1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Chat

Do I Need Health Insurance While Studying in the USA?

Do I Need Health Insurance While Studying in the USA?

Oct 12, 2021

The United States health care system is the most expensive in the world, but it is also one of the best. For many international students who come from countries where socialized health care provides free services it is not a common thought to think about the U.S. healthcare system when studying in the USA. International students may wonder, do I need health insurance while studying in the USA?

The answer is a resounding yes. International students need to consider purchasing health insurance when studying in the USA. Many colleges and universities will require you to have health insurance in order to enroll or begin classes. Generally, the majority of colleges and universities offer their own health insurance plans to students at an affordable cost. Although, some community colleges, colleges, and universities do not require students to have health insurance, it’s important that you look for other health insurance options.

The U.S. healthcare system is confusing, even to Americans, but one thing is known for sure, it is very expensive. A simple visit to the emergency room can result in a bill totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Without insurance, you’ll be responsible to pay the entire bill.

International students should budget their expenses to include purchasing health insurance when studying in the USA, whether it is from a private company or through the school they are intending to take classes at.

Follow us:
Written by

Brianna Burrows

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the article titled Unlocking the Universe: From Forbes 30 Under 30 to New Frontiers in Science
Unlocking the Universe: From Forbes 30 Under 30 to New Frontiers in Science
Main image for the article titled How Attending Secondary School in the U.S. Prepares Your Child for College
How Attending Secondary School in the U.S. Prepares Your Child for College
Main image for the article titled University of Pennsylvania ELP Profile: Yasuhito N. of Japan
University of Pennsylvania ELP Profile: Yasuhito N. of Japan
Main image for the article titled “New Around Here”: A Cinematic Journey into Struggles and Successes by Jennifer Hawkins, an Inspiring Student at LACC
“New Around Here”: A Cinematic Journey into Struggles and Successes by Jennifer Hawkins, an Inspiring Student at LACC
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Stevens Institute of Technology - Graduate Admissions

Stevens Institute of Technology - Graduate Admissions

$15,000—$20,000 Semester

Bachelor Degree Undergraduate Masters
Contact
University of Maryland-Maryland English Institute

University of Maryland-Maryland English Institute

$5,000—$10,000 Semester

Certificate/Short Term Summer English Programs
Contact
University of Connecticut

University of Connecticut

$5,000—$10,000 Semester

English Programs Undergraduate Bachelor Degree
Contact

Featured Programs

Mississippi College

Typical cost per Year: $15,000—$20,000

Bachelor Degree Masters Certificate/Short Term
Learn More

Southwestern Community College District

Typical cost per Semester: $5,000—$10,000

2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Undergraduate
Learn More

Kent State University

Typical cost per Semester: $15,000—$20,000

Bachelor Degree Masters Certificate/Short Term
Learn More

Related Stories

Isabel Martinez from Ecuador: Majoring in Marketing and Communication Studies Manhattanville College in New York

Main image for the article titled Isabel Martinez from Ecuador: Majoring in Marketing and  Communication Studies Manhattanville College in New York
Nerika Palhares from Angola: Studying Marketing Communications at Berkeley College in New York City

Main image for the article titled Nerika Palhares from Angola: Studying Marketing Communications at Berkeley College in New York City
Marielena Valdes Chinchilla from Honduras: Studying Economics and Sociology at Manhattanville College in New York

Main image for the article titled Marielena Valdes Chinchilla from Honduras: Studying Economics and Sociology at Manhattanville College in New York
Ching-Wei Chen from Taiwan: Majoring in Fashion Merchandising and Management at Berkeley College in New York City

Main image for the article titled Ching-Wei Chen from Taiwan: Majoring in Fashion Merchandising and Management at Berkeley College in New York City

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for IELTS for the USA

IELTS for the USA

IELTS is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration. It is accepted by more than 3,400 institutions in the US. If you want to study in the US, IELTS can help you get there!

Read more
Partner service logo for A world of greater possibility.

A world of greater possibility.

Follow your dreams with the TOEFL iBT® test, which has helped millions of students study abroad.

Read more
Partner service logo for Uniplaces

Uniplaces

Uniplaces is an accommodation provider with a large choice of verified rooms, entire flats and residences. The platform offers an easy, fast and safe way of booking a place to live. Check out the thousands of properties in the best cities and book a...

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

It helped me realize the opportunities that were present to an international student like me and helped me evaluate my options to finding the best college for me

Muskan Uprety Nepal

Study in the USA provided me with a lot of information about the program I was interested in at my university. I was able to get all sorts of statistics, as well as learn about the internships I could apply to while at the university.

Raiza Soares India

Have made me realise about the opportunitie available by providing me with a multiple choices of Universities and colleges.

Samson Wanjiku Kenya

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Featured Programs
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    العربيـة English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.