Where can international students buy health insurance in the USA?

International students can compare and purchase health insurance through reputable online marketplaces like American Visitor Insurance. These platforms allow students to compare plans from major U.S. insurers such as IMG, WorldTrips, and Global Underwriters based on coverage, cost, and benefits, and purchase visa-compliant plans that meet F-1 and J-1 university requirements.

Is international student health insurance cheaper than school-sponsored insurance?

Yes, international student health insurance purchased through providers like American Visitor Insurance is often more affordable than school-sponsored insurance. These plans offer university-compliant coverage that is valid throughout the U.S. and typically provide more flexibility in coverage options and payment terms.

Which is the best international health insurance for students in the USA?

Some of the best international student health insurance plans for studying in the USA include StudentSecure Elite for comprehensive coverage, StudentSecure Select (WorldTrips) for balanced cost and benefits, Student Health Advantage Platinum (IMG) for high medical benefits and flexible payments, and Student Journey Platinum (IMG) for budget-friendly essential coverage. These plans are popular because they meet visa requirements and provide strong medical benefits tailored to international students.

Top 5 best health insurance for international students in USA 2026, Best International Student Health Insurance Plans

1. Patriot Exchange Program – IMG

Patriot Exchange Program is one of the best and most popular student medical insurance plans for international students in 2026. It provides the perfect balance of J-visa compliance and low-cost premiums, offers worldwide coverage with flexible deductibles, and includes a $5 copay for student health center visits, making it a top choice for students studying abroad.

Key highlights of Patriot Exchange student insurance:

Visa Compliant: Meets J-1 / J-2 and F-1 visa insurance requirements.
Affordable Premiums: Budget-friendly student medical insurance.
Worldwide Coverage: Coverage in the USA and internationally.
Flexible Deductibles & maximum coverage : Maximum coverage from $50,000 to $5,000,000 and deductibles from $0 - $500.
$5 Health Center Copay: Low copay for student health centre visits.
Pre-Existing Condition Coverage: Covers after 12 months of continuous coverage $500 per period of coverage; $1,500 lifetime maximum.
Strong Provider Network: Access to UnitedHealth care PPO (USA) and IMG global network.
Emergency Protection: Medical evacuation covers up to maximum limit.
Mental Health Coverage: Inpatient $10,000 | Outpatient $50/day (max $500).
Long-Term Coverage: Renewable up to 48 months.
Optional Add-Ons: Adventure sports, school sports, personal liability.
Cost: Patriot Exchange program student insurance cost starts from $50 per month (600 per year) for 20 year old student with $50,000 medical maximum and $500 deductible.

2. Student Journey Platinum Insurance - IMG

Student Journey Platinum insurance is the one of the top health insurance plan for international students in the USA in 2026, offered by International Medical Group (IMG). It is specifically designed for non-U.S. citizens who are traveling to the United States on F-1, J-1, or M-1 visas. This high-tier student health insurance plan provides comprehensive medical coverage and meets most U.S. university and visa requirements, making it an excellent choice for students studying in the United States.

Key Highlights of Student Journey Platinum Insurance

Visa & University Compliant: Meets most F-1, J-1, and M-1 visa and university insurance requirements.
Policy Maximum & Deductible: $500,000 maximum per policy period with a $250 deductible.
Student Health Center Copay: $45 per visit.
Preventive Care & Immunizations: Covered up to $200.
Pre-Existing Condition Coverage: Covered after a waiting period (typically 6 months).
Mental Health Coverage: Outpatient 80% (up to 40 visits/$5,000) | Inpatient 80% (up to 30 days).
Maternity Coverage: Maternity: $5,000 normal delivery $7,500 for c-section delivery , Newborn: $500 maximum
Strong PPO Network: Access to UnitedHealth care PPO.
Emergency Services: Includes up to Unlimited for emergency medical evacuation and $50,000 for repatriation of remains.
Coverage Period: Available for up to 12 months per policy period
Best For: International students seeking comprehensive, university-approved health insurance in the USA
Cost: Student Journey Platinum insurance cost starts from $74 per month (888 per year) for 20 year old student with $500,000 medical maximum and $250 deductible.

3.StudentSecure Select – WorldTrips

StudentSecure Select is a comprehensive international student health insurance plan provided by WorldTrips. It is the second-highest tier in the StudentSecure series, positioned between the "Budget" and "Elite" plans. The plan meets F 1 and J 1 visa and most university requirements, providing strong medical coverage with $0 deductible, emergency protection, and optional sports coverage. requirements, making it an excellent choice for students studying in the United States.

Key Benefits of StudentSecure Select

Coverage Maximums: Offers an overall maximum limit of $1,000,000 and up to $500,000 per injury or illness.
Deductible: Often available with a $0 deductible.
Maternity Care: Includes coverage for pregnancy and newborn care up to a $10,000 lifetime maximum.
Pre-existing Conditions: Eligible conditions are covered after a 6-month waiting period of continuous coverage.
Mental Health: Provides benefits for both inpatient and outpatient mental health disorders.
Organized Sports: Unlike the Budget tier, the Select tier covers medical expenses for intercollegiate, intramural, and club sports up to $5,000 per injury.
Emergency Services: Includes up to $300,000 for emergency medical evacuation and $50,000 for repatriation of remains.
Student Health Center Copay: $10 per visit.
Strong PPO Network: Access to UnitedHealth care PPO.
Long-Term Coverage: Coverage from 30 days to 364 days and renewable up to 48 months
Cost: The cost of Student Secure Select insurance for a 20 years old student starts from $106 per month ($1248 per year). You can buy the plan either on a monthly or a yearly basis.

4.StudentSecure Elite Insurance – WorldTrips

StudentSecure Elite is a premium international student health insurance plan provided by WorldTrips . It is the highest tier plan in the StudentSecure series, offering the most comprehensive coverage and highest benefit limits of all four levels. The plan meets F 1 and J 1 visa and most university requirements, and includes broad medical benefits, enhanced coverage limits, emergency protection, and useful extras like prescription drug coverage and personal liability protection.

Key Benefits of StudentSecure Select

Maximum Benefit: $5,000,000 lifetime overall | $500,000 per injury/illness.
Deductible: $25 per injury/illness in-network/student health center ($50 outside PPO).
Network: UnitedHealthcare Options PPO, widely accepted at U.S. universities and hospitals.
Preventive Care & Vaccinations: Covered up to $200 after 6 months.
Prescription Drugs: 100% coverage for generic outpatient prescriptions.
Personal Liability: Up to $250,000 for accidental third-party injury/property damage.
Maternity: Up to $15,000 for covered pregnancies.
Mental Health: Inpatient/outpatient up to 40 days/visits per policy period.
Organized Sports: Medical coverage up to $5,000 per injury.
Pre-existing Conditions: Covered after 6-month waiting period.
Emergency Benefits: Medical evacuation $500,000 | Repatriation $50,000 | Emergency reunion $5,000.
Long-Term Coverage: Coverage from 30 days to 364 days and renewable up to 48 months.
Cost: The cost of Student Secure Elite insurance for a 20 years old student starts from $181 per month ($2,135 per year). You can buy the plan either on a monthly or a yearly basis.

5. Student Health Advantage – IMG

Student Health Advantage is a comprehensive international student health insurance plan offered by International Medical Group (IMG), designed for students, scholars, and exchange visitors studying outside their home country, including in the USA. It comes in Standard and Platinum levels, giving students flexible options for lifetime coverage up to $500,000 (Standard) or $1,000,000 (Platinum) with visa compliant benefits for long-term study programs.

Key Plan Features

Maximum Benefit: Up to $500,000 (Standard) or $1,000,000 (Platinum) lifetime policy limit.
Per Injury/Illness Max: Up to $300,000 (Standard) / $500,000 (Platinum).
Deductible: Typically $25–$100 per injury/illness depending on plan and location.
Student Health Center: $5 co pay per visit.
Coinsurance: Often 100% in PPO/health center (after deductible) with reduced coinsurance outside the US or PPO.
Prescription Coverage: Universal pharmacy savings and drug benefits included.
Mental Health: Inpatient and outpatient mental health benefits included.
Organized Sports: Medical coverage for intercollegiate, intramural, and club sports.
Pre Existing Conditions: Covered after 6 months (Platinum) or 12 months (Standard) of continuous coverage.
Visa Compliance: Designed to meet F 1, J 1, and other student visa requirements.
Emergency Benefits: Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation benefits included.
Long-Term Coverage: Coverage from 30 days to 364 days and renewable up to 60 months.
Cost: For a 20-year-old student, Student Health Advantage insurance starts at $124 per month ($1,487 per year) for the Standard plan and $371 per month ($4,448 per year) for the Platinum plan. The plan can be purchased on either a monthly or yearly basis.

Compare Top International Student Health Insurance Plans (2026)

Choosing the right international student health insurance in the USA can be tricky. To help, we’ve compared the top 2026 plans: Patriot Exchange, Student Journey Platinum (IMG), StudentSecure Select (WorldTrips), StudentSecure Elite , Student Health Advantage Platinum (IMG), and plans available through American Visitor Insurance. Explore key coverage, deductibles, costs, and benefits at a glance to find the plan that best fits your needs and meets F-1 or J-1 visa requirements.

Plan	Maximum Coverage	Deductible	Pre-existing Conditions	Monthly Cost	Yearly Cost	Best For
Patriot Exchange	$50,000–$5,000,000	$0–$500	12 months	$50 (varies)	$600 (Varies)	Budget-conscious students
Student Journey Platinum (IMG)	$500,000	$250	6 months	$74	$888	premium choice for international students seeking the highest coverage limits
StudentSecure Select (WorldTrips)	$1,000,000	$0	6 months	$106	$1,248	Mid-tier value, F-1/J-1 visa compliant, flexible monthly & annual payments
SHealth Advantage Platinum (IMG)	$1,000,000	$25–$100	6 months	$371	$4,448	Higher coverage needs, broad medical benefits, monthly or yearly payment options available
StudentSecure Elite	$5,000,000	$0	6 months	$181	$2,135	Premium protection, maximum coverage, ideal for long-term students, monthly or yearly payment options available

Detailed Plan Benefits for Students

Outpatient & Inpatient Care: Covers visits to doctors, clinics, and hospitals, including treatment for minor illnesses, injuries, or serious medical conditions. Reduces high medical bills while studying in the USA.
Coverage: Includes generic and brand-name medications, helping you pay less for prescribed drugs. Some plans cover 100% of generic prescriptions.
Mental Health Support: Provides inpatient and outpatient counseling and therapy, including care for stress, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. Coverage may include a set number of visits per policy period.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation: Covers emergency medical evacuation to the nearest suitable hospital or repatriation to your home country if medically necessary. Essential for unexpected emergencies abroad.
Maternity Coverage: Available for select plans after a waiting period. Covers prenatal care, hospital delivery, and complications within plan limits.
Organized Sports Coverage: Provides medical protection for intercollegiate, intramural, or club sports injuries, including treatment for accidents during organized athletic activities.
Pre-Existing Condition Coverage: Covers eligible pre-existing conditions after a waiting period (usually 6–12 months depending on the plan). Ensures students with prior medical conditions are still protected.

How Much Is Health Insurance for International Students in the USA?

Health insurance cost in USA for international students ranges between $50 and $400 per month, or about $600 to $4,500 per year, depending on the coverage level, deductible, and benefits selected.

Through American Visitor Insurance, international students can compare and purchase a wide range of student health insurance plans from top U.S. providers such as IMG and WorldTrips, with options to fit different budgets and university requirements.

Budget-friendly plans available via American Visitor Insurance (such as Patriot Exchange) typically start around $50–$75 per month, offering visa-compliant basic medical coverage.
Mid-tier international student plans (like Student Journey Platinum or StudentSecure Select) usually cost $75–$150 per month, balancing affordability with strong coverage limits.
Premium student health insurance plans (including StudentSecure Elite and Health Advantage Platinum) range from $180–$400 per month, providing higher medical maximums, lower deductibles, and broader benefits.

Most plans offered through American Visitor Insurance allow monthly or annual payment options and are designed to meet F-1 and J-1 visa health insurance requirements. Final costs depend on the student’s age, length of stay, coverage amount, deductible, and school-specific insurance rules.

Student Health Insurance in the USA – FAQs

International student health insurance provides coverage for medical expenses, emergencies, prescriptions, and preventive care while studying abroad in the USA. It also ensures compliance with F-1 or J-1 visa requirements.

The best health insurance for international students depends on your needs (budget, coverage level, duration). Some strong options include:

StudentSecure Elite — premium, high coverage with comprehensive benefits.
StudentSecure Select (WorldTrips)>— strong overall coverage with broad medical benefits.
Student Health Advantage Platinum (IMG)— strong overall coverage with broad medical benefits.
Student Journey Platinum (IMG)— budget friendly option with essential protection.
Patriot Exchange - basic, low cost short term coverage.

These plans are designed to meet F 1/J 1 visa requirements and most university insurance mandates for study in the USA.

For most international students studying in the USA, the top health insurance plans include:

StudentSecure Elite — excellent for comprehensive coverage, including mental health, evacuation, and high maximum limits.
StudentSecure Select (WorldTrips)— great balance of cost and coverage.
Student Health Advantage Platinum (IMG)— high benefits with flexibility in monthly/yearly payments.
Student Journey Platinum (IMG)— good budget friendly option for essential health protection.

These plans are widely used because they meet visa requirements and have extensive medical benefits tailored to international students.

Yes, only StudentSecure Select (WorldTrips) and Health Advantage Platinum (IMG) offer both monthly and yearly payment options.

The top plans for 2026 include Patriot Exchange, Student Journey Platinum (IMG), tudentSecure Select (WorldTrips), StudentSecure Elite , and SHealth Advantage Platinum (IMG). All meet F-1/J-1 visa requirements and most university insurance mandates.

For international students, StudentSecure Select (WorldTrips), StudentSecure Elite , Student Journey Platinum (IMG), and Health Advantage Platinum (IMG) cover eligible pre-existing conditions after a 6-month waiting period.

Patriot Exchange covers pre-existing conditions for students after 12 months of continuous coverage.

You can compare and purchase top international student health insurance plans through reputable online marketplaces like American Visitor Insurance, which brings together options from major U.S. insurers in one place. At American Visitor Insurance, students can easily compare multiple plans (such as IMG, WorldTrips, Global Underwriters) based on coverage, cost, and features, and buy a policy that meets F 1/J 1 visa and university requirements. These plans often offer affordable, university compliant coverage that can be cheaper than school sponsored insurance and valid anywhere in the U.S.

Student Health Insurance USA Page Summary

Studying in the USA comes with high medical costs, making international student health insurance essential. The top plans for 2026 include Patriot Exchange, Student Journey Platinum (IMG), StudentSecure Select (WorldTrips), StudentSecure Elite , Health Advantage Platinum (IMG), and plans available through American Visitor Insurance.

This page helps students compare coverage, deductibles, pre-existing condition terms, costs, and unique benefits at a glance. Whether you’re a short-term exchange student or planning a long-term degree program, our comparison table, benefits explanations, and FAQs guide you to choose the plan that fits your budget, visa requirements, and medical needs.

Key highlights include:

Coverage for hospitalization, doctor visits, prescriptions, and mental health.
Protection for pre-existing conditions after a waiting period.
Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation.
Options for monthly or yearly payments (StudentSecure Select & Health Advantage Platinum)
Compliance with F-1/J-1 visa and university requirements

Top 5 Best Health Insurance for International Students In USA 2026

1. Patriot Exchange Program – IMG

2. Student Journey Platinum Insurance - IMG

3.StudentSecure Select – WorldTrips

4.StudentSecure Elite Insurance – WorldTrips

5. Student Health Advantage – IMG

Compare Top International Student Health Insurance Plans (2026)

Detailed Plan Benefits for Students

How Much Is Health Insurance for International Students in the USA?

Student Health Insurance in the USA – FAQs

1. What is international student health insurance?

2. What is the best health insurance for international students?

3. Which is the best international health insurance?

4. Can I pay for student insurance monthly instead of yearly?

5. What are the best international student health insurance plans for F-1 or J-1 visa?

6. Which student health insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions?

7. Where can I buy the best international student health insurance?

Student Health Insurance USA Page Summary

Which Are The Best Insurance Companies For International Students In USA?

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