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Health
& Insurance |
In the United States, Health care is very expensive, and the
cost of getting health care is the responsibility of the
individual, not the government like many other countries. So,
most Americans purchase health insurance. For this reason, if
you are planning to study in the States, you should buy health
insurance. Most colleges and universities require that
international student purchase medical insurance each year.
Usually it is a condition of enrollment that international
students must show the proof of health insurance coverage. If
you are buying health insurance, you should read and understand
your insurance policy before you need to use it because the
policies are very different from one to another. Most of schools
offer catastrophic insurance in addition to health clinics. So,
if you have an accident like car accident, it will cover most of
your hospital fare.
If you are sick;
If there is a Student Health Care Center in your college or
university, you'd better go there because you can get good
quality care in a lower price.
Here in Santa Barbara, UCSB has a Student Health Center. The
Student Health Center on the UCSB campus is open from 8:00am to
4:30pm Monday through Friday. The center includes a walk-in
general health clinic, a women's clinic, an eye clinic, and a
dental clinic. They accept cash, traveler's checks, and personal
checks for payment. They do not accept credit cards. The visit
itself will cost $50 and there will be additional costs for lab
work or medicine. If you have insurance, show them. You will be
reimbursed for most of the costs of your visit, including the
$50 visit fee.
Check out UCSB
Student Health Center web site for more information.
If your school does not have a Student Health Center, you can
ask your international student advisor to recommend a Doctor's
office or Hospital.
Below are the lists of Hospital in Santa Barbara you can use
in emergency.
- Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital
351
South Patterson, Goleta
Phone: 967-3411
- Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
Pueblo at Bath Street, Santa Barbara
General Information: 682-7111
Emergency Room: 569-7210
- St. Francis Medical Center
601 East Micheltorena, Santa Barbara
General Information: 962-7661
Emergency Room: 568-5712
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