Every year, lakhs of students go abroad to pursue higher education in the USA. Though the journey brings a lot of growth opportunities, it also brings a fair share of uncertainties and challenges.
One of the major challenges is unpredictable health emergencies. Sickness and disease are part and parcel of life, but in the USA, even a minor disease could become a huge financial expense because of the extremely high costs of private healthcare.
This is exactly why health insurance becomes vital for students. All F1 visa students studying in the USA mandatorily require health insurance.
However, students can find the right insurance plans that can cover all their medical and healthcare needs in the USA, be compatible with their university, and still cost less than most plans.
In this guide, we will walk you through the F1 student health insurance requirements, the different types of plans available, and how you can find the best health insurance plan.
What is F1 student health insurance?
An F1 student health insurance is an international health insurance policy designed for students pursuing higher studies in the USA on an F1 visa. While the U.S. government doesn’t mandate health insurance for F1 visa holders, most universities have made it a requirement.
This is because medical care in the USA is very expensive and complex, and without the coverage, students might not be able to afford even basic healthcare treatments, let alone unexpected medical emergencies. Hence, universities will require you to show proof of health insurance when you arrive in the USA for studies.
An F1 health insurance covers various types of expenses like hospital bills, emergency services, consultation fees, and even prescription medications. It means you can access quality healthcare in the USA without having to think twice about overwhelming bills.
As an F1 student, you have two ways to obtain F1 health insurance. One is directly enrolling into the insurance plan set by the university or choosing a plan from any private insurance provider. Let us break down each option and see which one works for you.
University-sponsored insurance plans
A university-sponsored insurance plan automatically enrolls students during the admission process.
Once enrolled, students can access all the on-campus medical facilities provided by the Student Health Centre and take advantage of healthcare services such as routine check-ups, basic dental and vision care, treatment for accidents, and other non-severe emergencies.
Private Insurance plans
You can also choose any private insurance provider. However, you must meet the criteria set by the university before opting for F1 health insurance from a private health insurance provider.
Now, let us take a closer look at the requirements for international students to obtain health insurance.
Also Read: Study Abroad Guide for Indian Students 2024
Requirements for F1 student health insurance
The U.S. Department of State does not set specific health insurance requirements for F1 student visa holders. Typically, it is the university’s responsibility to place you under an appropriate health insurance plan and ensure that you have access to basic healthcare services during your studies in the USA.
Universities offer their own health insurance plans, enrolling students automatically during the admission process. Students don’t need to meet additional requirements, as an active F1 visa is sufficient. However, if you hold a J-1 visa, you are exempt from university-based health insurance plans and are required to purchase private health insurance.
As an F-1 student, if you opt for a private health insurance provider instead of a university-based insurance plan, you’ll have to make sure it meets the criteria set by the university.
Here are the key requirements that you must keep in mind while choosing your private F1 health insurance plan:
- Minimum coverage limit
Suppose you are an F1 student visa holder opting for a private insurance provider. In that case, you must show a coverage limit that is as comprehensive as your university’s insurance plan.
You should have a limited coverage worth between $50,000 and $80,000 per policy year.
This shows that you have the necessary amount to cover any medical emergency bill during the stated year when your policy is active.
- What should your insurance cover?
Private international health insurance for students studying abroad should cover all basic healthcare expenses like regular check-ups and specialist consultation charges, emergency room visits, vision or dental care, prescription medication, and even mental health counseling.
Your insurance must also cover in-patient and out-patient fees, including the cost of your medications. Some universities mandate private insurance plans that include services like emergency medical evacuation or repatriation in case of death.
So, it’s advisable to check with your private insurance provider for these coverages and then select them. The more coverage, the better the insurance plan, as it lowers your out-of-pocket expenses.
- Meeting university requirements
If you’re going with a private insurance plan instead of the university’s, double-check that it meets all its criteria.
This usually involves submitting proof of coverage and possibly filling out a waiver form. Missing these steps can cause enrollment issues or even affect your student status, so stay on top of the paperwork.
With the right plan, you can focus on your studies without worrying about what happens if you get sick or injured.
Also Read: International Student Health Insurance USA 2024: Complete Guide
Advantages of F1 student health insurance
Healthcare insurance greatly benefits students studying in the United States. Let us see how.
Financial coverage for high medical costs
Healthcare in the USA is very expensive. Even simple routine visits or minor procedures can cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills. This is where the student health insurance comes in.
These insurance companies have the funds required to cover those unforeseen expenses; thus, you can treat yourself without worrying about the costs.
Access to quality healthcare services
Health care is cheaper when you have insurance, and students with health insurance can pick and choose among the various healthcare providers offered in a wide network of specialists and hospitals, both on-campus as well as off-campus.
The right coverage helps ensure you receive quality healthcare — whether through a routine check-up, mental health care, or specialty treatment.
Coverage for preventive care
Most F1 student health insurance plans have provisions to include preventive care as well; this includes vaccinations, screening, and wellness check-ups.
Preventive care to keep you healthy and identify problems early when they are easier to handle will give you peace of mind as a student so that you can focus on your studies.
Compliance with university requirements
Most universities in the USA make health insurance a must for international students.
Being in compliance with this means that you will be exempted from any administrative holds, which could prevent your enrollment and access to facilities on campus; having the F1 student health insurance will make sure you meet these requirements.
Covers all your medical needs
F1 student health insurance plans offer a range of coverage for your healthcare needs. They cover in-hospital treatment or surgery for critical problems if required.
You can also avail emergency medical treatment for accidents or sudden illnesses, covering the prescription cost of medicines.
International health insurance also covers your evacuation costs in case you are suffering from grave illness or injury and repatriation of remains if necessary.
Whether you opt for a plan through your university or buy one from an insurance company, there are enough choices to help you find the right plan for both your health and wallet. This flexibility allows you to opt for coverage that meets your unique needs.
However, many students end up paying for plans that don’t match their needs, leading to wasted money. Failing to pick the right plan can even jeopardize your admission into the university, potentially affecting your F1 visa status.
This is one of the many phases of your study-abroad journey where GradRight steps in. GradRight assists you in selecting the best insurance plan that supports your study in the USA by ensuring it meets both your financial and medical needs.
Also Read: Insurance on education loan
Why choose GragRight for the best F1 student health insurance?
With GradRight, you can easily compare healplans from top medical insurance providers and select the ones that match your and your university’s requirements. This way, you won’t have to spend extra time researching and confirming every little detail while comparing different insurance plans from different providers.
With GradRight, you can opt for a budget-friendly option that can help you save up to ₹3 lakhs per year without worrying about the quality of service you’ll get.
All the insurance plans listed by GradRight are preferred and often accepted by universities in the USA. All the plans are from trusted insurance providers like United Healthcare and Aetna, which are mostly renowned for their coverage.
Choose GradRight to confidently select the right health insurance and focus on what matters most—your education. Sign up today!
FAQs
No, it’s not necessary for international students to possess travel insurance. However, you must have a kind of health insurance that can cover one or more emergency visits and offers coverage for travel-related emergencies or incidents while you live in the USA.
The F1 Student Policy in the USA is related to governing rules and regulations for international students, those studying towards their academic degrees or foreign language training programs, at accredited institutions. In brief, the F1 student policy looks into various aspects, such as admissions of the students, their work authorization in the USA, their duration of stay, and maintaining the student’s full-time F1 visa status in the USA. If students don’t follow the prescribed rules and regulations, they will face harsh consequences, even leading to deportation.
There are three different types of insurance plans for F-1 students offered by the universities: One is a mandatory group plan that mandates the F-1 student visa to join the university plan itself, another one is a voluntary plan where you can waive off and select a private insurance plan if the university insurance plan isn’t compatible to your needs or requirements. The last one is a completely voluntary plan where you’ll have to purchase a student health insurance plan from outside.
No, you cannot use the Indian health insurance plan in the USA. You must buy separate coverage for traveling abroad and studying there for a stipulated period.
