Question 1

Can expats buy health insurance in the USA?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and there are two routes. International health insurance with US cover works from day one, follows you if you leave, and is bought outside the US system. US domestic plans are the other route, but eligibility depends on your visa status and residency.

Question 2

What is the best health insurance for foreigners in the USA?

Accepted Answer

There is no single answer. It depends on your visa type, how long you are staying, whether your employer offers a plan, and your age. Someone on a two-year assignment needs something different from someone applying for permanent residence. We compare international plans that include US cover across several insurers.

Question 3

Can non-US citizens get health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. International health insurance is available regardless of citizenship or visa status. Access to US domestic plans is narrower and depends on immigration status.

Question 4

Can I get health insurance while waiting for my green card?

Accepted Answer

Yes. International health insurance covers you throughout the process with no dependency on your immigration stage. Whether you also qualify for a US domestic plan while your application is pending depends on your specific status.

Question 5

What happens if I arrive in the USA before my employer's coverage begins?

Accepted Answer

Employer plans often start on the first of the month after you begin work, which can leave a gap of several weeks. A short-term international plan covers that window and can be bought for as little as a month. Arriving uninsured in the US is the single most expensive mistake a new arrival can make.

Question 6

Does my visa require specific health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Some do. J-1 exchange visitors must hold cover meeting federally set minimums for medical benefits, repatriation of remains and medical evacuation, with a capped deductible. Most other visa categories have no federal insurance requirement, though employers and universities often impose their own.

Question 7

Can I keep my home country health insurance while living in the USA?

Accepted Answer

Usually not for long. Most national systems and domestic private plans stop covering you once you are resident elsewhere, and few cover US treatment at any point. Check your policy for a residency clause. If you are French, CFE cover can continue abroad but is designed to sit alongside a complementary plan rather than replace one.

	AgoraExpat	Direct International Insurers	General Brokers & Comparison Sites
What it is	Independent broker comparing multiple insurers	Single insurance company selling their own plans	Aggregators listing many providers
Best for	Expats who want expert guidance and plan comparison	People who already know which insurer they want	Price comparison shoppers
Coverage focus	Tailored to destination, budget, and medical needs	Limited to their own product range	Broad but not personalized
Speed to quote	Quote in 2 minutes, expert follow-up within 24h	Varies, often requires lengthy application	Instant quotes but limited expert support

Short-Term Health Insurance for Non-US Citizens in the USA

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