Best health insurance for OPT Students in USA

There are many OPT student insurance plans available for international students on F1 Visa and their spouses on F2 Visa. Some of these plans are available for students on OPT status as well. Students on OPT Status are eligible to buy some of the visitor medical insurance plans as well.

This refers to the temporary work authorization given to international students on F1 Visa in the US. This allows the student to gain some practical experience in their field of study for up to 12 months either before or after completing their course work. Those students with a STEM degree are eligible for an additional 2-year extension with this program. People who have been on F1 Visa status for at least nine months and who have enrolled for full time for at least one academic year and are physically present in the US while applying for OPT are eligible to get the OPT Status. To know more about the OPT insurance plans and their eligibility details, visit our OPT student plans compare page.

Most of the student insurance plans exclude individuals on OPT Status because OPT holders are neither US citizens nor permanent residents. As a result, visitor medical insurance plans are more appropriate for OPT holders until they secure employment and enroll in their employer-provided insurance programs. However, some student insurance plans are available for OPT holders as well. American Visitor Insurance provides access and information regarding the student insurance plans and plans available for OPT holders.
Student Insurance plans available for OPT holders are:

• Patriot Exchange plan from IMG: The plan provides policy maximum options starting from $50,000 and then includes $100,000, $250,000 and $500,000. The deductible options are available starting from $0 and goes up to $100, $250 and $500. The cost of the plan for 30 days with a policy maximum of $100,000 and deductible of $0 for the age of 44 will be $125.80. The plan provides comprehensive medical benefits including hospitalization, doctor visits, emergency medical evacuation,prescription drugs and more to ensure the students have necessary access to medical care while studying abroad away from their home country. To view the benefit details of the plan , look at the brochure of the plan.
• Student Secure plan from Worldtrips: This plan has 4 variants namely Student Secure Elite, Select, Budget and Smart. These plans provide policy maximum per injury or sickness of $500,000, $500,000, $250,000 and $100,000 respectively. Within the PPO network the plans pay 80% of next $10,000 for Elite plan, next $25,000 for the Select plan, next $45,000 with the Budget plan and the next $100,000 with the Smart plan respectively after which 100% is covered by the plans. The plan provides coverage for unexpected medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, pre-existing conditions after the waiting period is satisfied, mental illness and much more. For details on the benefits covered, please see the brochure of the plan.

American Visitor Insurance provides some great visitor medical insurance plans for Non US citizens visiting the US on tourist and business visas including individuals already in the US on OPT Status:

• Atlas America from Worldtrips: This is very popular among people coming to the US and people residing in the US on OPT status before they enroll in the employer provided insurance programs. This is a comprehensive plan and has a great PPO network and provides flexible extensive coverage for unexpected medical expenses. The plan costs $133.50 for 30 days for age 44 with policy maximum of $100,000 and deductible of $0.To view the benefits of the plan in detail, check out the brochure in PDF.
• Patriot America Plus from IMG: This is also one of the most popular plans from IMG which is comprehensive in coverage and is available for Non US citizens and US citizens living abroad visiting the US. The plan costs $119.63 for 30 days for age 44 with policy maximum of $100,000 and deductible of $0. The plan provides policy maximum options starting from $50,000 and goes up to $1,000,000. To check out more details on the benefits, please look at the brochure of the plan.
• Diplomat America plan from Global Underwriters: This plan is a comprehensive plan for Non US citizens and Non US residents visiting the US. The plan pays 80% of the expense when the claim is incurred up to $5000 and then pays 100% as co-insurance.The plan costs $230.20 for 30 days for the age of 44 for a policy maximum of $100,000 and a deductible of $0.Check the brochure for more details on benefits.

The OPT student health insurance plans cost varies depending on the age of the OPT student and the duration of coverage required. The older the student the higher will be the OPT medical insurance cost. The longer the duration of travel insurance required, the greater will be the cost of OPT Health Insurance for F1 Students.

Our Health insurance for OPT students quote comparison facility lists the opt student health insurance plans that satisfy your requirements comparing them based on price and benefit. Compare OPT student health insurance to find the best online.

• International Students with the F1 visa are eligible to get internship on a work permit for 36 months for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) students and 12 months for non STEM students.
• Since these students are no longer taking courses in the university, they are not eligible for student insurance.
• International students cannot buy domestic insurance plans as they are not US citizens or US permanent residents (Green card holders).
• We offer insurance plans for OPT students which are both affordable and comprehensive in their coverage.

Comprehensive F1 visa OPT student health insurance that includes medical emergencies, doctor visits and prescription medications is recommended. Compare the different F1 visa OPT insurance options on American Visitor Insurance and ensure that the plan meets your needs when you are on the OPT status.

Important factors to consider include the medical coverage limits, deductible and co-insurance amounts, benefits for different medical expenses, the PPO network availability, coverage for any pre-existing medical conditions, and any other specific features that you require.

F1 OPT students should ideally buy OPT health insurance coverage before the start of their OPT period to ensure continuous protection as they transition from the F1 visa student insurance to the OPT status.

The US government does not make it mandatory for F1 OPT students to have health insurance. However given the extremely high cost of US health insurance, it is highly recommended that international students buy OPT health insurance as they start their working career in the US. The risks of not having the best OPT health insurance is simply too high.

International Students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) status and not taking any courses can buy best OPT student insurance. These OPT student insurance plans offered on our website are comparable in coverage to university plans but are cheaper:

Best health insurance for OPT students in USA, OPT student health insurance
Atlas America Insurance Buy online	Comprehensive plan with worldwide coverage including and excluding the US for visitors traveling outside their home country. Plan provides coverage for Covid-19 Plan is suitable for OPT holders, H1 Visa holders, Green Card holders as a temporary health insurance plan during transition. No arrival time restriction with this plan to come to the US.
Student Secure Elite Buy online	This plan provides coverage for Corona and provides a policy maximum of $500,000 This plan is available for full time students enrolled in a college or University Full time scholar affiliated with an educational institution and performing research for at least 30 hours per week. People holding an F1 Visa ,OPT or a J1 Visa are eligible to buy this plan. Students must reside outside their home country for the purpose of pursuing international educational activities.
Safe Travel USA Buy online	This is a comprehensive plan for visitors or Non US citizens visiting the USA. This plan provides coverage for Covid-19 and needs precertification for getting tested for the virus. This is not available for US citizens, residents and Green Card holders. This plan provides coverage for one well doctor visit and this must occur within 21 days after the plan has become effective and the plan must be purchased for a minimum of 30 days. This plan provides up to $1000 for acute onset of pre existing condition
Patriot Exchange Insurance Buy online	This is a student insurance plan for international students and exchange scholars enrolled in full time University This plan covers Covid-19 and covers the expense for illness. This is very popular among F1 Visa and J1 Visa holders. Unique feature of this plan is J2 and F2 visa holders can buy this plan without J1 and F1 Visa holders being on the plan.
Travel Medical Choice Insurance Buy online	This plan provides coverage for individuals outside their home country. This plan is specifically designed to cover Covid-19 illness and it provides coverage for Covid-19 This plan provides worldwide coverage including and excluding the US. Within the US, the co insurance of this plan for in network PPO covers 90% of the expense after the deductible and for outside the PPO covers 80% of the expense up to $5000. Outside the US the co insurance for the plan is covered for 100%
Diplomat America Insurance Buy online	This plan is available for Non US citizens coming to the US This plan covers Covid-19 as any new illness This plan DOES NOT cover pre existing conditions The plan also covers US citizens living abroad coming to the US on business trips or vacation while living outside their home country. The covers 80% up to the first $5000 and then covers 100% coinsurance when a claim has been activated.

International Students in the USA with the F1 (Students) visa are eligible to get internship on a work permit for 12 months. Since these students will no longer be taking courses in the university, many schools do not provide student insurance. These students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) will not be eligible for international student insurance as eligibility for these insurance plans require full time enrollment in the school.

International students also cannot avail of domestic insurance plans as they are not US citizens or permanent residents (Green card holders). However, we offer medical insurance for OPT students which are both affordable and comprehensive in their coverage.

Patriot Exchange student insurance is available for F1 and F2 Visa holders too. It is one of the few plans that allows F2 and J2 visa holders to buy the plan when the F1 and J1 visa holder is not enrolled in the Patriot Exchange plan as a result it is highlighted in the policy brochure.

The US immigration authorities do not make it mandatory for students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) status to buy student insurance. However, given the very cost of healthcare in the US, and the relatively low cost of OPT insurance for the relatively young students, it is very logical to buy good OPT insurance which will cover the health of the student while he/she is on the OPT status.

Students on OPT status will not need any OPT student insurance if they have health insurance coverage from the institution where they are doing their Optional Practical training.

Covid19 OPT insurance is available for foreign students. International students can review and compare visitor medical insurance and find plans with Covid coverage that fit your needs. International Students can also buy the Student Secure health insurance: This is offered by WorldTrips and will cover eligible medical expenses resulting from COVID19/SARS-CoV-2.

In some cases, universities allow OPT students to continue using their student health insurance plans for a certain period, usually for the duration of their OPT. However, this varies by institution, so you should check with your university's international student office to confirm the details. Student and travel insurance plans available on American Visitor Insurance work ideally for international students on Optional Practical Training status.

If your university's insurance plan doesn't cover your OPT period, you'll need to find an alternative health insurance plans that are available on American Visitor Insurance. OPT status students can compare OPT insurance on American Visitor Insurance to buy the OPT plan that suits their needs and budget best.

When looking for OPT insurance, consider factors such as coverage for medical expenses, doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medications, emergency care, and repatriation. Make sure the plan meets the requirements of your school and provides comprehensive coverage. OPT students can compare and buy the best OPT insurance on American Visitor Insurance for their specific needs and budget.

Different schools might have their specific insurance requirements for OPT students. Typically, the insurance should meet certain minimum coverage levels and should be accepted by medical providers in the U.S.

If your employer provides health insurance benefits to employees, you might be eligible to enroll in their plan. However, not all employers offer insurance to OPT employees, till they are confirmed as regular employees, and the coverage might vary. Check with your employer's HR department for details.

If your school requires OPT students to have insurance and you don't maintain coverage, you might face consequences such as being ineligible for OPT authorization or potential visa issues. Moreover, being without insurance is very risky in the US in case of health emergencies given the high cost of US healthcare. It is prudent for OPT students to buy OPT insurance on American Visitor Insurance which is cheap and affordable.

OPT students can compare and buy the best OPT insurance on American Visitor Insurance for their needs and budget. When comparing insurance plans on American Visitor Insurance you should consider factors like the coverage details, network of healthcare providers (PPO network), cost (premiums, deductibles, and co-pays), customer reviews, and the insurance company's reputation.