Resources

Medical Insurance

Download the Insurance Coverage Information and Instructions of "How to Find a Doctor" Guide

Mandatory Medical Insurance Announcement

Starting Winter quarter 2011, which starts on January 3rd, all F-1 students and their dependent(s), who are on a BC's I-20, will be required to join the BC-contracted medical insurance plan every quarter. The BC-contracted insurance plan is the same plan BC has offered and made available to you.

What type of insurance does BC offer?

Through Firebird International Insurance Group, LLC, BC offers an accident and sickness plan that is underwritten by Uni Care, and student claims are administered by HTH Worldwide Insurance Service Inc. This insurance plan will provide reliable and ample coverage for all F-1 (on BC's I-20) international students while studying at BC, on an authorized vacation quarter, and on post-completion Optional Practical Training period. In the event of a major sickness or accident, the BC-contracted insurance agent will not only provide professional and timely services for you, but also ensure your claims to be paid.

What kind of coverage does the school insurance offer?

Please refer to the Blanket Student Accident & Sickness Plan to view and print the coverage information. Maximum benefit per injury or sickness is $250,000 USD, and lifetime maximum benefit is $1,000,000 USD. This coverage does not cover dental or vision.

How much does the insurance cost per quarter?

For the 2011-12 academic year, the premium per quarter is:

How do I pay for this insurance every quarter?

When you register, an insurance fee of $258.75 per quarter is automatically added into your fees, which are separate from your tuition. If you have children and/or spouse who are also holding a BC's dependent I-20, it's your responsibility to tell ISP Office to register an insurance fee for your dependent(s) every quarter before you pay for your tuition and fees. You will be given a health insurance identification (I.D.) card for yourself and each dependent after you pay in full. You don't need to get a new insurance ID card every quarter.

Always carry your health insurance I.D. card with you in your wallet.

If you take a Summer vacation or a vacation quarter during the year, you are required to pay health insurance fee for your vacation quarter.

Do I need to purchase the BC-Contracted insurance if I am NOT on BC's I-20?

If you are holding a non-F1 student visa/status, (e.g., J-1, O-3, etc.), or if you are attending at BC as a concurrent-enrolled student while holding an I-20 (not BC's I-20) and maintaining your F-1 status at your primary school, you must get an insurance waiver from our office each quarter before you pay for your tuition and fees.

If you forget to get your insurance fee waived and have already paid for the $258.75, you must immediately come request a refund of the $258.75 fee. Our office will request a refund from the Cashier's office on your behalf.

Very important: The deadline to request for the insurance refund is the same day of the "last day to withdraw with 100% tuition refund day". After that day, we can no longer refund the $258.75.

What if I'm pregnant, will this BC-Contracted insurance plan cover?

Please refer to page 3 of the Blanket Student Accident & Sickness Plan, for "Maternity / Pregnancy" benefits.

What to do when you are sick and you have the BC-Contracted insurance plan?

There are many places to receive medical care in the Bellevue area. If you feel sick, it is best to make an appointment at a clinic. Emergency rooms are for people who are seriously injured or feel they are seriously ill and need immediate medical attention, (i.e., if you are losing a lot of blood, or you have broken a bone in your body). If you are not seriously injured, you could wait a long time to see a doctor in an emergency room. Emergency room visits are also more expensive than seeing a doctor at a regular clinic.

Firebird International Insurance Group, LLC, uses a network of doctors from the Aetna PPO Network. This network is an extensive and carefully selected list of preferred providers (doctors, hospitals and other medical professionals). You will pay a $15.00 co-pay fee if you go to a doctor on the Aetna PPO list. If you go to a doctor who is not on the Aetna PPO list, you will have the same co-pay plus some extra doctors’ fees of 10% or more.

Please refer to page 9 of the Blanket Student Accident & Sickness Plan, to get the "Instructions How to Find A Doctor".

If you have questions about the network or about insurance coverage, call Firebird International Insurance Group, LLC at 1-800-899-4233.

If the doctor prescribes medicine for you, go to a pharmacy and pay for the medicine. You must submit a Prescription Claim Form with the receipt and medication information to the insurance company to receive 50% reimbursement, (to get 50% of your money back). A Prescription Claim Form can be downloaded at http://fiig-insurance.com/pdf/rx.pdf. Print out the form and follow the instructions. Please keep copies of all insurance documents for your record.

**** IF THE DOCTOR'S CLINIC DOES NOT KNOW YOUR INSURANCE, ASK THEM TO CONTACT FIREBIRD AT 1-800-899-4233. Show them your insurance card. ****



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photo of Bonnie

Bonnie Lau,
Hong Kong

"At BC, because of the small class size and the instructors' office hours, students can really get to know the instructors."