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Best Health Insurance for International Students in Iowa

International student medical insurance cost Iowa

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Why do international students need health insurance in Iowa?

Healthcare in the USA is very expensive and is not free for international students. While many Universities offer student insurance but these plans are quite expensive. Given that there is no f1 visa health insurance requirements mandated by US consulates, and unless the University insists on the College insurance plans, students can compare international student insurance plans offered by popular US student insurance providers and buy the F1 student health insurance that they like best.

Which Iowa colleges have the largest number of international students?

International Student Information

  • 11,164 total international students
  • 2.7% of all students
  • $306.3-million spent by international students

List of universities in Iowa for international students

Allen College, Waterloo Ashford University
Buena Vista University, Storm Lake Brown Mackie College-Quad Cities, Bettendorf
Briar Cliff University, Sioux City Central College, Pella
Clarke College, Dubuque Coe College, Cedar Rapids
Cornell College, Mount Vernon Clinton Community College, Clinton
Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center, Des Moines
Divine Word College, Epworth Dordt College, Sioux Center
Drake University, Des Moines Eastern Iowa Community College District, Davenport
Ellsworth Community College, Iowa Falls Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary, Ankeny
Graceland University-Lamoni, Lamoni Grand View College, Des Moines
Grinnell College, Grinnell Hamilton Technical College, Davenport
Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa
Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge Iowa Lakes Community College, Estherville
Iowa State University, Ames Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant
Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs Iowa State University of Science & Technology, Ames
ITT Technical Institute - Clive, Clive Kaplan University, Davenport
Kaplan University-Cedar Falls Campus, Cedar Falls Kaplan University-Cedar Rapids Campus, Cedar Rapids
Kaplan University-Mason City Campus, Mason City Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids
Loras College, Dubuque Luther College, Decorah
North Iowa Area Community College, Mason City Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield
Mercy College of Health Sciences, Des Moines Morningside College, Sioux City
Muscatine Community College, Muscatine Upper Iowa University, Fayette
Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon Northwestern College, Orange City
Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport Saint Ambrose University, Davenport
Simpson College, Indianola Southeastern Community College, West Burlington
Southwestern Community College, Creston Scott Community College, Bettendorf
University of Iowa, Iowa City University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls
Wartburg College, Waverly Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque
Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sioux City William Penn University, Oskaloosa
Emmaus Bible College Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids
Vennard College, University Park Marshalltown Community College, Marshalltown
Northeast Iowa Community College-Calmar, Calmar St Luke's College, Sioux City
University of Dubuque, Dubuque Vatterott College, Des Moines
Waldorf College, Forest City

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International Student Insurance Iowa - Disclaimer

The information presented on American visitors insurance is for providing resources and health insurance for students in Iowa. The resource provided here is in no any way intended to indicate any relationship between your Iowa school/college/university and our company. International students should verify directly with the concerned Iowa school/college/university to confirm whether this health insurance for college students in Iowa meets the university F1 visa student insurance requirements.

What does international student insurance cover?

What are the health insurance requirements for international students in Iowa?

The health insurance requirements for international students in Iowa generally include the following:

  • University of Iowa (UI): Mandatory enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Dependents can be added.
  • Iowa State University (ISU): All international students and dependents must enroll in the ISU Student and Scholar Health Insurance Program (SSHIP). Private insurance plans are not accepted.
  • University of Northern Iowa (UNI): Automatic enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Exceptions allowed for government or corporate-sponsored plans.
  • Drake University: Mandatory enrollment in the university's health insurance plan. Dependents can be added upon request.
  • Hawkeye Community College: F-1 students are required to enroll in the college-provided insurance plan.
  • Review University Policies: Each institution has specific health insurance requirements. Contact your university’s international student office for detailed guidance.
  • Verify Coverage: If you opt for a private insurance plan, ensure it meets university and visa requirements, including those for J-1 visa holders.
  • Maintain Active Insurance: Continuous coverage is essential to comply with policies and avoid unexpected medical costs.
  • University specific plans: Many universities offer their own health insurance plans that fulfill the required coverage for international students. However, if a student already has comparable coverage from another provider, they may be allowed to waive the university's plan.
  • Enrollment and Verification: Students must present proof of insurance coverage to their university's international student office before registration. Failure to do so may result in a hold on course registration.
  • Dependent Coverage: If international students have dependents, they must also ensure that their dependents are covered under an adequate health insurance plan.

What are the types of student insurance plans for international students in Iowa?

University Sponsored Health Insurance Plans

University health insurance plans are health coverage options provided directly by universities to their students, including international students. These plans are designed to address the unique healthcare needs of students during their time at the university. These plans are designed to address the unique healthcare needs of students during their time at the university.

For international students, these plans offer comprehensive coverage that typically includes medical services like doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, mental health support, and sometimes dental and vision care. Enrollment in these plans is often mandatory for international students, with the cost included in their tuition fees to ensure coverage from the start of their academic program.

University sponsored health insurance plans in Iowa provide comprehensive coverage but often quite expensive. The cost, often included in tuition and mandatory fees, can put a financial strain on students, especially those with limited budget. In cases where students prefer a different plan, some universities in Iowa offer an opt-out option, allowing students to waive the university-sponsored plan by providing proof of equivalent private health insurance.

Student health insurance plans on American Visitor Insurance for international students in Iowa

In the US there are reputed private insurance providers who offers greater flexibility and benefits, allowing you to choose between ‘basic coverage’ or ‘full’ coverage. This enables you to reduce your insurance costs while still ensuring adequate protection for common medical situations, such as emergencies, or unexpected illnesses. This is an alternative to university-sponsored insurance, providing international students in Iowawith more flexibility and customization in their coverage.

What to except from alternate student health insurance available on American Visitor Insurance?
  • You can customize your plan to meet your specific healthcare needs and budget
  • Private plans allows you to choose level of coverage, deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in), and benefits that best suit you
  • You can opt for additional coverage, such as for pre-existing conditions, maternity care, mental health services, or sports injuries, which may not be included in university-sponsored plans.
  • If you're bringing family members on an F2 visa, many private health insurance plans allow you to add them to your policy, offering convenient coverage for your dependents.
  • Offers coverage for emergency medical evacuation or repatriation, ensuring you are protected in case of serious illness, injury, or death.

Foreign students on F1 visas studying in Iowa can compare and buy students insurance on American Visitor Insurance. For more details, please contact us at (877)-340-7910 or email, and one of our licensed agents will help you find the best international student insurance.

Why is medical insurance important for international students in Iowa?

In the USA, healthcare isn’t free and given the high cost of healthcare in the US, student health insurance is very important. Routine doctor visits, diagnostic tests, or treatments can quickly add up to thousands of dollars. Students medical insurance not only provides financial protection but also ensures access to quality healthcare when needed. For International students in Iowa having healthinsurance is strongly recommended. Most universities in Iowa also require international students to have health insurance.

Student Medical Insurance

How much does F1 visa health insurance cost?

American Visitor Insurance offers cheap health insurance for f1 students in USA. Plans like Student Student Secure Smart and Student Secure budget are designed to meet the needs of international students studying abroad.

Features Student Secure Smart Student Secure budget
Cost* $32 $53
Medical Maximum $100,000 $250,000
Deductible $0 $0
Payment Option Monthly or Annual Monthly or Annual
Paper Application Application Application
Pre-existing condition Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions Covered after 12 months
Medical Evacuation $50,000 maximum $250,000 maximum
Maternity Not Covered Up to $5,000
Hospital copayment $200 per visit $150 per visit
Urgent care $100 co-payment $75 co-payment
Local Ambulance $300 per injury $500 per injury

* The cost of F1 visa health insurance per month for an international student aged 20 years. Source:AMERICAN VISITOR INSURANCE®

What is the best health insurance for OPT students?

OPT (Optional Practical Training) insurance is designed for international students on an F1 visa who are working in the U.S. after graduation. It provides essential health coverage during the OPT period, ensuring protection against high medical costs in the U.S. The best student health insurance plan for someone on OPT status is generally the Atlas America insurance.

Features Atlas America Patriot Exchange Program
Cost # $50 $70
Medical Maximum $50,000 $50,000
Deductible $250 $250
Payment Option Monthly or Annual Annual
Paper Application Application Application
Pre-existing condition Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions Covered after 12 months
Medical Evacuation $1,000,000 maximum $50,000 maximum
Maternity Covered Not covered
Repatriation Equal to overall maximum limit $100,000
Urgent care $15 co-payment $50 co-payment
Sports coverage Sports & activities Optional adventure sports

# The cost of OPT student health insurance per month for an international student aged 25 years. Source: AMERICAN VISITOR INSURANCE®

How is student medical insurance cost calculated in the USA?

  • Student's age: The student's age determines the cost of US student medical insurance. Students under age 20 can expect health insurance costs ranging from $32 to $460 per month, or $400 to $4,200 per year. The prices for best health insurance for f1 students in USA increases with the age of the student.
  • Length of health insurance for F1 students: The cheapest student health insurance in the US can be either monthly or on a daily basis. The price increases with the duration of coverage required.
  • Maximum F1 student insurance coverage: Travel health insurance cost in USA for international students is directly dependent on the medical maximum coverage required. The cost of F1 student health insurance is less for lower medical maximum and increases with higher medical maximum coverage.
    Click here to read more »

Best health insurance for international medical graduates in USA

What is the best health insurance in Iowa for international students?

Here are some of the best health insurance providers in Iowa:
  • Student Secure Insurance: by WorldTrips provides excellent insurance cover to international students and scholars outside their home country. This plan is ideal for J1 and F1 and OPT students.
  • Student Health Advantage: by IMG designed for International students or Cultural Exchange scholars. This plan covers covers Maternity Newborn Care.
  • Patriot Exchange Insurance: by IMG designed for International students or Cultural Exchange scholars. It is a very affordable plan and meets J visa requirements and F Visa for international students.
  • Geoblue Navigator for Student: by GeoBlue offers worldwide coverage for international students and faculty outside their home country. Offers Unlimited annual and lifetime medical maximum.

What is the cheapest health insurance in Iowa for international students?

The affordable international student health insurance in Iowa is the StudentSecure Smart plan. The cost for this plan starts at around $32 per month, providing coverage up to $100,000 with a $0 deductible. This plan is designed to meet the needs of international students while studying in the U.S. and offers essential medical benefits.

How does one find the best health insurance as an international student in Iowa?

Comparing international students insurance is easy on American Visitor Insurance ! Some institutions have specific requirements that must be met and others don’t. Check those first. If you want to be able to pay monthly (most require a one-time payment), then the Student Secure insurance offered by World Trips are a great option. You can choose to purchase them monthly (so you will be charged each month on a credit card) or as a one-time fee.

Note that there are four levels of the plan (Smart, Budget, Select, and Elite) which allows you to customize your plan and only get what you want or need without over paying for coverage you don’t want or need. You can compare Student Secure Insurance plan benefits and coverage. If you need help figuring out your institution’s requirements, give us a call and we’ll be happy to find something that will work for your situation! We can also help provide the student insurance waiver form that is required by some universities.

Cheapest health insurance for international students in USA – FAQ's

1. Do F1 students need health insurance for Iowa?

Without doubt, all students should have health insurance while they are in the US. The US health care costs are the highest in the world and a minor injury or accident could set you back tens of thousands of dollars. Being healthy and taking care of yourself is, of course, highly recommended, but accidents happen to us all and when we least expect. It is advisable buy cheapest health insurance for students before anything emergency situation arises so that you do not find yourself in serious debt.

2. Can international students get health insurance for Iowa?

Yes, International students can definitely get student medical insurance, we offer many medical insurance for college students in Iowa options on American Visitor Insurance. Quite often, the universities themselves offer student insurance, however this can be expensive. College student health insurance for Iowa that we offer are considerably more affordable than the University insurance plans, while providing similar coverage benefits. However, students should confirm if the University allows students to but insurance outside the University, and if they can get the required insurance waiver for this student insurance.

3. Can international students get medicare?

No. International students are not eligible for Medicare. Medicare is a US government program only available to US citizens or US permanent residents who have paid into the US system.

4. What is international student health insurance?

International student health insurance is health insurance coverage for individuals who are studying abroad either short or long term while away from their home countries. Many of the US domestic health insurance plans may not cover a person fully while abroad. Also, some international programs may require certain levels of health insurance while participating in their programs. Luckily, we at American Visitor Insurance have made it easy to compare and find a student health insurance plan just right for you and your situation.

Not on a F1 visa? Please review these other visa categories

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J1 visa holders

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F2 dependents

Insurance plans for dependents of an F1 visa holders.

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US Student Abroad

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J2 dependents

Insurance for J2 visa dependants satisfying visa requirements.

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OPT Status within F1 visa

Insurance plans for students on OPT status, OPT student insurance.

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M1 visa holders

Medical insurance for students on vocational training.

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Best health insurance for international student Athletes.

Students health insurance in Iowa - information

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Student medical Insurance FAQ

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Which are the best insurance companies for international students in USA?

You can find reliable US insurance providers like International Medical Group(IMG), WorldTrips, GeoBlue insurance.

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