IMG logoPatriot Exchange Program Insurance

Best J-visa compliant international student health insurance ideal for students studying abroad and participants in cultural exchange programs. Starting at just $2 /day*

From less than $2/day  ·  $56 per month
1 month
Minimum coverage
48 months
Maximum renewable
A-
AM Best rating
$5M
Max coverage
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AM Best Rating
A-
★★★★★

Trusted by thousands of visitors to the USA

Patriot Exchange Program is underwritten by Sirius International Insurance Corporation, a White Mountains Insurance Group company - one of the most respected names in travel medical insurance.

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IMG's Patriot Exchange Program is a comprehensive international student health insurance plan designed for non-U.S. citizens studying in the United States on eligible F-1, J-1, and M-1 visas, including qualified students participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT). The plan is designed to meet J-1 visa health insurance requirements and satisfies the insurance requirements of many U.S. colleges and universities that accept waiver plans. It provides comprehensive medical coverage, including hospitalization, physician and specialist visits, emergency medical treatment, prescription medications, mental health services, telehealth, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains.

Coverage is available for eligible students and exchange visitors for periods ranging from 30 days up to 12 months, with renewable coverage available for qualified applicants who continue to meet eligibility requirements. Patriot Exchange offers flexible policy maximums, multiple deductible options, and access to the UnitedHealthcare PPO network, providing broad nationwide provider access. Combining comprehensive benefits, affordability, and visa-compliant coverage, Patriot Exchange is an excellent choice for international students and educational exchange participants seeking dependable health insurance while studying in the United States.

Ideal for:International students, scholars, and exchange visitors on eligible F-1, J-1, and M-1 visas, including qualified OPT students, who need comprehensive, visa-compliant health insurance while studying in the United States.
Client Stories

IMG Patriot Exchange Program Insurance Reviews

★★★★★

"The compassionate care you gave me in the handling of my need, in my hour of need, was exemplary! We never felt like we were merely a case number - we felt the sincerity of your heartfelt response, as I shared my heart with you, both by phone and by e-mail correspondence."

ST
Steve E
✓ Verified Customer
★★★★

"Thanks for all the help and continued support you have provided. Although one hopes never to use travel insurance, you were a god-send throughout our ordeal. We couldn’t have done it without your continued assistance. Thanks again for everything."

JN
Joan
✓ Verified Customer
★★★★★

"I was unlucky enough to fall ill while abroad, and filed two claims with IMG; I was quite pleased at how easy and straight-forward this process was. My claims were processed quickly and without loads of red-tape. The representatives I spoke with were polite and helpful, as well."

KL
Kelli M
✓ Verified Customer
Who Qualifies

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Patriot Exchange Student Insurance?

Patriot Exchange Program is designed for international students, scholars, exchange visitors, and their eligible dependents studying or participating in educational programs outside their home country. Review the eligibility requirements below before purchasing.

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Eligible Student Visa Holders

Available for international students, scholars, exchange visitors, and eligible dependents traveling on F-1/F-2, J-1/J-2, M-1/M-2, and A-1/A-2 visas. The plan also covers eligible students participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT).

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Non-U.S. Citizens

Applicants must be non-U.S. citizens residing outside their home country while temporarily participating in an eligible educational or cultural exchange program.

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Educational Program Required

Applicants must be actively enrolled in or participating in an eligible school, college, university, exchange, research, or educational program that qualifies for Patriot Exchange Program coverage.

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Age Requirements

Eligible applicants must be at least 31 days old and under 65 years of age on the effective date of coverage.

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Who Cannot Apply

This plan is not available to individuals who do not meet the visa, age, or educational program requirements. Coverage is also subject to the policy's eligibility rules, exclusions, limitations, and pre-existing condition provisions.

Optional Riders

What Optional Benefits are Included in IMG Patriot Exchange Insurance?

Patriot Exchangeinsurance for adventure sports

Adventure Sports Rider is available for individuals up to 65 years of age. If you are a thrill-seeking traveler who enjoys life's more adventurous activities, you may want to consider adding supplemental coverage to your plan. The Adventure Sports Rider provides coverage for injuries sustained during certain extreme sports that would otherwise be excluded from your insurance policy.

This plan covers any illness or injury sustained while participating in adventure activities. The covered adventure sports include: abseiling, BMX, bobsledding, bungee jumping, canyoning, caving, hot air ballooning, jungle zip lining, parachuting, paragliding, parascending, rappelling, skydiving, spelunking, and windsurfing.

Age Maximum Coverage
0–49 years $50,000 certificate period
50–59 years $30,000 certificate period
60–64 years $15,000 certificate period
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Chaperone/Faculty Leader Replacement Rider

Groups may purchase the Chaperone/Faculty Leader Replacement Rider or added travel protection.

This rider provides reimbursement of up to $3,000 for a round-trip economy airline ticket for a replacement Chaperone or Faculty Leader if the originally designated individual is unable to travel due to:

  • Unexpected death of a relative
  • Medical emergency
  • Substantial destruction of the insured's principal residence in their home country

Note: This rider is only available with group plans.

Chaperone Replacement Rider - More Details  picture_as_pdf

Mobile Device Protection

Device Protection ensures peace of mind by covering your cell phone against unexpected mishaps while traveling.

Whether you're staying connected with loved ones, using maps, or capturing memories, your phone is essential — and this coverage helps you stay digitally connected even if something goes wrong.

Mobile Device Protection - More Details  picture_as_pdf
Bolt Device Protection - More Details  picture_as_pdf

Teladoc Rider

Inpatient or Outpatient Services:

Benefit Limits
Teladoc Consultation
  • Applicable only in the United States.
  • Mental or Nervous Disorders are not covered.
  • Coverage for a Teladoc Consultation is not a guarantee of benefits.
  • The company reserves the right to deny future claims for any condition discussed, raised, or identified during a Teladoc consultation, if it falls under an exclusion in the Certificate of Insurance.
Quick Analysis

Pros & Cons of Patriot Exchange Program Insurance

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Patriot Exchange Program advantages

6 benefits
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Designed for international students, scholars, exchange visitors, and eligible dependents studying or participating in educational programs in the United States.

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Available for eligible F-1/F-2, J-1/J-2, M-1/M-2, and A-1/A-2 visa holders, including eligible students participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT).

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Meets J-1 visa health insurance requirements and satisfies the insurance requirements of many U.S. colleges and universities that accept waiver plans.

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Includes access to the UnitedHealthcare PPO Network, providing nationwide access to doctors and hospitals.

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Covers hospitalization, physician visits, emergency medical treatment, prescription medications, telehealth, mental health services, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains.

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Renewable coverage options for eligible students during their period of study.

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Patriot Exchange Program disadvantages

5 limits
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Coverage is subject to deductibles, coinsurance, benefit limits, and policy maximums, resulting in possible out-of-pocket expenses.

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Pre-existing conditions are covered only according to the plan's provisions and waiting periods; exclusions apply.

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Some services require pre-certification to receive full benefits.

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Coverage is available only while the insured remains eligible under the visa and educational program requirements.

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Routine dental, vision, preventive care, and other excluded services are covered only when specifically included in the policy benefits.

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Pricing Guide

How Much Does the Patriot Exchange Program Cost Per Month?

The Patriot Exchange Program insurance offers affordable, J-visa and F-visa compliant student medical coverage, with monthly premiums starting at just is starting at just $56 to $85 per month, depending on the traveler’s age, selected plan maximum, and deductible.

The table below shows sample monthly rates based on a $250 deductible. Choosing a higher deductible results in lower premiums, while a lower deductible increases the premium.

Monthly premiums start at $56 $250 deductible example
Age of traveler Medical Maximum
$50,000 $100,000
Under 18 - 24 years $56 $65
25 – 30 years $74 $85
31 – 40 years $74 $85

Source: American Visitor Insurance® | Prices verified for 2026 travel season.

Real-World Example

How Patriot Exchange Program Works - A Real Claim Example

Using a $500,000 policy with $500 deductible and in-network (PPO) care:

Expense Billed Insurance pays You Pay
Deductible $500 $0 $500
Hospital Stay (for 3 days) $6,000 $5,400 $600
Surgical $16,000 $16,000 $0
Prescription Drugs $600 $600 $0
Diagnostic X-rays & Lab Services $1,400 $1,400 $0
Total $24,500 $23,400 $1,100
Result: On a $24,100 medical bill, you pay only $500 (your one-time deductible). The insurance covers $24,000 - that's a 99% coverage rate when using an in-network PPO provider.

Disclaimer: Example is illustrative. Actual coverage depends on policy terms, network participation, and eligibility of expenses.

flight Provider Access

What Is the Patriot Exchange Student Insurance PPO Network?

UnitedHealthcare Options

The Patriot Exchange Student Insurance PPO Network refers to the network of healthcare providers in the U.S. that students can visit for medical care under their plan. Using in-network providers can maximize benefits and minimize out-of-pocket costs.

The PPO Network for Patriot Exchange Insurance includes: United Healthcare Provider Network
  • UnitedHealthcare Options PPO Network: IMG maintains access to the UnitedHealthcare Options network, a tier-one, highly reputable network. This network provides students with greater access to doctors, hospitals, and medical services across the United States.

Using providers within the PPO Network ensures higher coinsurance coverage (typically 90% in-network) and reduces the student’s share of costs compared to out-of-network care.

Simple Process

How Do I File a Claim With Patriot Exchange Program Insurance?

To file a claim with Patriot Exchange Program Insurance, follow these steps:

download
Step 01
Download Form

Get the IMG claim form from the member portal.

call
Step 02
Call Support

Speak to our licensed support staff for guidance.
1-800-628-4664

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Step 03
Submit Documents

Mail to International Medical Group, PO Box 240429, Apple Valley, MN 55124, USA.

email
Step 04
Email Help

[email protected]

Common Questions

Patriot Exchange Student Medical Insurance- FAQs

Patriot Exchange Insurance is a medical insurance plan for students and cultural exchange participants. It has different coverage limits depending on the plan option you choose. The policy maximum choices are $50K, $100K, $250K, or $500K per injury/sickness. This plan offers Coinsurance 90% up to $10K, then 100% up to the policy maximum within the PPO network. Outside the PPO network, the plan pays 80% up to the policy maximum. Outside the U.S., the plan covers 100% up to the policy maximum.
IMG Patriot Exchange plan include customization options and add-ons, including add-on coverage for high school sports ;interscholastic, intramural, or club sports, personal liability and legal assistance.
Affordable Care Act affects the Non US students purchasing this plan. As non-resident aliens, international students, scholars and people involved in cultural exchange programs on F, J, Q, M Visas are not subject to the individual mandate for the first five years in the US. All other J categories are not subjected to the individual mandate for two years. Since international students are not subject to the mandate, they are not required to purchase a plan that meets PPACA requirements and can purchase the Patriot Exchange program.
Eligible insured can request coverage under the plan be renewed monthly for up to 12 month periods, for a maximum of 48 continuous months, as long as the premium is paid when due and the insured continues to meet the eligibility requirements of the plan.
Patriot Exchange is one of the best health insurance for f1 student's dependents which an F2 visa holder. The F2 visa holder can buy even if the corresponding F1 visa holder is not enrolled in the same plan.
The Patriot Exchange student insurance plan is available for spouse and dependent children even if the primary F1 or J1 visa holder is not on this insurance plan. If a J1 Visa holder wants to buy this plan for his J2 spouse or children, then Patriot Exchange insurance plan can be purchased for the J2 visa holders. The same is true for F2 visa holders as they can buy Patriot Exchange student insurance even if the F1 visa holder is not on the Patriot exchange student insurance plan.
Yes, there are some waiting periods and exclusions for pre-existing conditions under Patriot Exchange student health Insurance. Some of them are:
  • The plan does not cover any charges or expenses incurred during the first 12 months of coverage for a pre-existing condition that existed within 36 months before the effective date of coverage. This applies to all insured persons regardless of age or citizenship.
  • The plan does not cover any charges or expenses incurred for maternity care if conception occurred before the effective date of coverage. This applies to all insured persons regardless of age or citizenship.
  • The plan does not cover any charges or expenses incurred for treatment or surgery that is elective, experimental, investigational, or not medically necessary. This applies to all insured persons regardless of age or citizenship
On American Visitors Insurance students can buy US student insurance using a paper application form either on monthly basics or yearly. On receiving the completed Patriot Exchange insurance application form and the payment, the Student Secure insurance policy will be emailed to the customer.
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IMG's Patriot Exchange vs Student Health Advantage

An article comparing the benefits of International Medical Group's popular student insurance plans namely Patriot Exchange and Student Health Advantage plan.

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A comparison table to review the plans benefits of Patriot Exchange and Student Health Advantage and select a plan that best satisfies your needs.

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What Are the Restrictions of Patriot Exchange Insurance?

Patriot Exchange Insurance is not offering coverage for residents of Belarus, Russia, Iran or Ukraine and travelers visiting Belarus, Russia, Iran or Ukraine.

IMG Patriot Exchange Program Insurance · From $74/month
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