Health insurance is a vital requirement for international students before they move to the USA to study.
First, let’s address the most fundamental question: Why is health insurance necessary for international students?
This is because medical services in the USA are extremely expensive. Without insurance, even a minor medical issue could lead to bills so high that it might disrupt your studies.
Most universities require international students to have adequate health insurance before they arrive in the USA. Not only is it necessary, but it also represents a significant cost for students. That’s why we’ve created this guide to answer all your questions about health insurance as an international student in the USA.
Do international students need health insurance in the USA?
Every country has a different way of managing its healthcare. It takes a while for international students to figure out these systems and how to adjust to them as they try to get used to their campus life.
The USA, which has some of the best healthcare facilities in the world, doesn’t provide universal healthcare. Universal healthcare means that all people should have access to health services whenever and wherever required without any financial constraints.
But in the USA, even a routine doctor’s visit or a minor medical emergency can lead to huge bills. The whole point of mandating healthcare insurance is to free students from the unwanted stress of high bills and easily access medical care. So, health insurance is not merely an added expense; it’s your safety net.
Although the U.S. government doesn’t mandate that F-1 students have international student health insurance, almost every university in the USA requires international students to be insured in order to attend classes. So, if you are an international student on an F-1 visa, you will be required to have health insurance.
Colleges and universities make it necessary that students have at least a certain defined level of insurance coverage (whether it be through the school plan, a private plan, or your parent’s health insurance).
International students’ medical insurance covers the following aspects:
- Checkups with your doctor
- Emergency room costs
- Medications
- Referrals to specialists, such as physical therapy
- Counseling and mental health needs
This is not a complete list; each plan is different, so you will need to ensure you understand what your specific plan covers.
Also Read: Study Abroad Guide for Indian Students 2024
Requirements depend on the visa category
According to the U.S. government, not all international student health insurance requirements are the same. They differ depending on different visa types.
Some of the visa insurance requirements are only enforced at the university level, yet other visas like M-1 should be covered by private insurance providers only.
Let’s understand below to see what rules students studying under each visa type must satisfy:
J-1 & J-2 visa health insurance requirements
J-1 and J-2 visa holders are required to have medical insurance when in the USA. The U.S. government also requires that these health insurance plans meet the following criteria:
- At least $100,000 in medical benefits per accident or illness.
- Repatriation coverage of at least $25,000.
- Medical emergency evacuation to your home country, with coverage of at least $50,000.
F-1 & F-2 visa health insurance requirements
According to the US Department of State, F-1 or F-2 visa holders are not required to have medical insurance, but the international student’s university usually does.
Even if your program doesn’t explicitly require health insurance, it is highly recommended due to the high cost of medical care in the USA. Paying out-of-pocket for medical services could severely impact your ability to continue your studies abroad.
Other visa health insurance requirements
If you are traveling with dependents, they must meet the health insurance requirements of the U.S. Department of State. For example, J-2 dependents of J-1 visa holders must also have insurance. So remember to call your university in the USA and make sure that you comply with international students’ insurance requirements.
Healthcare Policies in the USA
The healthcare system in the USA is primarily private, and there is no public or universal health coverage for most residents, including international students. As an F-1 visa holder, you are not eligible for federal healthcare programs like Medicare or Medicaid. You will likely rely on university-provided or private health insurance plans for your medical needs.
University-backed plans
Many universities offer their own health insurance plans that are designed specifically for their students, including international students. These plans meet the university’s requirements and provide access to on-campus health services. These tend to be extensive and cover almost all aspects of medical care, from hospitalization to mental health and medication.
It’s important to check with your university to understand their specific requirements. Some schools will nudge you towards their health insurance plan but know that they have to waive the requirement if you can prove that you have equivalent coverage from another source.
Private insurance plans
If the university-backed insurance plan doesn’t meet your needs, you can apply for private insurance. However, it must be compliant and meet the university’s acceptance criteria, which always requires coverage for emergency care and repatriation.
Before arriving in the USA, review your options, understand your university’s health insurance policy, and choose a comprehensive coverage plan for your entire stay.
If you don’t opt for health insurance or do not comply with your university’s health insurance requirements, it could result in a hold on your enrollment, which could subsequently impact your visa status and ability to stay in the country legally.
So, it’s important to understand that maintaining health insurance is closely tied to keeping your student status in the USA.
Also Read: International Student Health Insurance USA 2024: Complete Guide
Universities Offering Their Own Insurance Plans
Here are the universities with their insurance plan:
- University of California System (UC System)
The UC SHIP (University of California Student Health Insurance Plan) is offered across all UC campuses, including Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego. It covers medical, dental, and vision services and provides direct access to on-campus student health centers.
Its coverage includes preventive care, mental health services, and speciality care, with referrals available for off-campus specialists. This plan also includes coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation for international students.
- New York University (NYU)
NYU offers two health insurance options: the Basic and Comprehensive Plans. The other plan (which is what all international students have) covers 100% of most in-network services, including hospitalization and emergency care, after a $500 deductible.
It also includes unlimited access to NYU’s Student Health Center for routine medical visits and mental health counseling. Its coverage is automatically applied to all full-time students, with an option to waive if comparable insurance is provided.
- University of Southern California (USC)
USC ‘s Student Health Insurance Plan covers everything, including unrestricted access to the Engemann Student Health Center and the Eric Cohen Student Health Center for routine checkups, mental health, and prescription drugs. The plan has a $300 deductible and covers 90% of in-network costs after the deductible is met.
ER and inpatient are covered at 90% in the network, which is good for students needing more comprehensive coverage.
- Columbia University
Columbia has teamed up with Aetna to provide the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan, which provides very comprehensive coverage, including 100% coverage for most preventive services and emergency room visits (with a $100 copay).
It also provides counseling and mental health therapy, covering up to 100 visits in a policy year. This plan also covers gender-affirming surgeries and fertility treatments, one of the more comprehensive student health plans out there.
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Student Insurance plan at the University of Illinois includes many types of coverage like hospitalizations, emergency care, and specialty services.
Students have direct access to the McKinley Health Center on campus for routine care, with referrals available for off-campus specialists. The plan also includes emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage.
- University of Michigan
The University of Michigan Student Health Insurance Plan, run by Blue Care Network (BCN), includes preventive care, hospitalizations, mental health services, and prescription drugs.
The plan includes access to the University Health Service (UHS) for most routine and urgent care needs, with no additional copay for office visits. There is also prescription coverage with a three-tier copay plan, so medications are much more affordable for students.
- University of Texas at Austin
UT Austin’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, includes routine and preventive care, hospitalizations, and emergency services. It has a $350 deductible and then pays 80% of everything in the network except most drugs.
Effects of lack of health insurance for international students
High out-of-pocket costs
Healthcare in the USA is notoriously expensive. So, without any insurance, you will be responsible for paying the full cost of any medical services you receive.
Besides routine doctor’s visits that can already cost several hundred dollars, emergency room visits or hospital stays can cause high out-of-pocket costs.
Hence, for students managing tight budgets, these prices can be very debilitating and cause severe financial stress or even debt.
Risk of deportation
Your health insurance can affect your visa status hence, if you don’t have health insurance or fail to fulfill the requirements set by the university. In that case, you can face administrative consequences that may also put you at risk of visa termination.
Mental health impact
The stress of not having health insurance can take a toll on mental well-being. To begin with, international students have special problems to deal with, like cultural adjustment, studies, and homesickness. The constant fear of an impending medical expense can be very disturbing.
Difficulty in managing chronic conditions
Prescriptions, constant doctor visits, and indispensable treatments all add up, and without insurance, people go unchecked, and their medical problems go unmanaged, which can eventually interfere with their studies and life in general.
Emergency situations
Emergency medical services in the USA can be extremely costly, and without insurance, students may find themselves facing enormous bills that could affect their financial stability for years.
So, finally, we can see that International students studying in the USA without health insurance can be subjected to extreme financial, medical, academic, and legal consequences.
Hence, securing adequate health insurance is essential for safeguarding health and well-being during their time in the USA.
How to get the right health insurance for international students?
If you are still wondering how to apply for health insurance in the USA as an international student, here are some pointers:
- The first thing you need to do is find out from your university or college (that you are planning on attending) if they have a group health insurance plan.
- Second, ask them if the cost of the insurance plan will be included in your tuition bills or if you have to pay it separately.
- See if the group insurance covers you, and if so, pay. If not, have them send you a waiver form (after you have found the right private medical insurance plan).
If your university does not provide an insurance plan, or the plan doesn’t cover everything you need, then you can apply for this insurance claim process in the USA.
- Research companies that offer health insurance for international students.
- Write down what you want out of a health insurance plan and see which companies offer the best package.
- Choose a plan that will suit all your needs and pay.
Therefore, if you are going to study in the USA, health insurance is not something that you can ignore. But picking the right plan can be overwhelming, especially when you’re bombarded with so many options. You know you might miss out on something really good or, even worse, pay a lot of money for a plan that doesn’t even provide what you need. Actually, some students end up paying up to ₹3 lakhs extra a year for making the wrong choice of plan.
That’s where GradRight comes in.
GradRight ensures you don’t waste your money on overpriced health insurance. By registering on GradRight, you can compare health insurance plans from companies within the USA, all of which meet your university’s requirements.
Here’s the best part: GradRight can help you find a plan that could save you up to ₹3 lakhs per year, or even more if you’re younger. All plans are backed by reputable insurance providers like United Healthcare and Aetna, ensuring you get the coverage you need—and that your university will accept.
Instead of worrying about overpaying or missing key components of your coverage, GradRight makes the process simple.
Enroll now and save on every aspect of your trip (including medical insurance) to a foreign university.
FAQs
Yes, you need health insurance for an F-1 visa.
Yes, you can travel to the USA without medical insurance; however, you cannot do so under the F-1 or J-1 visa.
No, there is no federal penalty for not having health insurance in the USA. However, suppose you’re going to the USA on an F-1 visa. In that case, you must have insurance; otherwise, the universities will put you up to administrative consequences that can deliberately affect your visa in the USA.
