Obamacare for international students, ACA compliant international student insurance

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International students and Obamacare

Are international students coming to study in US Universities expected to comply by the ACA rules? Hundreds of thousands of students come to the US every year to study in US Universities. International students are considered as Non Residents and therefore not required to comply with Obamacare. There is however a time limit for this. For the first five years of their stay in US as students they are exempt from ACA as they are categorized as Non Residents and after which they are supposed to undergo the process of categorization depending on their status and the number of years they live in the US and outside the US.

According to Obamacare students on J Visa such as teachers, Au pairs, trainees, work and travel visa holders, and high school students are not required to purchase ACA compliant health insurance for up to 2 years.

Since most international students are exempt from PPACA they can buy their own student health insurance from private insurance companies that satisfy their needs as students. At American Visitor Insurance, we offer international cheap student health insurance comparable to University plans in terms of coverage, but are much more affordable. International students must not enrol in an US University without good health insurance as it can be extremely harsh on international students to pay medical expenses in case of any unexpected illness and injury. This is the reason that most US Universities have a requirement for health insurance while enrolling a student in the University programs. There are many US student insurance plans which international students can buy for their health insurance coverage.

International Students insurance

American Visitor Insurance provides access to many student health insurance plans which do not satisfy Obamacare requirements, but are specifically designed to meet University requirements. Our company contracts with highly popular and best rated insurance companies in the US for student health insurance plans. Our website provides abundant information on the available plans and about the plan to help you select the plan suitable for your situation. Our student travel insurance resources page details all the available tools to get price quotes on the plans suitable to your residential status. We have 24/7 customer support available on phone at 877-340-7910 and contact us online to clarify any questions you might have on the Obamacare student plans and the information on our site.

What does international student health insurance cover?

Doctor Visit

Covers doctor visits in case of sudden injury or sickness.

Sports Activities

Some plans cover high school sports activities.

Pre-existing conditions

International students who need coverage for existing medical ailments.

Dental Coverage

Expenses from sudden dental pain and accidental dental injuries.

Maternity Coverage

Some plans offer coverage for pregnancy, maternity and new born.

Repat of remains

Repatriation of remains expenses to home country in case of death.

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F1 visa Obama care for international students

Obamacare for international students

PPACA which stands for Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act also popularly known as the Obamacare after President Barack Obama who introduced the PPACA to make health care accessible to all United States citizens and US residents. Obamacare is however not applicable to international tourists, overseas visitors or foreign students in the United States. It is therefore not mandatory for these non-immigrant visitors to the US. While Obamacare is not mandatory, many universities insist of health insurance that is PPACA compliant.


Student health insurance

International Student health insurance it is very important for international students given the high cost of health care in the US. At American Visitor Insurance, students can find affordable international student insurance plans, which are cheaper than University health plans, while offering similar coverage. However these plans are not Obamacare compliant, which in any case is not required of international students.

Impact of the ACA on International Students

Affordable Care Act insurance is a type of health insurance that meets the standards and requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. The ACA is a health care reform law that aims to make health insurance more accessible and affordable for US citizens and residents. However, the ACA does not apply to international students who are studying in the US on a student visa, such as F1 or J1. Therefore, international students are not eligible for ACA plans or plans available on each state’s insurance marketplace.

However, some schools or universities in the US may require international students to have health insurance coverage that is compliant with the ACA standards or their own criteria. In that case, international students may need to purchase an ACA compliant plan or a plan that meets the schools or universities minimum requirements. Some of the benefits of an ACA compliant plan are:

  • It covers essential health benefits, such as preventive care, hospitalization, prescription drugs, mental health, maternity, and more
  • It has no annual or lifetime limits on coverage.
  • It does not deny coverage or charge more based on pre-existing conditions or gender.
  • It offers subsidies or tax credits for eligible individuals or families to lower the cost of premiums.

Does student insurance cover covid19 illness?

There are some USA student insurance plans available for travel that cover covid19 as a new illness. International students can compare best Covid student insurance plans and buy it online. These insurance plans are available for students to the US, US citizens and US residents studying abroad as well as non US student studying outside their home country.

Is health insurance mandatory for F1 students?

Most US educational institutions require student to have health insurance coverage while they are attending. However, not all do and not all require the same type and amount of coverage. You should check with your institution and program to see what is required of you.

Are international students eligible for Obamacare?

No. International students are not eligible for Obamacare plans or plans available on each state's insurance marketplace. The only way for an international student to get a domestic plan is to purchase a plan offered by their institution or through an employer. Typically international students have to buy the University medical insurance, or student insurance that we offer if they find the coverage adequate for their needs.

F1 visa obamacare student insurance information

Student Health Insurance FAQs

Commonly asked questions by International Students.

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Health insurance resources

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Factors to consider

Here are some factors that you need to consider while buying health insurance.

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Best health insurance for international students in USA

Which is the best student insurance in USA?

Health insurance for F1 students in USA, Medical insurance for international students

  • Patriot Exchange Covid insurance offers coverage for coronavirus sickness.
  • IMG's Patriot Exchange insurance is designed for International students or Cultural Exchange scholars.
  • Student Health Advantage insurance offers Covid19 international student health insurance for medical expenses due to Covid illness.
  • This plan may be renewed for up to five years.
  • Student Secure provides excellent insurance cover to international students and scholars outside their home country.
  • WorldTrips Student health insurance by Student Secure Insurance covers Covid19 illness for international students outside their home country.
  • Study USA student insurace includes coverage for Covid19 illness.
  • tudy USA Health Insurance provides affordable student medical insurance to foreign students studying in the US and to US registered students studying abroad.
  • GeoBlue Navigator Student coronavirus insurance offers coverage for medically necessary COVID-19 testing and treatment is covered.
  • Offers worldwide coverage for international students and faculty outside their home country.
  • Offers Unlimited annual and lifetime medical maximum.
  • Pre-existing conditions exclusion can be waived with proof of prior creditable coverage.
  • Coinsurance is waived for care outside the U.S.
  • Sports, terrorist and alcohol-related injuries are covered
  • Exceeds J-1 visa requirements
  • No waiting period associated with any preventive services.

Popular countries among international students

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Customer queries and answers about International Student Health Insurance plan.

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FAQ’s on Obamacare for international students

01. What is Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?

The Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, is an US healthcare reform law signed by President Barack Obama in March 2010. It aims to improve the accessibility and affordability of health insurance for Americans.

02. What are the key provisions of Obamacare?

Key provisions of Obamacare include:

  • Expansion of Medicaid to cover more low-income individuals and families.
  • Creation of health insurance marketplaces (also known as exchanges) where individuals and families can compare and purchase health insurance plans.
  • Establishment of essential health benefits that all plans must cover, including preventive services without cost-sharing.
  • Prohibition of insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
  • Requirement for most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty (individual mandate, which was later repealed).
  • Provision of subsidies to help lower-income individuals and families afford health insurance through the marketplaces.
03. Is Obamacare still in effect?

As of my last update in September 2021, some aspects of Obamacare were still in effect, but certain provisions have been modified or repealed over the years. It is important to check the most current information regarding the status of the ACA. Obamacare is not needed for international student insurance, though many Universities insist on it.

04. Can I get health insurance through Obamacare?

International students cannot student insurance through Obamacare, however if you are a U.S. citizen or a legal resident, you can explore health insurance options through the health insurance marketplaces created by Obamacare. Depending on your income and eligibility criteria, you may qualify for subsidies to help lower the cost of your insurance premiums. Obamacare is not however not applicable for international students on the F1 visa.

05. Can I keep my current health insurance under Obamacare?

If you have health insurance through your employer or a private plan that meets certain requirements, you may be able to keep it. Obamacare introduced minimum essential coverage standards, and plans that meet these standards are considered ACA-compliant. However Obamacare is not applicable for international students on the F1 visa.

06. Are there penalties for not having health insurance under Obamacare?

The individual mandate, which required most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty, was effectively repealed in 2019. As of my last update, there were no federal penalties for not having health insurance. However, some states may have their individual mandates or penalties. Again, Obamacare is not relevant for international students.

07. Can children stay on their parents' health insurance under Obamacare?

Yes, Obamacare allows children to stay on their parents' health insurance plans until they turn 26 years old, regardless of their marital or student status. However, this is not applicable for international students.

08. Does Obamacare cover pre-existing conditions?

Yes, Obamacare prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions. This provision ensures that US citizens or US legal residents with pre-existing health conditions can access affordable health insurance. This is however not applicable for international students.

09. Does the ACA apply to international students?

If a student is holding an F, J, M, or Q visa in the U.S., they are considered a non-resident alien for tax purposes for the first 5 years and are exempt from the ACA mandate. There is no insurance requirement for F1 students, and it is up to the school to determine what the requirements are.

US student F1 visa medical insurance FAQs

Steps to compare and buy
Best International student insurance

Step 1: Finding the available best health insurance for international plans

Complete the student insurance quotes request form by providing details of the student and insurance requirements.

Step 2: Compare the different medical insurance options

Compare the price and the benefits of the different travel insurance options to identify what fits your needs best.

Step 3: Buy the student health insurance that you like best

Purchase the plan that fits your requirements and budget best by using a credit card and completing the online application.

Step 4: Review the students medical insurance plan documents received by email

Review the travel insurance policy documents received by email closely for coverage details and relevant contact numbers.

Step by step travel insurance

Factors for the cost of US student travel insurance

Student’s age

The student’s age determines the cost of US student medical insurance. The prices for f1 visa US student insurance increases with the age of the student.

The length of coverage

The price of student health insurance in the US can be either monthly or on a daily basis. The price increases with the duration of coverage required.

Maximum medical coverage

The cost of health insurance for international students in the US is directly dependent on the medical maximum coverage required. The cost of F1 student medical insurance is less for lower medical maximum and increases with higher medical maximum coverage.

Student health insurance for top US colleges and universities

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Covid19 F1 student health insurance

Despite the spread of the BA.5 Omicron sub-variant, all international students with the F1 and J1 visa's are now allowed in the US. International students should however check the university updates and the covid19 requirements before travelling to US.

Unfortunately, even years after the pandemic started in China, Covid is again making a comeback with new immune-evasive variants. The Covid situation is made even more complicated in the US with influenza and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which spreading earlier and faster than usual. International students should buy the best student travel insurance with covid-19 coverage. In case one contacts covid19 infections the illness will be covered and this includes the new sub-variants. Regardless of the variant a covid cover will provide students with coverage for the Covid infection.

There are many international students in the US either without proper US student medical insurance, or with F1 student insurance that does not cover Covid19. Given the health risk involved due to the Covid19 pandemic, it is very important for students to buy good Student medical insurance which includes coverage for Covid19. A Covid-19 coverage will offer protection towards the coronavirus illness just like any other illness under the benefits of the policy regardless of the variant. At American Visitor Insurance, we offer several international student health insurance with Covid19 coverage. The Covid-19 cover provides coverage just like any other illness irrespective of the variant.

Earlier international students in the US had to buy affordable care act, ACA (Obamacare) compliant medical insurance, however recent changes have removed this requirement. International students can now buy student health insurance plans offered on our website without violating US government requirements. These are some international student health insurance plans with Covid19 coverage. Students while studying in the US need not worry about getting coverage for mutated variants. Irrespective of the variant covid-19 cover will provide students with the coverage if contracted the illness.

International Medical Group Covid19 health insurance plans for international students in the US

The International Medical Group offers affordable student health insurance coverage for Covid19 medical expenses. Their popular Covid19 International student health insurance plans that offer coverage for medical expenses from coronavirus are

TravelInsure Covid19 insurance for F1 students

TravelInsure Covid19 student health insurance by Study USA (Plus, Preferred and Platinum plans ONLY) offers international health insurance with coronavirus coverage for students outside their home country.

GeoBlue Covid19 insurance for F1 students

GeoBlue Covid19 student health insurance by Navigator for Student with coronavirus coverage covers medically necessary COVID-19 testing and treatment is covered.

International students can compare student insurance plans to most appropriate plan that suits their specific needs.

Compare student insurance plans

There are some F1 visa students still stranded in the USA or on the OPT status who are not enrolled in any classes. In this situation students are not limited to buying US student health insurance and can buy short term US visitors medical insurance. The visitors health insurance plans are cheaper and work well for international students while they are not enrolled in classes. International students can review US visitors medical insurance plans that fit your needs.

Please know we are here to help you make an informed decision to get international students insurance! Let us know how we can assist you. Feel free to contact us by email or phone at any time.

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