F1 and F2 Visa insurance information, F1 vs F2 Visa insurance

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An overview

What is F1 and F2 Visa health insurance to US?

F1 and F2 Visa insurance information

The F1 Visa is issued for full time students enrolled in any University in the US, college, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory or a language training program in the US.

For any dependents like unmarried children under age 21 or the spouse who accompany F1 Visa holder will be issued F2 Visa during their stay here in the US. These visas are issued for the length of their education program.

The F1 Visa also allows visa holders a period of practical training know as Optional Practical training (OPT) when the F1 Visa holder is not a full time student within the university but is a intern or a trainee.

Difference between F1 vs F2 Visa

  • F1 Visa issued for full time students enrolled in any University in the US, college, high school, private elementary school, seminary or training program in the US.
  • F2 is issued for any dependents of F1 Visa holder who will accompany F1 Visa holder to the US. Like unmarried children under age 21 or the spouse.

Obama Care and F1 and F2 Visa

Schools in the US offer health insurance plans for student on the F1 Visa. Although there is no set requirements for health insurance for F2 Visa, it is highly important for students in the US to have international student insurance as medical expenses are extremely high in the US where you might end up spending all your savings and be wiped out with no money in case you come across any medical emergency.

After the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (commonly known as Obamacare) since 2014, Schools are offering student health insurance plans compliant with the Obamacare. These plans do not have policy maximum, pre-existing coverage exists along with coverage for maternity and preventive care.

While staying in the US with F1 and F2 visa, students need to good coverage for the any unexpected injury or illness that may occur to anyone and anytime. The coronavirus pandemic has brought about a panic and fear for international students as they travel across different countries.

Students traveling during pandemic should consider buying a sufficient travel insurance cover with Covid -19. There are several International student travel insurance plans that offer coverage for covid-19 along with quarantine benefits. International students can review US visitors medical insurance plans on American Visitor insurance according to the requirements. Feel free to contact by email or phone at any time for further help.

Some schools make it mandatory for students on the F1 Visa to enroll to the school sponsored health insurance program where as someinstitutions allow them to purchase one of your own choice. But it is important to remember that regardless of the school requirements, health insurance plan that we buy must have adequate coverage for all necessities keeping in mind high medical bills.

Here are few popular student plans from our best insurance providers for F1 Visa holders. They are available for F2 Visa if they need to accompany the F1 Visa holder.

  • Student Health Advantage: This plan provides Inpatient/outpatient benefits along with mental health, prescription drugs and much more.
  • Patriot Exchange: This plan has a unique benefit where it offers coverage for F2 Visa holder even when the F1 is not on the same plan. This benefit is not available in any of the other student plans.
  • Study USA: This plan apart from the required benefits provides coverage for one wellness checkup for one Certificate period.
  • Student Secure Select: This is another popular student plan satisfying all the requirements of F1 Visa.

F2 Visa Insurance

While it is not required by the federal Government for F2 Visa holders to satisfy any health insurance requirements, is it okay for F2 Visa holders not to have health insurance?

No way. Everyone in the US should have a health insurance for the entire duration of their stay as medical expenses can be very expensive. Most of the times F2 Visa holders are women and have sometimes even have the need for maternity or pregnancy coverage. This means they need coverage for checkup, maternity, delivery and other related claims.

If the F2 Visa holder gets coverage through the school sponsored insurance program then the charge for maternity and delivery will be two or three times more than the premium for the F1. This becomes too expensive for F2 Visa holders. Many insurance plans provided by school will not cover the dependents. There are also plans that covers F2 only if they are on the same plan as F1. In our maternity and pregnancy insurance coverage page and click on the 'Student Plans' tab to see the plans that cover maternity and more details on the benefits:

If the school does not mandate that the F2 Insurance plan has to be complaint with the ACA, then there are a variety of insurance plans that opens up more options for the F2 holder to choose from. Here are some of those plans:

  • Atlas America: This is a visitor plan but an F1 can buy this plan if the concerned University is fine with the schedule of benefits. Plan will cover 80% for outside the network for the first $5,000 and will cover 100% after the deductible within the PPO network.

    This plan also provides coverage for complications in pregnancy for the first 26 weeks of gestation after which the plan treats pregnancy as pre-existing condition and does not cover it.

  • Patriot America and Patriot America Plus: Plan will cover 90% for the first $5000 within network and pays 100% after that. For outside the network, plan covers 80% for the first $5000.

Please contact our customer support for more details and questions at the toll free number 877-340-7910 or email us.

International student insurance for Covid

F1 visa student insurance

At American Visitor Insurance, we are committed to getting you the best international student health insurance in USA for Covid

Earlier students had to buy affordable care act, ACA (Obamacare) compliant medical insurance. However recent changes by the US government has removed this requirement and international students can buy affordable health insurance for international students studying in the USA offered here without violating any US government requirements. There are few Covid19 international student health insurance USA plans:

IMG health insurance for international students in the US:

The International Medical Group offers affordable student health insurance coverage for Covid. Their popular Covid19 International student health insurance plans that offer coverage for medical expenses from Covid are

Students can compare cheap health insurance for international students in the USA with Covid coverage that fit their needs.

There are also many F1 Visa international students currently stranded in the US who are not enrolled in any classes. In this situation international students are not limited to buying USA student health insurance and can buy short term US visitors medical insurance. The visitors health insurance plans are cheaper and ideal for international students in the US while they are not enrolled in classes. International students can review and visitors insurance USA and find student travel insurance USA with Covid coverage that fit your needs.

Please know we are here to help you make the best, informed decision to get international students insurance plans! Let us know how we can assist you. Feel free to contact us by email or phone at any time.

TravelInsure insurance for F1 students

TravelInsure Covid19 student health insurance by Study USA (Plus, Preferred and Platinum plans ONLY) offers international health insurance with coronavirus coverage for students outside their home country.

GeoBlue insurance for F1 students

GeoBlue student health insurance by Navigator for Student covers medically necessary COVID testing and treatment.

International students can compare student insurance plans to most appropriate plan that suits their specific needs.

There are some F1 visa students on the OPT status who are not enrolled in any classes. In this situation students are not limited to buying US student health insurance and can buy short term US visitors medical insurance. The visitors insurance plans are cheaper and work well for international students while they are not enrolled in classes. International students can review US visitors medical insurance plans that fit your needs.

Please know we are here to help you make an informed decision to get international students insurance! Let us know how we can assist you. Feel free to contact us by email or phone at any time.

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Covid19 Student insurance for Coronavirus
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General - FAQ's

Can F2 Visa holder buy Patriot Exchange insurance?

Patriot Exchange Insurance is one of the best international student health insurance for F1visa student's dependents which an F2 visa holder. The F2 Visa holder can buy even if the corresponding F1 Visa holder is not enrolled in the same plan.

Is it compulsory to have medical insurance for F2 Visa in USA?

Given the high cost of US healthcare, it is prudent to buy medical insurance while on a F2 Visa. While an F2 Visa holder cannot purchase US domestic health insurance, they can purchase US visitor health insurance for an F2 Visa holder from well reputed US insurance providers.

Even if the person is already in the US on their trip, they can still purchase medical insurance for F2 Visa holders starting the next day until they return home. The US F2 Visa travel insurance must be purchased before anything happens in order to be covered.

Does US F2 Visa insurance cover covid19 for coronavirus illness coverage?

There are some USA Covid travel insurance plans available for F2 Visa holders that cover covid19 as a new illness. F2 Visa Holders in USA can compare best F2 Visa Covid health insurance plans and buy coronavirus coverage insurance online. These US F2 Visa covid travel insurance offer coverage for medical expenses for treatment of Coronavirus treatment while in the USA.

What is the difference between F1 and F2 Visa?

F1 and F2 Visas are both Non Immigrant student visas to enter the United States. However, here are the differences between the two:

  • F1 Visa: F1 Visa is the non-immigrant student visa that is the most common student visa in the United States. It is issued to individuals who will enrol in an academic program in an US college or University or high school or other educational institutions and have proven to the University and the Visa officer that the full cost of their education or studies will be paid to travel to the US and be a full time student in the US. F1 Visa holders are full time students and are expected to maintain a specific course load to maintain their status. They are allowed to work on campus part time and are eligible for certain off campus employment solutions with authorization. F1 students may receive an extension of the Visa to do Optional Practical Training(OPT) or OPT in the STEM field, basically an internship after graduation.
  • F2 Visa: An F2 Visa is issued to the dependents of the F1 Visa holder . It is issued to the spouse and unmarried children (under age 21) of F1 Visa holder who wants to accompany F1 Visa holder to the US and live with them. F2 Visa holders are not allowed to engage in a full time study. However, they can enrol in elementary or secondary school(Kindergarten to 12th Grade) or engage in recreational or vocational study. The F2 holder must return home as soon as the F1 student goes out of status.

In summary, F1 is for individuals who wish to study in the US whereas F2 is for their dependents who accompany them and live with them in the US. F1 holders have full time status and various work options whereas the F2 holders have restrictions on the full time study and employment options in the US.

Is travel insurance mandatory for F1 Students or for USA Student Visa?

Student travel Insurance is not a mandatory requirement for an F1 Visa in the United States. International students in the US may need health insurance to enrol in a University but not necessarily to get F1 Visa. Having adequate health insurance is a requirement set by the University, not by US law. So, it is important to check with the University to see if they require travel insurance to be purchased mandatorily for international students.

There are many student travel insurance plans and are also known as travel health insurance which work like health insurance while living outside one’s home country. Although they cover unexpected medical incidents,your visitor travel Insurance is not the same as international student insurance required for an F1 Visa. It is short term and does not have the same amount of coverage.

In a nutshell, travel insurance is for covering the individual during their trip to outside country for their trip costs, cost for belongings as well as medical emergencies during the trip for short term whereas the student health insurance provides much more apart from covering the medical expenses to covering things like mental health, wellness check up...while living and studying in the US which is much longer duration.

Do international students get health insurance in the USA?

Student health insurance for international students in the USA is typically required by many universities and colleges. Most educational institutions have specific health insurance requirements that international students must meet in order to enroll and maintain their student status.

Some universities offer their own health insurance plans specifically designed for international students. These plans often provide comprehensive coverage for medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medications, and emergency care.

In cases where the educational system does not provide health insurance, or these University plans are too expensive, international students can get their own health insurance coverage.

Here are some popular international health insurance plans for students visiting the USA:

International students can compare international student insurance based on prices and coverage benefits and make an informed decision while buying student medical insurance in the US.

How much is insurance for international students in the USA?

The cost of health insurance for international students in the USA will vary depending on factors like the specific insurance plan, coverage options, the duration of coverage, the location of the educational institution, and the student's age. On average, international students can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per year for health insurance coverage.

Here are the steps that the student should take in order to buy the health insurance plan :

  • Check if your school/University/College recommends a mandatory group health insurance plan:

If they do, then check if they are included in the tuition bill or check how it needs to be paid and make the payment for the plan. You can also check if the plan has an optional waiver available and if it does, make sure it fits your needs . If it does not suit your needs , ask them to send a waiver form and then complete the steps 2, 3 & 4.

If they do not have any group insurance plan, then complete the steps 2, 3 & 4.

  • Check for US insurance companies offering international student health insurance
  • Select the plan that meets your needs and University health insurance requirements. Check if they provide the waiver form to be signed and see if you can add your dependents if any to the plan. Make sure the plan provides all the benefits that you list.
  • Select the most suitable student medical insurance plan that suits your needs and buy it online.

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Steps to buy medical insurance for F1 students

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The steps for buying the best student health insurance for international students in the US are:
  • Find out from your University/School/College if they offer the best health insurance for international students in usa.
  • If they offer health insurance for F1 students, is it mandatory to buy that University plan, or do they allow other F1 student health insurance plans.
  • If you are allowed to buy an alternative best health insurance for F1 students in USA, then compare cheapest insurance for international students on American Visitor Insurance.
  • Compare the cheap insurance for international students here with the University plan based on price as well as coverage benefits.
  • You can also buy health insurance for F2 visa holders and medical insurance for J2 visa holders if required.
  • Select the international student health insurance plan that best fits your budget and needs.
  • On buying the best health insurance for f1 students in usa, you will receive all the relevant documents by email.

Health insurance for international students studying in the USA

Best insurance for international students

Cheapest medical insurance for F1 students

Students when they travel outside their home country to study along with the university academic experience also get an opportunity to experience a new culture and to see different parts of the world and meet new people with varied backgrounds.

We work with several US insurance providers that offer excellent student F1 health insurance. We have developed an excellent compare F1 visa student travel insurance tool and have article and FAQ's with information for the best travel insurance for F1 students studying abroad.

Our international student insurance plan comparison facilities lists the travel insurance for students that satisfies the F1 visa health insurance requirements.

Students can find the affordable health insurance for international students in USA as well as outside the USA. Other than the cost, we also display relevant coverage details of health insurance for international students on F1 visa studying in the USA.

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