International student health insurance is a much-debated topic. While it is important to be insured against the fallout of illnesses for a student, it is also the time for scrimping, and students are loath to spend money on health insurance, which they might see as an unnecessary expense. This is especially true of international students, whose finances suddenly seem to shrink due to the vagaries of currency exchange.

Add to this the confusion and adjustment issues in a new country, and it is indeed a stressful time for the international student. Most of them just sign up for the college-sponsored international student insurance plan without examining other options. That is unfortunate, as they might have saved some dollars if they had waited and looked elsewhere.

Before signing on to a health insurance plan, students can check for any requirements that the college has for outside health insurance. After taking a look at the details of the plan offered by the school/college, a student can always check online for plans that satisfy the criteria. When time and clarity are of the essence, students can use comparison sites to examine the pros and cons of each student health insurance plan offered.

Once a student decides to purchase a plan, some schools require the insurer to fax them the details of the student’s insurance. After all formalities are complete, the student can enjoy the protection of the international student health insurance, and focus on the task at hand: studying!

So you and your friend are going to study in the U.S.—you, as an exchange student and she, as an international student. Not all visas are equal, and as a J1 visa holder, you need to have J1 visa health insurance that conforms to the rules laid down by the U.S. government. Your friend, meanwhile, will need to purchase international student health insurance.

As a J1 student, your insurance must provide for at least $50,000 in medical benefits per accident or illness, and cover repatriation of remains up to $7,500. The plan must also provide for emergency medical evacuation to the student’s home country, for at least $10,000. There are a few other requirements as well.

To apply for and receive a J1 visa, several colleges help out with their office of international students. In general, visas are issued at the U.S. consulate if the consular officer is convinced that the applicant will return to the home country after completion of the period of study. It is important to convey that message as briefly as possible, with additional documentation, if necessary.

Visas for international students are regulated to a large extent, and most questions can be answered even before arrival by the school/college administrative/international office. Remember that your J1 visa insurance needs to kick in as soon as possible, and several plans that satisfy the government criteria are available online as well.

All big establishments typically start small. Often, though, practical questions plague the small business owner: How can I ensure group health insurance coverage for my three employees, without breaking the bank? Will companies actually cover just two or three people as a group?

The answer is: yes. Group health insurance plans are of different types. Small businesses can also bring their employees under small business group insurance. While the premium will differ based on the number of employees covered under the group, typically, group insurance can be purchased for a minimum of two or five employees, depending on the plan.

Group health insurance is long term health insurance and in addition to sudden medical illnesses, it also covers scheduled check ups, preventive care, immunizations, and dental and optical care. However, in some cases, coverage for pre-existing conditions requires a waiting period.

While group health insurance for a large number of employees features an abridged underwriting process, for small business group insurance, employees undergo full underwriting. This means that each employee is required to furnish his/her complete medical history. Based on that, the premium is calculated. Even so, small business group insurance is indeed a boon to start ups and small businesses.

Health insurance is such a hot-button issue in the U.S., and it is rarely that one remains uninsured voluntarily. While long-term insurance is the best way to ensure that the plan holder and his/her family remains covered, short term health insurance comes in handy in several cases.

For instance, short term medical insurance is the best option for someone who is waiting for long-term insurance benefits to kick in. It is also great for recent college graduates who are yet to receive health insurance from their employer. When the period of coverage is not expected to be more than a year, short term health insurance does great. The way it works is similar to, say, travel medical insurance. It provides for medical expenses due to unforeseen conditions, and does not cover regular doctor visits and pre-existing medical conditions. Because the risk is quite low, short-term health insurance can be very affordable.

However, temporary health insurance typically does not cover optical and dental care, nor does it cover annual physicals or preventive care. Also, if you need coverage for more than a year, and especially if you have young children at home, it is important that you look for long-term health insurance as soon as possible.