The cost of international student health insurance in the USA for a 20 year old ranges from $30 to $282 per month. This cost mainly depends on different factors such as student's age, coverage duration, medical benefits, deductible, and co-insurance. Some student insurance plans offer additional coverage for mental illness, dental expenses, hazardous sports, maternity and pre-existing ailments.
The U.S. government does not require health insurance for F-1, F-2, M-1, or M-2 visa holders. However, many colleges and universities in the U.S. have their own health insurance requirements that students must meet in order to enroll. (Note: J-1 and J-2 visa holders are required by the U.S. government to have health insurance that meets specific standards.)
To make sure students have the coverage they need, most schools offer a group health insurance plan. Some schools make it mandatory to enroll in their plan, but many others give students the option to waive the school’s plan and choose their own health insurance as long as it meets the school’s guidelines.
If your school allows you to choose your own plan, you may want to look into international student health insurance options from well-known providers. These plans are often more affordable than school-sponsored ones, and still meet many university requirements.
Finding the right health insurance plan can feel overwhelming, but we're here to make it easier. There are several reliable international student insurance options specifically designed for students and scholars living outside their home country. Popular choices include IMG’s Student Journey plans (Lite, Essential, and Platinum), which offer affordable coverage and flexible options ideal for students on a budget. For those looking for more comprehensive protection, IMG also offers Student Health Advantage plans (Standard and Platinum), which come with higher benefit limits and are great for long-term students and scholars. The Patriot Exchange Program from IMG is another good option, especially for individuals or groups on study abroad or cultural exchange programs.
WorldTrips also offers strong options with their StudentSecure plans, available in four levels: Smart, Budget, Select, and Elite. These tiered plans are designed to meet a range of coverage needs and budgets, and include benefits such as mental health care, maternity, and coverage for pre-existing conditions (after a waiting period, depending on the plan).
By comparing these plans based on your budget, program length, and university’s insurance requirements, you can choose the policy that fits best. Going with your own international student insurance plan could save you money while still providing the coverage and peace of mind you need during your studies abroad.
Student Journey Medical insurance is a budget-friendly option for international students and scholars, offering three plan levels Lite, Plus, and Platinum to match different coverage needs. It includes essential benefits for illness, injury, hospitalization, and emergencies, and may be a cost-effective alternative to your university’s group plan. The plan covers pre-existing conditions after a 6-month waiting period and provides 24/7 telehealth access, making it ideal for healthy students looking to save on premiums.
Student Journey Lite : is the cheapest international student insurance ideal for healthy students who want to meet school insurance requirements at the lowest possible premium. It offers a maximum coverage of $150,000 with a $100 deductible per injury or illness, making it a budget-friendly choice for essential medical protection.
Student Journey Plus : provides additional benefits and higher coverage limits, offering a balance between affordability and broader protection. It includes a maximum coverage of $300,000 with a $500 deductible per injury or illness, making it a suitable option for students who want more than basic coverage without significantly increasing their premium.
Student Journey Platinum : offers the highest benefit limits and the most comprehensive coverage in the Student Journey series, ideal for students who want extra peace of mind during their stay. It provides a maximum coverage of $500,000 with a $250 deductible per injury or illness, making it a strong choice for those seeking extensive medical protection while studying abroad.
StudentSecure insurance from WorldTrips is a well-known international student health insurance option offering four levels of coverage Smart, Budget, Select, and Elite—to suit various needs and budgets. These plans are designed for F-1 and J-1 visa holders and meet many university insurance requirements. All levels provide coverage for illness, injury, hospitalization, and emergency services. Plans also include mental health benefits, emergency medical evacuation, and coverage for pre-existing conditions after a waiting period.
StudentSecure Smart is the most affordable plan in the StudentSecure series and is ideal for students looking for the cheapest insurance that meets school waiver requirements. It offers a maximum coverage of $200,000 with a $0 deductible per injury or illness, making it a practical choice for basic protection on a tight budget.
StudentSecure Budget adds higher benefit limits and more covered services compared to the Smart plan. It provides a maximum coverage of $500,000 with a $0 deductible per injury or illness, making it a good mid-range option for students who want broader protection while still keeping costs under control.
StudentSecure Select is a more comprehensive plan offering additional features like maternity and mental health benefits. It includes a maximum coverage of $1,000,000 with a $0 deductible per injury or illness (in-network), making it ideal for students who prefer well-rounded coverage with lower out-of-pocket costs.
StudentSecure Elite is the most extensive plan in the series, designed for students who want top-tier coverage and the highest benefit limits. It offers maximum coverage of $5,000,000 with a $0 deductible per injury or illness (in-network), making it the best choice for those seeking premium-level protection during their academic journey abroad.
Student Health Advantage is a comprehensive international student insurance plan designed for students, scholars, and participants in long-term academic or cultural exchange programs. This plan offers a strong package of benefits, making it a reliable alternative to many university-sponsored health plans. It provides coverage for illness, injuries, hospitalization, emergency services, mental health, and organized sports. It is also renewable for up to 5 years, with optional coverage available for spouses and dependents. A key feature of this plan is coverage for pre-existing conditions after 12 months of continuous coverage, making it a solid choice for long-term students.
Student Health Advantage Standard insurance is ideal for students who need dependable, long-term medical coverage with essential benefits and the flexibility to extend coverage year after year. It includes a maximum coverage of $500,000 with a $250 deductible per injury or illness, making it suitable for international students looking for a balance of affordability and benefits.
Student Health Advantage Platinum insurance ioffers the highest level of protection in the Student Health Advantage series. It builds on the Standard plan by adding maternity coverage and pre-existing condition coverage after just 6 months (instead of 12). With a maximum coverage of $1,000,000 and a $100 deductible per injury or illness, it is ideal for students who need comprehensive coverage or who must meet stricter university health insurance waiver requirements, including maternity or shorter waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.
Patriot Exchange insurance is a flexible, benefit-rich international student insurance plan designed for students and cultural exchange participants. It’s especially ideal for those looking to meet U.S. J-1/J-2 visa health insurance requirements, as well as many school waiver requirements for F-1, F-2, M-1, and M-2 visa holders. This plan offers broader coverage than entry-level options like Student Journey, while still remaining affordable for students and exchange visitors.
The plan allows you to select a maximum limit per injury/illness ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, depending on your budget and coverage needs. The deductible typically starts at $100 per injury or illness. Once your maximum limit is reached, the insured is responsible for additional costs, so it's ideal for those wanting more protection without going fully comprehensive.
Patriot Exchange is a great mid-range plan for students and cultural exchange participants who want more than basic protection but do not need the high limits or added features of premium plans like Student Health Advantage Platinum.
It includes valuable benefits such as coverage for physician and student health center visits, hospitalization, emergency care, mental and nervous disorder treatment, and emergency medical evacuation and repatriation. The plan also offers limited pre-existing condition coverage (up to $500 after 12 months) and optional coverage for spouses and dependents, making it a well-rounded choice for those seeking reliable, affordable coverage during their academic or cultural exchange program.
Choosing the right health insurance plan is essential for international students studying in the United States. With so many options available, it can be challenging to compare coverage limits, monthly costs, deductibles, and how pre-existing conditions are handled. The table below provides a clear side-by-side comparison of some of the most popular student health insurance plans tailored for international students. Whether you’re looking for the most affordable monthly premium, the highest coverage amount, or flexible payment options, this chart will help you decide which plan best fits your health needs and budget while studying in the U.S.
Costs are based on quotes for 20-year-old students traveling to the USA| Plan name | Max coverage | Deductible | Pre-existing coverage | Monthly cost | Yearly cost | Payment option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Journey Lite | $150,000 per injury/illness | $100 | Covered after 6 months | $30 | $360 | Annual payment |
| StudentSecure Smart | $200,000 overall maximum | $0 | Not covered | $32 | $372 | Monthly/ Annual |
| Student Journey Plus | $300,000 per injury/illness | $500 | Covered after 6 months | $48 | $576 | Annual payment |
| StudentSecure Budget | $500,000 overall maximum | $0 | Covered after 12 months | $53 | $624 | Monthly/Annual |
| Patriot Exchange Program | $500,000 overall maximum | $500 | Covered after 12 months | $66 | $794 | Annual payment |
| Student Joureny Platinum | $500,000 per injury/illness | $250 | Covered after 6 months | $74 | $888 | Annual payment |
| Student health advantage standard | $500,000 overall maximum | $250 | Covered after 12 months | $95 | $1146 | Monthly/ Annual |
| StudentSecure Select | $1,000,000 overall maximum | $0 | Covered after 6 months | $106 | $1248 | Monthly/ Annual |
| StudentSecure Elite | $5,000,000 overall maximum | $0 | Covered after 6 months | $181 | $2135 | Monthly/ Annual |
| Student Health Advantage Platinum | $1,000,000 overall maximum | $100 | Covered after 6 months | $282 | $3,389 | Monthly/ Annual |
Source: American Visitor Insurance®
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Choosing the right health insurance plan as an international student can be overwhelming, but this comparison helps you make an informed decision based on coverage, deductible, pre-existing condition benefits, cost, and payment flexibility.
Whether you’re looking for the cheapest insurance, the most comprehensive coverage, or something in between, this page helps you compare the top student plans side by side.
The best plan depends on your needs. If you're looking for affordability, Student Journey Lite starts at just $30/month. For higher coverage and benefits, StudentSecure Elite and Student Health Advantage Platinum offer premium features including pre-existing condition coverage, telehealth, and more.
Yes. Many plans offer both monthly and annual payment options. Some, like Student Journey Lite, require annual payment, while others like StudentSecure Select and Elite allow monthly installments.
Most plans cover pre-existing conditions after a waiting period (6–12 months). For example, StudentSecure Elite covers them after 6 months, while StudentSecure Budget covers them after 12 months.
Student Journey Lite is one of the most affordable options, starting at $30/month with $150,000 per injury/illness coverage.
Plans like StudentSecure Elite and Student Health Advantage Platinum offer coverage up to $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. These are recommended for students who want strong protection against unexpected serious illnesses or accidents.
Yes, Student Journey Lite starts at just $30/month, and StudentSecure Budget is around $48/month for a 20-year-old student. These are among the most budget-friendly options available for basic coverage.
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