What's unique about healthcare costs in San Francisco?

San Francisco has among the highest healthcare costs in the country outside NYC. Average ER visit: $4,100. A hospital day averages $3,800. San Francisco also has Kaiser Permanente (an HMO-model insurer) as a dominant provider — if you want non-Kaiser doctors, you need a PPO plan. International student plans from IMG and WorldTrips provide PPO access across the Bay Area.

What are the visa requirements for international students in San Francisco?

F-1 and J-1 visa students in San Francisco are subject to the same federal requirements as all US international students. California does not add state-level mandates beyond federal F-1 requirements. Each university (SFSU, USF, Academy of Art) has its own waiver criteria — Tower Hill can provide documentation meeting any Bay Area university's standards.

Are there mental health services for international students in SF?

Yes. San Francisco has excellent mental health resources, and IMG and WorldTrips plans include mental health benefits. SFSU and USF both have on-campus counseling centers. Community mental health resources (SF Department of Public Health, Lyra Health app) supplement insurance-covered care. SF's diverse, international-friendly culture also creates strong community support networks.

How do I get to a hospital if I live in the Sunset District or Richmond?

UCSF Medical Center (Parnassus Heights) is 15–20 minutes from most western SF neighborhoods by bus or N-Judah. CPMC Davies Campus is in the Castro, accessible from most SF neighborhoods. Zuckerberg SF General is in the Mission, accessible by BART. SFMTA (Muni) connects all residential areas to major hospitals.

My Bay Area program includes Silicon Valley companies — does insurance cover me there too?

Yes. International student plans provide coverage throughout the US regardless of where you're attending class, doing an internship, or working. If your program includes time at tech companies in Mountain View, Menlo Park, or San Jose (Silicon Valley), you're covered under the same plan.

🌉San Francisco, California·45,000+ intl students

International Student Health Insurance in San Francisco

45,000+ international students study in the San Francisco Bay Area. ER visits average $4,100 here. Get proper coverage for $32–$48/month.

Get My Quote →📞 (832) 856-1704

University Plans vs. Tower Hill — San FranciscoSave 75–85%

University	Intl Students	Univ Plan/yr	Tower Hill/yr
University of California San Francisco	1,200	$3,100/year	$32–$48/month
San Francisco State University	5,800	$1,680/year	$32–$48/month
Golden Gate University	1,600	$1,920/year	$32–$48/month
University of San Francisco	2,800	$2,280/year	$32–$48/month
Academy of Art University	2,200	$1,800/year	$32–$48/month
Typical Savings vs. University Plan			Up to 85% less

Why San Francisco International Students Need Private Insurance

San Francisco's Bay Area tech ecosystem draws international students in STEM, design, business, and entrepreneurship programs. SF has a high cost of living but moderate university health plan costs compared to Boston and NYC.

45,000+

Total intl students

$4,100

Avg ER visit cost

$32–$48/month

Tower Hill plan/mo

San Francisco's Top Hospitals — In Your Network

SFSU students are near the Stonestown/Sunset District. USF is in the Inner Richmond near Golden Gate Park. Academy of Art students are citywide. UCSF has multiple campuses (Parnassus Heights, Mission Bay). BART and Muni connect all areas to major hospitals.

🏥UCSF Medical Center

🏥Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital

🏥CPMC (California Pacific Medical Center)

🏥Saint Francis Memorial Hospital

🏥Kaiser Permanente SF

Average hospital stay in San Francisco: $3,800/day. With a US PPO plan, you pay only your deductible/copay — not the full billed rate.

How to Waive Your San Francisco University Health Plan

Get a quote & purchase

Choose a plan through Tower Hill. Takes 5 minutes online.

Request your waiver letter

Email us at support@towerhillcorp.com with your university name and waiver form. We respond within 1 business day.

Submit before the deadline

Upload your insurance certificate and waiver letter through your university's health portal. Deadlines are typically 2–4 weeks after enrollment.

Save $1,000–$3,000/year

Your university fee is reversed. You keep comprehensive coverage at a fraction of the cost.

Plans for International Students in San Francisco

All plans include US PPO network access and are accepted as health insurance waivers at San Francisco-area universities.

⭐ Top Pick for San Francisco International Students

Most University-Accepted

IMG Global

Student Health Advantage

~$35/month

Accepted as a health insurance waiver at 500+ US universities. US PPO network, mental health, preventive care, and prescription drugs.

✓F-1 & J-1 visa compliant

✓US PPO network

✓Mental health & counseling

✓Preventive care & vaccines

✓Prescription drug coverage

✓University waiver-ready

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Best Price-to-Coverage

WorldTrips

Atlas America Student

~$30/month

Strong US network, competitive pricing. Popular among students who want comprehensive coverage without paying top dollar.

✓US PPO network access

✓Emergency medical

✓Mental health benefits

✓Telemedicine included

✓Sports & activities covered

✓Semester or annual

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Most Affordable

Trawick International

Safe Travels USA Student

~$25/month

Lowest-cost plan that meets most university waiver minimums. Ideal for budget-focused students needing compliance.

✓F-1 compliant

✓Emergency medical

✓Emergency evacuation

✓Repatriation of remains

✓Acute onset pre-existing

✓No deductible option

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Studying in San Francisco?

Get instant health insurance quotes for international students in San Francisco, California. University waiver letter provided.

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