Health Insurance Basics
- For Degree-Seeking Students
- For Non-Degree Students
- For J-1 Scholars and J-1 Student Interns
- Dependent Insurance
- Where to go for Health Care
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Monday – Friday:
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (appointment required)
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Phone: (615) 322-2753
Email: isss@vanderbilt.edu
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Health Insurance
It is important for all students, scholars, and their families members to maintain health insurance coverage for the entire time they are present in the U.S.
Details about health insurance and how to select a plan can be found here.
Where do I go for health care?
There are several types of health care providers in the U.S. and it can sometimes be hard to know which is appropriate to choose. It is important to remember that visits to the hospital emergency department (also know as the “ER”) are expensive and should be limited to true emergencies (such as heavy bleeding, severe chest pain, or broken bones).
For most medical situations, it is best to begin with a visit to the Student Health Center (for students) or a primary care physician (PCP). During evenings and weekends, urgent care centers (also called walk-in clinics) are an option if you have a non-emergency issue but cannot wait to see a doctor. Examples of issues that an urgent care center can treat include the flu, sprains, or small cuts.
Always check the website of your insurance provider to see which PCPs, clinics, and hospitals are considered “in-network.” A healthcare provider that is in-network will be less expensive than a provider who it out-of-network.
How do I find a health care provider?
Low Cost Options and Financial Assistance
Those with limited financial resources may find a need to seek out lower cost health care options. There are some clinics and organizations in Nashville that offer services at reduced cost, usually based on your income.
*Please note that F and J non-immigrants are not eligible for federal assistance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.*
– Free clinic run by Vanderbilt medical students, including prenatal care
– Provides care for people without insurance
– VUMC patients with financial need may be eligible for a discount on services.
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