Best F1 student health insurance FAQ’s

For foreign students coming to the USA Our plans are open to students who have a valid F1 or J1 visa and who are enrolled in a full-time academic/cultural program at an accredited school, college or university.

For US Citizens studying abroad Our plans are open to American students studying abroad, who are enrolled in a full-time academic/cultural program at an accredited school, college or university

Yes. You may purchase Student insurance regardless of how long you have been studying outside your home country, as long as you fulfill the eligibility requirements described earlier.

Below are some of the student insurance plans offering coverage over $500,000:

• Student Health Advantage Platinum from IMG provides maximum coverage up to $1,000,000.
• Student Secure Elite from WorldTrips offers comprehensive benefits with a high coverage limit of
• Student Secure Select from WorldTrips covers up to $1,000,000 in maximum medical coverage.
• Navigator Student insurance from GeoBlue offers unlimited annual and lifetime medical maximum, making it ideal for those seeking extensive coverage.

Yes, as a full-time student on an F1 visa, you are eligible for the Atlas insurance plan for the duration of your enrollment at the university or school.

If you wish to make the purchase online you will need to pay by credit card only. If you wish to mail in an application form then you may pay by certified check or Money Order.

Due to the way in which the plan is structured you will need to make a one-time payment for the full period of coverage.

To fill in the application online here is the link to the application form: Buy Atlas America Insurance Online.

To print out an application form for mailing please go to the following link for the correct form. You will see a plan brochure and at the very end is the application form: Atlas America Paper Application.

In order to get a compliance form signed we must first ensure that you select a plan that matches with the compliance form requirements and that the plan provider is able to sign off on it.

To do this what we suggest is that you first send us the compliance form by Email. We will check to see which of our plans match the compliance form and then check with the plan administrator to see if they agree to sign it. Once we have their approval we will inform you. Then you should purchase the international student Insurance. After your purchase (enrollment) is complete, simply fax your school's Compliance Form to us and we will ensure that it is completed and faxed back to your school.

As a F1 visa international student, you can definitely buy the plans that we offer on American Visitor Insurance. The J1 visa requirements are specific requirements which some of our F1 visa plans also satisfy as required by the US consulates. To reiterate, as a F1 visa holder, you can buy the student insurance plans on American Visitor Insurance.

There are several plans plans available with coverage below $500,000 for F1 visa holders. Patriot Exchange student insurance from IMG offers flexible options for students. If you need a plan from WorldTrips, then you can buy Atlas America insurance which is a comprehensive plan and suitable for F1 Visa holder unless the University has any specifications.

Most international student health insurance plans seem similar on first impressions. However, while they have many benefits in common and the premium is also similar, different student insurance plans do have some additional benefits or perhaps some specific constraints.

In order to choose the best plan based on the students requirements and to get sufficient coverage from the international student insurance plan, it is important to compare different features available in the best health insurance plans for international students in USA at American Visitor Insurance.

The following are important factors for comparing student health insurance plans:

Policy Maximum: This is the maximum amount on the insurance plan which normally ranges from $50,000 up to $1,000,000. This is the maximum a policy can cover in case of an extreme emergency as per the policy guidelines and conditions mentioned in the policy.

Deductible: The deductible options can range anywhere from $50 up to $5000 between the plans. A larger deductible means lower premium price and vice versa. Picking a large deductible thus low premium by choosing a comprehensive plan is usually recommended, as most of the comprehensive plans have an one time deductible and is cost effective.

Pre existing condition coverage: This is very important benefit factor as many students need this benefit. The student insurance for acute onset of pre-existing conditions have a minimum 6 month waiting period.

Student health insurance for mental illness and drug abuse: This coverage is required by most of the universities.

Cancellation and Renewability: Each plan have their unique cancellation and renew-ability policies. It is important to pay attention to it if there is any ambiguity while booking insurance initially.

Sports and other unique activities: Some international student insurance offer student intercollegiate sports insurance for intercollegiate and interscholastic sports. Based on these factors, American Visitor Insurance provides an excellent compare student medical insurance facility where getting quotes as per students’ requirements. Once the required information is entered in the form, a summary of popular student insurance plans are displayed which can be compared.

For Foreign Students Studying in the U.S.A: You may choose any of these health insurance options. If you visit your Student Health Center (and it is equipped to treat your condition), you will receive the in-network benefit. Many plans, including those using the United Healthcare PPO network, waive the deductible for visits to the Student Health Center. Additionally, if you visit a doctor or hospital within the extensive United Healthcare preferred provider network , you will benefit from lower deductibles and slower accumulation toward your plan limits, compared to using out-of-network providers.

For US Citizens Studying Abroad: Most of our policies do not have a Preferred Provider Network outside the USA and so you may choose to be seen at the Student Health Center or by any doctor or hospital and receive the in-network benefit. If you go to the Student Health center (and it is equipped to treat your condition), your deductible for such incidents will be waived. You may also use any doctor or hospital of your choice. The Emergency Assistance Company can help you locate a doctor or hospital in the country where you are studying.

Most of our plans have extensive provider networks. To get more details on a particular plan's network please go to the individual plan summary online or call our 24 hour customer care line at 877-340-7910.

If there is no provider from your network qualified to provide the care needed within a 50 mile radius of your residence, you may choose to be treated outside the Network by a non-network provider. In this situation, benefits will be paid at in-network level.

As long as you fulfill one of the eligibility requirements, the plan will cover you worldwide, except in your country of permanent residence/country of Citizenship.

Yes, as long as you remain eligible. To renew your policy online you may do so 24 hours before your policy lapses. If you wish to renew via fax or mail then please allow at least 10 business days for renewal.
Renew insurance policy

The coverage will come into effect as early as the following day after you complete your enrollment online, provided you correctly complete your Online Enrollment and correct payment is received.

Please send any corrections to us in writing by email, fax or mail and we will confirm the changes. When sending correspondence, please include a daytime phone number and reference your Online Order Transaction number.

Several of our student insurance cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions are defined by the policy as "an injury, illness or condition which was contracted or which first manifested itself, or for which a licensed physician was consulted, or for which treatment or medication was prescribed, prior to the effective date of the insurance plan.

Most plans will exclude a pre-existing condition from coverage for a short waiting period of 6 to 12 months following the effective date of coverage unless stipulated by State or Federal regulation. A Covered Person seeking coverage of a pre-existing condition must fulfill this waiting period without any gaps in insurance.

Yes, many of our international student insurance cover pregnancy of an insured student or enrolled spouse if the pregnancy begins during the coverage period. They do not cover the pregnancy of a dependent child.

GeoBlue student insurance is a student health insurance plan that provides preventive care services along with the other benefits that are usually available with all student health insurance plans.

As soon as you complete buying the student insurance online your Certificate of Insurance will be emailed to the Email ID in the online application.

International students on F1 visa are required to buy health insurance before enrolling at their university. The timing of when to buy insurance for f1 visa students can vary depending on the type of plan:

• Students can purchase insurance from either their home country or when they arrive in the U.S. (preferably before the academic term begins).
• If you are enrolled in a mandatory university health plan, your insurance usually starts once the tuition fee is paid.
• If you are enrolled in a private insurance plan, your insurance typically begins the day after purchase or depending on the terms of the plan.

To buy F1 health insurance as an international student in the USA, the insurance provider generally need the following documents and information:

• Proof of university enrollment: This can either be your I-20 form or admission letter that proves you are a full-time student at a U.S. institution.
• F1 visa and passport: A valid passport ID as well as the F1 visa will be required for identity and student status.
• Personal details: Information such as your full name, date of birth, your home and country address, and primary contact details.
• Payment method: Credit or debit card details to pay the insurance premium. Coverage is activated only after successful payment.
• University waiver form: If you wish to purchase a plan that is not a part of your university group insurance policy, most schools requires you to complete the waiver form. Provide proof that your chosen alternative student insurance plan meets university requirements, get the required signatures from insurance provider and submit it to your school for approval.
• Proof of coverage: Sometimes, you may be asked to submit your policy document or insurance certificate to your university for proof of insurance for class registration or waiver approval.

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.

Yes, international students can buy medical insurance for f1 students after arriving in the United States. Many international students either enroll in their university's plan, or a private insurance provider, upon arriving. However, it is important to submit proof of your coverage to the school by the deadline provided by the university.

The best low deductible health plans for F1 visa students are Student Secure Smart insurance by WorldTrips, Patriot Exchange insurance from IMG and Navigator for Student insurance from GeoBlue.

While the U.S. government does not set federal requirements for F-1 student health insurance, nearly all universities and most private insurance plans maintain minimum standards.

At least $100,000 per accident or illness is recommended. Some universities may require higher (e.g., $150,000–$500,000 or even unlimited) maximums for more comprehensive protection. Preferably a deductible of $0–$250 per injury or illness, to keep out-of-pocket costs manageable.

Some universities may have higher minimums or additional requirements—always confirm with your international student office before purchasing a plan

In most cases, no. Health insurance plans from your home country are typically not accepted because they rarely meet the specific U.S. university requirements for policy maximums, medical evacuation, repatriation, network access, and direct billing within the U.S. It's crucial to purchase an F1 visa health on American Visitor Insurance designed for international students in the USA.

If your university offers a school-sponsored plan but allows you to opt out, they will provide a "waiver form." This form lists all the specific benefit requirements your private student insurance plan must meet or exceed. You (and sometimes your insurance provider) must complete and submit this form to the university by a deadline, proving your alternative coverage is sufficient. At American Visitor Insurance, we assist students in completing university or school insurance waiver forms by providing comparable coverage plans that meet their institution’s requirements.

Several insurance companies specialize in plans for international students that often meet university waiver requirements. Some popular options include:

• IMG (e.g., Student Journey, Patriot Exchange and Student Health Advantage plans)
• WorldTrips (e.g., StudentSecure plans)
• GeoBlue (e.g., Navigator for Student)

Many of these offer multiple tiers to match different university requirements.