GENERAL INFORMATION
The medical care system in the United States has two characteristics that distinguish it from health care in other parts of the world. First, it devotes considerable resources to prolonging the lives of people with serious illness or unusual injuries. The cost of medical care reflects the enormous investments in research, medication, and technology that is required to make this type of care available. Second, there is no general or government supported system for paying an individual's medical costs. Although national politics are leaning toward a change in the current system, at this time there is no national health care or insurance care program.
It is very important that all international students have adequate health insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents while they are in the US International students are often suspicious of health insurance. The idea of paying out of pocket for a service they may never benefit from seems unacceptable. Many will insist that the payment of insurance premiums is unnecessary. Often newly arrived international students are poorly informed about the US health care system. They may assume that all health care systems are similar to their own. The lack of medical insurance or adequate coverage often creates serious financial problems for the international student and sometimes for the host institution or the community as well.
The delivery of and payment for health care services in the United States is based on the existence of independent and private companies that develop and sell insurance plans; however, "individual" policies are very expensive. The most economical type of health insurance is a "group policy". Individuals purchase medical or accident insurance to help pay for much of the high cost of medical care, especially for hospitalization, surgery, and emergency treatment. In situations of serious injury or illness, the insurance may pay for many of these expenses. Each insurance plan is different, so it is important to understand details of the specific benefits of the plan.
HEALTH CARE COSTS IN THE UNITED STATES
Most international student advisors are aware of the horror stories about uninsured or underinsured international students who have suffered catastrophic illness or injury. If an uninsured student or family member is referred to a hospital for care or surgery, the student may find that he is either refused admission to the hospital or asked to deposit from $1,500 to $15,000 in order to be admitted.
Furthermore, assuming that an uninsured student manages to be admitted to a hospital, the daily cost for a bed in a semiprivate room is more that $550 daily. Charges may be added for surgery, x-rays and miscellaneous tests, use of expensive equipment such as the CAT scan, and private nurses.
It is not at all surprising, therefore, for an uninsured foreign student to discover with disbelief that he owes the hospital and physician several thousand dollars for what he thought was a relatively minor illness.
In the past, bills of this kind might have been written off for indigent or transient students. Today, hospitals and physicians routinely pass bills on to tough-minded collection agencies, which hound students mercilessly while they remain in the United States and frequently pursue them to their home countries through overseas contacts. Thus a delinquent US hospital bill may become a drawn-out affair lasting years and causing distress and hardship.
HEALTH CARE
Health care depends on an awareness of prevention methods and recognition of changing health needs; and an awareness that changes in health care are necessary while students are in an environment very different from their own. People undergo psychological as well as physical adjustments in new cultures and experience common culture shock symptoms that impact their personal and academic experiences. It is important to recognize that experiencing health problems related to stress and culture shock should not be ignored.
Common culture shock symptoms include:
Helplessness; dependence on friends or acquaintances
Greater irritation than usual when things go wrong
A fear of being cheated, injured, or robbed
Excessive concern about pains or skin eruptions
A strong desire to be home with their own people who understand them
Delaying or refusing to learn the language of the country
Insomnia or fatigue Excessive concern for cleanliness Loss of appetite Loneliness Poor concentration Headaches Stomach problems Depression Homesickness
In addition to stress management, international students should be aware of other health topics such as AIDS, alcohol awareness, dental care, immunization programs, fitness, nutrition and infectious diseases.
The Health Center at Brookhaven College is located in the Student Services Center, Building S, in Room S072.