The Student Secure Smart plan offers affordable pre existing condition coverage insurance, starting at just $32 per month. These plan offer various benefits, such as coverage after specified waiting periods and support for medical emergencies. The cost varies based on plan type, coverage level, and the student's age, ensuring flexibility to suit different needs.
International students studying in the USA often face high medical costs, especially if they already have a health condition. Understanding how pre-existing condition coverage for student insurance works is essential to ensure you are fully protected throughout your academic stay.
At American Visitor Insurance, we help international students in selecting suitable plans by explaining what a pre-existing condition is, how student insurance plans provide coverage, the waiting periods involved, key limitations, and the factors to consider when choosing the right plan.
Not all student health insurance plans provide full coverage for pre-existing conditions. Coverage may include the following options.
At American Visitor Insurance, you can compare top international student plans to understand how each one handles pre-existing conditions and choose the best option for your needs.
Example waiting periods:
Once the waiting period is completed, eligible pre-existing conditions may be covered up to the plan limits.
If full pre-existing condition coverage is not offered, plans may still provide benefits for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
Acute onset means: A sudden, unexpected flare-up or recurrence of a pre-existing condition that requires urgent medical attention.
It does not include:The best student insurance plan with acute on set of pre-existing conditions is Student Secure Insurance from WorldTrips.
In the U.S., international students are not entitled to publicly funded healthcare and medical bills can be extremely high. Having pre-existing condition coverage is important because it provides:
1. Protection Against Unanticipated Flare-UpsIn case a pre-existing condition suffers a sudden deterioration, the insurance will make it possible for you to receive the necessary medical care without having to pay a huge sum of money.
2. Financial Security in Case of EmergenciesU.S. medical treatments, hospitalizations or ER visits can be really costly. Thus, a pre-existing condition benefit guarantees that you are not going to face a financial burden.
3. Meeting of University or Visa RequirementsMost U.S. universities have the policy that students must be insured with the company that provides at least some sort of pre-existing condition covers or acute onset benefits.
4. Calmness While Living Far From HomeThe knowledge that your past health issues are addressed will not only help you maintain your composure but also allow you to devote your attention to your studies and social life.
Through American Visitor Insurance, you can easily buy the best student health insurance USA pre existing conditions coverage.
The Student Journey Lite insurance plan is the cheapest insurance for international students with pre-existing condition coverage. Other affordable plans include StudentSecure Budget and Patriot Exchange. You can compare all these student insurance plans easily on American Visitor Insurance.
The best student insurance plans for pre-existing condition coverage are StudentSecure Elite, Student Journey Platinum, and Student Health Advantage.
StudentSecure Select insurance is the Best health insurance for international students, scholars and students studying abroad.
StudentSecure Elite Insurance is the best WorldTrips student insurance option, providing high-limit benefits and best pre-existing condition coverage for international students in the USA.
Student Health Advantage Platinum Insurance is a highly recommended and best IMG student insurance plan with extensive coverage, including strong support for pre-existing medical conditions.
BCBS Study Abroad Student Insurance offers comprehensive global coverage that is ideal for American students traveling or studying abroad.
The cost of student insurance with pre-existing condition coverage starts from $30 per month, depending on the student’s age, plan maximum, and deductible.
| Insurance Plans | Medical maximum | Deductible | Pre-existing coverage | Cost * |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Journey Lite | $150,000 | $100 | Covers after 6 months of waiting period | $30 |
| Student Secure Smart | $200,000 | $0 | Acute on set of pre-existing conditions up to $25,000 | $32 |
| Patriot Exchange Program | $50,000 | $500 | Covers after 6 months of waiting period | $47 |
| Student Journey Plus | $300,000 | $500 | Covers after 6 months of waiting period | $48 |
| Student Secure Budget | $500,000 | $0 | Covers after 12 months of waiting period | $53 |
| Student Journey Platinum | $500,000 | $250 | Covers after 6 months of waiting period | $74 |
| Student Secure Select | $1,000,000 | $0 | Covers after 6 months of waiting period | $106 |
| Student health advantage standard | $500,000 | $250 | Covers after 12 months of waiting period | $118 |
| Navigator for student | Unlimited | $500 | Covered with proof of previous coverage | $426 |
*The monthly cost of Student insurance for pre-existing condition benefit for a 20-year-old student studying in the USA.
For student health insurance, a pre-existing condition refers to any illness, injury, or medical issue you had before your student insurance policy began, even if it was not formally diagnosed.
Insurance companies review your medical history from the months before your policy start date (called the look-back period, usually 6 to 12 months for student plans) to decide if a condition is pre-existing.
A condition is generally considered pre-existing if, during the look-back period, you:
If you were taking medication for Asthma, Thyroid issues, Diabetes, or high blood pressure before coming to the USA, this will be considered a pre-existing condition under most student insurance plans.
Some student plans may still cover pre-existing conditions after a waiting period (e.g., 6 or 12 months), while others cover only the acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
Some student insurance plans such as StudentSecure Elite, StudentSecure Select, Patriot Exchange, Student Journey Insurance, and Student Health Advantage may cover pre-existing conditions after a waiting period (for example, 6 or 12 months). Others, like StudentSecure Smart only offer coverage only for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions. You can compare all these student plans and their pre-existing condition benefits easily on American Visitor Insurance.
Factors to consider when determining the cost of pre-existing condition coverage for international students include:
Complete the student insurance quotes request form by providing details of the student and insurance requirements.
Student insurance comparison will help you identify what fits your needs best.
Purchase the plan that fits your requirements and budget best by using a credit card and completing the online application.
Review the travel insurance policy documents received by email closely for coverage details and relevant contact numbers.
Insurance for Exchange scholars satisfying visa requirements
Click here to read more »Insurance plans for dependents of an F1 visa holders.
Click here to read more »Best health insurance for students studying abroad
Click here to read more »Insurance for J2 visa dependants satisfying visa requirements.
Click here to read more »Insurance plans for students on OPT status, OPT student insurance.
Click here to read more »Medical insurance for students on vocational training.
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A pre-existing condition is any medical issue you had before your student insurance started, including diagnoses, medications, symptoms, or treatments within the look-back period (usually 6–12 months).
Top options include StudentSecure Elite, StudentSecure Select, Student Journey Plus, Student Journey Platinum, and Student Health Advantage Platinum. You can compare all these plans on American Visitor Insurance.
Many plans have a waiting period typically 6 to 12 months before pre-existing conditions become eligible for coverage. The waiting period starts from the policy effective date.
Affordable student insurance plans with pre-existing condition coverage, such as Student Journey Lite, generally start from around $30 per month on American Visitor Insurance.
Absolutely. Plans commonly use large PPO networks like UnitedHealthcare PPO network or First Health PPO network, allowing students to access cashless treatment at hospitals, clinics, and urgent care centers.
You should buy your plan before arriving in the USA so your waiting period begins immediately and you stay fully protected when your studies start.
It is a special period during which the insured needs to wait for after the policy is effective to avail the benefits under the plan for some specific diseases or conditions where the insured needs to be covered. These conditions are pre-existing conditions and the waiting period for this in student insurance plans vary between 6 months to a year. It depends on the insurance plan. Each plan is different and has different waiting periods or no waiting periods.
Student pre-existing condition insurance plan benefits include:
With the pre existing condition plans, the insurer cannot raise the premium rates or the charge extra in lieu of pre-existing condition coverage which is included in the plan. The plan cannot deny coverage based on the health condition of the insured once the plan has been purchased and become effective. All other medical expenses must be covered as usual and not be affected by any health insurance pre-existing conditions coverage.
In most cases, any condition or disease that is chronic or life long treated are usually excluded from coverage as pre existing condition:
Some of the other pre existing conditions that are excluded normally, however get covered in a pre-existing coverage plan:
Pre-existing conditions are usually excluded in the coverage in a travel medical insurance plan. If there is a pre-existing condition waiver available with the plan, then it is one of the important things that can be added to the plan. This will cover the excluded pre-existing condition if the eligibility requirements are met for the waiver to be applicable.
In other words, the trip cancellation related or medical claims related expenses which might be excluded will now be covered when you purchase the plan with the waiver. This is helpful for travelers with chronic diseases the coverage for which will be waived when the waiver is applied.
Eligibility for waiver:
Here are the eligibility criteria for the waiver:
Here are the key reasons why international students trust American Visitor Insurance when choosing the best student health insurance plans that cover pre-existing conditions:
With more than 20 years of experience, American Visitor Insurance has helped thousands of international students find the right medical insurance for studying in the USA. Their team understands student needs, visa requirements, and university insurance waivers.
American Visitor Insurance partners with highly rated U.S. insurance companies such as IMG, WorldTrips, and Global Underwriters, offering plans designed for students with chronic medical conditions, including coverage after waiting periods or acute onset benefits.
Students can instantly compare popular pre-existing condition-friendly plans such as StudentSecure Elite and StudentSecure Select, Student Journey Plus and Student Journey Platinum, Student Health Advantage Platinum, and Patriot Exchange, all conveniently displayed side-by-side for benefits, pricing, deductibles, waiting periods, and coverage details.The platform clearly displays benefits, pre-existing condition rules, waiting periods, deductibles, and pricing.
Plans are available for F-1 international students, OPT students, students with pre-existing conditions, and those who need university waiver-eligible plans, ensuring every student can find coverage that fits their academic and medical requirements. Coverage includes both waiting-period pre-existing coverage and acute onset benefits, depending on the plan.
Coverage includes doctor visits, specialist consultations, hospitalization, surgery, emergency care, prescription drugs, mental health services, and medical evacuation or repatriation, ensuring that students are fully protected for both new medical issues and any sudden complications related to existing health conditions.
Students can get instant quotes showing premiums, deductibles, policy maximums, and waiting periods making it easy to choose the best plan within a student budget, with many popular plans starting at just $30 per month.
Plans include access to nationwide PPO networks such as UnitedHealthcare or First Health, allowing students to receive cashless treatment at quality hospitals and clinics across the U.S. Additionally, licensed insurance agents are available 24/7 to help students choose the right plan, understand pre-existing condition rules, obtain university waiver forms, renew their coverage, and file claims with ease.
Whether you have asthma, thyroid issues, diabetes, anxiety, allergies, or another chronic condition, American Visitor Insurance helps you find an affordable plan that keeps you safe throughout your academic journey in the USA.
Finding the best student insurance is essential for international students studying in the USA, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition. Many top student insurance plans offer coverage after a waiting period or provide protection for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions. Popular options include StudentSecure Elite, StudentSecure Select, Student Journey Plus, Student Journey Platinum, Student Journey Lite, and Student Health Advantage Platinum all available on American Visitor Insurance.
Students can compare plans side-by-side, understand waiting periods, check PPO networks, review benefits, and get instant quotes starting from around $30 per month. With expert guidance, transparent pricing, and access to reputable insurers, American Visitor Insurance makes it easy for students to choose a reliable, budget-friendly plan that protects both new medical issues and unexpected complications from existing health conditions.
Whether you are an F-1 student, on OPT, or require a waiver-eligible plan, this page helps you make an informed choice and ensures you stay fully protected throughout your academic journey in the United States.
International students studying abroad, along with their education get an opportunity to experience a new culture, see different parts of the world and meet new people with varied backgrounds. We work with all reputed US insurance providers to offer excellent F1 student health insurance.
American Visitor Insurance has a compare F1 visa student travel insurance tool along with article's and FAQ's with to help students fine the best health insurance for F1 students. The compare foreign student insurance tool displays the cost and coverage details of students medical insurance that satisfy f1 visa health insurance requirements. Students can easily find cheap health insurance for international students by comparing both cost and other F1 visa student insurance coverage benefits.
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