What is an F1 Visa?
F1 visa is a type of non-immigrant student visa that allows foreigners to pursue an education in the United States.
What is F1 Health insurance?
The U.S department of state suggests F1 international students get insured, while most U.S. institutions require that all international students registered to maintain health insurance. Some institutions require students to enroll in school insurance plans. Most institutions allow students who maintain alternate health insurance coverage that meets the minimum health insurance criteria to waive the school-sponsored student health insurance plan entirely.
Why do international students need health insurance?
While studying in the U.S., medical and psychological issues can arise at any time, sometimes without warning. The high cost of healthcare in the U.S. causes a potentially serious financial risk to students. Therefore it is necessary to maintain health insurance for international students.
How to choose health insurance for F1 international students?
International students should pay attention to these elements when searching for your health insurance plan:
Age
The insurance premium will increase when the policyholder is older. International students under 30 are highly recommended to choose affordable alternative health insurance.
Provider Network
Provider networks will directly affect the convenience of seeking medical services and claim efficiency. Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, First Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield are well-known provider networks in the U.S.
Health Insurance Coverage
F1 student insurance usually covers items such as college health center and emergency care. Generally, dental and Ophthalmology insurance are excluded from U.S. health insurance.
Customer Service Quality
Some well-known insurance companies provide 24/7 multi-language customer services. International students are recommended to choose insurance companies that provide high-quality customer services.
What is F1 alternative health insurance?
Most institutions allow students who maintain alternate health insurance coverage that meets the minimum health insurance criteria to waive the school-sponsored student health insurance plan entirely.
What are the differences between F1 alternative health insurance and school insurance plan?
The coverage of Tigerless F1 health insurance is similar to school insurance plans. However, some school insurance only provides local medical networks, while Tigerless health insurance provides a medical network covering 50 states in the U.S. Besides, school plans usually cost $2,000-$3,000 per year, even up to $5,000. And Tigerless F1 health insurance only costs $1,000 per year, even as low as $500. Tigerless health insurance plan is customized for international students, and is affordable and reliable for them.
|
School Plan |
Our Plan |
| University of California, Berkeley |
$5,682 |
$788 |
| New York University |
$3,518 |
$978 |
| North Carolina State University |
$2,617 |
$438 |
Do Tigerless plans meet my school’s waiver requirements?
Tigerless carefully selected insurance plans for each school based on their specific requirements, so our plans are the perfect substitutes for your school plan. Yet, if your waiver is denied, please contact our customer service for help.
Is it necessary to purchase alternative health insurance for F1 students? Is the waiver process complicated?
International students under 30 are recommended to choose alternative health insurance. Students only need to provide related waiver forms and documents to school, and it only takes 5 minutes to finish.
Preventive Care
For certain products
Immunization
Annual Physical Exams
Mental Health
Physical Therapy
Eg. Zhang purchased Tigerless F1 health insurance. Later he got the MMR immunization which is required by the university and received a $500 bill. According to Tigerless health insurance policy, the immunization fee will be covered by the insurance company.
General Clinic Services
Student Health Center
Specialist Clinic
Prescription
Eg. Wang purchased Tigerless F1 health insurance. One day he got diarrhea and went to an urgent care clinic directly. The doctor diagnosed Wang with acute gastroenteritis. Wang went to a pharmacy and got prescription drugs. According to Tigerless health insurance policy, Wang should only pay $30 copayment of urgent care, 20% of the treatment fee and $20 copayment of prescription drugs.
Emergency Care
Ambulance
Emergency Room
Hospitalization
Surgery
Eg. Li purchased Tigerless F1 health insurance. One day Li suffered from pains in his abdomen. He was sent to the emergency room by an ambulance. The doctor gave him a blood test and a CT examination. Li was diagnosed with appendicitis and got surgery. Later he received a $28,000 medical bill. According to Tigerless health insurance policy, Li should only pay $200 copayment, deductible of the insurance plan, and 20% of the remaining balance.
Before the purchase
When can I purchase F1 health insurance?
F1 international students should purchase alternative health insurance before waiver deadlines of your institutions.
When does the insurance plan become effective?
Our health insurance can be effective as early as the second day after your purchase.
Who is eligible to purchase F1 health insurance?
International students holding F1 Visa and studying as full-time students are eligible to purchase Tigerless F1 health insurance.
Where can I check the meaning of insurance terminology?
Please click here and learn more.
Purchase process
What payment methods are accepted by Tigerless?
We accept payment through credit card, debit card, PayPal, WeChat Pay and Alipay.
Can I buy a plan on a monthly basis?
The coverage period of Tigerless health insurance plans start from 3 months and only accept one-time payment.
How to choose the coverage period?
Students should select the coverage period that meets the requirements of their institutions.
Waiver process and Filing claim
How to finish the waiver process?
Please search the waiver instruction of your institution using the search bar on the top of the page.
Do Tigerless plans meet my school’s waiver requirements?
Tigerless insurance plans meet all specific requirements of U.S. institutions, so our plans are the perfect substitutes for your school plan.
What if my waiver is denied?
Waiver applications might be denied for some reasons such as incorrect personal information. If your waiver is denied, please contact our customer service for help.
School has approved my insurance waiver request. Why am I still charged for the school plan?
It usually takes 15-30 business days for your school to process the refund. If you have not received your refund after 30 business days, please contact your school for more information.
How can I file a claim?
In general, if you choose an in-network provider, you won’t pay upfront for your medical expenses and will, therefore, avoid the reimbursement procedures. If you have to pay the full amount at the time of service, please collect all your bills/invoices and contact our customer service representative.
