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.
The information presented on American visitors insurance is for providing resources and health insurance for students in California. The resource provided here is in no any way intended to indicate any relationship between your California school/college/university and our company. International students should verify directly with the concerned California school/college/university to confirm whether this health insurance for college students in California meets the university F1 visa student insurance requirements.
International student health insurance is a specialized insurance plan designed for students studying abroad either short or long term while away from their home countries. This type of insurance is essential for international students, as it provides financial protection against high healthcare costs in USA. It covers a wide range of medical expenses including emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, prescription medications and medical evacuation.
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. We at American Visitor Insurance offer cheapest health insurance for international students while studying in the USA.
Covers doctor visits in case of sudden injury or sickness.
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Some plans cover high school sports activities.
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Repatriation of remains expenses to home country in case of death.
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Expenses from sudden dental pain and accidental dental injuries.
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Some plans offer coverage for pregnancy, maternity and new born.
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Student insurance who need coverage for existing medical ailments.
Know more »International students studying in California are generally required to have health insurance as a condition of enrollment. Here are the main requirements:
In California, many universities, including those within the California State University (CSU) system, offer health insurance plans specifically for their students, including international students. 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 California 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 California offer an opt-out option, allowing students to waive the university-sponsored plan by providing proof of equivalent private health insurance.
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 California with more flexibility and customization in their coverage.
What to except from alternate student health insurance available on American Visitor Insurance?Foreign students on F1 visas studying in California 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.
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 California having health insurance is strongly recommended. Most universities in California also require international students to have health insurance.
The international student insurance for USA cost per month ranges from $30 to $115. The price depends on the factors such as student's age, coverage duration, medical benefits, deductible, and co-insurance. Additionally the student health insurance cost in the US also depends on coverage for mental illness, dental expenses, hazardous sports, maternity and coverage for pre-existing ailments. Here at American Visitor insurance we have calculated the cost of health insurance for international students to help you compare and make an informed choice while buying the plan.
The cost of health insurance for an international student per month aged 20 years.| Insurance Plans | Policy maximum | Deductible | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Journey Lite IMG | $150,000 | $100 | $30 |
| StudentSecure Smart WorldTrips | $200,000 | $0 | $32 |
| Student Journey Plus IMG | $300,000 | $500 | $48 |
| StudentSecure Budget WorldTrips | $500,000 | $0 | $53 |
| Patriot Exchange IMG | $50,000 | $250 | $58 |
| Diplomat America Global Underwriters | $50,000 | $250 | $63 |
| Student Journey Platinum IMG | $500,000 | $250 | $74 |
| StudentSecure Select WorldTrips | $1,000,000 | $0 | $104 |
| Student Health Advantage Standard IMG | $500,000 | $250 | $115 |
Source: American Visitor Insurance®
Review student insurance plan benefits.
Choosing the best health insurance for international students in the USA depends on factors such as personal health needs, budget, university insurance requirements, and visa status. Some insurance providers offer reliable and best plans that are designed for international students.
Best health insurance providers for international students in the USA are: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
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.
There are different student insurance payment options available depending on the insurer and the length of coverage. The payment options are mainly either monthly or yearly, and the purchase can be either by paper or bought online. Here are some details of the different payment options for international student insurance 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 |
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®
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®
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.
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.
Yes, International students can definitely get student medical insurance, we offer many medical insurance for college students in California options on American Visitor Insurance. Quite often, the universities themselves offer student insurance, however this can be expensive. College student health insurance for California 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.
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.
California is considered a great state for international students due to its prestigious universities, diverse cultural environment, and extensive support services. The state hosts renowned institutions like Stanford, UC Berkeley, and UCLA, providing high-quality education and numerous networking opportunities, especially in industries like technology and entertainment. Additionally, California's rich cultural diversity allows students to engage with various communities and traditions, enhancing their overall experience. While the cost of living and tuition can be high, the comprehensive support systems in place help international students adapt and thrive academically and socially.
Yes, international students can work in California, primarily under an F-1 visa. They are allowed to work on-campus without prior authorization, limited to 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during breaks. For off-campus employment, they must obtain authorization through Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which requires approval from their school's International Student Office and USCIS. It's important for students to follow all regulations to maintain their visa status.
Yes, international students can work in California, primarily under an F-1 visa. They are allowed to work on-campus without prior authorization, limited to 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during breaks. For off-campus employment, they must obtain authorization through Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which requires approval from their school's International Student Office and USCIS. It's important for students to follow all regulations to maintain their visa status.
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