Mandatory Health Insurance Lett

ROANOKE COLLEGE

To: All International Students From: Sandra McGhee, Director of Health Services Re: Medical Care and Mandatory Health Insurance

Medical care is often very expensive in the United States, especially when compared to other countries. While you are enrolled at Roanoke College, you will be able to obtain medical attention for minor illnesses and injuries at the Health Center that is located on campus, and the fees charged by the Health Center are minimal. However, if you need medical care beyond what the Health Center can provide, you may need to be treated by local physicians or hospitals, where the costs can be very high. For this reason, all international students at Roanoke College are required to have health insurance. This is standard practice in U.S. colleges and universities. The health insurance company will pay a portion of the medical bills you incur, leaving you with a much smaller bill to pay yourself.

Roanoke College enrolls international students in a health insurance plan offered by a company called HTH Worldwide (www.hthworldwide.com). The cost for this insurance for the full 2014- 15 academic year will be approximately $780. Exchange students enrolling for only one semester will pay less. The charge will be included on your Roanoke College bill for tuition and other required expenses. This year’s cost will be billed per semester.

If you are coming to Roanoke College through the ISEP or IREX/UGRAD program, your program sponsors will make arrangements for your health insurance so you will not be enrolled in the HTH plan.

You also do not need to be enrolled if you can provide documentation, in English, that you have other health insurance that provides coverage in the U.S., is provided by a company or agency that has a U.S. office and telephone number, and meets the following requirements:

1. Coverage for at least $50,000 per accident or illness. 2. Deductibles not to exceed $500 per illness or injury. 3. Coverage in the amount of $7,500 for repatriation of remains. 4. Coverage for medical evacuation to your home country in the amount of $10,000. 5. Reasonable waiting periods (by industry standards) for pre-existing conditions.

If you have a health insurance policy that does not meet these requirements, the Director of Health Services can review the policy at your request and may approve a waiver of enrollment in the HTH policy.

If you have any questions regarding any of this information, please contact Health Services at 540-375-2286, fax at 540-375-2252 or email [email protected]

221 College Lane Salem, Virginia 24153