Student Secure Vs. Study USA-HealthCare: A Detailed Comparison 

Choosing the right health insurance plan is crucial for international students in the US. Student Secure and Study USA-Healthcare are two popular options. This comparison will highlight their key features, helping you make an informed decision. Understanding the nuances between these plans will empower you to select the one that best aligns with your needs, budget, and specific requirements as a student in the United States. 

Let us dive into the details to determine which plan offers the best value and coverage for your academic journey. 

Table of Contents: 

• Student Secure Vs. Study USA Comparison 
• Student Secure Plan 
• Study USA Plan 
• FAQs 
• Conclusion 

Student Secure Vs. Study USA

Category	Student Secure	Study USA
Plan type	Comprehensive	Comprehensive
Benefits	Covers Hospital Room and Board, Local Ambulance, Intensive Care Unit, Outpatient treatment, Prescription Drugs, Vaccinations, Mental Health Disorders, Dental Treatments, Maternity Care, Sports and Activities, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Accidental Death, and Dismemberment, Repatriation of Remains, and more.	Covers Primary Care Office Visits, Vaccinations, Wellness, , Urgent Care Facility, Prescription Drugs, Mental Health Disorders, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic Services, Newborn Care, Travel Vaccinations, Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions, and more.
Underwriter	Lloyds	4 Ever Life International Limited, an independent licensee of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
PPO	FirstHealth Network	Blue Cross Blue Shield
Policy Maximum	Smart: $200,000 Budget: $500,000 Select: $600,000 Elite: $5,000,000	Unlimited annual and lifetime medical benefits
Deductible	$25 to $50 depending on the level of the chosen coverage.	$0-$5,000
Coverage Days	5 days to 12 months and extendable up to 4 years of continuous coverage	3 months to 1 year and renewable up to age 75 if you meet eligibility requirements.
Coinsurance	Elite: 80% of the next $10,000 of eligible expenses after applicable copayments, then 100% to the overall maximum limit. Select: Within the PPO: Plan pays 80% of the next $25,000 of eligible expenses after applicable copayments, then 100% to the overall maximum limit. Budget: Within the PPO: Plan pays 80% of the next $45,000 of eligible expenses after applicable copayments, then 100% to the overall maximum limit. Smart: Within the PPO: Plan pays 80% of the next $100,000 of eligible expenses after applicable copayments, then 100% up to the overall maximum limit.	Outside the US; 100% Inside the US: 80% in- network; 60% out-of-network
Provider	World Trips	Geo Blue
Brochure	View	View
Plan page	View Plan Page	View Plan Page
Ratings	AA- for Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings and A++ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company	A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best
Plan Features
Hospital room and board	Average semi-private room rate, including nursing services	Outside US: 100% Inside US: 80% co-insurance in- network then 100% 60% co-insurance out-of –network then 100%
Local ambulance	Smart: Up to $300 per injury / illness only when covered illness/ injury results in hospitalization as inpatient Budget: Up to $500 per injury / illness only when covered illness/ injury results in hospitalization as inpatient Select & Elite: Up to $750 per injury / illness only when covered illness/ injury results in hospitalization as inpatient	Outside US: 100% Inside US: 80% co-insurance in- network then 100% 60% co-insurance out-of –network then 100%
Intensive Care Unit	Up to the overall maximum limit	Outside US: 100% Inside US: 80% co-insurance in- network then 100% 60% co-insurance out-of –network then 100%
Emergency Dental (Acute onset of pain)	Up to $500, not subject to coinsurance.	Maximum of $500 per calendar year maximum for dental care required due to an Injury.
Vaccinations	Up to $150. Covered vaccinations and testing are Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR); Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (TDAP); Chicken Pox (Varicella); Hepatitis B; Meningitis (Meningococcal MCV4 and B); and COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 (not subject to deductible or coinsurance). This is only for the Elite plan. Other plans have no coverage.	Includes immunizations per CDC requirements and up to $500 for travel vaccinations Outside US: 100% Inside US: 80% co-insurance in- network then 100% 60% co-insurance out-of –network then 100%
Maternity Care for a Covered Pregnancy	Elite: up to $15,000 lifetime maximum Select: $10,000 lifetime maximum Budget: $5,000 lifetime maximum Smart: no coverage lifetime maximum	Optional coverage available at additional premium after 12 months of continuous coverage.
Nursing care of Newborn (not subject to coinsurance)	Up to $750 for the Elite and Smart Plan. Up to $250 for the Budget Plan. No coverage for the Smart Plan.	Included if optional maternity coverage is selected.
Pre-existing conditions	Elite: 6-month waiting period Select: 6-month waiting period Budget: 12-month waiting period Smart: No coverage	Can be covered after a 365-day pre-existing conditions waiting period. Can be reduced or eliminated with proof of prior creditable coverage. There is a 180 days prior to the effective date look back period for pre-existing conditions.
Acute onset of Pre-existing conditions	Up to $25,000 lifetime maximum for eligible expenses.	NA
Emergency Medical Evacuations	Elite: Up to $300,000 lifetime maximum Select: Up to $300,000 lifetime maximum Budget: Up to $250,000 lifetime maximum Smart: Up to $50,000 lifetime maximum	Maximum lifetime benefit for all Evacuations Limit: $250,000.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment	Lifetime Maximum – $25,000 Death – $25,000 Loss of 2 Limbs – $25,000 Loss of 1 Limb – $12,500 This coverage is available only in the Elite and Select plan. Budget and Smart plan have no AD&D coverage.	Principal Sum Maximum Limit: $10,000.
Repatriation of Remains	Up to $50,000 lifetime maximum for the Elite and Select Plan. Up to $25,000 lifetime maximum for the Budget and Smart Plan.	Maximum benefit up to $25,000
Optional Upgrades	Optional Crisis Response Coverage and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage (for members 18-64) on the Elite and Select plans.	Optional dental, vision, and maternity coverage

Student Secure Plan 

Student Secure plan is available to US and non-US citizens under the age of 65 years who are full-time international students or scholars on J1 visas affiliated with an educational institution and studying outside of their home country. It offers four levels of coverage: Select, Budget, Smart, and Elite options, ensuring that everyone can find their ideal plan. 

The plan highlights: 

• Maximum benefit per injury/illness ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 

• The Elite, Select, Budget and Smart plans pay 80%co-insurance up to $10,000, $25,000, $45,000, and $100,000 within the PPO network and thereafter 100% of the eligible expenses till the policy maximum. 

• Includes coverage for local Ambulance in all levels of coverage up to a pre-defined amount. 

• Elite and Smart plans can cover pre-existing conditions after 6 months waiting period and 12 months waiting period on the Budget plan. 

• Offers coverage to Maternity care for a covered pregnancy and Nursery care for newborns, except for the Smart plan. 

• Covers Emergency Travel Benefits like, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Emergency Reunion, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Repatriation of Remains, and Personal Liability. 

• The Elite Plan offers coverage for Vaccinations up to $150. 

• Includes coverage for Mental Health Disorders. 

About the service provider: 

WorldTrips offers comprehensive travel insurance plans designed to protect you during your adventures abroad. With a focus on providing peace of mind, their policies cover a wide range of travel-related emergencies, including medical expenses, evacuation, and trip cancellations. As a pioneer in the online travel insurance industry, WorldTrips has built a strong reputation for reliable coverage and exceptional customer service. 

Study USA Plan 

Study USA plan is available to students, teachers, school faculty, and OPT status holders under the age of 74 and their spouse, common-law partner, and unmarried child up to age 26. It provides unlimited annual and lifetime medical benefits, primary care doctor visits, wellness, and routine vaccinations with optional upgrades to cover dental and vision expenses.  

The plan highlights: 

• Unlimited maximum medical limit. 

• In-network, in the US, plans pays 80% coinsurance up to the maximum limit and then 100%.  

• $30 copay for primary care doctor visits in-network.  

• Covers immunizations up to 80%. 

• Covers travel vaccinations up to 80% to the maximum calendar year limit of $500. 

• Accidental Death & Dismemberment up to $10,000. 

• Emergency Evacuation up to $250,000 lifetime max. 

• Repatriation of Remains up to $25,000. 

About the service provider 

GeoBlue is a leading provider of international travel health insurance, offering comprehensive coverage for individuals and families living or traveling abroad, including access to an elite network of providers, innovative mobile and online tools, and exceptional customer service. As an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, it provides flexible and affordable plans for individuals and families. 

FAQs 

Student Secure 

1. Is Student Secure compliant with J-1 visa requirements? 

Yes, Student Secure is designed to meet the minimum health insurance requirements for J-1 visa holders in the US. 

2. Who is eligible to buy this plan? 

Members must be a full-time student at a college or university, or a student under the age of 19 enrolled in a secondary school, or a full-time scholar affiliated with an educational institution and performing work or research for at least thirty (30) hours per week are eligible to buy to this plan. Additionally, members must be residing outside their Home Country for the purpose of education and must not attain any residency status in the host country. 

3. Does the Student Secure plan cover pre-existing conditions? 

Pre-existing conditions can be covered after 6 months of continuous coverage on the Student Secure Elite and Student Secure Select plans. and after 12 months of continuous coverage on the Student Secure Budget. The Student Secure Smart plan does not have coverage for pre-existing conditions. Additionally, insured individuals are covered up to a $25,000 lifetime maximum (for all levels of coverage) for acute onset of pre-existing conditions. 

4. Does the plan cover adventure sports and activities? 

The Elite, Select and Budget offer optional rider coverage for intercollegiate, interscholastic, intramural, or club sports. The Elite and Select provide up to a maximum of $5,000 per injury/illness while the Budget plan covers up to a maximum of $3,000 per injury/illness for adventure sports and activities. 

5. What is the cancellation policy? 

To be eligible for a full refund, the request for cancellation must be received prior to the effective date. Cancellation requests received after the effective date will be subject to the following conditions: • A $25 cancellation fee will apply • Only premium for unused whole months of the plan will be refunded • Only members who have no claims are eligible for premium refund • When payment is made in full at the time of purchase, no refunds are granted after 60 days 

Study USA 

1. Is Study USA Healthcare compliant with J-1 visa requirements? 

Yes, Study USA Healthcare is designed to meet the minimum health insurance requirements for J-1 visa holders in the US. The deductible options that meet the requirements are the 0, 250 and 500 plans. 

2. Does it cover pre-existing conditions? 

The 365-day pre-existing conditions period can be reduced or eliminated if you have been covered by a creditable group or individual health insurance plan. The number of months of coverage shown on evidence of prior creditable health insurance letter will reduce or eliminate the 12-month pre-existing condition waiting period. If you have 12 or more months of prior creditable health insurance, your waiting period can be eliminated. If you have less than 12 months of creditable coverage, your waiting period will be reduced by the number of months you had prior coverage. For example, if you have two months of creditable coverage, your waiting period will be reduced from 12 months to 10 months. 

The plan does not cover services for treatment of a medical condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received during 180 days immediately preceding the member’s eligibility date. 

3. Which countries are excluded from the coverage? 

Excluded countries are Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Democratic Republic), Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Ivory Coast, Libya, Mali, N. Korea, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen. 

4. Does the plan cover Dental/Vision coverage? 

The plan offers optional Dental/Vision coverage available up to $1,500 per year for dental. The optional vision coverage provides 70% of covered expenses per calendar year up to a maximum of $250 for Vision Care that is not the result of an Injury or Illness. You can review full coverage in the certificate. 

5. Does the plan offer Maternity Coverage? 

After 364 days of continuous coverage, members may apply for a new plan that covers maternity costs up to $25,000 per pregnancy for all inpatient and outpatient care related to a covered pregnancy. This is inclusive of pre-natal care, delivery, and post-natal care. 

Conclusion 

Selecting the right health insurance plan is essential for international students studying in the US. Both Student Secure and Study USA-Healthcare offer comprehensive coverage options. By carefully comparing factors such as coverage limits, deductibles, networks, and additional benefits, you can choose the plan that best suits your individual needs and budget. 

To know more about these plans, please contact Visitor Guard®.