PSI Health Insurance

What PSI Health Insurance does

PSI Health Insurance (legally Professional Service, Inc.) is a Vienna, Virginia-based online health insurance provider founded in 1996 that specializes exclusively in coverage for international students, scholars, J-1 exchange visitors, OPT participants, H1B holders, K-12 international students, and non-U.S. citizens traveling to the United States. The company operates a web-based insurance platform at psiservice.com complemented by iOS and Android mobile apps, enabling self-service plan discovery, enrollment, digital ID card retrieval, claims tracking, in-network provider lookup, and direct customer support. Underlying the platform is a multi-tenant plan architecture that supports both broad plan tiers (Student, K-12 Gold/Platinum, J1 Maple/Oak/Cedar, OPT, H1B, Safe Travels Elite) and university-specific branded variants (e.g., Presidential and CA Platinum at UCSD, Emerald at UPenn, Sapphire and Blue Diamond at Harvard, World Elite PSI 450 at FIU), all leveraging either the Aetna PPO or UnitedHealthcare Options PPO network for in-network pricing and direct billing.

The business model is subscription-recurring insurance premiums billed monthly or annually, with annual premiums typically ranging from $613 (entry-level J1 Maple) to $2,064 (K-12 Platinum); the company claims plans start at 25% of comparable university-sponsored plan costs and deliver average 45% savings. Customer acquisition is conducted through a digital self-serve channel (website, mobile app, WeChat for Chinese-speaking students, multi-language support in English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Spanish) and a partner/reseller channel (insurance agents, agencies, and student associations using customized links, real-time dashboards, and commission settlements). PSI is licensed as an insurance producer (NPN 3006548) in 49 U.S. states, with founder Hong Gao (NPN 6767028) individually authorized across multiple state jurisdictions; the company is privately held, founder-owned, and shows no evidence of external institutional investment.

Name

PSI Health Insurance

Legal name

Professional Service, Inc.

Website

https://psiservice.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PSI Health Insurance is a Vienna, Virginia-based online health insurer founded in 1996, exclusively serving international students, J-1 exchange visitors, OPT/H1B holders, K-12 international students, and travelers with plans accepted by 900+ U.S. universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Student Health Insurance

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Student Health Insurance (Individual) (FSAIAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Student Health Insurance Plans (University-Sponsored) (FSAIAFAI)

Keywords

• International student insurance
• Travel medical insurance
• University waiver insurance
• J1 exchange insurance
• K-12 student insurance

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Insurance Premiums: PSI earns revenue through annual and monthly insurance premiums charged to international students, OPT participants, H1B workers, J1 exchange visitors, and K-12 students. Plans are priced competitively at 25% of comparable university-sponsored plans, with average savings of 45% per year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PSI Health Insurance sells health insurance plans designed specifically for international students, scholars, and visitors in the United States. Through a web and mobile platform, customers can search plans by university, enroll online, and select coverage that meets school waiver requirements, with offerings spanning F-1/J-1 student plans, K-12 plans, OPT, H1B, and travel insurance, all backed by Aetna and UnitedHealthcare PPO networks.

Product overview

PSI Health Insurance is a multi-plan digital insurance platform and marketplace that provides and administers health insurance products exclusively for international students and visitors in the United States. The core platform (PSI International Student Health Insurance) is a web and mobile application that supports plan discovery, enrollment, waiver processing, digital ID access, claims management, and customer service. The product portfolio spans multiple named insurance plan tiers — Student Health Insurance, K-12 (Gold and Platinum), J1 Exchange (Maple, Oak, Cedar), OPT, H1B, and Travel Insurance (Safe Travels Elite) — as well as university-specific branded plans (e.g., Presidential Plan, CA Platinum Plan, Emerald Plan, Sapphire Plan, Blue Diamond Plan, World Elite PSI 450) tailored to individual school waiver requirements. Plans are offered through the main PSI website and mobile app, with a separate Partner Program portal for sub-agents. The platform utilizes Aetna and UnitedHealthcare preferred provider networks and integrates payment processing through cards, ACH, and Wells Fargo cash deposits. The PSI Mobile App enables on-the-go access to insurance documents, claims, and provider search.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Student Health Insurance Plan (F-1/J-1) Core health insurance plan for full-time F-1 and J-1 university and college students in the U.S., starting at approximately 25% of the cost of comparable university-sponsored plans and accepted by 900+ U.S. universities for waiver purposes. Includes medical, prescription drug, mental health, preventive care, emergency evacuation, and repatriation coverage.
• K-12 Student Health Insurance (Gold and Platinum Plans) Comprehensive health insurance plans for middle and high school international students (ages 12+) on F-1 or J-1 visas. Gold Plan offers $1,000,000 maximum benefits with $2,500 pre-existing condition coverage after 6 months; Platinum Plan offers unlimited maximum benefits, no pre-existing waiting period, and includes pediatric dental and vision.
• J-1 Exchange Visitor Insurance (Maple, Oak, Cedar Plans) Health insurance plans specifically designed to meet U.S. Department of State requirements for J-1 exchange visitors. Available in three tiers (Maple entry-level, Oak mid-tier with pre-existing coverage after 6 months, and Cedar premium with 100% coinsurance and 100% prescription coverage). Includes medical evacuation and repatriation benefits.
• PSI OPT Insurance Plan Short-term health insurance for F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT), including summer and winter camp students. Priced at $628 annually or $52/month with a $400 deductible and $150,000 maximum benefit; provides bridge coverage between student status and employer-sponsored insurance.
• PSI H1B Insurance Plan Health insurance for H1B visa holders priced at $960 annually or $79/month, with a $250 deductible, $500,000 maximum benefit, mental health coverage at $50/visit, prescription coverage up to $2,000, and worldwide coverage excluding home country.
• Safe Travels Elite (International Travel Medical Insurance)

Quantifiable outcome

• 45% average cost savings per year compared to university-sponsored plans
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aetna (Preferred Provider Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationPSI utilizes Aetna's Preferred Provider Organization network offering hundreds-of-thousands of medical service providers. Students are encouraged to use in-network providers for direct billing and contracted pricing benefits. Aetna brochures are available for J1 and K-12 plan options.
• UnitedHealthcare (Options PPO)coreTechnology or IntegrationPSI utilizes UnitedHealthcare Options PPO network for preferred provider services. Network access is available based on the specific insurance plan. UnitedHealthcare brochures are provided for J1 and K-12 plan options.
• 900+ U.S. Universities (including UPenn, Harvard, FIU, UCSF, UCSD)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPSI plans are officially recognized and recommended on university websites. These universities accept PSI insurance for waiver purposes, meaning international students can use PSI as a compliant alternative to school-sponsored health insurance. The partnership enables PSI to reach students at enrollment and provides university validation of PSI's coverage quality.
• Partner Agents and Student AssociationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPSI Partner Program allows insurance agents, agencies, and student associations to resell PSI insurance plans. Partners receive customized links, real-time customer monitoring dashboards, customized marketing materials, product training, and monthly/quarterly fee settlements.
• Wells Fargo BankminorOthersPSI offers cash payment option through Wells Fargo Bank for customers without credit/debit cards or ACH access. Account Name: Professional Service, Inc., Account Number: 2608424731.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Student Insurance: Online broker/agency focused on health insurance for international students, scholars, and exchange visitors in the US, with school-specific plan finders and waiver support directly comparable to PSI's value proposition.
• Student Secure (HCC Medical Insurance Services / Tokio Marine HCC): Underwriter and marketer of Student Secure, one of the most recognized international student health plans in the US, competing head-to-head with PSI in F-1/J-1 coverage and waiver-compliant plan design.
• ISO Insurance: ISO is one of the largest direct competitors to PSI in international student health insurance, offering comparable F-1/J-1 plans, school-waiver-compliant coverage, and direct online enrollment for international students in the US.
• ISO International Student Health Insurance Plans: ISOA markets international student health plans that compete with PSI's F-1/J-1 offerings; both rely on PPO networks (Aetna/UHC) and target university waiver compliance.

Broad incumbents

• World Nomads: World Nomads is a leading travel medical insurance provider for international travelers; overlaps with PSI's Safe Travels Elite product for international visitors and student travelers.
• International Medical Group (IMG): IMG underwrites student-focused plans such as Student Health Advantage and Patriot Exchange, directly comparable to PSI's J1 and international student products in benefits structure and target customer.
• GeoBlue (HTH Worldwide): GeoBlue offers international student and expatriate health plans using Blue Cross/Blue Shield networks, serving the same international-student-in-the-US segment as PSI but with broader global mobility offerings and carrier backing.
• Cigna Global Health: Cigna Global provides international health insurance including student plans; a broad incumbent in international medical insurance that competes with PSI for high-end F-1/J-1 and OPT customers seeking global coverage.

Emerging players

• Compass Student Insurance: Compass offers international student health insurance with online enrollment and school-specific plans, positioning as a smaller but direct niche competitor to PSI's F-1/J-1 offerings.
• VisitorsCoverage: VisitorsCoverage is an insurance marketplace/aggregator focused on visitor and international student health insurance in the US, competing with PSI on travel and student plan distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/psiservice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/professional-service-inc.-psi-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PSI Health Insurance