The United States has the world's largest international student population, with over 800,000 international students coming to pursue higher education and gain life experience in the U.S.
➡️ The USA remains the most popular destination for international students, and the number is growing every year.
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.
| 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.
The Cheapest health insurance for F-1 international students is the Student Journey Lite plan, with premiums starting at just $30 per month.
Other Affordable student health insurance options also includes the StudentSecure Smart plan and the Student Journey Plus plan.
To compare more budget-friendly plans and understand how to choose the cheapest health insurance for international students in USA, check our complete guide dedicated to helping students find the best and most affordable coverage.
Cheapest
Age: 20 years · $360 / year
Recommended
Age: 20 years · $372 / year
Best Coverage
Age: 20 years · $576 / year
The Best health insurance plans for international students in the USA include Student Journey Platinum by IMG, the Patriot Exchange Program from IMG, and StudentSecure Select from WorldTrips.
Selecting the right plan depends on several factors such as your individual health needs, budget, university insurance requirements, and visa status.
To compare more budget-friendly plans and understand how to choose the Best student health insurance, check our complete guide to the Best health insurance for international students in the USA
Most Popular
Age: 20 years · $938 / year
High Coverage
Age: 20 years · $888 / year
Premium
Age: 20 years · $1248 / year
"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!."
If you are allowed to buy an alternative best health insurance for F1 students in USA, then compare cheapest insurance for international students on American Visitor Insurance. Compare the cheap insurance for international students here with the University plan based on price as well as coverage benefits.
In most cases, no or not adequately. Government-funded healthcare from your home country is usually limited to treatment within that country and does not provide sufficient coverage in the United States. Even when some international health insurance benefits are included, they rarely match the high cost of U.S. healthcare for international students, where medical expenses can be extremely expensive.
Additionally, most universities in the U.S. require students to have a minimum level of student health insurance coverage that meets specific guidelines. This means relying solely on your home country’s plan is often not enough to meet visa or university requirements.
For better protection, it is strongly recommended to purchase a dedicated international student health insurance plan or visitors insurance for students in the USA. These plans are designed to cover doctor visits, hospitalization, emergencies, and more during your stay.
At American Visitor Insurance, you can compare and choose from a range of affordable student travel medical insurance plans with flexible payment options-ideal whether you’re studying for a single semester or completing a multi-year academic program in the United States.
The United States continues to be a leading destination for international students thanks to its academic excellence, diverse programs, practical work opportunities, and global reputation. Many students choose the U.S. not only for quality education but also for practical training options like Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows work experience after graduation.
According to the most recent Open Doors report, U.S. colleges and universities hosted approximately 1.18 million international students in the 2024–2025 academic year, marking continued growth in global enrollments. International students now account for about 6% of the total U.S. higher education population, showing sustained demand for American higher education worldwide.
| Year | Total international students | % of Total U.S Students |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 11,77,766 | 60% |
| 2024-2024 | 11,26,690 | 5.9% |
Insurance for Exchange scholars satisfying visa requirements.
Click here to read more »Plans for US students studying outside their home country.
Click here to read more »Insurance plans for US students studying outside their home country.
Click here to read more »Best health insurance plans for opt students.
Click here to read more »Medical insurance for students on vocational training.
Click here to read more »
Give your child the protection they deserve while studying in the United States. The K–12 international student health insurance on American Visitor Insurance is specially designed for school-aged children, offering reliable coverage for accidents, illnesses, and medical emergencies throughout the school year.
With benefits like hospitalization, outpatient care, prescription coverage, and accident protection, parents can feel confident knowing their child is protected no matter where they study.
Affordable, flexible, and easy to enroll, this plan ensures peace of mind for parents and uninterrupted learning for students - so they can focus on education while K-12 health insurance takes care of their medical expenses.
International students can benefit from very reasonable rates, as low as $37 per month for coverage in the US (less for coverage outside the US). However, if there are specific requirements that must be met, you may have to choose a pricier plan.
The good news is that most of comprehensive medical Insurance for f1 student in USA are much less than the plan costs offered by the institutions themselves.
Note that if the institution requires the plan to be ACA compliant, then you will be forced to purchase their offered plan since none of our international student insurance plans meet ACA requirements
Students who study outside their home country should compare student F1 health insurance and buy adequate F1 visa student medical insurance. As students in a foreign land, they should be focusing on their academic pursuits and not be burdened by stressful issues such as huge medical bills.
Healthcare in most developed countries is very expensive and since international students are outside their home country, and exposed to a new living environment, cuisine and weather, they are also vulnerable to fall sick.
he domestic health insurance may not cover students while in a foreign country. It is therefore very important to have the best travel insurance for students studying abroad to keep one secure in the event of a medical emergency.
Yes, international students can and should get good international student health insurance. At American Visitor Insurance, we work with US insurance providers who have designed excellent health insurance for f1 students studying in the usa as well as for US students studying outside the USA.
International students can compare best insurance plans for international students in USA on our website and buy the best student insurance plan that suits their needs. The best health insurance for f1 students in USA policy document will be emailed to the student on completing the online transaction.
There is no single best insurance for international students. The best student insurance plan varies depending on the needs of different international students.
Each best health insurance for international students will have some unique advantage such as being very cheap and affordable, or being more expensive but providing better coverage.
Some best insurance for international students offer unique advantages such as coverage for hazardous sports, covid19 coverage for Coronavirus, coverage for pregnancy, coverage for pre-existing ailments etc…
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
Below is a sample scenario to help students understand how Patriot Exchange insurance works in practice while studying abroad.
In this example:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Insurance Coverage | Up to $50,000 |
| Deductible | $100 per certificate period |
| Medical Expenses (Claimed) | $25,100 |
After the insured pays the $100 deductible, the Patriot Exchange plan applies its standard cost-sharing structure:
Since the total medical bill is $25,100, the insured is responsible for 20% of the first $5,000, which equals $1,000.
All remaining eligible charges are paid by the insurance company. Because the policy maximum is $50,000, the full claim amount fits within the allowed limit.
| Expense Type | Amount Billed | Amount Insurance Pays | Amount Student Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deductible | $100 | $0 | $100 |
| Hospital Room Rent | $9,000 | $8,000 | $1,000 (20% of first $5k) |
| Surgery | $15,000 | $15,000 | $0 |
| X-ray & Diagnostics | $1,000 | $1,000 | $0 |
| Total | $25,100 | $24,000 | $1,100 (Deductible $100 + Coinsurance $1,000) |
In this example, the student pays a total of $1,100 ($100 deductible + $1,000 coinsurance), and Patriot Exchange covers the remaining $24,000. This demonstrates how the plan protects students from major medical expenses while studying abroad.
We have made every effort to ensure the information above is accurate and current. However, policy terms, benefits, and limits may change periodically. Please refer to the official Patriot Exchange policy brochure for exact details.
Yes. If your university does not require enrollment in a specific student health insurance plan or does not impose minimum coverage requirements, you are generally free to choose the insurance plan that best fits your needs and budget.
You can select either a student insurance plan or a travel medical insurance plan depending on what coverage you prefer.
If you prefer private or non-university health insurance plan instead of student-specific plans, you can consider these popular options:
Complete the student insurance quotes request form by providing details of the student and insurance requirements.
Compare the price and the benefits of the different travel insurance options to identify what fits your needs best.
Purchase the plan that fits your requirements and budget best by using a credit card and completing the online application.
Review the travel insurance policy documents received by email closely for coverage details and relevant contact numbers.
When choosing the best travel insurance for students studying abroad, understanding the factors that drive the cost is important.
For a detailed breakdown of these factors and tips on choosing the right plan, visit our guide on the factors for buying best student health insurance plan.
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