Content Update 3/25/2023
A guide to help select the best plan IMG International Scholar or Student Insurance Plan for your needs : TaiAn Patriot Exchange, TaiAn Exchange Select, Student Health Advantage, and Patriot Exchange Program
This review will help you select from the different IMG plans designed specifically for international students and scholars. It will cover plans for people coming to the US on an F visa, J visa, M visa, or on OPT. It will also cover IMG insurance selections for people traveling outside the US for educational purposes.
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TaiAn Patriot Exchange
The TaiAn Patriot Exchange Plan is medical insurance designed for anyone traveling outside their resident country as an international student or scholar.
The typical purchasers are:
- International Students participating in international programs
- Cultural exchange participants
- Graduate international students
- Scholars and educators
- Dependents (Dependents can buy alone)
- International education related visas including F1,F2,J1,J2,OPT,M1,M2
Why do people choose the TaiAn Patriot Exchange Plan?
- Choice of Benefit Level – Members can choose a per illness or injury benefit level of $50,000, $100,000, $250,000 or $500,000.
- Choice of Deductible Level – Members can choose a deductible of $0, $100 per illness, $250 annual, or $500 annual.
- There is no coinsurance – Once you’ve had covered medical expenses meeting your deductible, additional covered expenses have no coinsurance payment.
- Choice of Medical Provider – You can see any medical provider you choose and receive the same benefit.
- United Healthcare Options Network – Provides access to broadest top tier national network in the US with convenient access to simplified claims processing and direct billing.
- Coverage for illness, injury, medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains.
- A group plan is available for groups of 5 or more with a 10% discount.
- TaiAn Patriot Exchange meets the US Department of State insurance requirements for J visa holders if you select a $100,000 benefit level or more.
- You can select a $0 deductible and the plan has no coinsurance. With these options covered medical expenses would not have any out of pocket costs!
Why choose TaiAn Patriot Exchange vs Patriot Exchange Program
- TaiAn Patriot Exchange is less expensive.
- TaiAn Patriot Exchange annual deductible options have lower out of pocket costs than Patriot Exchange Program per illness deductible options.
- Patriot Exchange Program has a benefit for mental health and substance abuse that is not included in TaiAn Patriot Exchange.
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TaiAn Exchange Select
The TaiAn Exchange Select Plan is medical insurance designed for anyone traveling outside their resident country as an international student or scholar. It is a lower priced version of the TaiAn Patriot Exchange Plan.
The typical purchasers are:
- Students participating in international programs
- Cultural exchange participants
- Graduate international students
- Scholars and educators
- Dependents (Dependents can buy alone)
- International education related visas including F1,F2,J1,J2,OPT,M1,M2
Why do people choose the TaiAn Exchange Select Plan ?
- Choice of Benefit Level – Members can choose a per illness or injury benefit level of $50,000, $100,000, $250,000 or $500,000.
- Choice of Deductible Level – Members can choose a deductible of $100 per illness, $250 annual, or $500 annual.
- There is 20% coinsurance – Compare to the TaiAn Patriot Exchange Plan the TaiAn Exchange Select is less expensive to buy because of the coinsurance.
- Choice of Medical Provider – You can see any medical provider you choose, but you will have lower coinsurance if you choose a United Healthcare Options network provider.
- Coverage for illness, injury, medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains.
- United Healthcare Options Network – Provides access to broadest top tier national network in the US with convenient access to simplified claims processing and direct billing.
- There is a TaiAn Exchange Select Plan available with a 6 month exclusion for pre-existing medical conditions. Some schools require this coverage.
- There is a TaiAn Exchange Select Plan available with extra coverage for pre-existing conditions after a 12 month wait. Some schools require this coverage.
- A group plan is available for groups of 5 or more with a 10% discount.
- TaiAn Exchange Select meets the US Department of State insurance requirements for J visa holders if you select a $100,000 benefit level or more.
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Student Health Advantage
The Student Health Advantage Plan is designed for non- US residents coming to the US as international students and scholars. It is also designed for US residents traveling overseas for an educational purpose.
The typical purchasers are:
- Students participating in international programs
- Cultural exchange participants
- Graduate international students
- Scholars and educators
- Dependents (Dependents can buy only with the primary member pursuing an educational purpose)
Why do people choose the IMG Student Health Advantage Plan ?
- Choice of Benefit Level – Standard benefit level of $300,000 per illness or injury or Platinum level with $500,000 coverage per illness or injury.
- Choice of Deductible Level – Members can choose a deductible of $250 per illness (Standard Plan) or $100 per illness (Platinum Plan).
- Choice of Medical Provider – You can see any medical provider. In the US there is a benefit difference between using a network provider and a non-network provider. The network has an extensive list of providers.
- United Healthcare Options Network – Provides access to broadest top tier national network in the US with convenient access to simplified claims processing and direct billing.
- Coverage for illness, injury, medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains.
- Pre-existing medical conditions coverage up to the policy limit after the waiting period of 12 months for the Standard plan or 6 months for the Platinum plan.
- Coverage for mental health and substance abuse.
- Coverage for maternity expenses with the Platinum Plan for pregnancy where conception is after the plan effective date.
- A group plan is available for groups of 5 or more with a discounted premium.
- Student Health Advantage meets the US Department of State insurance requirements for J visa holders.
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IMG Patriot Exchange Program
The IMG Patriot Exchange Program is designed for non- US residents coming to the US as international students and scholars. It is also designed for US residents traveling overseas for an educational purpose.
The typical purchasers are:
- Students participating in international programs
- Cultural exchange participants
- Graduate international students
- Scholars and educators
- Dependents (Dependents can buy alone)
Why do people choose the IMG Patriot Exchange Program?
- Choice of Benefit Level – Members can choose a per illness or injury benefit level of $50,000, $100,000, $250,000 or $500,000.
- Choice of Deductible Level – Members can choose a deductible of $0, $100 per illness, $250 per illness, or $500 per illness.
- Low Coinsurance – In US: In Network 10% to $1,000 maximum Out of Pocket; Out of Network 20%. International: No Coinsurance.
- Choice of Medical Provider – You can see any medical provider you choose and receive the same benefit.
- United Healthcare Options Network – Provides access to broadest top tier national network in the US with convenient access to simplified claims processing and direct billing.
- Coverage for illness, injury, medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains.
- Coverage for mental health and substance abuse.
- A group plan is available for groups of 5 or more with a premium discount.
- IMG Patriot Exchange Program meets the US Department of State insurance requirements for J visa holders if you select a $100,000 benefit level or more.
Why choose TaiAn Patriot Exchange vs Patriot Exchange Program
- TaiAn Patriot Exchange is less expensive.
- TaiAn Patriot Exchange annual deductible options have lower out of pocket costs than Patriot Exchange Program per illness deductible options.
- Patriot Exchange Program has a benefit for mental health and substance abuse.
Learn more beyond the detail included in Review of IMG International Scholar and Student Insurance from one of these resources:
Buy J1 Visa Insurance
All Patriot Exchange Plans
IMG Patriot Exchange Program