Although health insurance is not mandatory for US visitors, it’s highly recommended. Without insurance, medical expenses in the US can be overwhelming.
How Do I Get Health Insurance for Visitors in the United States?
Here are the possible ways you can get US visitor health insurance:
- Online insurance providers and comparison site. This method is quick, simple, and one of the easiest ways to get coverage. You can do this via an insurance company or a US-based health insurance broker like Insubuy. At Insubuy you can compare different plans and ultimately select the one that fits your needs.
- Directly from insurance companies. The most reputable companies that offer health insurance plans for visitors in the United States include IMG, Allianz, World Trips, Seven Corners, and Trawick International. You can also buy an insurance policy from a local provider in your home country, or an American company.
- Through credit card benefits. There are specific credit cards that offer travel insurance benefits.
- Through travel agents or tour operators. Travel agents offer basic coverage as part of their packages. While convenient, these options may not always be the most affordable or comprehensive.
The US insurance market is highly regulated, so the prices of the same policy that is sold by different parties will be the same. Choosing whether you get your policy through a comparison marketplace or an insurance company won’t impact the overall cost of the purchase.
Travel health insurance policies costs as low as $30 and as high as over $100 for a one-month stay per person. The general rule of thumb for the cost of a policy is that it should be between 4% to 10% of the overall price of your trip.
What Are the Best Health Insurance Plans for Visitors to the United States?
Here are the best medical insurance plans for visitors to the US:
Coverage for one person in their 30s for a trip duration in the United States of 30 days.
Table of Plan Details
| Plan Name | Safe Travels Elite | Visitor’s Care Plus | Patriot America Plus | Atlas America |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $36.60 | $30.60 | $54.30 | $55.20 |
| Plan type | Fixed coverage | Fixed Coverage | Comprehensive Coverage | Comprehensive Coverage |
| Co-insurance | Yes, after you pay the deductible the plan pays in fixed amounts for services, and you pay the difference out of pocket. | Yes, after you pay the deductible, the plan pays fixed amounts for services, and you pay the difference out of pocket. | Yes, after you pay the deductible, the plan covers 80% of the service initially, and then when you use insurance again, it covers 100%. | Yes, after you pay the deductible, the plan covers 80% of the service initially, and then when you use insurance again, it covers 100%. |
| Visiting a doctor | Up to $75 per visit, 1 per day, 30 visits maximum | Up to $60 per visit, 10 visits per annual period | To policy maximum. | To policy maximum. |
| Urgent care | Up to $75 per visit, 1 per day, 30 visits maximum | Up to $60 per visit, 10 visits per annual period | Deductible waived, $25 copay; unless $0 deductible. | Deductible waived, $15 copay; unless $0 deductible. |
| Walk-in-clinic | Up to $75 per visit, 1 per day, 30 visits maximum | Up to $60 per visit, 10 visits per annual period | US-Walk-in Clinic: Deductible waived, $15 copay; unless $0 deductible. Co-insurance still applies. | Deductible waived, $15 copay; unless $0 deductible. |
| Emergency room, all expenses incurred | $500 per injury/illness Extra $200 deductible for illness visits that do not result in hospital admission. | $330 per visit No coverage if not admitted to hospital, unless for injury. | To policy maximum. Extra $250 deductible for illness visits that do not result in hospital admission. | To policy maximum. Extra $200 copay for illness visits that do not result in hospital admission. |
| Prescription drugs | Up to $350 per injury/illness | Up to $250 per incident, maximum of $450 | To policy maximum | To policy maximum |
| Diagnostic X-rays and lab services | Up to $750; Up to $650 for a PET scan or MRI | Up to $250 per incident, maximum of $450 | To policy maximum | To policy maximum |
| Hospital room and board | Up to $2,000 per day, 30-day maximum per injury/illness | Up to $1,400 per day, 30 days maximum per annual period | To policy maximum, average semi-private room including nursing services. | To policy maximum, average semi-private room including nursing services. |
| Intensive care unit | Up to $2,500 per day, 8-day maximum per injury/illness | Up to $2,060 per day, 8 days maximum per annual period | To policy maximum | To policy maximum |
| Inpatient surgery | Up to $5,000 per injury/illness | Up to $3,300 per surgical session | To policy maximum | To policy maximum |
| Local ambulance | Up to $650 per injury/illness | Up to $450 per annual period No coverage if not admitted to hospital, unless for injury. | To policy maximum for an illness that results in hospitalization as an inpatient or for injury. | To policy maximum when illness or injury results in hospitalization as inpatient. |
| Physical therapy | Limited to $50 per visit, one visit per day, and 12 visits per Policy Period | Up to $40 per visit, 1 per visit per day, 12 visits maximum Must be ordered in advance by the physician. | To policy maximum Must be ordered in advance by physician. | $50 maximum per day Must be ordered in advance by physician. |
| PPO Within the USA | First Health PPO Network of physicians, hospitals, urgent cares, labs and other healthcare providers. No network for pharmacies, dentists, ambulance. | None | United Healthcare PPO Network of physicians, hospitals, urgent cares, labs and other healthcare providers. No network for pharmacies, dentists, ambulance. | United Healthcare PPO Network of physicians, hospitals, urgent cares, labs and other healthcare providers. No network for pharmacies, dentists, ambulance. |
| Pre-existing medical conditions | Acute onset only up to policy maximum ($25,000 for cardiac or stroke). | Acute onset only, for persons under 70: Medical up to policy maximum; Medical evacuation up to $25,000. | Acute onset only, for persons under 70: Medical to policy maximum. Medical evacuation up to $25,000. | Acute onset only, for persons under 80: Medical up to policy maximum. Medical Evacuation up to $25,000. |
| Covid-19 | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Trip Delay/Quarantine | N/A | N/A | N/A | 12+ hours: $100/day; 2 days maximum |
| Loss of checked luggage | N/A | N/A | $50 per item, $500 maximum | $50 per item, $1,000 maximum |
| Policy duration | 5 days minimum up to 364 days maximum | 5 days minimum to 2 years maximum | 5 days minimum up to 2 years maximum | 5 days minimum up to 364 days maximum |
Cost of Health Insurance for Visitors
Travel health insurance policies costs as low as $30 and as high as over $100 for a one-month stay per person. The general rule of thumb for the cost of a policy is that it should be between 4% to 10% of the overall price of your trip.
Since the US insurance market is tightly regulated, you’ll pay the same price for a policy no matter where you buy it. Choosing whether you get your policy through a comparison marketplace or an insurance company won’t impact the overall cost.
Understanding Coverage Details for Visitor Insurance
Visitor insurance helps protect against unexpected medical expenses. This means that claims related to a pre-existing condition, a doctor’s check-up, or routine medical care will not be covered. Here’s what visitor’s insurance typically covers:
- Emergency medical care
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
- Accidental death & dismemberment
- Return of mortal remains
- Loss of luggage
- Trip interruption
Fixed vs. Comprehensive Plans
When choosing your insurance, you’ll come across two main types: Fixed Benefit Plans and Comprehensive Coverage Plans. Here’s how they differ:
| Fixed Coverage Plans | Comprehensive Coverage Plans | |
| Initial cost | Lower | Higher |
| How it works | The insurance company pays a fixed amount for every medical procedure, regardless of the cost of the procedure.
|
The insurance pays a percentage of the actual medical costs up to a certain limit, then covers 100% after that (until the policy maximum is reached). |
| Deductible | You have to pay a deductible every time you get sick or injured. | You have to pay a deductible only once for the entire policy. |
| Policy maximum | They have a lower policy maximum. | They have a higher policy maximum. |
| Example | Let’s say your plan covers a fixed amount of $5,000 for a particular surgery, but the actual cost of the surgery is $50,000. In this case, the insurance will pay only $5,000, and you’ll be responsible for the remaining $45,000 minus any deductible. | Let’s say you have a $50,000 medical expense. The insurance covers 80% of the first $5,000 in expenses (while you pay 20%). After that, the insurance covers 100% of additional costs up to your policy’s maximum limit.
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get Visitor's Health Insurance for the US if I’m Over 65?
Yes, specific plans are available for individuals in this age group. But, the price of all plans increases along with your age. Senior citizens generally have to pay more for the same amount of coverage than a younger person would. Companies may not offer plans with coverage for elderly visitors over the age of 69 at all.
I’m Visiting my Son/Daughter in the US; How Do I Get Coverage?
If you’re visiting your son or daughter in the US, you can get visitor insurance just like any other visitor. However, your son or daughter can buy your policy from the US, and they can find policies designed specifically for parents visiting their children in the country.
Do Seniors Need Health Insurance to Visit the US?
Seniors over 80 who want to travel, should have a valid policy that includes medical coverage. Seniors are more likely to need medical care or emergency services, such as trip cancellation or evacuation.
Does Travel Health Insurance Cover Pregnancy in the US?
The short answer is no. Most travel insurance plans exclude pregnancy-related coverage.
However, it can cover specific situations related to pregnancy, such as the following:
Example 1: Pregnancy Complications Coverage - Trip Cancellation
You have booked a one-month trip from the UK to the US to visit your sister. You have purchased the flight tickets, booked the hotel, and planned your entire visit. You’re two months pregnant, and the last time you were at the doctor’s, they gave you the green light to fly but asked you to go for one more check-up before leaving because you had some persistent morning sickness.
On the day of the check-up, your doctor notices that your morning sickness has gotten worse. In fact, they diagnose you with “hyperemesis gravidarum,” a form of severe and serious morning sickness, and schedule you for a hospital stay during the time when you were supposed to travel.
Here is where your travel health insurance can help you cover the costs of the canceled trip due to a serious condition related to your pregnancy. However, it’s important to note that morning sickness, which is considered “normal” to some degree, will most likely not be enough to cover you in this case.
Example 2: Unexpected Pregnancy Coverage - Trip Cancellation
You are planning to visit the US so you can meet some perspective clients but also do some touristy exploration. Unfortunately, after you’ve already scheduled and paid for the trip, you find out you’re pregnant; congratulations!
It’s still early in the pregnancy, and your doctor doesn’t want you to travel at this point. Fortunately, your travel health insurance can cover your canceled trip as long as you can provide evidence that you found out you were pregnant after booking the trip.
Your insurance won’t cover trip cancellation if you booked the trip while pregnant.
Example 3: Emergency Medical Services Coverage
You have arranged a visit to your parents in the US before giving birth, you’re at 35 weeks pregnant, and your doctor has written you a note stating you’re clear for travel. However, after staying a week in the US, you had some unexpected labor pains, and soon enough, you had to visit an emergency room. The doctors there rush you for an unplanned C-section to deliver the baby safely.
Because this was an unexpected emergency procedure, your travel health insurance can cover it, depending on what kind of policy you have. It is important to note that a planned C-section will not be covered.
Tips for Buying Insurance for Seniors and Parents Visiting the US
To make sure you are buying the best policy possible for your travels and according to your age, then follow the tips below:
- Make sure that your insurance covers at least $250,000 of medical expenses.
- Buy an insurance policy that offers a wide range of coverage related to medical expenses, anything from a simple hospital visit to emergency medical evacuation— with at least $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage.
- Check whether your insurance plan includes a waiver for your pre-existing conditions and whether they offer coverage for your pre-existing conditions.
- Shop around and compare policies, check different companies, and what policies they offer for seniors over 80.
- Buy your insurance as early as possible, especially if you’re still 79. Buy your insurance plan before your birthday, as your policy is designed to protect you with your current age and not for your future birthday.
Can I Get Insurance I Have Pre-existing Conditions?
If you have a pre-existing condition, the insurance policies available to you are:
- Insurance policies which cover the “acute onset of a pre-existing condition” or
- Insurance policies with “pre-existing condition exclusion waivers”.
In both cases in order for your insurance to cover your pre-existing condition, the condition must have been stable for a specific period of time before you bought your insurance policy.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Travel Health Insurance Policy If You Have a Pre-Existing Condition
If you find a plan which covers pre-existing conditions, keep the following factors in mind:
- If you have a pre-existing condition, your insurance premium will be higher. That’s because the likelihood of you making a claim will increase, and so does the premium.
- For your condition to be covered, it must have been stable for a period of time before purchasing the insurance policy. This means that:
- If you are currently in the middle of receiving treatment for a condition, you will not be covered for any claims relating to it.
- If you have recently received treatment, medication, or hospitalization for a condition, you will not be covered for any claims relating to it.
- The period of time during which your condition must have been stable is determined by the insurance company, and could be anywhere from one to ten years.
What Is Considered a Pre-Existing Condition?
A pre-existing condition is any medical conditions, illnesses, or injuries for which you had to receive medical treatment or medicine, or that you needed to be tested for before you purchase the insurance policy. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Asthma and other respiratory problems
- Heart conditions, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure
- Cancer
- Stroke
- Arthritis, rheumatism, and other joint and bone inflammation
- Mental disorders
- Chronic or terminal illnesses
- Any injury that you have received treatment for
What is an Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions?
The acute onset of a pre-existing condition is the unexpected and immediate reappearance of a previous condition (which so far, was stable) that happens suddenly and without previous warning, is short-lived, progresses rapidly, and requires immediate medical care.
A pre-existing condition that is progressing over a period of time (and is present at the time your coverage) does not qualify for acute onset of a pre-existing condition, and your insurance plan will not cover it.
What is a Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver?
What the phrase “pre-existing conditions exclusion waiver” means is that, in some cases, the insurance company will waive the clause which states that they do not cover claims related to pre-existing conditions.
To be eligible for this waiver, you typically have to meet these requirements:
- Your pre-existing condition must be stable.
- You have to buy your insurance policy as soon as you make your first deposit for the trip. The exact time frame when you can purchase such a policy will depend on the insurance provider.
- You have to get an insurance plan which covers all the pre-paid, non-refundable costs of your trip. For example, if your trip to the US required a non-refundable deposit of $2,000, then your insurance policy has to cover at least €2,000 of trip costs.