Health Insurance for Students or Scholars
Save thousands of dollars with the insurance plans listed below. Most universities offer insurance plans but allow students to waive them if they purchase an alternative plan that meets the school’s requirements.
Our pick for: Simplicity and value
Our top pick: We recommend CampusSIMs as the best overall option for most students and scholars. Their plans provide the best value, and we love the simplicity of the sign up process.
🔥 MOST POPULAR Alliant  | ISO  | Avg University Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
Price | Starting at: $116 | Starting at: $31 | Average: $245 |
Annual Maximum Benefit | $500,000 | $400,000 Per sickness maximum: $150,000 | Varies |
Network | UnitedHealthcare | Aetna PPO | Varies |
Student Health Center Co-pay | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Coinsurance | 80% in Network60% Out of Network | 100% up to daily benefit limits | Typically 80% – 100% |
Deductible | $350 | $100 | $100 – $500 |
Pre-existing Conditions | After 6 months | After 6 months | Typically after 6 months |
Mental Health Services | In-patient 30-day maxOut-patient 30-visit max | Unsure | Varies |
Medical Evacuation | 100% of covered expenses | Up to $60,000 | $50,000 – $250,000 |
Out-of-Pocket Maximum | $5,000 | $6,250 | $2,000 – $7,500 per year |
Co-payments | $25 | Varies | Typically $10 – $50 per visit |
ER Co-Payments | $150 (waived if admitted) | $350 | $100 – $500 per visit |
Prescription Drug Benefits | GENERIC:$20 copayCONTRACEPTIVE: $15 copay All other: $50 copay | Varies | |
Repatriation | 100% of covered expenses | Up to $50,000 | $25,000 – $100,000 |
Health Insurance Terms to Know
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Deductible: The amount you pay upfront before your insurance starts covering costs.
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Co-Insurance: The cost you share with your insurer after the deductible (e.g., 80/20 split).
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Out-of-pocket maximum: The most you'll have to pay in a year. Once you reach this limit, insurance covers 100% of your costs.
Our pick for: Comprehensive Coverage
Alliant connects international students and scholars on F-1 and J-1 visas with top-tier health insurance plans designed specifically for non-U.S. citizens studying or residing in the United States. These plans offer financial protection in case of unexpected medical emergencies and provide access to healthcare services within the UnitedHealthcare network, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription medications.
4.8 Homebase rating
Our pick for: Affordability
ISO was created by international students in 1958 and is the largest international student and scholar insurance provider.
They have plans for International students, J-1 visa holders, OPT, Dependents and non-students
4.6 Homebase rating
✔ Affordable and comprehensive coverage - the more affordable coverage available.
✔ ISO covers you anywhere in the USA and worldwide with access to over one million doctors. A complete worry-free process!
✔ Multilingual support team so you can likely be helped in your native language
✔ Covers students at more than 2,500 schools in the U.S.
✔ Easily see if you are eligible to waive your university’s insurance
✘ Lower premium plans do not offer as many benefits and you may have to pay more out of pocket if you need medical care.
✅ Our top pick: Simplicity and value
Kimber Health
Summary
4.5 Homebase rating
✅ Get Connected Before Arriving
CampusSIMs allows international students to sign up for a phone plan online before arriving in the U.S. using a U.S. or foreign credit card, PayPal, or Venmo so you're connected as soon as you land.
✅ Get a Free SIM Card
CampusSIMs is compatible with both eSIMs and physical SIM cards. Physical SIM cards can be mailed to you for free if requested. You can order a free SIM card here.
✅ Best 5G Coverage
CampusSIMs provides service through T-Mobile which independent organizations such as Opensignal and Whistleout rank as the best 5G network in the U.S. in terms of both coverage and speed.
✅ Best Value
Offering the best 5G coverage, fastest connection, and a free SIM card starting at only $15per month, CampusSIMs provides the best value for those looking to save without sacrificing the essentials.
✅ Free Unlimited International Texting To Most Countries
All plans include unlimited calling and texting to Mexico and Canada. Create an account here to see country-specific rates for calling and texting.
✅ Discounted 3 Month Trial
You can try CampusSIMs for 3 months and if you choose to sign up for an annual plan you can keep your discounted price.
❌ Upfront Payment for Annual Plans
To get the best deals with CampusSIMs, you’ll need to pay the total cost of an annual plan when renewing. New customers can pay for 3 months at $15per month before deciding whether to renew for a year to keep the same price.
❌ Data Caps On Unlimited Plans
Unlimited plans are allotted 40GBper month of 5G or 4G LTE after which the service will be capped at 3G speeds (512kbps) until the new monthly period begins. Limited plans get capped at 2G speeds (128 kbps) once data limits are passed after which you can add 1GB for $10 or 3GB for $20.
Frequently Asked Questions
When selecting a health insurance plan, keep these key points in mind:
- Coverage: Ensure the plan includes essential medical services like doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency treatment, and prescription medications.
- University Requirements: Some schools have specific health insurance requirements. ISO offers affordable plans, and you can check on their website if they provide a waiver-compliant plan for your university.
- Cost: Consider both the premium (monthly payment) and deductible (the out-of-pocket amount you must pay before coverage begins).
- Network Availability: Make sure the plan includes a broad network of doctors and hospitals in your area. Insurance providers typically list covered providers on their websites.
- Additional Perks: Some plans may offer mental health services, dental, or vision care.
- Special Options: If you're studying in New York, you might qualify for Kimber Health’s Essential Plan, a $0-cost health insurance option for eligible residents—ideal for students on a budget.
Most insurance providers offer an online directory or search tool to help you locate in-network healthcare facilities. Here are two resources:
- Alliant: https://www.whyuhc.com/us1
- ISO Health Insurance: ISO Health Insurance Provider Search
- Kimber Health: Kimber Health Provider List
Certain international insurance policies offer coverage in the U.S., but many do not meet university or provider requirements. Even if your plan offers coverage, you must confirm whether U.S. doctors and hospitals will accept it. Many schools mandate students to have a U.S.-based health plan to ensure adequate coverage, making it essential to review your university’s policy before relying on foreign insurance.
- Keep Your Insurance Card Handy – Always have your physical or digital insurance card with you.
- Choose an In-Network Provider – This helps lower costs and ensures coverage.
- Show Your Insurance Card at Check-In – The receptionist or billing office will need it to process your visit.
- Make Any Required Payments – Depending on your plan, you might need to pay a co-pay upfront or meet your deductible before insurance starts covering expenses.
Review Your Bill – After the visit, your healthcare provider will bill your insurance company. If there’s a balance left to pay, you will receive a statement for the remaining amount.
- In-Network Providers: These are doctors, hospitals, and healthcare facilities that have a contract with your insurance company, allowing you to receive medical services at a lower cost. Plans like ISO include access to a large network of providers to help reduce expenses.
- Out-of-Network Providers: These providers do not have agreements with your insurance, which often means significantly higher costs—or, in some cases, no coverage at all.
- Co-Pay: A set fee you pay when receiving medical services—such as $20 for a doctor’s visit—regardless of the actual bill amount.
- Co-Insurance: A shared cost system where you pay a percentage of the bill after meeting your deductible. For instance, if your co-insurance is 20%, you cover 20% of the costs, and your insurer pays the remaining 80%.
Get Started Today
Don’t wait until you arrive in the U.S. to set up your bank account.