In the United States, each individual is responsible for paying the costs of his or her own medical care. Except for certain low income U.S. citizens and permanent residents, no government assistance is available for those people who need care but cannot afford it. The cost of medical care is the fastest rising expense in the U.S. today. Since most Americans cannot afford the high cost of medical care, they rely on insurance in medical emergencies. For an international student, one serious illness, injury, or catastrophic medical emergency can mean financial ruin and the end of his or her educational dreams.
Medical insurance is an absolute necessity in the United States.
Health insurance is required at CMU for all international students. To comply with this requirement, you may purchase the health insurance offered by the University, or present proof of comparable coverage by another company. Either way, you must show proof of coverage to the Office of International Education. You can expect that there will be a period of adjustment in making the transition from your culture to this one. This is a normal experience, yet it often is associated with both physical and emotional changes.