In health insurance parlance, a pre-existing condition is any health issue that exists before purchasing a plan — whether or not it has been diagnosed or treated.
Common examples of pre-existing conditions include:
These chronic disorders affect a large portion of the population. According to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare for students, health plans can no longer deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
However, many plans still use a "look back period", also known as an Exclusion Period or Waiting Period, to define whether and when the condition becomes eligible for coverage.
The look back or exclusion period typically varies from 6 to 18 months, depending on the insurance provider and state regulations.
Mary, a 48-year-old woman with Type 2 Diabetes, is applying for a J1 visa health insurance as a visiting scholar in the U.S.
Coverage for pre-existing conditions varies widely across international student health insurance plans. In general, plans handle pre-existing conditions in one of the following ways:
Coverage After a Waiting PeriodMany international student plans offer coverage for pre-existing conditions after a waiting period, commonly 6 or 12 months. During this waiting period, claims related to the condition are not eligible for reimbursement. Once the waiting period ends, coverage may apply up to the plan’s benefit limits.
For example, Student Journey Insurance plans available on American Visitor Insurance provide coverage for pre-existing conditions after a 6-month waiting period, making them a suitable option for students who need long-term coverage while studying in the U.S.
Acute Onset of Pre-Existing ConditionsSome student plans provide coverage for the acute onset of a pre-existing condition. This refers to a sudden, unexpected, and severe flare-up that requires immediate emergency treatment. Routine checkups, follow-up visits, and ongoing treatment are typically excluded under acute onset benefits.
For instance, StudentSecure insurance plans cover the acute onset of pre-existing conditions, offering emergency protection for students who may experience an unexpected medical crisis related to an existing condition.
In the U.S., international students are not entitled to publicly funded healthcare and medical bills can be extremely high. Having pre-existing condition coverage is important because it provides:
In case a pre-existing condition suffers a sudden deterioration, the insurance will make it possible for you to receive the necessary medical care without having to pay a huge sum of money.
U.S. medical treatments, hospitalizations or ER visits can be really costly. Thus, a pre-existing condition benefit guarantees that you are not going to face a financial burden.
Most U.S. universities have the policy that students must be insured with the company that provides at least some sort of pre-existing condition covers or acute onset benefits.
The knowledge that your past health issues are addressed will not only help you maintain your composure but also allow you to devote your attention to your studies and social life.
Through American Visitor Insurance, you can easily buy the best student health insurance USA pre existing conditions coverage.
For international students in the USA who need coverage for pre existing conditions, several popular student health insurance plans are widely chosen for their balance of cost, benefits, and waiting periods. Through American Visitor Insurance, students can compare these plans to find the one that best fits their needs.
Some of the most popular options include:
Students can compare and purchase these best international student health insurance plans easily on American Visitor Insurance, helping them meet visa and university requirements while staying fully protected during their studies.
Some of the top student insurance plans with pre-existing condition coverage are Student Journey Lite, StudentSecure Budget,Patriot Exchange, Student Journey Plus, StudentSecure Select, Student Journey Platinum, and StudentSecure Elite Insurance are all available through American Visitor Insurance. This table makes it easy for students to compare each plan’s pre-existing condition waiting period, acute onset coverage, policy maximum, deductible, starting price, and purchase options, helping them find the plan that best fits their budget and coverage needs.
| Plan Name | Pre-existing Waiting Period | Acute Onset Coverage | Policy Maximum | Deductible | Starting Price (20 yrs) | Purchase Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Journey Lite | 6 months | No | $150,000 (per illness/injury) | $100 | $30/month ($360/year) | Yearly |
| StudentSecure Budget | 12 months | Up to $25,000 | $500,000 | $0 | $53/month ($624/year) | Monthly / Yearly |
| Patriot Exchange | 12 months | No | Up to $500,000 | From $0 | $48/month ($675/year) | Monthly / Yearly |
| Student Journey Plus | 6 months | No | $300,000 (per illness/injury) | $100 | $48/month ($576/year) | Yearly |
| StudentSecure Select | 6 months | Up to $25,000 | $1,000,000 | $0 | $102/month ($1,244/year) | Monthly / Yearly |
| Student Journey Platinum | 6 months | No | $500,000 (per illness/injury) | $250 | $74/month ($888/year) | Yearly |
| StudentSecure Elite | 6 months | Up to $25,000 | $5,000,000 | $0 | $175/month ($2,129/year) | Monthly / Yearly |
Review student insurance plan benefits.
International student health insurance plans provide coverage for pre-existing conditions based on various determining factors that include the following elements:
The insurance premiums increase for plans which provide greater or more immediate pre-existing condition coverage because these plans deliver expanded financial security to their customers.
Pre-existing condition coverage refers to insurance protection for medical conditions that existed before a student’s policy start date. Many plans, like Student Journey Lite, StudentSecure Budget, and Student Journey Plus, provide coverage after a waiting period, helping students avoid unexpected medical bills.
Waiting periods vary by plan. For example, Student Journey Lite and Student Journey Plus have a 6-month waiting period, StudentSecure Budget and Patriot Exchange require 12 months. Some plans, like StudentSecure Select and StudentSecure Elite Insurance , also cover acute onset conditions during emergencies.
If you want protection for sudden flare-ups of pre-existing conditions, look for plans like StudentSecure Select and StudentSecure Elite Insurance , which cover acute onset events up to $25,000 in addition to standard pre-existing condition coverage.
Student Journey Lite is the cheapest plan, offering pre-existing condition coverage after 6 months with a $150,000 maximum and $100 deductible. StudentSecure Budget is budget-friendly but higher coverage, with $0 deductible and up to $500,000 maximum, suitable for students wanting stronger financial protection.
Deductibles are the amount you pay before insurance starts covering claims. Policy limits are the maximum amount the plan will pay for pre-existing conditions. For example, Student Journey Plus offers a $100 deductible with $300,000 maximum, while StudentSecure Elite Insurance provides $0 deductible with $5,000,000 maximum.
Compare waiting periods, coverage limits, deductibles, and acute onset benefits. American Visitor Insurance allows students to easily compare plans such as Student Journey Lite, StudentSecure Budget, Student Journey Plus, Student Journey Platinum, StudentSecure Select, and StudentSecure Elite Insurance , helping them find a plan that meets visa, university, and medical needs.
Yes, some student plans like StudentSecure Insurance and Student health advantage plans are available monthly or yearly, while others like Student Journey Lite, Student Journey Plus/Platinum, and Patriot Exchange are available on a yearly basis only.
Yes. Many international student health insurance plans allow you to purchase coverage monthly, giving you flexibility to start, extend, or cancel your plan as needed. Popular plans like Student Secure Insurance , Student Health Advantage from American Visitor Insurance for students let you pay every month. Monthly payment options are particularly helpful for international students in the USA who want affordable coverage without a large one-time payment.
You can buy student health insurance with pre-existing condition coverage through American Visitor Insurance. They offer a wide range of international student health insurance plans from top providers like IMG and WorldTrips, all available for online comparison and instant purchase.
Waiting period is the time period during which the benefits related to pre-existing conditions may not be covered. After the waiting period the coverage for pre-existing conditions will begin. Some plans have short waiting periods as few weeks while some have waiting periods of 6 months to one year.
Some of the popular Student insurance plans and their waiting periods to cover pre existing conditions:
It is important to compare coverage on the compare tool in American Visitor Insurance and carefully review the policy documentation and talk to the licensed insurance agents on American Visitor Insurance to inquire about pre-existing condition coverage. It is important to pay attention to the policy's terms and conditions, exclusions, and limitations related to pre-existing conditions.
Some student insurance plans impose waiting periods before coverage for pre-existing conditions becomes effective. During this waiting period, the insurance provider will not cover any medical expenses related to the pre-existing ailment. Waiting periods can vary, and it's essential to understand the specific terms outlined in your student insurance policy.
If your student insurance policy has a waiting period for pre-existing conditions, you will not receive coverage for treatments related to those conditions until the waiting period has expired. During this time, you may have to cover the expenses out of pocket.
Yes, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, requires health insurance companies to cover pre-existing medical conditions.
Finding the right international student health insurance with pre-existing condition coverage is essential for studying safely in the USA. Students need plans that balance affordability, coverage limits, deductibles, waiting periods, and acute onset benefits. Through American Visitor Insurance, students can explore some of the best student insurance plans with pre-existing condition coverage, such as Student Journey Lite, StudentSecure Budget, Student Journey Plus, Student Journey Platinum, StudentSecure Select, and StudentSecure Elite Insurance , to find the right plan for their needs and budget.
These plans cater to different needs: some are budget-friendly, like Student Journey Lite and StudentSecure Budget; others are premium or top coverage plans, like StudentSecure Select and StudentSecure Elite, which include acute onset coverage for sudden emergencies. Waiting periods range from 6 to 12 months, with policy maximums from $150,000 up to $5,000,000, and deductibles from $0 to $500, giving students flexibility to choose the plan that fits their budget and medical requirements.
By comparing these pre-existing condition student insurance plans on American Visitor Insurance, students can find the best coverage for their needs, meet F-1 and J-1 visa requirements, and stay protected while studying in the USA.
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