The cost of health insurance for international students depends on the age of the student, the medical maximum coverage, the deductible and the co-insurance for the plan. Additional factors such as coverage for hazardous sports, maternity and coverage for pre-existing ailments will also impact the cost of international student health insurance.
The US Department of State does not mandate health insurance for F1visa students, but it requires exchange visitors on the J-1 visa and their dependents on the J-2 visa to be covered by medical insurance for the entire length of their program. However given the cost of healthcare in the United States, most schools and colleges require all international students to purchase international student health insurance.
International students on the F1 visa are not required by any government agency to have international student insurance when studying in the USA. However, given the very high cost of healthcare in the United States, most schools have their own requirements and often require international students to buy health insurance.
Policy Maximum and type of plan
Student insurance plans are available in wide range of policy maximums starting from $50,000 to $1,000,000. Usually student plans have an university requirement for a per injury sickness plans. All of the student plans satisfy this requirement.
Deductible, Co-insurance and Co-pay
Often times customers are confused while understanding the difference between deductible?, co-insurance? and co-pay?. All the three represent a portion of the medical bill that you as customer might incur in case of any unexpected sickness and injury which is otherwise going to be out of pocket expense.
Pre-existing conditions Coverage
This is something that most Universities specify as a requirement in the health insurance plan. The student plans have a minimum 6 month waiting period for coverage of pre-existing conditions.Know more
Coverage for Maternity
The student plans cover maternity for a covered pregnancy. American Visitor Insurance provides student plans with maternity benefit if the pregnancy occurs after the insurance becomes effective. Student Secure, Student Health Advantage Platinum, Liaison Student and Study USA plans are some of the popular plans that cover maternity...Know more
Coverage for Sports
Most of the student plans cover the sports benefit. Some of the plans provide coverage for intercollegiate and interscholastic sports etc... Know more
Coverage for Mental Health
Most of the student plans in American Visitor Insurance provide coverage for mental health and drug abuse which is also requirement specified in most US...Know more
Preventive Care Services
Very few student plans provide coverage for preventive care and wellness checkup. The Navigator for Student plan from Geoblue provides coverage for preventive care services. The Study USA plan from Travel Insurance Services provides 100% coverage for one wellness checkup for the entire benefit period.
Coverage for the spouse on F2 Visa
Normally all the student plans cover the spouse on F2 Visa. There is one plan that covers just the F2 without F1 being on the same plan. This is an exceptional case. In some cases we come across students on F1 having their school health insurance for themselves and are looking for private insurance for their spouse who is on F2. Patriot Exchange is a plan that satisfies this condition and is popular student plan for such case...Know more