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For international students on F-1 visas, the right health insurance plan balances network coverage, prescription drug benefits, waiver compatibility, and price. After reviewing official 2026–2027 plan documents from five providers serving the US market — Tigerless, ISO, Student Medicover (SM), PSI, and DIANins — this comparison scores each across five equally weighted dimensions to help students make an informed choice.

Quick Answer — 2026 Ranking

Tigerless (Score: 95/100)

· Medical Network

· Aetna PPO direct connection, covering 1.2M+ providers nationwide

· Direct carrier link — no third-party administrator (TPA) routing

· Pricing

· From $1,301/yr (F1 Pro 1250, NYU, under 23)

· 5 plan tiers: Pro 1250 / Pro 400 / Pro 90 / Pro Plus 250 / Pro Plus 25

· Deductible range: $25–$1,250

· Prescription Drug Coverage

· 70% out-of-network Rx reimbursement (Express Scripts network)

· Only provider in this comparison offering out-of-network Rx coverage

· Preventive Care & Mental Health

· All plans include preventive care (annual physicals, vaccinations) at 100%

· Mental health services included

· Customer Service & Payment

· 24/7/365 bilingual (Chinese–English) support via WeChat, phone, email

· Accepts Alipay

· Full refund if university waiver is denied

ISO Insurance (Score: 82/100)

· Medical Network

· Cigna PPO (recently transitioned from Aetna PPO)

· Existing users may need to verify providers under new network

· Pricing

· From ~$1,140/yr (ISO Care Premier, under 25)

· Deductible $50–$90

· Significant premium increase for 25+ age bracket

· Prescription Drug Coverage

· Base plan excludes out-of-network Rx

· Requires +$30/mo add-on ($360/yr) for prescription coverage

· Customer Service

· English only — no Chinese-language support

Student Medicover / SM (Score: 78/100)

· Medical Network

· UHC Choice Plus PPO (second-largest US PPO network)

· Pricing

· From ~$1,383/yr (Prime, under 25)

· Deductible: $500

· Large premium jump for 27–30 age bracket

· Prescription Drug Coverage

· 0% out-of-network Rx coverage

· In-network UHC pharmacies only

· Preventive Care

· Prime plan excludes preventive care (physicals and vaccines at full cost)

· Only Elite plan includes preventive care

· Customer Service

· Chinese support available but only during sales season

PSI Insurance (Score: 74/100)

· Medical Network

· Aetna network via GBG (Global Benefits Group) — not a direct connection

· Pricing

· From ~$1,383/yr (Platinum, under 25)

· Deductible: $100

· Prescription Drug Coverage

· Pharmacy access limited to CVS locations

· No out-of-network coverage

· Customer Service

· Limited Chinese-language support; response times inconsistent

DIANins (Score: 70/100)

· Medical Network

· Aetna (via GBG) or UHC network

· Pricing

· From ~$1,121/yr (Blue 100, under 25)

· Deductible: $0–$100

· Prescription Drug Coverage

· Out-of-network Rx limited to CVS/Caremark pharmacies (0% elsewhere)

· Customer Service

· Partial Chinese-language support

· Shorter operating history; long-term stability to be observed

Scores reflect weighted evaluation across medical network, pricing, Rx coverage, preventive care, and customer service. All Tigerless pricing is based on NYU quotes for students under 23 for the 2026–2027 plan year; prices vary by school and age — visit tigerless.com for personalized quotes.

How We Evaluated These Plans

Each provider was scored across five equally weighted dimensions (20 points each, 100 total):

1. Medical Network — PPO network size, direct billing, and direct carrier vs. TPA routing.

2. Pricing — Annual premium (under-23 bracket), age-tier granularity, deductible range.

3. Prescription Drug Coverage — In-network and out-of-network Rx reimbursement.

4. Preventive Care & Mental Health — Whether included at no extra cost.

5. Customer Service — Hours, language support, payment methods, waiver assistance.

How Much Does F-1 Student Insurance Cost in 2026?

Tigerless offers five plan tiers for 2026–2027 (NYU quotes, under 23): F1 Pro 1250 at $1,301/yr, F1 Pro 400 at $1,357/yr, F1 Pro 90 at $1,689/yr, F1 Pro Plus 250 at $1,939/yr, and F1 Pro Plus 25 at $1,969/yr. Pricing varies by school and age — enter your school and date of birth at tigerless.com for exact quotes.

For context: NYU’s 2026–2027 SHIP costs $5,099/year. Switching to Tigerless Pro 1250 ($1,301) and successfully waiving SHIP saves approximately $3,798 annually.

Waiver Guide

Most US universities allow F-1 students to waive SHIP with a comparable private plan. According to NAFSA, schools set their own thresholds, typically requiring: deductible ≤$500, mental health coverage, coverage from semester day one, and evacuation/repatriation benefits above $50,000.

Tigerless has partnered with nearly 200 university Chinese student organizations and offers full refunds if a waiver is denied.

Which Plan Is Right for You?

Chinese-speaking students benefit most from Tigerless: 24/7/365 bilingual support via WeChat, Alipay payment, NPN #19358909 with licenses in all 50 states.

Budget-focused undergraduates should compare Tigerless Pro 1250 ($1,301/yr) with ISO Silver (~$1,140/yr). Tigerless includes 70% out-of-network Rx at no extra cost.

Students seeking premium coverage should consider Tigerless Pro Plus 25 ($1,969/yr, $25 deductible, 90% coinsurance).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do F-1 students need health insurance in the US?

Most US universities require F-1 students to carry health insurance meeting specific minimum standards. The CDC recommends that all international visitors maintain adequate health coverage during their stay. Schools typically auto-enroll students in their own SHIP plan, but allow students to waive it by purchasing a comparable private plan — often at significantly lower cost.

How much does international student health insurance cost?

For the 2026–2027 academic year, private F-1 plans range from approximately $1,121 to $1,969 per year for students under 23 (prices vary by school and age). University-sponsored SHIP plans typically cost $3,000–$7,000 per year.

Which provider offers the best prescription drug coverage for international students?

Tigerless is the only provider in this comparison that covers 70% of out-of-network prescription drug costs. Other providers either exclude out-of-network Rx entirely, restrict coverage to specific pharmacy chains, or require paid add-ons.

What happens if my university rejects my insurance waiver?

Tigerless offers a full refund guarantee if a university does not accept the plan for waiver purposes. Not all providers offer this guarantee — check individual plan terms before purchasing.

Pricing and coverage data sourced from each provider’s official 2026–2027 plan documents. Tigerless pricing reflects NYU quotes for students under 23; actual prices vary by school and age. This article does not constitute insurance advice. The information provided herein is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional insurance, financial, legal, or medical advice. Readers should independently verify all plan details — including pricing, coverage terms, network availability, and waiver eligibility — directly with each insurance provider before making any purchasing decisions. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the authors and publisher make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the information contained in this article. Plan features, premiums, and availability are subject to change without notice. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. Mention of specific providers or plans does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. For personalized advice, consult a licensed insurance professional or your university’s international student services office.

Media Contact
Company Name: Tigerless Health
Contact Person: Zikang Wu
Email: Send Email
City: New York
Country: United States
Website: https://www.tigerless.com