Buy the best international student insurance online starting at just $30 per month.
Moving to the United States for your studies is an exciting experience, but understanding the American healthcare system can feel overwhelming at first. The United States operates an expensive medical system, even a simple doctor’s visit can cost hundreds and thousands of dollars without insurance coverage.
These costs can quickly become overwhelming for students studying on a budget.
That’s why most colleges require international students to maintain active student health insurance throughout their enrolment period.
International student health insurance helps cover doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, prescriptions, and other medical expenses, protecting you from unexpected bills. Students with the right health insurance coverage can dedicate their time to academic studies, campus activities and new opportunities without worrying about healthcare costs.
Students can easily compare reliable and affordable student health insurance plans through American Visitor Insurance or call 877-340-7910 for expert guidance in choosing the best option.
Understanding how student health insurance works in the U.S. is easier than you might think. Whether you choose your university-sponsored plan or a private health insurance plan for F1 students, the process works in the similar way. Here’s a clear step-by-step explanation of what to expect.
Before classes begin, you must enroll in a student health insurance plan that meets your college or visa requirements and fits your budget.
You can either:
Many international students compare multiple options through American Visitor Insurance, where plans from top US providers are available in one place with expert guidance. If you need help choosing, please feel free to call 877-340-7910 for assistance.
After enrollment, you will receive your insurance ID card and policy documents by email or mail.
This card is very important. Keep it handy, as you will require it any time you visit the physician, clinic, urgent care, or hospital.
If you feel sick, get injured, or need medical care, simply visit a healthcare provider within your insurance network.
Show your insurance ID card at the front desk. In most cases, the hospital or clinic will bill the insurance company directly, so you don’t have to pay the full medical cost upfront.
Instead of paying large amount of medical bills out of pocket, you generally pay only a small portion of the cost, such as:
Your student health insurance covers the remaining eligible expenses. This protection can save you thousands of dollars during emergencies or hospital stays.
Sometimes you need to make upfront payments at out-of-network clinics and pharmacies.
In those cases, need to send your bills and receipts to the insurance company for claim submission in those situations. After review, you will be reimbursed for covered expenses according to your policy.
Still wondering if student health insurance is really worth it?
Here’s a simple real-world example to show how much money it can save.
With a student insurance plan, you only pay:
Your insurance company pays the rest.
Total you pay = $130
Total insurance pays = $2,670
That’s a savings of over $2,600 from just one visit.
This is why having affordable international student health insurance through American Visitor Insurance can protect you from unexpected medical bills and financial stress.
Most student insurance plans in the U.S. provide comprehensive medical coverage for international students, protecting them from unexpected large expenses while they are attending school in the U.S.
Health insurance for F1 student typically includes:
These benefits help cover both minor medical needs and major emergencies, so you don’t have to worry about paying large out-of-pocket expenses.
Since coverage, limits, and benefits can vary by plan, it’s important to compare options carefully. At American Visitor Insurance, students can easily compare multiple affordable student health insurance plans and choose one that meets their university and visa requirements. For assistance, call 877-340-7910.
Health insurance costs for international students vary based on age, coverage limits, deductible, benefits and insurance provider you choose. The cost of insurance for international students can range approximately:
Many students find that private plans cost significantly less than university plans while still meeting school and visa requirements. To see a more detailed breakdown of typical pricing and plan comparisons, visit our guide on student medical insurance costs for international students.
The monthly cost of health insurance for international students USA varies based on the coverage level selected for students aged 20.
| Plan | Cost (Monthly) | Max Coverage | Deductible | Pre-existing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Journey Lite IMG | $30 | $150,000 | $100 | After 6 months | Budget-friendly basic coverage |
| StudentSecure Smart WorldTrips | $32 | $200,000 | $0 | Acute onset covered | Zero deductible + acute onset coverage |
| Student Journey Plus IMG | $48 | $300,000 | $500 | After 6 months | Higher coverage with affordable premium |
| StudentSecure Budget WorldTrips | $53 | $500,000 | $0 | After 12 months | Budget-friendly plan with higher coverage limits |
| Patriot Exchange Program IMG | $56 | $50,000 | $250 | After 12 months | Short-term students & adventure sports |
| Diplomat America Global Underwriters | $71 | $50,000 | $250 | After 12 months | Acute onset covered |
| Student Journey Platinum IMG | $74 | $500,000 | $250 | After 6 months | Comprehensive coverage with higher limits |
| StudentSecure Select WorldTrips | $106 | $1,000,000 | $0 | After 6 months | Maximum coverage & premium benefits |
| Student Health Advantage Standard IMG | $124 | $500,000 | $250 | After 12 months | Comprehensive student health coverage |
Source: American Visitor Insurance®
Choosing the right international student health insurance in the USA can feel confusing at first. But understanding a few key points will help you avoid problems and save money later. Here’s what every student should keep in mind:
Every college has different rules.
Some universities offer their own student health plan, while others allow you to buy a private student medical insurance plan that meets their coverage guidelines.
Private plans are often more affordable and flexible, while still meeting visa and school requirements. You can easily compare multiple options side-by-side through American Visitor Insurance to find the best fit for your budget.
Healthcare in the U.S. is extremely expensive without insurance. Even one unexpected emergency room visit can cost thousands of dollars. Make sure your insurance begins before classes start, so you’re protected from day one.
You don’t need to be an insurance expert. But understanding a few basic terms will help you avoid unexpected bills. It will also help you better manage your healthcare costs.
For example:
These directly affect how much you pay out of pocket.
Many students mistakenly buy insurance only for the semester. But medical emergencies can happen anytime.
Year-round protection ensures you’re always covered — not just during classes.
This is one of the most common questions international students ask.
Most international student health insurance plans use a provider network of approved doctors, clinics, and hospitals across the United States.
Here’s how it works:
To save money, it’s always best to visit doctors and hospitals within your plan’s network whenever possible. Many popular student insurance plans use large national PPO networks such as UnitedHealthcare (UHC), which gives you access to thousands of doctors, urgent care centers, and hospitals near most campuses.
Going without student medical insurance in the U.S. can be very risky and expensive.
Without insurance for international students, you may face:
Even one unexpected emergency like a broken bone or sudden illness - can cost more than an entire year of student insurance premiums. That’s why international student health insurance isn’t just helpful it’s essential for your financial safety and peace of mind.
Yes — but only if your coverage remains active during those periods.
Many international students assume their insurance only works during the academic semester. However, medical emergencies can happen anytime — during summer vacation, internships, or while working on OPT. That’s why it’s important to maintain continuous health insurance coverage year-round, not just when classes are in session.
Your student health insurance should protect you during:
If your university plan ends after the semester, you may need a separate summer health insurance for international students or OPT health insurance plan to stay protected.
If your policy expires during these gaps, you may be left uninsured and responsible for 100% of medical costs, which can be very expensive in the U.S.
Many student health insurance plans available through American Visitor Insurance offer flexible start and end dates, easy renewals, and extensions, so you can stay covered throughout your studies, internships, and post-graduation OPT period.
Understanding a few basic student health insurance terms can help you avoid surprises and better manage your medical costs in the U.S. Here are the most important ones explained:
Knowing these terms makes it much easier to choose the right international student health insurance plan and estimate what you might pay out of pocket.
You can compare plans and benefits easily through American Visitor Insurance or call 877-340-7910 for help understanding your options.
Choosing American Visitor Insurance for your F1 student health insurance or international travel insurance needs comes with several key benefits:
Yes. Most U.S. universities require international students on F1 or J1 visas to have active health insurance coverage. If you don’t enroll in your school’s plan, you must purchase a private plan that meets their waiver requirements. American Visitor Insurance offers affordable plans that satisfy most university guidelines.
Student health insurance helps cover medical expenses such as doctor visits, hospitalization, prescriptions, emergency care, and accidents. You can buy student health insurance monthly or semester premium, and the insurance pays eligible medical costs based on your plan benefits.
Yes, many universities allow students to waive their school plan if they buy comparable private student medical insurance coverage. Private student insurance plans from American Visitor Insurance are often more affordable and flexible while still meeting university requirements.
Yes. Parents or family members can easily purchase a student health insurance plan online on your behalf — even if they are outside the United States. Most international student insurance plans allow parents to compare plans, get quotes, pay online securely, and receive policy documents by email. Through American Visitor Insurance, families can quickly compare options and enroll from anywhere in the world, ensuring coverage starts before the student arrives in the U.S.
Yes. Most international student health insurance plans cover sports injuries, accidents, emergency care, hospitalization, and doctor visits related to recreational or school activities.
However, some high-risk or professional sports (such as extreme adventure sports or competitive athletics) may have exclusions or limited coverage, so always review the policy details.
Popular plans like Diplomat America Insurance, Diplomat LongTerm Insurance, Patriot Exchange Insurance, and StudentSecure Insurance typically include coverage for everyday sports and accident-related medical expenses.
Yes. Most international student health insurance plans allow you to renew or extend coverage if you continue your studies or participate in OPT/CPT programs. Be sure to renew before your current policy expires to avoid gaps in coverage and stay compliant with your school and visa requirements.
You can buy best student health insurance plan online through American Visitor Insurance, where you can compare multiple plans side by side and choose coverage that meets your college and visa requirements.
For personalized guidance, you can call 877-340-7910 and speak with a licensed insurance expert who can help you select the best plan for your needs.
