The Benefits of Shorelight’s Health Insurance Solution
In the US, health care costs can vary significantly based on the hospital, location, and urgency, and may be very different from what a student is used to back home. In 2024, the average cost of an emergency room (ER) visit in the US without insurance was $2,715, but this cost can climb in excess of $20,000 or more if surgery or critical care is required. With a good student health insurance plan, families can save on the majority of this cost – or the entire cost – and access health services in the US at affordable rates based on their needs.
Shorelight’s Solution Offers Peace of Mind
Shorelight works with Wellfleet, a Berkshire Hathaway company and licensed insurance carrier with more than 30 years of experience in student health administration. As a Berkshire Hathaway Company, Wellfleet has an A++ (Superior)* rating from the global credit rating agency AM Best.
Having served more than 38,000 international students, Shorelight understands their unique needs and has created a health insurance package tailored to them.
The Shorelight Health Insurance Solution features:
Coverage for medical services, plus wrap-around support which includes educational content, pre-departure guidance, and 24/7 dedicated customer service.
Wellfleet’s partnership with Cigna HealthcareSM provides access to 1.2 million+ providers and 6,000 facilities nationwide.**
Competitive premiums and less-expensive out-of-pocket costs compared to other plans.
The industry’s only student-focused prescription drug formulary with 50+ medications included in the plan at no additional cost.
24/7 access to mental health support with just a call or text message.
*For latest ratings, visit ambest.com
**The Cigna HealthcareSM PPO Network refers to the health care providers (doctors, hospitals, specialists) contracted as part of the Cigna Healthcare PPO for Shared Administration. Cigna HealthcareSM analysis of actual number of mental health professionals as of September 2021. Data is subject to change. Cigna HealthcareSM is an independent company and not affiliated with Wellfleet. Access to the Cigna Healthcare PPO Network is available through the contractual relationship between Wellfleet and Cigna Healthcare. All Cigna Healthcare products are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company. The Cigna name, logo, and other marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc.
Compare the Shorelight Solution with the Average Health Insurance Plan
Here’s how the Shorelight Health Insurance Solution compares with the average student health insurance plan on the market:
Check out the growing list of Universities offering the Shorelight Health Insurance Solution
If you are a university interested in joining this list, please contact us to learn more.
Adelphi University
Garden City, New York
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
American Collegiate LA
Los Angeles, California
American University
Washington, DC
Florida International University
Miami, Florida
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, Ohio
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
University of the Pacific
Northern California
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, Pennsylvania
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Gonzaga University
Spokane, Washington
Western New England University
Springfield, Massachusetts
University of Dayton
Dayton, Ohio
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Are you a student interested in learning more about enrolling in our Student Health Insurance Solution?
FAQs about Health Insurance
How do international students enroll in Shorelight’s health insurance solution?
If you are enrolled in one of the universities listed above and interested in purchasing Shorelight’s Health Insurance Solution, contact us at marketplace@shorelight.com.
My school requires that the health insurance plan I purchase be ACA compliant; does Shorelight’s solution meet this requirement?
Yes! Shorelight’s health insurance solution is ACA compliant and filed / approved to meet your school’s requirements.
What does ACA mean?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a comprehensive reform law, enacted in the United States in 2010, that increases health insurance coverage for the uninsured and implements reforms to the health insurance market. Many universities require that their students have an ACA compliant health insurance plan when they enroll.
Is health insurance required for a US visa for international students?
The U.S. Department of State does not require F-1 or F-2 visa holders to have health insurance. However, most universities require you to have health insurance before taking classes.
What is the average cost of health care in the US without health insurance?
Health care costs in the United States can be costly if the patient doesn’t have health insurance coverage.
The average cost of an emergency room (ER) visit without insurance can cost anywhere from $2,700 to over $20,000.
Routine doctor visits can range from $100 to $300 per visit with specialist visits ranging from $200-$2,000 depending on care and tests required.
Prescriptions can range from $10-$50 per prescription for generic medications and $100-$500 or more for brand name medications.
Source: 2023 Risk Strategies Report
How much does student health insurance cost in the US?
The average cost of Health Insurance through the ACA Marketplace for a 21 year old averages $3,924 annually for bronze level, $5,136 for silver level and $6,696 for gold level.*
Shorelight’s Wellfleet International Student Health insurance is ACA compliant and has an annual cost that is $500-$1,000 cheaper than comparable plans and a variety of features designed for international students, including:
Comprehensive dental and vision coverage
Preventative coverage at no additional cost
Low annual deductibles ($100) and co-pays ($10/per vist) for office visits
10% coinsurance for emergency services (waived if admitted)
A prescription formulary with 40+ common prescriptions at no additional cost
24/7 access through call or text to confidential and discreet behavioral health support
*Source: Forbes Advisor, 6/18/25
Are there any exclusions to the Shorelight Health Insurance Solution?
Visit this link to review exclusions.
