Health insurance for international students is important to cover the costs of medical care in case of accident or sickness while studying abroad. As an international student, it is vital to ensure you have the best student health insurance for medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains and accidental death and dismemberment. At American Visitor Insurance we offer a wide range of deductibles and co-insurance for foreign student insurance which meet school requirements, including for those on F1 visa, OPT status, F2 visa, sports coverage, M-1/M-2 or J visas as well as for US students studying abroad.
If you are planning to pursue further studies in the US, it is definitely a good decision. You will meet with people from various countries and experience different cultures and traditions. You may also be able to learn a foreign language! The number of international students traveling to the US is increasing. This is no surprise as students passing out of US universities are highly preferred by employers worldwide. Along with getting quality education, living in the US also prepares one for the life ahead.
Before you start making a list of all the important items you need to take with you to the US, put some thought into purchasing international student insurance USA for yourself. The right insurance plan will cover you for all the unexpected incidents during your stay in the US. Your parents can also relax knowing that you are adequately covered for most contingencies. And you will be able to focus on just the important stuff. Here is a checklist to refer to so you know what student travel insurance needs to cover essentially.
It's common knowledge that even getting a routine check-up in the US can prove to be very costly. As you'll be staying in the US for at least a year to complete your course, your travel insurance will have to cover all your medical expenses.
Quite a few unexpected costs may crop up during the journey itself. Travel insurance normally covers expenses in certain cases. Go through your policy in detail and make sure your insurance covers you for the following incidents.
Remember that insurance companies have a cap on the maximum amount you can claim in the case of theft. They will also consider the depreciation value of costly items such as laptops or cameras. So don't expect to be paid the full value of such items in case they are stolen or lost.
While the above are basic things that a student travel insurance policy should cover, there are many optional extras provided by insurance companies. These may include providing cover for medical treatment even after the insured has reached his home country, expatriation costs so that the insured can fly back to the foreign country to continue with his studies, costs related to kidnapping, ransom, and false arrest.
With any insurance policy you purchase, you will need to pay an excess amount whenever you need to claim the money. If your finances allow you, you can opt to pay a higher excess amount. This will reduce the amount of the premium that you'll have to pay. Lastly, purchase the right policy as soon as you spot it.
At times, policies don't come into effect until a certain time period has lapsed. It could also be possible that the right offer may be available only for a limited time. You need to be armed with the right student travel insurance policy so that you're all set to fly to the US and enjoy a new phase of your life!
How much is Low-cost medical insurance for international students in America? How much does Insurance for foreign students in America cost per month?
The monthly cost of international student insurance for USA ranges from $30 to $124, depending on the level of coverage selected.
| Insurance Plans | Policy maximum | Deductible | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Journey Lite | $150,000 | $100 | $30 |
| StudentSecure Smart | $200,000 | $0 | $32 |
| Student Journey Plus | $300,000 | $500 | $48 |
| StudentSecure Budget | $500,000 | $0 | $53 |
| Patriot Exchange | $50,000 | $250 | $56 |
| Diplomat America | $50,000 | $250 | $71 |
| Student Journey Platinum | $500,000 | $250 | $74 |
| StudentSecure Select | $1,000,000 | $0 | $106 |
| Student Health Advantage Standard | $500,000 | $250 | $124 |
Source: American Visitor Insurance®
Review student insurance plan benefits.
Covers doctor visits in case of sudden injury or sickness.
Some plans cover high school sports activities.
Repatriation of remains expenses to home country in case of death.
Expenses from sudden dental pain and accidental dental injuries.
Some plans offer coverage for pregnancy, maternity and new born.
Student insurance who need coverage for existing medical ailments.
International students may need medical evacuation and repatriation insurance to meet visa or school requirements.
Policy maximum?
$75k
Deductible options?
$0
Period of coverage?
364 days
Policy maximum?
$100k
Deductible options?
$50k
Period of coverage?
365 days
Choosing the best health insurance for international students in the USA depends on factors such as personal health needs, budget, university insurance requirements, and visa status. Some insurance providers offer reliable and best plans that are designed for international students.
Best health insurance providers for international students in the USA are:Offers a wide range of plans like Student Journey, designed for international students seeking affordable coverage for medical expenses and hospitalization.
Provides plans like StudentSecure Smart starting at $31/month with $0 deductible, covering emergency medical expenses, evacuation, and repatriation.
Offers the Navigator Student plan with unlimited medical maximum, global provider access, and coverage for U.S. and international students.
The following are some of the best international student health insurance plans in USA:
or United HealthCare 
Policy maximum?
$50,000 to $5,000,000
Deductible options?
$0 to $500
Period of coverage?
1 month up to 12 months
Policy maximum?
$500,000
Deductible options?
$250
Period of coverage?
30 days to 12 months
Policy maximum?
$1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0
Period of coverage?
30 days to 364 days
or United HealthCare Policy maximum?
$500,000
Deductible options?
$250
Period of coverage?
1 month up to 12 months
Policy maximum?
$1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0
Period of coverage?
30 days to 364 days
or United HealthCare Policy maximum?
$1,000,000
Deductible options?
$100
Period of coverage?
1 month up to 12 months
The U.S. continues to be a top choice for international students, offering not only academic excellence but also practical work opportunities through programs like OPT. With rising enrollment and record-high participation in OPT, the country solidifies its position as a leader in global education and career advancement. International students are encouraged to explore these opportunities to build a strong foundation for their future careers.
The total number of international students in the U.S. reached 11,26,690 in the academic year 2023-24, marking a 6.6% increase compared to the previous year. This growth underscores the U.S.'s continued appeal as a global education hub. International students now make up 5.9% of the total U.S. student enrollment, reflecting the diversity and global reach of American higher education.
| Year | Total international students | % international students |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | 11,26,690 | 5.9% |
| 2022-2023 | 10,57,188 | 5.6% |
| 2021-2022 | 9,48,519 | 4.7% |
Younger students generally pay lower premiums.
The length of health insurance for F1 students significantly affects the price.
The cost of F1 student health insurance is less for lower medical maximum and increases with higher medical maximum coverage.
Your out-of-pocket expenses play a major role in determining monthly costs.
Where you're studying affects cost.
Adding specific benefits can increase your premium. These may include:
For a detailed breakdown of these factors and tips on choosing the right plan, visit our guide on the.
"After rigorous searching for suitable student health insurances online, I stumbled upon the American visitor Insurance website and the customer representatives were really patient and helpful in guiding me with the best plan."
"Your customer service provided me with perfect service and helped me very much to find policy I needed (for J2 visa). She was very polite and answered all my questions. I'm fully satisfied with the service. Thank you very much!."
The health insurance cost for the college student will depend on the coverage benefits of the student insurance plan, the age of the student, the medical maximum coverage required and the deductible for the plan. The cost of student health insurance coverage within the US is more expensive when compared to coverage outside the US.
Most international student health insurance plans seem similar on first impressions. However, while they have many benefits in common and the premium is also similar, different student insurance plans do have some additional benefits or perhaps some specific constraints.
In order to choose the best plan based on the students requirements and to get sufficient coverage from the international student insurance plan, it is important to compare different features available in the student health insurance plan.
The following are important factors for comparing student health insurance plans:
Policy Maximum: This is the maximum amount on the insurance plan which normally ranges from $50,000 up to $1,000,000. This is the maximum a policy can cover in case of an extreme emergency as per the policy guidelines and conditions mentioned in the policy.
Deductible: The deductible options can range anywhere from $50 up to $5000 between the plans. A larger deductible means lower premium price and vice versa. Picking a large deductible thus low premium by choosing a comprehensive plan is usually recommended, as most of the comprehensive plans have an one time deductible and is cost effective.
Pre existing condition coverage: This is very important benefit factor as many customers need this benefit. The student plans have a minimum 6 month waiting period for coverage of pre-existing conditions.
Coverage for mental illness and drug abuse: This coverage is required by most of the universities.
Cancellation and Renewability: Each plan have their unique cancellation and renew-ability policies. It is important to pay attention to it if there is any ambiguity while booking insurance initially.
Sports and other unique activities: Some of the plans provide coverage for intercollegiate and interscholastic sports... Based on these factors, American Visitor Insurance provides an excellent compare student medical insurance facility where getting quotes as per students’ requirements. Once the required information is entered in the form, a summary of popular student insurance plans are displayed which can be compared.
The best student medical insurance will vary for each student. There is no single student insurance which will work as the best international student health insurance plan for all students.
The factors to consider while identifying the best student insurance will be the coverage benefits, the provider network and the cost of the health insurance for international students.
F1 students in the USA are not required to have health insurance. However, most universities mandate that international students have health insurance coverage, either by enrolling in the school's health plan or providing proof of equivalent coverage. This ensures that students have access to necessary medical care and are protected from high medical costs.
Health insurance is not mandatory for obtaining a USA student visa. However, it is highly recommended for international students to have travel health insurance for USA to cover unforeseen events. Once in the US, students should focus on securing comprehensive health insurance for their stay.
In the USA, healthcare isn’t free and given the high cost of healthcare in the US a minor injury or accident could set you back tens of thousands of dollars. This can cause financial strain on students, especially those with limited budget. International student health insurance is highly recommended in the U.S. and essential for ensuring peace of mind while studying in the U.S.
No. International students are not eligible for Medicare. Medicare is a US government program only available to US citizens or US permanent residents who have paid into the US system.
International student health insurance is health insurance coverage for individuals who are studying abroad either short or long term while away from their home countries. Many of the US domestic health insurance plans may not cover a person fully while abroad. Also, some international programs may require certain levels of health insurance while participating in their programs. Luckily, we at American Visitor Insurance have made it easy to compare and find a cheapest health insurance for international students in USA just right for you and your situation.
Commonly asked questions about cheapest international student health insurance.
Read More »Resources for cheapest insurance for international students in USA.
Read More »Factors while buying best international student health insurance USA.
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