Finally, the skateboarder's name was called. Hyun approached the clerk and handed her the papers now filled out. Among the information requested was a line which read Responsible Party. When the clerk asked why Hyun had not filled in a name he replied he did not understand the meaning of the term Responsibly Party. She replied, It is the person who pays your bill. When the injured skateboarder explained that he thought the care here was free she told him it was not. She further told him that he could not be treated until the matter of who was responsible for paying the bill for his treatment.
After a conference one friend said Hyun could use his credit card to pay the bill. The clerk agreed to this. The skateboarder's injury was x-rayed and set in a small cast. He was directed to make an appointment with the doctor who had treated him. This treatment, known as follow up visits, would not be free either but he could arrange payments with the treating physician.
The weary party of treatment seekers arrived back at the International Residence at four a.m. very tired and having learned a very important lesson about health care in the USA.
Nothing is free. Hyun's treatement for his injury totaled to over $4000.00. Health care in the United States can be very costly. And in the USA health care must always be paid for. If you do not have insurance to pay for your care you must have cash or some means to pay for it. This is a hard and fast rule.
If you are already here in the USA you may have had some experience with this requirement. If you have not yet you will.
If your campus has not provided you with health insurance and health care information UC Davis ,a large public university in California, USA ,has a page here which has an overview of the Health Care payment requirements and medical care availability on their campus. They may not at all be similar to your campus but their descriptions are generally accurate.
If you have not yet arrived at your campus in the USA it is advisable for you to get all of the care you can at home. You must also find out about your health insurance options which are available for you when you arrive.
Other wise you might end up with an expensive surprise like Hyun.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Student Health Insurance
Planet College recently had a conversation with a charming Fashion Merchandising Major, Yiu, from Hong Kong. During out conversation we discussed many facets of her experience as an International Student in the USA. Chief among her concerns paying for health care. Specifically her confusion had stemmed from an incident which had ocurred over the recent Thanksgiving holiday.
With the campus nearly empty some students from the International Residence decided to try skateboarding, a popular pastime with many students on Yiu's campus. With the way clear and large areas to operate the skate boards the students were having fun until one fell and cracked his wrist. It was obvious that this injury would need attention so the students went to the campus student health center which was closed due to the holiday.
From the campus the students traveled to a local pharmacy, part of a large national chain which also includes a wellness center for treating some minor illnesses. After a brief examination, for which the pharmacy charged $45.00, the examining nurse told the students that she was not qualified to treat an orthopedic injury. Orthopedic is the USA medical term for bone treatment. The injured student was directed to a local walk-in medical clinic where he could receive proper care. A walk-in clinic in the USA is a medical care facility which is open to anyone without an appointment but as the student's learned the hours of such a facility are often limited frequently from approximately 7 a. m. to 9 p.m. When the students finally found the place it was closed. A sign on the door explained that if the injury was an emergency they should go to the emergency room of a local hospital.
By this time several hours had passed since the injured students initial fall and the injured student was in great pain and feeling ill. The small party of students found the hospital and located the emergency room which was crowded. An attendant took the name of the potential patient handed him several pages of paperwork to fill out and explained that someone would be with them. By then it was nearly midnight and the waiting area was filled with sick and injured people. (continued)
With the campus nearly empty some students from the International Residence decided to try skateboarding, a popular pastime with many students on Yiu's campus. With the way clear and large areas to operate the skate boards the students were having fun until one fell and cracked his wrist. It was obvious that this injury would need attention so the students went to the campus student health center which was closed due to the holiday.
From the campus the students traveled to a local pharmacy, part of a large national chain which also includes a wellness center for treating some minor illnesses. After a brief examination, for which the pharmacy charged $45.00, the examining nurse told the students that she was not qualified to treat an orthopedic injury. Orthopedic is the USA medical term for bone treatment. The injured student was directed to a local walk-in medical clinic where he could receive proper care. A walk-in clinic in the USA is a medical care facility which is open to anyone without an appointment but as the student's learned the hours of such a facility are often limited frequently from approximately 7 a. m. to 9 p.m. When the students finally found the place it was closed. A sign on the door explained that if the injury was an emergency they should go to the emergency room of a local hospital.
By this time several hours had passed since the injured students initial fall and the injured student was in great pain and feeling ill. The small party of students found the hospital and located the emergency room which was crowded. An attendant took the name of the potential patient handed him several pages of paperwork to fill out and explained that someone would be with them. By then it was nearly midnight and the waiting area was filled with sick and injured people. (continued)
Thursday, December 4, 2014
International Students End of Term Checklist.
International Students are not different than most USA College Students.
The end of the term is here and there is plenty to do.
Planet College has previously posted an end of term reminder. You can find it here .
The end of the term is here and there is plenty to do.
Planet College has previously posted an end of term reminder. You can find it here .
With Finals Upon Us.
With Finals now upon most campuses in the USA Planet College Presents an annual reminder about your safety and security on campus during this busy time.
You can read it here . If this is your first term on a USA campus this information could be useful.
You can read it here . If this is your first term on a USA campus this information could be useful.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Day of Thanks Days of Celebration The USA Holiday Season
Your studies may still be in full swing but you are likely to notice student's thoughts and actions are turning to the upcoming series of holiday celebrations known as The Holiday Season.
The first of these you are about to experience is known nationally as Thanksgiving Day. This is a day, always celebrated on the last Thursday in November, set aside to give thanks for blessings, benefits or the good fortune of living in the USA. Because this day is the initial celebration of this Holiday Season period nearly every institution, and this probably includes your school, spreads the celebration through the weekend. Although many businesses choose to close on Thanksgiving Day, most remain open during the following three days of the weekend.
Your campus may become empty during this period as this is often the first opportunity students have to return home to visit friends and celebrate with their family. Because this holiday involves eating and eating and eating and eating Planet College has previously posted a warning about expectations vs. reality for students during this long weekend. This warning is posted here.
Basically it says if you are putting off work intending to get to it over the break get real. You won't. You will eat your self senseless and go on an extended snooze cruise. This is to be expected. This is what this holiday is for. Take a break. Eat a lot. Kick back and be greatful you are in college in the USA.
Happy Thanksgiving from Planet College
The first of these you are about to experience is known nationally as Thanksgiving Day. This is a day, always celebrated on the last Thursday in November, set aside to give thanks for blessings, benefits or the good fortune of living in the USA. Because this day is the initial celebration of this Holiday Season period nearly every institution, and this probably includes your school, spreads the celebration through the weekend. Although many businesses choose to close on Thanksgiving Day, most remain open during the following three days of the weekend.
Your campus may become empty during this period as this is often the first opportunity students have to return home to visit friends and celebrate with their family. Because this holiday involves eating and eating and eating and eating Planet College has previously posted a warning about expectations vs. reality for students during this long weekend. This warning is posted here.
Basically it says if you are putting off work intending to get to it over the break get real. You won't. You will eat your self senseless and go on an extended snooze cruise. This is to be expected. This is what this holiday is for. Take a break. Eat a lot. Kick back and be greatful you are in college in the USA.
Happy Thanksgiving from Planet College
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Disney College Programs
The USA has been known as The Land Of Opportunity for over two centuries. International Students find many exciting opportunities for education and adventure in the USA.
One American organization which has traditionally provided opportunities for students is The Disney Organizations. Disney offers a variety of programs for students wishing to experience the possibilities of a career in travel, entertainment or hospitality.
Details about these programs are available here.
One American organization which has traditionally provided opportunities for students is The Disney Organizations. Disney offers a variety of programs for students wishing to experience the possibilities of a career in travel, entertainment or hospitality.
Details about these programs are available here.
International Students and Social Security or What is a Social Security Number?
If you have been in the USA for even a brief while you no doubt have heard the term Social Security and Social Security Number many times. This post is to assist you in determining whether you need a USA Social Security Number and if so how to go about applying for one.
If you have not learned as yet, Social Security is an American program which provides services and benefits to United States Citizens. These programs and benefits are categorized and accessed by The Social Security Administration, a United States Government Agency. In order to utilize these services a United States citizen must first of all obtain a Social Security Identification Number. This number is issued by that same agency.
The number issued to an individual is also used by other organizations. One in particular is the Internal Revenue Service, the IRS. Employers in the USA, are required to report employee's earnings using this number to identify the worker. If you are permitted to work during your stay in the USA you will need a Social Security Number. If you would like more information of a Social Security Number and how you can apply for one use this link.
If you have not learned as yet, Social Security is an American program which provides services and benefits to United States Citizens. These programs and benefits are categorized and accessed by The Social Security Administration, a United States Government Agency. In order to utilize these services a United States citizen must first of all obtain a Social Security Identification Number. This number is issued by that same agency.
The number issued to an individual is also used by other organizations. One in particular is the Internal Revenue Service, the IRS. Employers in the USA, are required to report employee's earnings using this number to identify the worker. If you are permitted to work during your stay in the USA you will need a Social Security Number. If you would like more information of a Social Security Number and how you can apply for one use this link.
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