Find the best international student health insurance plan for your needs.
International students should select an adequate policy maximum as U.S. healthcare costs are very high.
Recommended coverage limits for students:
Higher levels of coverage protect against hospitalisation, surgical treatment and prolonged medical treatment during an academic program.
The deductible represents the amount of money you will pay out-of-pocket before your insurance will offer benefits.
Students should select a deductible that is within their budget while providing the ability to keep their out-of-pocket expenses manageable.
Co-Insurance:After your deductible, your policy may have you sharing a portion of the total costs of your medical expenses with your insurer.
You should always read:
University-approved plans usually offer better cost-sharing terms.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) networks provide international students with low-cost healthcare.
The most popular PPO networks include:
Benefits of PPO coverage for International students include:
These benefits are important for International students learning about the U.S. healthcare system.
Many international students have existing medical conditions before arriving in the U.S., such as:
If you have chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes and/or raised blood pressure, be sure to look at all aspects of the following:
Always check with your university to see if they require specific pre-existing condition benefits.
The Age of the student and their Visa Status are factors that affect the eligibility to purchase the insurance plan and the premium amount.
The insurance plan must fit the student's Visa Type and School Program.
Through the online comparison of plans, international students can quickly find insurance coverage that meets their needs and the requirements of their universities.
You can use comparison tools to:
Many of these plans can be purchased online immediately with a digital ID card being issued shortly thereafter.
It is advisable to purchase student health insurance early due to the following reasons:
Before purchasing, students should review:
Understanding exclusions helps prevent denied claims during the semester.
Health insurance for international students is an important aspect of studying in the United States. Health insurance for international students needs to comply with university requirements, provides international students access to quality healthcare, and protects them from potentially huge medical expenses.
International students should evaluate carefully the policy's coverage limits, deductibles, PPO networks, and pre-existing condition coverage to find a plan that offers both financial security and peace of mind during their academic careers.
International students who enroll in the US Universities as well as US students studying outside the US have to satisfy one important requirement of the University, which is to have adequate International student health insurance.
They can also compare international student insurance outside of the University options as these can be cheaper while providing similar coverage. However most Universities might expect students to complete an insurance waiver form to ensure that the external student insurance satisfies the university requirement.
The student insurance plans that we offer in American Visitor Insurance are accepted in most US universities.
📝Note: The monthly payment option is not available in all student insurance plans. Below are details of the different plans that offer the monthly payment option.
Navigator Plan offered by Geoblue and is a great student health plan.
Key highlight: This is the only plan that is flexible with many benefits like pre-existing condition coverage, preventive care services cover availability.
Student Health Advantage Plan is a student insurance option which satisfies most US Universities requirements.
Patriot Exchange plan is from IMG and is available for international student on F1 Visa and research scholars and exchange students on J1 Visa
The Student Secure plans offered by WorldTrips is one of the more popular plans among the student insurance options for international students on an F1 Visa and research and exchange scholars on the J1 Visa
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.
International Student Insurance Payment Options 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 |
If you’re an international student planning to study in the USA on an F1 visa, having the right health insurance is essential. Most of the universities typically require F1 students to have health insurance coverage for medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, and often mental health or maternity care. To make sure you meet both university and visa requirements, explore our comprehensive guide on best F1 visa health insurance requirements in USA.
Covers doctor visits in case of sudden injury or sickness.
Some plans cover high school sports activities.
Repatriation of remains expenses to home country in case of death.
Expenses from sudden dental pain and accidental dental injuries.
Some plans offer coverage for pregnancy, maternity and new born.
Student insurance who need coverage for existing medical ailments.
The Cheapest health insurance for F-1 international students is the Student Journey Lite plan, with premiums starting at just $30 per month.
Other Affordable student health insurance options also includes the StudentSecure Smart plan and the Student Journey Plus plan.
The Best health insurance plans for international students in the USA include Student Journey Platinum by IMG, the Patriot Exchange Program from IMG, and StudentSecure Select from WorldTrips.
Selecting the right plan depends on several factors such as your individual health needs, budget, university insurance requirements, and visa status.
How much is Low-cost medical insurance for international students in America? How much does Insurance for foreign students in America cost per month? How much does international student health insurance cost per month?
The monthly cost of international student insurance in the USA typically ranges from $30 to $124 for students Aged 20, depending on the level of coverage selected.
| 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 | $56 |
| Diplomat America Global Underwriters | $50,000 | $250 | $71 |
| Student Journey Platinum IMG | $500,000 | $250 | $74 |
| StudentSecure Select WorldTrips | $1,000,000 | $0 | $106 |
| Student Health Advantage Standard IMG | $500,000 | $250 | $124 |
Source: American Visitor Insurance®

Review student insurance plan benefits.
The monthly cost of health insurance for U.S. students studying abroad typically ranges from $26 to $289, depending on the level of coverage selected.
| Insurance Plan | Policy Maximum | Deductible | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| StudentSecure Smart WorldTrips |
$200,000 | $0 | $26 |
| Patriot Exchange Program IMG |
$50,000 | $250 | $39 |
| StudentSecure Budget WorldTrips |
$500,000 | $0 | $47 |
| Student Health Advantage Standard IMG |
$500,000 | $250 | $82 |
| StudentSecure Select WorldTrips |
$1,000,000 | $0 | $80 |
| Student Health Advantage Platinum IMG |
$1,000,000 | $25 | $246 |
| Navigator Student GeoBlue |
Unlimited Coverage | $0 | $289 |

Review student insurance plan benefits.
There are quite a few US health insurance for students that cover sports activities. It is hard to pick one plan as the best plan. There might be slight differences in the kind of sports activities that they cover. On American Visitor Insurance we offer the best sports health insurance plans for international students.
Coverage level |
Add-on cost (flat monthly rate) |
Sports covered |
| Low Option | $12.00 | Ballet, Baseball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Horse Polo, Water Polo, Rowing, Softball, Surfing, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball |
| Middle Option | $26.00 | Basketball, Competitive Cycling (Road, Track, CX), Ice Hockey, Inline Skating (with helmet/proper gear), Lacrosse, Martial Arts/Karate, Modern Pentathlon, Skiing (Slalom, Giant Slalom, Downhill), Ski Jumping and Wrestling |
| High Option | $80.00 | Football (No Division I), Gymnastics, Rugby (No Division I) and Soccer |
The student health insurance cost ranges from $150 to $2,223 for a 6-month period, and from $360 to $4,447 for annual coverage, depending on the chosen plan and coverage level.
The cost of student medical insurance coverage within the US is more expensive when compared to coverage outside the US. It’s important for international students to compare different plans to find the right plan and cost that fits their healthcare needs and budget.
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 student health insurance plan.
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 customers need this benefit. The student plans have a minimum 6 month waiting period for coverage of pre-existing conditions.
Coverage 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 of the plans provide coverage 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.
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.
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