Overview
ExchangeGuard is a comprehensive coverage plan for F and J Visa holders while traveling outside their home country while studying, researching, teaching, or participating in a cultural exchange program in the United States. You can get instant quotes and/or purchase online using this web site. Insurance coverage can start as early as the current day or any future date you specify. After purchase, ID cards can be downloaded from MyAccount at any time; there is a link in the purchase confirmation email. If you request mailing during the application, then physical ID cards, along with the policy will be mailed to you the following business day. If mailed within the United states, you should receive your documents within five to seven business days.
What is covered and not covered?
The insurance company will generally pay for new medical conditions, injuries or accidents that may occur after the effective date of the policy. It doesn't cover medical expenses related to preventive check ups, immunizations or maternity. The waiting period for pre-exisiting condition coverage depends on the plan chosen, ExchangeGuard Choice provides coverage after 6 months and ExchangeGuard Essential after 12 months; both plans cover pre-existing conditions to a maximum of $500 after the waiting period.
U.S. Urgent care or Walk-in Clinic visit is a $15 copay and not subject to deductible.
Prescription drugs are covered like any other eligible medical expenses. More information.
Emergency Dental is covered up to $300 to resolve pain and restore or replace natural teeth lost or damaged in a covered accident. For any practical dental coverage, consider a low cost plan from Careington that provides excellent coverage.
ExchangeGuard provides coverage when your host country is the U.S., you are outside your home country and you have a valid F1 / F2 / F3 visa or a valid J1 / J2 visa.
How do I use the insurance?
Look here to read a detailed description.
How much is covered?
Policy Maximum Choices:
You can choose $100,000, $250,000 or $500,000. This is the maximum amount that would be paid for the benefits as specified in the certificate wording.
Deducitible Choices:
- If you choose the $0 per policy period deductible, then you do not have to pay a deductible before the co-insurance.
- If you choose a $250 or $500 per policy period deductible, you will first have to pay in full your deductible each policy period before the insurance company starts paying anything for the covered expenses, even for doctor visits.
- If you choose the $100 per incident deductible, you will need to meet this deductible each time there is a new incident that needs treatment.
With any deductible you choose, you must continue to pay all the money yourself until you have completely satisfied the deductible. The deductible is not just for the hospitalization.
After the deductible has been satisfied, then the co-insurance applies.
Co-insurance Choices:
- If you choose the 100% co-insurance, then after you have paid your deductible in full, the plan pays 100% up to the policy maximum you have selected for eligible expenses.
- If you choose the 80%/20% co-insurance, then after you have paid your deductible in full, the plan will pay 80% and you will pay 20% up to the policy maximum you have selected for eligible expenses.
Example:
Let's assume that you have purchased a $100,000 policy maximum for 6 months, you chose a $500 per policy period deductible and a co-insurance of 80%.
Let's assume that the doctor charges you $200/visit and you need to visit several times.
The first time you visit the doctor, you will have to first pay $200 and the insurance company will pay nothing.
On the second visit, the doctor again charges $200/visit, you will again pay $200 and the insurance company will pay nothing.
On the third visit, the doctor again charges $200, this time you will pay $100 towards your deductible for a total of $500, it is now paid in full. As you have chosen the co-insurance of 80%/20%, the remaining $100 owed to the doctor is paid accordingly: the plan pays 80% of $100, so $80 is paid by the plan; you pay the 20% of $100, or $20 is paid by you.
For any subsequent treatment during the policy period, you don't have to pay the deductible again. The insurance plan will continue to pay 80% of covered medical expenses up to $100,000.
Let's assume that you were in an accident and are hospitalized for 2 days. The hospital charges $12,000 per day for a total bill of $24,000. Assuming this is the first instance of your needing to use the insurance, you pay your $500 deductible. The remaining balance is $23,500, as the deductible has been paid in full, the co-insurance begins; the plan will pay 80% or $18,800 and you will pay 20% or $4,700.
Now let's assume you chose to purchase a $250,000 policy maximum, the $100 per incident deductible and the 100% co-insurance for the maximum duration of 364 days.
Let's assume that the doctor charges $150/visit and you need to visit several times.
The first time you visit the doctor, you will first pay $100 to meet your $100 per incident deductible and the insurance company will pay $50 because you chose the 100% co-insurance.
The doctor requests that you follow up, therefore you are being seen for the same incident. So on the second visit the doctor again charges $150/visit, you will pay nothing and the insurance company will pay $150, this is because you chose the 100% co-insurance.
Let's assume you visit an Urgent Care* a few months later due to a new condition. This situation is different, the $100 per incident deductible is waived, instead you must pay a co-pay of $15, after which the co-insurance will apply for eligible medical expenses. Since you chose the 100% co-insurance, you would only pay the $15 co-pay.
Let's assume that a few months after your last doctor's visit you were in an accident and hospitalized for 2 days. The hospital charges $12,000 per day for a total bill of $24,000. Because you chose the $100 per incident deductible you must again pay the $100 deductible. The remaining balance is $23,900 and then the co-insurance begins; the plan will pay the remaining balance.
*Regardless of the chosen plan combination, the deductible is waived and a $15 co-pay applies for visits to an Urgent Care facility. After the co-pay has been paid, the chosen co-insurance would apply.
Benefits Updated: 04/11/2024