What is the difference between CPT and OPT?

CPT is authorized by your DSO during your program. OPT requires a USCIS application and is primarily for after degree completion.

Can I work for multiple employers on OPT?

Yes, as long as all employment is related to your field of study. Report all employers to your DSO.

What happens if I exceed the 90-day unemployment limit?

Exceeding the limit terminates your OPT and F-1 status. Track unemployment days carefully and report all employment promptly.

Health Insurance Requirements for F-1 International Students

The process at a glance

01
Understand Requirements
Know your mandatory health insurance obligations
Most US universities require F-1 and J-1 students to carry health insurance that meets minimum coverage standards: at least $100k per accident, $50k per illness, $25k medical evacuation, and $10k repatriation. Some schools auto-enroll you in their plan; others let you waive with proof of comparable coverage.
02
Compare Plans
Evaluate university vs. private insurance options
University plans cost $1,500-$4,000 per year but are the simplest option. Private international student plans ($500-$2,000/year) may be cheaper but must meet your schools waiver criteria. Compare deductibles, coverage limits, prescription benefits, and network access before deciding.
03
Check Coverage
Verify what your plan covers for your needs
Ensure your plan covers: doctor visits, hospitalization, emergency care, prescription drugs, mental health services, and pre-existing conditions after a waiting period. Some plans exclude sports injuries or adventure activities. Read the policy details carefully before purchasing.
04
Plan for Gaps
Handle coverage transitions and gaps
If you graduate, change status, or travel, ensure continuous coverage. OPT students often lose university coverage and need private plans. Short gaps (under 3 months) may be acceptable, but longer gaps can affect future visa applications. Consider catastrophic coverage as a minimum.

Overview

For F-1 international students, understanding work authorization rules is critical to maintaining lawful status. This guide explains health-insurance-requirements-f1-students: who is eligible, how to apply, and what you must do afterward to stay in status.

Eligibility and Key Requirements

To be eligible, F-1 students must maintain valid immigration status throughout the process. This means full-time enrollment, no unauthorized employment history, and SEVIS compliance. Your DSO plays a crucial role in verifying eligibility and initiating work authorization applications.

Application Process and Timelines

The work authorization process involves steps in the correct order. Your DSO recommends you in SEVIS and issues an endorsed I-20. Then compile your application package and submit within the designated window. Track progress through your USCIS online account.

Maintaining Compliance and Reporting

After approval, ongoing compliance is essential. Report address changes within 10 days, stay within authorized hours, and keep your SEVIS record active. For OPT participants, unemployment days count against your authorized period, so track employment status carefully.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most costly mistakes include missing filing deadlines, exceeding unemployment limits, and accepting unauthorized employment. These errors jeopardize your application and F-1 status. Understand rules thoroughly, maintain a compliance calendar, and seek professional guidance.

The US has no NHS, no Medicare for students. Your university plan is the safety net — guard it before you guard your wallet.

University-mandated vs individual plans: understanding your obligations

Most US universities require all international students to carry health insurance that meets specific minimum standards. These usually include: (1) coverage for accidents and illnesses on and off campus; (2) at least $100,000 per accident or illness; (3) medical evacuation coverage of at least $50,000; (4) repatriation of remains coverage of at least $25,000; (5) a deductible not exceeding $500 per accident or illness. Many schools automatically enroll international students in their own university-sponsored plan and charge the premium to the student account. You may be allowed to waive the university plan if you can show proof of comparable coverage from another US-licensed insurer — but Medicare, Medicaid, and foreign insurance plans are typically not accepted. Confirm the waiver eligibility criteria and deadline before the semester starts, because late waivers are almost never accepted. If you cannot waive, the university plan, though expensive, provides straightforward claims and coordination with the campus health centre.

Understanding deductibles, co-pays, out-of-pocket maximums, and networks

US health insurance uses cost-sharing structures that international students often find confusing. The deductible is the amount you pay before insurance starts covering services — e.g., a $500 deductible means you pay the first $500 of medical bills. After the deductible, you pay a co-pay (a fixed amount per visit, e.g., $30 for a doctor’s appointment) or coinsurance (a percentage of the bill, e.g., 20%). The out-of-pocket maximum caps your total annual spending; once you hit it, insurance pays 100% for covered in-network services. In-network providers have negotiated rates with your insurer and cost less; out-of-network providers can charge significantly more, often with no coverage at all except for emergencies. Before scheduling a specialist visit or a procedure, confirm with the provider’s office that they accept your insurance and are in-network. The university health centre is almost always in-network and is your best first stop for non-emergency care.

Prescription drugs, mental health care, and preventive services

Student health plans vary widely in what they cover for prescription drugs and mental health services. Check the plan formulary (list of covered drugs) before having a prescription filled — a drug that costs $10 at an in-network pharmacy could cost $100 under a different plan. For mental health, many plans cover a limited number of therapy sessions per year (e.g., 10-20 visits) or require a referral from the university health centre. Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at most campuses offer short-term therapy free or at low cost, even when the student is uninsured. Preventive services such as annual physicals, flu shots, and routine vaccinations are typically covered at no cost if you see an in-network provider. If you have a chronic condition requiring regular medication or specialist follow-up, ask your DSO or insurance office to review the plan’s coverage limits before you enrol — switching plans mid-year is rarely possible.

Flashcards

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What you learned

End-of-guide quiz

3 questions

01
Your university auto-enrols you in their health plan and bills your account $2,400 per semester. You have your parents’ international policy. What do you do?
02
You break your wrist playing intramural soccer. What is the cost-minimising path?
03
Which is NOT typically covered by a university F-1 plan?

0 / 3 answered

Official sources

Verify rules, fees, and forms on first-party government sites. This guide is educational and not a substitute for your DSO, solicitor, or licensed adviser.

Procedural deep-dives

For statutes, forms, deadlines, and evidence standards, use these legal owners on MyCaseworks.

US student visas hub
F-1, CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT procedural guides in one place.
F-1 document checklist 2026
What to assemble for I-20, DS-160, and the consular interview.
OPT & STEM OPT complete guide
Post-completion work authorisation after you graduate.