Health insurance for F1 students in USA
Most international students are on F1 visas. Schools usually have regulations on insurance requirements for F1 students, usually one of the following three situations:
Mandatory school insurance. Schools will make it mandatory for all international students to purchase a group health insurance plan. The cost of which will be automatically added to the tuition fee. This group insurance usually provides very comprehensive coverage, but it can also be more expensive;
Allow Waive School Insurance. Some schools purchase school insurance for international students by default. But also allow students to shop for other insurance plans that meet the school’s requirements as an alternative. And waive the purchase of the school-provided insurance plan. The international students can shop for a more cost-effective health care plan and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Make sure to know their But make sure you know your school’s specific requirements first;
Some schools don’t provide international student health insurance plans for students. In this case, we suggests that you to buy an insurance plan that suits their needs. And having health insurance in the U.S. is the best protection for them.
Health insurance for J1 students in USA
The J1 Visiting Scholar visa is also a more common study visa. The U.S. government has minimum insurance requirements for J1/J2 visas, which are listed below:
1. Medical coverage of at least $100,000 per injury or illness;
2. $25,000 for repatriation of remains;
3. $50,000 for medical repatriation expenses;
4. A deductible not to exceed $500 per injury or illness;
And the insurance company that underwrites the medical benefits plan must also meet certain requirements.
Opt health insurance in USA
After graduation, international students with F1 visa can apply for OPT to work in usa. During the period of OPT, the school will not force them to buy insurance. Since they still belong to F1 visa, they can still buy some affordable health insurance for studying in the U.S. During the period of OPT, the international students can look for a job all over the U.S. The health insurance plan provided by the school will probably be no longer suitable for them because of different regions. At this time, international students can choose to buy U.S. health insurance according to their own needs. And OPT insurance no longer need to meet the requirements of the school, the choice is more flexible.