IMG Patriot Exchange Program

Yes, but with a caveat. UK students get NHS access via the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776/year), so private cover is optional. Patriot Exchange is most useful if you also travel to the USA during your studies, want supplementary private cover during NHS waiting periods, or need cover for a short course before NHS access kicks in.

Pricing starts around $54/month (~£45) for a healthy 24-year-old at the $500,000 plan maximum with a $100 deductible. Lower deductibles ($0) cost more; higher coverage limits cost slightly more. You pay annually or monthly.

Pre-existing conditions are excluded for the first 12 months. After 12 months of continuous coverage, IMG covers up to $500 per period of coverage with a $1,500 lifetime maximum. If you have significant pre-existing conditions, consider Cigna Global or Bupa Global Major Medical instead.

Yes — the policy is renewable in 5-day to 12-month increments, up to a maximum of 48 continuous months. You must keep paying premiums on time without gaps to maintain pre-existing condition credits.