Health Issues: Introduction to Health Insurance in the Unites States

1) International Health Insurance

The University of Wisconsin System mandates that all registered international students/scholars on a non-immigrant Visa (F-1) are required to carry international health insurance. The University registers the students in the plan within the enrollment period August 15 through September 30 th . Please do NOT send money to the insurance company. Your UW-Parkside account will be billed. One half of the premium is charged to the student's account in September and February to cover the annual cost. Payments are made to UW-Parkside Cashiers Department. Payments must be made within 2 weeks of the first day of scheduled classes in September and January.

The health insurance plan covers students for emergency care, hospitalization, evacuation and repatriation. The policy becomes effective August 15, 2007 through August 14, 2008 .

Annual Premiums Student Only = $795 ($397.50 each semester)

Student & Children = $4,025

Student & Spouse =$4, 940

Student, Spouse & Children =$8,040

Intercollegiate Sports (except football) add $250.

Intercollegiate Sports (except football) add $250.

For information and claims, see:
Student Assurance Services, Inc.
1-800-328-2739
On line Service:
PPO Directory

Also, see: UW-Parkside Health Center

Need Prescriptions, Dental Services and Vision Products?

See Discount Card. You may call the company at 1-800-328-2739 for questions about this plan or see:

UW-Parkside Student Health & Counseling Center

2) Medical Emergencies:

In case of medical emergencies, on campus you may call (262) 595-2911 or 2911. Also, during the day, you may contact the Student Health and Counseling Center at (262) 595-2366.

If you need to go to a hospital, (see list below) a physician is on duty 24 hours daily, seven days a week. When calling, give the following information: your name, name and location of the injured or sick person, the injury or symptom. Ask for instructions. If you need an ambulance, call 911 . (If calling from a campus phone, call 2911).

Local Hospitals:

Kenosha :

Kenosha Medical Center Campus, Emergency: (262) 656-2202

St. Catherine's Medical Center , Emergency: (262) 577-8202

Racine :

All Saints Medical Center, St. Mary's Campus: Emergency: (262) 687-4201

St. Luke's Campus, Emergency: (262) 787-2201

3) Taking Care of Your Health:

A) Stress

Students are often under considerable pressure. The UW-Parkside Student Health & Counseling Center (262) 595-2366 through their Peer Educators offers a variety of workshops to help students improve their study skills, prepare for exams or reduce test anxiety. The Health Center also provides support for international students on how to cope with "culture shock." Individual counseling is also available.

Occasionally, stress and anxiety can reach a critical or emergency state. Hotlines provide 24-hour mental health crisis intervention, information, referral and supportive listening.     

If you or a friend are experiencing a crisis , contact the following:

•  Student Health & Counseling Center , (262) 505-2366

•  Center for International Studies- International Student Services,

(262) 595-2701 or (262) 595-3215

•  UW-Parkside Office of the Dean of Students (262) 595-2598

Or see: 1) Racine/Kenosha/Walworth Counties: HOTLINE

(262) 637-9557

or

2) National Mental Health Hotline:

National Hopeline Network
1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
Counselors available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. For more information, visit www.HealthyPlace.com .

B) Culture Shock:

Culture shock is very natural occurrence for international students upon traveling to a new culture. Keeping an open mind and being flexible will help you adjust. “Culture shock is precipitated by the anxiety that results from losing all familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse. These signs are the thousand and one ways in which we orient ourselves to the situations of daily life: when to shake hands and what to say when we meet people, when and how to give tips, how to make purchases, when to accept and when to refuse invitations, when to take statements seriously and when not� … See: Culture Shock & The Problem Of Adjustment To New Cultural Environments (An editorial by Dr. Lalervo Oberg; Anthropologist; Health, Welfare and Housing Division; United States Operations Mission to Brazil . http://www.worldwide.edu/travel_planner/culture_shock.html

See: http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/emotions/culture_shock.html

Or http://www.cie.uci.edu/world/shock.html