Patriot Exchange vs Student Health Advantage Insurance

International Medical Group (IMG) has been offering travel insurance products since 1990. Based in Indianapolis, IMG has more than 300 employees and offers 25+ travel insurance products for travelers to the US as well as for US citizens traveling overseas.

Their products are ideal people traveling to the United States as tourists on B1 visa, international students on F1 visa, Exchange scholars on J visa, professionals on the H1B visa as well as US travelers who are looking for trip cancellation insurance for travel insurance.

• It specifically covers students, scholars, interns, teachers, and trainees on J1, J2, F, M, or A visas, along with their spouses and dependent children traveling with them.
• The plan fulfills the U.S. Department of State’s J1 visa insurance requirements and other visa standards, offering coverage limits, emergency evacuation, repatriation, and deductible options that comply with regulatory mandates.
• Policyholders can select coverage with maximum limits of $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, or $500,000 per illness or injury, allowing customization based on needs and budgets. Deductibles range from $0 to $500, and coverage includes inpatient and outpatient benefits.
• After the deductible, the plan typically pays 100% of eligible expenses for covered services in the U.S., reducing out-of-pocket costs for insured individuals.
• Coverage can be purchased for as short as 30 days and renewed for up to 48 continuous months, ideal for students with variable academic or exchange program lengths

• Meets U.S. Visa Requirements: IMG Patriot Exchange Program insurance meets all U.S. student, scholar, and cultural exchange program visa requirements.,
• Renewable Group Coverage: Groups may purchase annually renewable long-term plans that have the flexibility to be tailored to meet the specific needs of each program.
• Visa Compliance: Specifically designed to meet J1, J2, F1, M1, and A visa insurance requirements, and suitable for international students, exchange scholars, trainees, and their families.
• Teladoc (Groups Only): IMG's national network of board-certified doctors and pediatricians offers phone or online video consultations in the U.S. through Teladoc.
• Prescription Drugs Coverage: Prescription drugs and medication benefit includes a per period of coverage maximum limit of $250,000 per insured person.
• Dependents: Eligible to insure spouse and dependent children even if on a different plan from the primary visa holder.

Eligible insureds may renew their coverage for a minimum of 5 days and a maximum of 48 continuous months, as long as the premium is paid when due.

Pre-existing can be covered but after a waiting period. For conditions existing within 36 months before the effective date, charges are excluded until after 12 months of coverage and then covered at $500 per period of coverage with a $1,500 maximum limit.

Patriot Exchange meets the essential J1 and J2 visa insurance requirements established by the U.S. Department of State as follows:

• Medical Coverage Minimums: The plan offers coverage per illness or injury of at least $100,000, which is the minimum required for J visa holders. You can select higher maximums if desired; however, coverage options below $100,000 will not satisfy J visa rules.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation: Covered up to $50,000, fulfilling the requirement for evacuation expenses to the exchange visitor's home country.
• Repatriation of Remains: Provides coverage up to $25,000, matching federal mandates for repatriation costs in the event of death.
• Eligibility for J2 Dependents: Coverage extends to J2 visa holders (dependents), and the plan can be purchased separately for dependents even if the primary J1 holder is insured elsewhere.

To be eligible to apply to the Patriot Exchange Plan, you must:

• You must be a participant in an educational or cultural exchange program abroad, such as a student, scholar, intern, teacher, or trainee, engaged in teaching, study, research, or on-the-job training for a temporary period.
• Be the spouse of a participant or children of a participant and residing outside his/her primary country of residence for a temporary period of time. The primary applicant must hold a J, M, F, or A visa.
• You must be at least 31 days old and younger than 65 years.
• You must be physically and legally residing in the destination country with the intent to stay at least 30 days from the effective date and on renewal.

Yes an optional rider is available for adventure sports for individuals and groups, and their dependents, up to the age of 65.

Patriot Exchange is one of the best health insurance for f1 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.

Yes, there are some waiting periods and exclusions for pre-existing conditions under Patriot Exchange student health Insurance. Some of them are:

• The plan does not cover any charges or expenses incurred during the first 12 months of coverage for a pre-existing condition that existed within 36 months before the effective date of coverage. This applies to all insured persons regardless of age or citizenship.
• The plan does not cover any charges or expenses incurred for maternity care if conception occurred before the effective date of coverage. This applies to all insured persons regardless of age or citizenship.
• The plan does not cover any charges or expenses incurred for treatment or surgery that is elective, experimental, investigational, or not medically necessary. This applies to all insured persons regardless of age or citizenship.

The Patriot Exchange student insurance plan is available for spouse and dependent children even if the primary F1 or J1 visa holder is not on this insurance plan. If a J1 Visa holder wants to buy this plan for his J2 spouse or children, then Patriot Exchange insurance plan can be purchased for the J2 visa holders.

The same is true for F2 visa holders as they can buy Patriot Exchange student insurance even if the F1 visa holder is not on the Patriot exchange student insurance plan.

The cheapest IMG health insurance option for international students on an F1 visa in the USA is typically the Patriot Exchange plan. It offers coverage starting at about $56 per month, depending on age and coverage options, with a policy maximum starting at $50,000 (and up to $5 million aggregate) and deductible options of $0, $100, $250, or $500. This plan is designed to meet visa requirements including those for F1 students and offers flexible coverage with affordable premiums.