Global Student USA FAQs
- Who is eligible to purchase a Global Student USA plan?
Global Student USA plans are available to non-US citizens temporarily located outside their home country as a non-resident alien whom are engaged in full-time educational activities. This would include undergraduate and graduate students, research scholars, or visiting professors. Participants must be between the ages of 14 and 64 and must be either a J-1 or F-1 visa holder. HTH reserves the right to request the student's I-20 or DS-2019 form to verify educational status.
To be eligible, you must be a resident of one of the following States during the period of international study or research:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, WyomingNew York*Online courses are not eligible.
- How do I buy a Global Student USA health insurance plan?
The fastest way is to purchase online. Begin by reviewing the Global Student USA plans offered, the benefits, and pricing associated, then follow the step-by-step online purchase process (payment is by credit card). Buying online also allows you to register for the website immediately following the purchase. Students who buy 'offline' can also register for the website, but they must first receive their ID card in the mail.
You may also contact HTH Customer Service or your insurance agent to purchase the plan.
- What is the primary difference between the Global Student USA and Global Student USA Preferred plans?
The main difference between the Standard and Preferred Global Student USA plans is related to the initial coverage levels of each plan. The Standard plan provides 80% coverage for the first $10,000 in claims incurred in a given policy year, and then covers the member at 100% for up to an additional $240,000. The Preferred plan provides 100% coverage for the first $5,000 in claims incurred in a given policy year, and then covers the member at 80% for up to an additional $245,000. In both cases, the member would pay 20% coinsurance to HTH Worldwide's 80% coverage accordingly
Differences between the plans are highlighted below.
Global Student USA Benefit Differences Chart (Only benefit differences are shown below. For complete benefits, see Preferred-Benefits or Standard-Benefits or see complete Comparison Chart). Benefits Preferred Standard Medical Expenses Policy Year Maximum $250,000 per injury or sickness $250,000 per injury or sickness Basic Medical 100% to $5,000 80% to $10,000 Supplemental Major Medical After Basic Medical, 80% up to an additional $245,000 After Basic Medical, 100% up to an additional $240,000 Hospital Room & Board Semi-private accommodation Lesser of Semi-private accommodation or $500 per day Routine Care of Newborn Child $750 $0 Additional Coverages Accidental Death & Dismemberment $10,000 $0 Bedside Visit to Hospitalized Insured Up to $1,500 for Airfare and Hotel Accommodations Up to $750 for Airfare and Hotel Accommodations - Do Global Student USA plans exceed the J-visa requirements for studying in the U.S.?
Yes! Both Global Student USA plans far exceed the requirements from the U.S. government for obtaining a J-visa.
- How do I access participating medical providers inside the U.S. and avoid claim forms?
Global Student USA plans offer students coverage through the Aetna Passport network of doctors and hospitals when inside the U.S. By seeking treatment from an Aetna provider, the doctor or hospital should bill HTH Worldwide directly for any services incurred. HTH Worldwide will then process the claim and pay the doctor or hospital directly for the appropriate amount based on your benefits if the service was a covered expense.
Those seeking treatment outside of the Aetna network of doctors and hospitals assigned may be required to pay out-of-pocket for the services they incur. A member who has paid for services is welcome to submit a claim directly to HTH Worldwide for reimbursement using the appropriate claim form.
Further details about claims, a link to locate doctors within the Aetna network, and claim form can be located on the Global Student USA claims page
- How much will my insurance cost?
The price of your Global Student USA plan is dependent upon your age and whether you choose the Standard or Preferred option. To review pricing, please visit our quoting tool and enter the appropriate information to obtain a quote. A monthly rate table for both plans is below.
Age of Participant (years) Global Student USA Preferred Global Student USA 14-18 $88 $57 19-23 $121 $60 24-30 $206 $121 31-40 $269 $181 41-50 $455 $291 51-64 $588 $398 - When will my coverage start?
When you purchase an HTH Worldwide individual (voluntary) insurance plan, you get to select the date you wish coverage to start. Coverage will be effective on the date you select or the date we receive valid payment of premium, whichever is later. All coverage is subject to the eligibility requirements of that plan.
Please note: HTH does not allow same-day enrollments, meaning the earliest an insurance plan may start is the day after you are purchasing the plan. For example, a policy enrollment done online on October 12th could have the earliest effective date of October 13th.
- Will my pre-existing condition be covered under a Global Student USA plan?
Global Student USA plans do not cover pre-existing conditions for the first 12 months a member is on the plan. After that time period, HTH will cover pre-existing conditions as long as the member keeps his/her policy effective with no gaps in coverage.
- I need proof of coverage in order to sign up for my educational travel plans. What can I do?
If you purchase a Global Student USA plan using a valid credit card, you will receive a confirmation email with your proof of coverage information, including access to an electronic ID card, within one hour of completing the purchase. If you choose to pay for your coverage by check or money order, you will receive an ID card as proof of coverage. HTH will process and mail your ID card within two business days after we receive valid payment.
Those members requiring formal letters for a specific country's Visa Consulate may contact HTH Customer Service toll-free at 1.888.243.2358 from Monday to Friday between 8 AM to 7 PM EDT to request that a letter be drafted.
- Where does a Global Student USA plan cover me?
Global Student USA plans are built to cover a non-U.S. citizen anywhere outside his/her home country while engaged in full-time educational activities (see FAQ #1 above). Therefore, Global Student USA plans can cover both inside the U.S., as well as outside the U.S so long as the claim is not in the member's home country.
Limited home country coverage is afforded by Global Student USA plans, but the coverage is secondary to any coverage you provided in your home country. Members incurring claims inside their home country should first file with their primary insurance, if applicable, or should pay out-of-pocket for the claim and then file a claim with HTH Worldwide for reimbursement.
- Can my parent register for the HTH Parents website?
Parents of study abroad students who are enrolled in an HTH plan are eligible for free registration on the HTH Parents website at www.hthparents.com. On this site, parents can access HTH's database of doctors and other health and security information for outside the U.S. available normally to members. In order to sign up, a parent must be able to provide either their child's email address or policy number with HTH.
- What if I am a dual-citizen of my home country and the United States? Am I still eligible for the Global Student USA plans?
Dual citizens may or may not be eligible for coverage under a Global Student USA plan dependent on the circumstances. Dual citizens who have been granted United States citizenship through the naturalization process and who live in the United States but continue to maintain citizenship in their country of origin are not eligible for a Global Student USA plan.
Individuals with foreign national parentage who happen to have been born in the United States, yet live primarily in the home country of their parents or elsewhere outside of the United States are eligible for a Global Student USA plan.
- Will a Global Student USA plan cover me while I am back visiting my home country?
Global Student USA plans are not meant for purchase for covering a student inside their home country, but the plans do include a limited Home Country Coverage benefit payable up to $5,000 after the deductible has been met. The benefit is payable only if the member's primary insurance in their home country, if applicable, does not cover the costs of the services. Members incurring claims inside their home country should first file the claim with their local insurance prior to submitting the claim to HTH. HTH Worldwide reserves the right to request documentation from the member that their other plan did not cover the visit when a home country claim is submitted for consideration.
- Do Global Student USA plans cover dependents? Am I able to add a dependent onto my policy?
No. Global Student USA plans do not cover dependents, and dependents may not be added onto the policy. Members with dependents accompanying them during their studies may like to consider our Global Citizen health plan alternatively.
- How do I read the fine print?
View the Plan Description for the Global Student USA Standard plan.
View the Plan Description for the Global Student USA Preferred plan.
- How do I buy a Global Student USA health insurance plan?