register with a GP so there is a doctor in charge of your ongoing healthcare, and you have a point of reference for medical concerns.

GPs will keep track of your medical history and records and refer you to medical specialists or consultants if you need more specific treatment.

How to Register With a GP as an International Student in the UK?

Most GPs in the UK will have a website through which you can register. If online registration is impossible, you could call or email them or visit the clinic in person. You will need your student residence card, IHS reference number, and a GMS1 registration form to register. You can find a local GP on the NHS website based on your town, city, or postcode.

Doctor’s Visit in the UK for International Students

International students can visit a GP or walk-in clinic in the UK free of charge. You will have to wait your turn if you see a walk-in clinic during open hours. If you want to skip the long wait, you could book an appointment with your GP. However, you might still face a few days’ delays until your selection, depending on how busy the clinic is.

When you arrive for your appointment, head to the reception to let them know you are there and provide your appointment card if you have one. They will direct you to your doctor, who will look you over and offer a diagnosis or refer you for further treatment.

Your GP might refer you to a consultant or specialist. The NHS will only cover visits to a medical specialist if you have a referral letter from a GP. Otherwise, you have to pay the specialist costs yourself.

NHS Number for International Students

After registering with the NHS, you will receive an NHS number. Each NHS number is unique to an individual and allows medical providers to keep track of and access your health records. You do not need this number to book a doctor’s appointment or to access NHS services; it is simply for identification and record keeping.

If you need it, you can find your NHS number, doctor’s prescriptions, lab results, and appointment letters via the NHS website.

Is Dental Care Covered With NHS?

International students are usually not eligible for free dental treatment under the NHS. However, most preventative procedures are very affordable. There are three bands of payment for dental care in the UK:

    Examination, diagnosis, preventative care, and emergency care such as pain relief or a temporary filling: £23 80.
    Existing fillings, root canals, or tooth extractions cost about £65.20.
    All the treatment in Bands 1 and 2, as well as specific, more complicated procedures, such as crowns, dentures, and bridges: £282.80.

You only pay once, even if the treatment requires more than a single trip within two months.

Only minors (under 18 years of age), hospital inpatients, pregnant women, or women who have had babies in the last 12 months are eligible for free dental care.

Is Prescription Medication Covered With NHS?

As an international student, you usually have to pay for any prescription medication unless you fall in one of the exemption categories:

•     You are a hospital inpatient.
•     You are pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months.
•     You are under the age of 18.
•     You have a medical condition such as cancer, diabetes, or epilepsy and have a medical exemption certificate (MedEx).

Currently, a prescription charge under the NHS is £9.35 per item. You could save on some prescription costs if you get a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). There are two PPCs:

    3-month PPC – £30.25
    12-month PPC – £108.10

Official Related Links You Need

You have the best Guide on Immigration, Education, and Employment details for you to Get more out of what you need to know, and it is all free of charge: 

Get More Guide - https://bit.ly/ABROAD-IMMIGRATION-CENTER

Immigration - https://bit.ly/IMMIGRATION-CENTER

Education - https://bit.ly/EDUCATION-CENTER

Employment - https://bit.ly/EMPLOYMENT-CENTER

US Immigration - https://bit.ly/US-IMMIGRATION

Final Thought

International students in the United States need to look into a health insurance plan that will cover them while they are here or if they are planning on staying. The US has stringent laws, and without an I-20 or DS-2019 form, it is impossible to apply for a health plan. Thankfully, some companies offer international student coverage and insurance for those with an F-1 Visa status. One such company is HI3 which offers international student health plans to those living abroad. It was created by a team of experts with over 60 years of experience providing medical benefits.