International students in the USA need the best US student health insurance given very high US health care costs. Finding the best health insurance for international students in the USA can be challenging. The cheapest F1 visa health insurance is the Student Journey Lite insurance plan at just $30 per month. The best international students health insurance are the Student Journey Platinum by IMG, Patriot Exchange Program from IMG and the StudentSecure Select from WorldTrips. Here, we list the top international student health insurance plans allowing students to filter US student medical insurance plans based on coverage benefits.
When choosing international student health insurance plans, you should consider your specific coverage requirements and these include medical emergencies, doctor visits, and prescriptions. Look at the options in American Visitor Insurance for an international student insurance also fits your budget by balancing premiums and deductible costs. You should also look for a student medical insurance plan with a broad network of doctors and hospitals available close to your university as well as across the country should you need it while traveling in the US.
American Visitor Insurance offers a range of comprehensive international student insurance options while providing reliable customer support. You can find cheap international student insurance options to fit your budget and your needs while you study abroad.
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 LiteIMG | $150,000 | $100 | $30 |
| StudentSecure SmartWorldTrips | $200,000 | $0 | $32 |
| Student Journey PlusIMG | $300,000 | $500 | $48 |
| StudentSecure BudgetWorldTrips | $500,000 | $0 | $53 |
| Patriot ExchangeIMG | $50,000 | $250 | $56 |
| Diplomat AmericaGlobal Underwriters | $50,000 | $250 | $71 |
| Student Journey PlatinumIMG | $500,000 | $250 | $74 |
| StudentSecure SelectWorldTrips | $1,000,000 | $0 | $106 |
| Student Health Advantage StandardIMG | $500,000 | $250 | $124 |
Source: American Visitor Insurance®
The Student Journey Lite Insurance from IMG is the cheapest health insurance for international students.
Policy maximum?
$150,000
Deductible options?
$100 per injury or illness
Period of coverage?
30 days to 12 months
International students in the US come from different countries, with diverse economic backgrounds and face different financial needs. At American Visitor Insurance we offer health insurance for international students with flexible payment structures designed to make it more affordable and convenient, whether they are in the US for a semester or for an entire program spanning many semesters.
International Student Insurance Payment Options in the U.S.| Payment Period | Highlights | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Monthly payments, with recurring installments | Flexible with small installments | Overall higher total cost, and time consuming, Student must remember to pay on time to keep student medical insurance active. |
| Yearly | Pay the full premium up front (for entire policy period usually one year) | Cheaper than monthly payments, no risk of losing coverage by oversight | Larger upfront cost |
| Method | Description | Speed | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Application | Complete online application and payment on American Visitor Insurance | Fast — Policy issued instantly | Most common and use Credit card |
| Paper Application | Complete paper forms and submit documents by post | Slower — Takes time (few days) to process | Can pay by Check |
For international students who are unable to complete an online purchase, some student medical insurance plans offer a paper application option. This offline method is ideal for applicants who do not have access to international credit cards, online banking, or U.S.-based payment methods.
American Visitor Insurance assists international students with both paper applications and online insurance purchases. Students can apply without online payment by submitting required documents manually through a paper application, or they may complete enrollment online with step-by-step guidance from experienced representatives. Applications can also be coordinated through schools, sponsors, or program coordinators when needed.
With flexible payment options and multiple enrollment methods, American Visitor Insurance supports international students applying from outside the United States and those seeking a simple, reliable, non-digital, or assisted way to purchase student medical insurance.
If you’re an international student planning to study in the USA on an F1 visa, having the right health insurance is essential. Most of the universities typically require F1 students to have health insurance coverage for medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, and often mental health or maternity care. To make sure you meet both university and visa requirements, explore our comprehensive guide on best F1 visa health insurance requirements in USA.
Cost-Effective Alternatives: Enjoy students insurance coverage on par with university-sponsored plans, but at significantly lower premiums—without compromising on benefits. You're getting exceptional value.
Whether you're on an F-1, J-1, OPT, M-1, or even a dependent visa like F-2 or J-2, our plans are engineered to meet those unique requirements so you stay compliant, covered, and stress-free.
From acute illness and chronic condition support to maternity, mental health, sports, and even device protection our plans are flexible and globally effective no more battling campus restrictions when heading off-site or on OPT. Not just limited to semesters renewable coverage through OPT, transfer between universities without hassle, and extensions beyond graduation make our plans a seamless companion throughout your U.S. journey.
Yes, international students can buy medical insurance for F1 students after arriving in the United States. Students should be sure to purchase and submit proof of coverage before the university's waiver deadline, otherwise, they will be required to enroll typically in the more expensive university-sponsored plan.
Deductible: This is the fixed amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance starts covering expenses. For example, if your deductible is $250, and your medical bill is $1,000, you must first pay $250. After that, your insurance will help cover the remaining $750 (depending on coinsurance).
Coinsurance: Coinsurance is the percentage of costs that you share with the insurance company after you have met your deductible. For example, if your plan has 80% coinsurance, the insurance pays 80% and you pay 20% until you have reached your maximum out-of-pocket limits.
International students on F1 visa are required to buy health insurance before enrolling at their university. The timing of when to buy international student health insurance can vary depending on the type of plan:
The best low deductible health insurance plans for F1 visa students are Student Secure by WorldTrips, Patriot Exchange and Student Journey Lite from IMG student insurance.
International student insurance plans offer variety of features specifically designed for international students studying abroad:
Having student health insurance, international students can focus on their education without the added stress of unexpected medical expenses.
Most U.S. colleges and universities require students to have health insurance before enrolling. While schools often offer their own insurance plans, many also allow students to choose a different plan that meets their requirements.
There are several health insurance options designed specifically for international and study abroad students. In this blog, we’ll help you understand and compare these plans so you can pick the right coverage and focus on your studies not medical worries.
Non-U.S. Citizens in the USA: As non-resident aliens, international students, F1 visa holders, scholars, J visa holders, and people involved in cultural exchange programs on F, J, M, or Q visas (and dependant family members) are not required to satisfy the Affordable Care Act individual mandate for their first five years in the US. Other J visa categories (teacher, trainee, work and travel, au pair, high school, etc.) have specific J visa insurance requirements but are not subject to the ACA individual mandate. Since international students are not subject to the Obamacare requirements, they can buy student insurance on American Visitor Insurance and are not required to buy an international student medical insurance plan to meets ACA requirements.
U.S. Citizens: Under the Affordable Care Act, all US citizens, nationals, and resident aliens are required to buy Obamacare compliant coverage (ACA-compliant coverage), unless they are exempt. Exempt US citizens include U.S. citizens who live outside the USA for 330 out of any 365-day period, or have the main place of work or employment, or the main residence in a foreign country, and are a legitimate resident of a foreign country.
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