Visiting the United States is a great experience for foreign travelers. However, health insurance is a bit costly if you don’t plan accordingly. We are here to help you find the best health insurance for visitors to USA.
Are you planning to visit your children in the United States? Consider buying health insurance.
Not only insurance helps you if some unforeseen illness or injury occurs but it might be required by some of the U.S. states as well.
You may need to present proof of insurance at the embassy, especially if you’re coming from countries like Spain, Germany, Iceland, and France.
We know, it is a bit confusing to choose insurance when you have hundreds of options out there but is very crucial to choose the right insurance as per your needs.
As a result, we bring this post for you that will make you aware of some of the best health insurance for visitors to the USA.
However, before that let’s get to know why do visitors to the United States need health insurance?
Table of Contents
Why Should You Invest in Health Insurance when Visiting the United States?
There is no doubt about it that you can visit the US without buying any health insurance. Even in most scenarios, no one is going to ask you for it, until you have to visit a medical care center.
However, you must remember that medical care is quite expensive in the United States – just for consultation and a small treatment, you might have to pay a big amount.
So, if you really want to avoid bad surprises and losing money, it is highly recommended to get the right health insurance before you pay a visit to the US. Check out this travel budget template that will help you build a plan for saving money during your traveling.
Good health insurance will prevent you from spending big amounts in the hospital, in miserable circumstances.
List of Best Health Insurance Options for Visitors to the United States
Now, let’s have a look at some of the best health insurance options.
1. Smart Financial
Smart Financial is one of the most reliable ways to find health insurance at the tip of your fingertips. Imagine just filling out a handful of questions to get the right policy for you. It’s like the LendingTree of health insurance for travelers.
Pros
Smart Financial’s simple interface will solve the headache of search and scouring the web for the most affordable plan for you. They’ve done all the homework for you.
Cons
You’ll need to answer a few questions before getting started. This will help Smart Financial find the right plan for you.
2. Cover America – Gold
Cover America is one of the most popular travel health insurance plans proving 100% coverage after the deductible. This insurance has a myriad of features making it an ideal health insurance option for people visiting America.
Cover America insurance provides coverage against the loss of a passport, border entry protection, missed flights and return flight.
Apart from this, insurance is also available for the pre-existing health conditions you’re suffering from. Anyone, who is up to the age of 69 can buy this insurance. The maximum coverage you get under this insurance is $125,000 while for treatments like Cardiac and Stroke, the maximum coverage is $36,000.
Highlights
- Cover America Gold is “A+” rated plan
- Urgent care copay $20-$25, depending on policy max
- Comprehensive Coverage Plan
- Provides coverage from 5 days to 364 days
- You get a free wellness discount card along with
- Provides coverage for a cruise, border entry, and amusement park
- Total coverage for $125,000 for those who are under the ages of 69 and $30,000 for ages 70 to 79
- Comprehensive PPO network in the United State under PHCS
3. Patriot America Plus
Patriot America Plus Insurance is another best visitor insurance for parents visiting the USA. After you pay the deductible, the plan provides you up to 100% coverage within the United Healthcare PPO Network. If you choose to get medical care outside this network, the insurance will pay 80%
This insurance can be taken by non-US citizens, green card holders as well those US citizens who briefly visit the country. The insurance is designed to cover medical conditions like accidents, injuries, ICU, surgery, MRI, and lab work.
Similar to Cover America, this plan covers a time frame between 5 days to 365 days.
Highlights
- Coverage up to $500,000 for acute onset of pre-existing conditions
- Comprehensive coverage plan for international travel
- Easy to renew and cancel
- Medical coverage during travel
- PPO Network
4. Atlas America
Atlas America is considered one of the best visitor insurance options. It is a reputable insurance firm licensed and regulated by the Dept. of Insurance in the United States. Al their claims are handled in the USA.
Administered by HCC MIC, the insurance plan is designed to provide insurance coverage and emergency services to individuals and families traveling to the USA.
It provides you coverage for acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions, but with some limits.
Within the PPO network, you can get up to 100% coverage. Outside the PPO network, the insurance allows you to take medical assistance from a large number of doctors, medical facilities, and hospitals.
The plan offers coverage from $50,000 up to $2,000,000 for pre-existing medical health conditions for those who are under 69. For ages 70 -79, the insurance pays up to $100,000
Highlights
- Rated “A” Plan
- Comprehensive insurance plans provide 100% Coverage
- Covers Outside the PPO Network as well.
- Easy to renew and cancel
- Medical coverage during travel
See Related: Best Health Insurance for Travel Nurses
5. Liaison Travel Choice
Liaison Travel Choice is counted among the top health insurance plans for visitors to the USA. After all, it pays up to $30,000 for pre-existing health conditions. Moreover, travelers get free discount care which is applicable at most pharmacies in the United States.
After the deductible amount, the insurance plan pays up to 90% within the PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) network while outside the network, it pays up to 80%.
The insurance company pays 90% of the first $5000 and then covers 100% for anything within the network.
Highlights
- It is an “A” rated plan
- Provides 90% to 100% coverage
- Gives up to $30,000 coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions
- Renewable and cancellable
- Provide complete medical coverage during travel
- Coverage from 5 to 364 days.
See Related: Can I Travel During the Naturalization Process?
6. ChoiceAmerica
If you’re in search of a basic travel medical insurance, you may find ChoiceAmerica an ideal option. This visitor insurance plan is managed by IMG (International Medical Insurance).
For those who don’t know what is visitor health insurance, it is a short-term travel medical insurance policy that enables visitors visiting any country to get coverage protection for accidental injury or illness.
What makes this insurance different from other insurance options is that it allows you to visit any doctor or hospital you find best for you.
Moreover, the insurance plan has a pre-defined limit for each medical service that eliminates the guesswork out of the equation. The insurance plan also covers cruises and amusement parks in both North and South America.
Note: This plan is not available to US residents. However, a visitor visiting to the United States from any country can take advantage of this plan.
Highlights
- You get a set amount per happening up to policy maximum
- It is an affordable insurance plan but comes with fewer benefits comparatively
- Provides coverage from five days up to one year
- Limited pre-existing condition coverage
- Offers coverage for amusement parts, adventure sports injuries
- Offers coverage for essential travel documents such as a passport.
7. Safe Travels USA Insurance
Safe Travels USA Insurance is an ideal health insurance plan for foreign visitors who are 80 and above. This comprehensive coverage plan is administered by Trawick International, a well-known US & International travel insurance provider.
Safe Travels USA Insurance plan is designed to cover up to the first $1000 of covered expenses for the unseen recurrence of already-existing medical conditions.
Although you have options to choose from limited coverage plans, it is advisable to choose a comprehensive plan that will give you better protection throughout your entire trip. The insurance plan covers 100% to the policy maximum within the preferred provider organization network.
When you visit the provider with in the first health PPO network, a deductible is waived, regardless of which deductible you choose. And when you visit urgent care, you pay $30 copay.
Besides this, Safe Travels USA insurance also provides coverage for $50,000 in new medical conditions.
Highlights
- B+ rating (AM best rating)
- Medical coverage during travel
- 80% up to the policy maximum after deductible
8. International Major Medical
The International Major Medical Plan is administered by PIU Lloyd’s of London. If you need a short term health insurance to visit the United States, you may consider this option as well. It is intended to provide coverage to those people temporarily working in the United States, new immigrants, and short term visitors to the USA.
The insurance plan gives coverage from 10 days to 11 months.
With this plan, you get the policy from $50,000 to $1,000,000. The insurance policy is quite popular among the age group of 70 years to 84 years. The company quickly accepts and approves the application. As soon as you pay for it your insurance is confirmed right away.
Highlights
- Comprehensive Coverage plan provides coverage from 10 days to 11 months.
- Urgent care
- Medical coverage during travel
- 100% up to the policy maximum
9. Patriot Platinum Insurance
Administrated by IMG, patriot platinum insurance is a travel medical insurance plan covers all the essential expenses from traditional travel insurance. It is a good plan for seniors citizens aged between 70 to 79 years. The insurance plan has been receiving good feedbacks and reviews from customers.
All its claims are handled in the United States. Within the POP network, the insurance plan compensates up to 100% while out of network, you get 90% of the first $5,000 and then 100% up to the policy maximum. Additionally, for sudden and unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing condition.
Highlights
- Complete coverage for pre-existing medical issues & urgent care
- Coverage is available for 5 days to 1 year
- You can renew and cancel it as per your convenience
- Comprehensive coverage plan
- Provides satisfying treatments within the PPO network
See Related: How to Find Hacker Fares to Save Money
10. Inbound USA Insurance
This limited coverage insurance plan covers non-US citizens paying a short visit to the United States. Since it is a basic plan, it won’t provide benefits of full-fledged plans. It is a low-cost insurance plan that pays coverage per-incident.
Inbound USA Insurance can’t be used by US citizens who are green card holders and traveling in and out of the USA. Since it is a limited coverage plan, it will only pay up to a certain amount for each treatment.
In case the bill goes beyond that amount, you will need to take care of the expenses yourself.
If you’re looking for an affordable, basic plan you may consider it.
AM Best (a popular US-based rating company) has given it an A rating.
Highlights
- Administrated by Seven Corners (A well-known reputable insurance administrator)
- Rated “A” by AM Best and A+ by Standard & Poor’s
- Any non-us citizens traveling to America can leverage this plan
See Related: Hotel vs Motel vs Inn – What’s the Difference?
11. Visitors Care Insurance
Visitors Care is another best low-cost insurance plan for parents, in-laws and other relatives traveling to the U.S.
International Medical Group manages this insurance while Sirius International Insurance Corporation underwrites it. The insurance provides instant coverage for insurance policies of $100,000, $50,000 or $25,000.
As per your requirement, you can purchase the insurance from 5 days to 1 year and can renew it for up to 2 years.
Visitors Care is available for immediate coverage The good thing is, it is easy to renew and cancel. If you need to cancel this insurance, you will get a full refund before the effective date of the policy. After the effective date, you will receive funds on a pro-rated basis, minus a $25 cancellation fee.
Since this is the basic insurance plan, it pays you a fixed amount for each and every procedure. And you would be accountable to pay the difference out of your own pocket.
Highlights
- Basis coverage plan
- Coverage from 5 days to 364 days
- Medical coverage during travel
- You can renew and cancel it anytime
- Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions
See Related: 21 Family Travel Hacks to Consider
Conclusion on Best Health Insurance for Visiting America
Choosing an ideal travel health insurance plan is very important as in the absence of the right insurance, dealing with claims or getting emergency assistance while traveling can be very daunting.
The best health insurance for visitors to the USA depends on a variety of factors, ranging from age to general health condition. In this post, we put together some of the most popular insurances that are considered best from different aspects.
So, choose the one you find best for you and cover yourself against unexpected costs when traveling to the United States.
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