Here’s All You Need To Know About GradRight’s Student Health Insurance for the USA

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Shireen Parhee

Lead, Content Marketing

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Studying in the USA offers students great excitement and opportunity. The journey, however, can be overwhelming. With so many things to do, finding out the right health insurance should not be an additional cause for stress. There are so many choices and terms that it’s easy to get lost. 

So, we’ve put together a guide to help you pick an insurance plan that covers you for what you need, what the university mandates, and still doesn’t cost you a lot. 

In this guide, we will explain all the basic things regarding student health insurance in the USA, what types of plans exist, what terms you may encounter in insurance, and how to choose a plan in accordance with your university guidelines. 

Student Health Insurance for the USA

What is International student health insurance?

International student health insurance is unique health coverage intended for students studying outside their home country. It offers necessary financial backing for students to receive medical help in a foreign country without worrying about extreme expenses. 

This kind of insurance is very important for Indians when they come to the USA. As an international student, you’ll have multiple options to choose from, ranging from university-based to private-based insurance providers. There are a range of services that international students can avail:

  • Emergency care
  • Inpatient treatments
  • Checkups with a doctor
  • Medications
  • Referrals to specialists
  • Counseling and mental health needs 

Let’s understand more about the importance of student medical health insurance in the USA.

Also Read: Study Abroad Guide for Indian Students 2024

Importance of health insurance in the USA

Health insurance might seem like an annoying expense, but it can easily become the most important aspect of your study-abroad experience, in case you need medical help. Here is an overview of why health insurance is so important in the USA. 

Financial protection

Health insurance saves students from the costs connected with the treatment like hospitalization, surgery, or care. The absence of health insurance can leave a student with bills of several thousands of dollars, which can even lead them into debt and bankruptcy.

Access to diagnostic and preventive care

Health insurance plans help students benefit from routine health services like check-ups and vaccinations with no difficulties.

Peace of mind

The costs of medical treatments in the USA are very high. So, for anyone not adequately insured, the risk of unmanageable medical expenses can soon become a cause of anxiety. Students can function much better without having to be fearful of something as normal as falling sick a couple of times a year. Medical insurance offers them the freedom to save themselves from this anxiety. 

Next, let’s learn more about the different types of health insurance plans.

Types of student health insurance plans

Below, we have listed some of the most common student health insurance options available in the USA. 

University-sponsored health insurance plans

Many universities have their own health insurance plans, like the UC SHIP (University of California Student Health Insurance Plan) or NYU Student Health Insurance. 

These plans usually provide good coverage, including services from on-campus health centers and emergency rooms. But these university-sponsored health insurance plans can be slightly on the expensive end, and also may not cover end-to-end health care. So, if you are unsatisfied with the deal, you can look for alternatives with extensive coverage. 

International student health insurance plans

If you’re not satisfied with the university-based insurance plans, you can shop around and purchase a private medical insurance plan. Some of the popular ones are ISO Student Health Insurance and StudentSecure by HCCMIS.

These usually include emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, regular check-ups, and repatriation. 

The choice of the right health insurance plan depends on your personal healthcare needs, budget, and university requirements. Comparing premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs is important to ensure they fit your budget.

Typically, students can expect to find a medical insurance plan that matches the provisions and coverage of their university-backed insurance plan but is available at a better price. However, this search can be complicated. Often, hidden terms can make the plan more expensive in the long run, even if the monthly premium seems lower. That’s why most students end up overpaying for medical insurance.

In the next section, we’ll explain how GradRight can help. We will also show you how to use GradRight to find a private medical insurance plan that:

  • Has the same coverage as mandated by your university
  • It is available at a significantly lower price

Also Read: International Student Health Insurance USA 2024: Complete Guide

Why GradRight for Health Insurance?

GradRight makes it easy for you to find affordable health insurance that is acceptable to your university and visa requirements. When you sign up with GradRight, you will be selecting plans from top insurance providers. 

Here are some reasons why GradRight is an excellent choice for international students: 

Compliance with university and visa requirements

One of the biggest challenges international students face is finding a health insurance policy that complies with the requirements set by their university.

GradRight has partnered up with globally recognized insurance providers like IMG Global, Patriot Exchange Program, Cigna Global, Allianz Worldwide Care, etc, to provide plans that comply with the unique coverage requirements of universities in the United States.

Easy plan comparisons  

GradRight compares different policies based on your study destination, university guidelines, program duration, and even personal health concerns and matches you with the best-suited health insurance plans. So, you don’t have to struggle with breaking down complex words or understanding any terminologies. It answers your key questions like: 

  • What are the maximum coverage limits on emergency medical expenses, hospital stays, and outpatient treatments?
  • Does your health insurance cover preventive care and mental health support?
  • Does the insurance policy have repatriation and evacuation services?
  • Does the insurance cover dental and vision care?
  • Whether the insurance have low deductibles and allow co-pays?

Affordable pricing and flexible payments

GradRight ensures you don’t just get the best coverage, but also the most cost-effective options. By negotiating exclusive rates with top insurers, GradRight offers robust policies at prices designed to fit a student’s budget. With GradRight, you can take advantage of:

  • Student discounts and promotions are usually not available through insurance brokers
  • Helps you with the waiver application process, if any
  • Gives you access to flexible payment plans based on your financial requirements 

In this way, GradRight helps you save up to ₹3 lakhs per year, or even more, on your medical insurance. 

With 2025 fall admissions just around the corner, now is the best time to get started on your research about choosing the best international health insurance in the USA. 

All you have to do is sign up for GradRight, which is completely free and will do all the legwork for you. Through our user-friendly online platform, students can:

  • Fill out their application in minutes by attaching the necessary forms and selecting their coverage options.
  • Get an immediate policy confirmation and an electronic insurance card they could send to their university and visa office.
  • Track all of their policy details on GradRight’s dashboard so they can easily access their insurance documents and receive renewal reminders.

This convenient process eliminates the runaround of students having to deal with insurance applications from normal brokers and guarantees that they are insured before they leave. 

Students can have peace of mind knowing that their health is covered and their financial exposure is as minimal as possible with GradRight.

Also Read: Insurance on education loan

How to buy medical insurance via GradRight?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you secure the best protection for your time in the USA:

Step 1: Visit the GradRight website

First, go to the GradRight website and navigate to the “Resources” section on the header. 

Step 2: Click “GradOn” option

This option allows you to explore different value-added services like student health insurance, Forex, travel cards, and accommodation.

Step 3: Select “Student Health Insurance” 

Gradright student health insurance

Source

Select a plan that best suits your healthcare requirements and financial situation. GradRight offers various customization options, such as deductible amounts and co-pay options. If you’re unsure which plan is right for you, contact our support team, who will help you make an informed decision.

Step 4: Apply and submit the application form

Gradright Student health insurance book expert call

Source

Fill out the online application form with your personal details, including your name, date of birth, university, and enrollment details. Make sure to provide accurate information to avoid any issues with your coverage.

Follow these steps, and you can easily find comprehensive health coverage through GradRight.

Visit GradRight and get started today.

FAQs

Do you need health insurance for an F1 visa?

Although health insurance is not technically a requirement for an F1 visa, just about every university in the United States will insist that you have it before you are allowed to register. Medical bills can be extremely high in the USA and it is very important to have coverage in case of an unexpected illness or injury.

Which is better: a university health insurance plan or a plan found through  GradRight?

Most university health plans almost provide the utmost coverage, but they are extremely expensive. GradRight helps you find similar coverage through trusted insurance providers, often at a significantly lower cost—saving you anywhere from 2 to 3 lakhs per year. Also, a lot of the plans you find on GradRight satisfy the university’s waiver stipulations, so you can avoid the very costly university plan but still have the required coverage.

What are the requirements for health insurance in the USA?

The health insurance requirements for international students differ from one university to another, but as a general rule, your plan must cover inpatient and outpatient care, emergency services, and psychological counseling. Many universities also insist on medical evacuation and repatriation coverage.

Which is the best health insurance in the USA?

The best health insurance is one that meets your needs and budget. However, if you’re seeking options, then some of the best health insurance providers for international students in the USA are StudentSecure, Patriot Exchange, Diplomat America, and Geoblue Navigator. These health insurance providers are the most sought-after options for international students while moving to the USA. However, the best coverage does not mean the best insurance, because you could easily end up overpaying several thousands of dollars. We strongly recommend you try out comparing medical insurance plans via GradRight. Students have saved up to  ₹3 lakhs per year this way.

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About the author

Picture of Shireen Parhee

Shireen Parhee

Lead, Content Marketing

A creative producer turned content marketeer, Shireen has a flair for weaving words into compelling stories and bringing them to life through captivating videos. A vivacious leader, she naturally inspires her team, driving them to surpass expectations with her positive energy and insightful feedback. Boasting over a decade of experience across different forms of media, she is on a mission to create memorable content that will leave a lasting impact for years to come.

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