Health Insurance for International Students on an F-1 Visa

Since Columbus State does not sponsor or provide a student health insurance plan, F-1 international students are strongly encouraged to purchase private health insurance while studying in the U.S. Maintaining appropriate coverage is essential to ensure access to medical care and to protect both your health and your academic success.

Why Health Insurance Matters for F-1 International Students

• Financial Protection: Healthcare services in the U.S. are very expensive. Health insurance helps protect you from overwhelming costs by covering much of the expense of medical care.
• Access to Quality Care: Having health insurance gives you access to a network of healthcare providers, ensuring you can receive timely and appropriate medical treatment when needed.
• Pre-Existing Conditions: Many health insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions immediately and may impose a waiting period before such conditions are included. For this reason, it is important not to wait until you are sick to obtain insurance, as your condition may not be covered right away.

Choosing the Right Health Insurance Plan

When selecting a health insurance plan, international students should carefully consider the following factors:

• Coverage Scope: Review what the plan includes. Look for essential benefits such as hospitalization, emergency services, prescription medications, mental health services, and—if needed—dental and vision care.
• Cost Factors: Pay attention to the premium (the regular cost of the policy), deductible (the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before insurance starts covering costs), co-payments, and co-insurance. Make sure the plan fits within your budget.
• Provider Network: Ensure the plan’s network includes healthcare providers in your area, including general practitioners, specialists, hospitals, and clinics.
• Policy Flexibility: Consider whether the plan allows flexible payment options and easy cancellation. For example, if you transfer to another SEVP-certified institution that offers its own student health insurance, confirm that you can terminate your current policy without penalties.

Below is a list of health insurance companies that provide coverage for international students on an F-1 visa.

http://www.insuranceforstudents.com/

https://www.isoa.org/

https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/ 

https://www.studenthealthusa.com/

http://intlstudentprotection.com/

 

Columbus State does not endorse or recommend any specific health insurance company.  We strongly encourage you to review each provider’s website carefully and select a plan that best meets your individual needs.

 

New F1 Student Coming from Abroad

Purchase medical insurance prior to your travel to the U.S. if not, as soon as you arrive in the United States. If you are accompanied by your spouse and children, purchase medical insurance for them as well.

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New Transfer-in Student

If you are a transfer in student, contact your insurance company to verify transferability of your medical insurance to Columbus State.

Read the descriptions of benefits carefully and do not base your decision for purchasing on the cost of the insurance policy.

Compile a list of health care services in your city or near your area of residence. Contact your medical insurance company for primary care doctor, clinics, and hospitals referrals as soon as you have purchased an insurance policy. Yellow Pages has an extensive list of Central Ohio hospitals and clinics.

Understand how your insurance policy pays your medical expenses. You may need to file your own claim so have claims forms available to you. Know how to reach the insurance company to ask questions.

 

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F1 students on OPT

If you are on OPT and not receiving heath insurance coverage from your employer you should consider obtaining health insurance coverage for the period of time while you are on OPT.

Sample plans include: https://www.isoa.org/OPTima_Basic_Plan and https://www.isoa.org/OPTima_Enhanced_Plan