Hello and welcome back, my dear Chai-buddies! How's everyone doing?
Today, we embark on a vital journey, one that every student planning to study abroad must undertake - the world of insurance, specifically, medical insurance. Unlike back home in India, where we often swat away insurance agents like pesky mosquitoes, when it comes to studying abroad, insurance is not just a choice; it's a necessity. In fact, it's a lifeline - a very important document, that can make all the difference in your overseas education experience.
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| Photo by Kindel Media |
Now, we understand that navigating the seemingly twisted world of international student insurance can be daunting. That's why we've decided to kick off a blog series dedicated to demystifying the complexities of student health insurance for various popular study destinations. We'll be starting with one of the most sought-after and intriguing options - Russia.
Choosing Russia as a Study Destination Amidst Geopolitical Tensions
You might wonder why anyone would choose Russia as a study destination, especially with the recent geopolitical tensions surrounding the country. With Russia and Ukraine engaged in a war since February 2022, western nations sanctioning Russia in many ways, reports on political figures executed and resurfacing after a few days, and fears of further sanctions looming, and recent reports of President Putin skipping being physically present at BRICS and G20 summit, many might consider choosing Russia for studying abroad to be unconventional, if not outright strange, under these circumstances.
However, there are compelling reasons behind this choice, especially for students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other South Asian nations, particularly those pursuing medical education. Here's why:
Abundant Job Opportunities:
Russia's economic landscape is experiencing a unique shift. With many of its natives leaving the country for various reasons, job vacancies are increasingly being filled by international students studying in Russia. According to Russian laws, any international student who is a full-time student at a Russian university or professional training college with state accreditation has the right to work in Russia without needing a patent or special permit. As a result, many international students, including those from India, report finding well-paying jobs in Russia, particularly in cities like Moscow.
Budget-Friendly Option:
Compared to many other foreign destinations, Russia is considered budget-friendly for international students. The exchange rate between the Russian Ruble and the Indian Rupee is relatively stable, making expenses more predictable. Russian dormitories are known for their affordability, with monthly costs averaging around 10 euros. Additionally, public transportation in Russia, especially in Moscow, is efficient and cost-effective. The prices of commodities, dining out, and other daily expenses are generally lower than in many Western countries.
Cultural Appreciation:
Despite language barriers, Russians have shown an appreciation for Asian culture, including Indian Bollywood, K-pop, and Asian cuisines and products. This cultural openness can make international students from Asia feel more welcome and at home in Russia.
Safety and Support:
Russian universities and campuses are generally considered safe for international students. Unlike reports from some other countries where international students were evicted from dormitories during the COVID-19 pandemic, Russian universities have demonstrated a commitment to their students' well-being. Apart from hiring psychologists and emotional counselors, instances of Indian or other Asian students facing difficulties due to eviction from Russian dormitories haven't been much heard of. Also, Russian universities often collaborated with various Embassies like the Indian Embassy in Moscow to ensure the safety of their international students. This proactive approach has fostered a sense of security among international students in Russia.
Considering these factors, it becomes evident why Russia remains a preferred destination for international students. Now, if you're one of these intrepid scholars preparing to embark on a journey to the land of Matryoshka dolls and borscht, you'll need to get familiar with a crucial aspect of your student life in Russia - medical insurance.
In this first blog of our series, we'll delve into the fundamentals of student health insurance for Russia. We'll explore the when, the where, and the how of securing this essential coverage. So, grab your notepads, and let's dive into the intricacies of insuring your health as you pursue your educational dreams in the world's largest country.
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When to get your medical insurance?
Right after being accepted into your program, you'll receive notifications about the necessity of obtaining medical insurance. However, while some sources may suggest that you need medical insurance to apply for your Russian visa, in reality, it's not typically required for the visa application process.
It's a good idea to check with your dormitory in advance. For instance, at institutions like the Higher School of Economics, medical insurance isn't usually a mandatory requirement for checking into your room. Unlike documents like your student appointment letter, dormitory appointment letter, or medical test results, medical insurance might not be on the checklist for upfront submission on arrival. However, it's essential to get confirmation via email before making a decision. If the dormitory authorities confirm that it's not mandatory to be submitted right on arrival, it's often best to purchase your health insurance after arriving in Russia.
This is particularly true if you're studying in major cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg, or Yekaterinburg. In these cities, you might find insurance company agents visiting your campus, providing convenient options for insurance purchase. And more often than not, they speak English, making it convenient for you as a student to discuss your policy and its coverage with them. It might be more cost-effective and reliable when needed, compared to insurance procured from abroad.
However, it's crucial to be aware that when you purchase insurance from a local company, the standard procedure in case of a medical emergency is to direct you to a Polyclinic or public medical institution. This is because if your visit is covered under your policy, you won't need to make any payments; your insurance company will handle the financial aspect and guide you to facilities with which they have established partnerships. While these clinics are cost-effective, it's important to note that their staff and doctors typically speak only Russian. For individuals who do not speak the language and do not have access to a Russian friend, family member, acquaintance, or partner to accompany them, explaining medical issues can be a significant challenge. Furthermore, when traveling to smaller Russian towns and rural areas, access to private healthcare can be crucial, as many public service providers in such locations lack sufficient medical infrastructure.
So, if you have concerns about language barriers and the availability of healthcare in more remote areas, here's what you can do. You can inquire with your local Russian insurance company about the cost of coverage and your option to select private or European medical hospitals. It's possible that they have such partnerships, although it may come with a higher premium. Nevertheless, this investment is well justified, offering both cost-effectiveness and reliability compared to insurance providers abroad.
Alternatively, if you have a trusted contact in your home country who can confirm that your visits to European hospitals would be reimbursed under your policy, then purchasing your policy from abroad could be the wiser choice in this case. This way, you can ensure access to English-speaking medical facilities in case of an emergency, providing you with peace of mind during your stay in Russia. However, be very skeptical in your assessment, as at times these policies are unnecessarily overpriced and given the current situation, they may pinch very hard at your pockets!
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How to purchase your policy?
If you are purchasing it from a foreign provider, you would have to follow their standard procedures. If you opt for purchasing your document from Russian local providers, this is what you can do.
If you are a scholarship holder, then highly likely your university will have your scholarship account with VTB Bank or Sberbank. Check out with their student insurance programs. Usually, you would require visiting the branch in person in order to activate your student account. Then, make it a point to enquire about such services as well.
That apart, if agents have visited your campus, you should consider visiting their booth directly on campus and thereby make your decision. Also, prior visiting them, if there is such information available on your university website, check out such information. It might be possible that such detailed information is already available. As an example, High School of Economics has a detailed page of Russian Insurance service providers.
In addition, if possible do contact other international students and get your recommendations as well. Or you might even ask the dormitory authorities to let you know which is the most procured insurance policy by international students. More often than not, they would happily let you such information from their database. Once you have decided, you can purchase your policy online or in-person.
Finally, if you have arrived later when such agents are no longer on campus, or perhaps there are some issues you would love to discuss further, you can even visit their offices if they are in your city. At times it might be possible that visiting their offices can facilitate communication with a senior representative who can recommend much more tailored policy for you.
If you purchase it from local Russian companies, make sure to have the following documents with you - both original and scanned or photocopied:
- Passport (with the Page with Russian Visa)
- Translation of your Passport to Russian (1st and last page only)
- Photo (passport size)
- Migration card
- Dormitory Registration slip (if available) or allotment letter
- Student ID card (if available) or student allotment letter which clearly states your course and duration of studies.
Make sure that your policy covers Out-patient medical consultation for Common-cold, fever, medical tests and covid tests. This is because Russia being a cold country you might fall ill. Or perhaps you wish to travel on student exchange programs and need a medical certificate with some tests done. It would be great if medicine purchases are covered under insurance as well. If your boyfriend or partner resides in Russia, and you guys have some plans as such to expand your family then it is also advisable to purchase a plan with pregnancy cover. Look through or enquire if there is any lock-in period before such benefits can be availed and plan your life and activities accordingly. With ample opportunity of winter sports, I would recommend having accident cover which as well includes injuries from sports. So, when you do discuss your issues, discuss accordingly.
In any case, if all your questions are answered by viewing the catalogue online, you can always buy your insurance online.
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Whom to get it from?
This will indeed depend upon your coverage preferences. However, here is a list of Russian Insurance service providers you can choose from. Make sure to go through their schemes and policies thoroughly, compare the pros and cons and premium amount of each before making your decision.
- Absolut Insurance - For students in Moscow and Saint Petersburg
- PJSC Energogarant
- AlfaStrakhovaniye insurance company - It's mainly for those who would love to travel in and around Russia. They may have medical insurance options as well, which you will need to enquire with them.
- VSK Insurance
- Ingosstrakh - page is only in Russian, (I couldn't translate it using chrome add-ins either, so you might need some help).
- Reso-garantia - I didn't find any website for it; however, you can visit here.
- LLC (OOO) Russian insurance company "EUROINS"
- LEXGARANT" Insurance Company LTD.
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