Whether you’re planning your dream vacation to the United States or simply making the trek abroad to visit loved ones, there’s no doubt that your future US travels will bring excitement and adventure. However, many travelers overlook one crucial aspect of their journeyhealth insurance.
The U.S. has some of the highest healthcare costs in the world, and a single emergency room visit can lead to thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. Without proper insurance, an unexpected illness or injury could result in financial hardship and stress, especially for elderly travelers to the USA.
Choosing a US visitor health insurance policy may seem overwhelming at first, considering the many options and complicated terms you’ll find in your search. How do you decide which visitor health insurance plan is right for you? Don’t worry, we’ve put all that information in one place for you so you can quickly and easily choose the right US visitors insurance policy for you.
What Is US Visitors Insurance?
Visitors insurance is, long story short, health insurance for visitors to the USA. Also known as travel medical insurance, visitors insurance policies cover medical emergencies, hospitalizations, doctor visits, urgent care, and many more hidden benefits that you might not have even thought of while you are in the US.
Given that U.S. hospitals tend to not accept foreign health insurance, purchasing a U.S. visitor insurance policy is the best way to ensure access to necessary medical care without paying exorbitant fees.
Why Do Visitors to the USA Need Health Insurance?
Here's why having travel medical insurance is essential:
- Protection Against High Medical Costs: A short hospital stay can cost thousands of dollars, making insurance crucial.
- Access to Quality Healthcare: Many hospitals require proof of insurance before treatment.
- Emergency Medical Coverage: Covers unexpected illnesses, injuries, and accidents.
- Peace of Mind: Travelers can enjoy their trip without worrying about financial burdens from medical emergencies.
How to Pick the Best Medical Insurance for US Visitors
When conducting your research for a visitors insurance policy, you’ll likely find that there are tons of plan choices ranging in coverage and benefits from a variety of different insurance companies. In order to select a plan best suited for your needs, it’s important to consider various factors that will help guide you in ultimately choosing the right plan including your policy maximums and deductibles, age, overall health, pre-existing conditions, and your travel plans.
Selecting the Right Policy Maximum
A policy maximum is the highest amount your insurance will cover for medical expenses during your trip.
Once you have entered your destination, travel dates, and age into the quotes tool, you will not only have the option to compare different policies, you can also customize your policy maximum. So if you would like more coverage, you will have the option to set your coverage limit to a higher amount.
If you're visiting the U.S., err on the side of caution and choose a higher policy maximum to avoid potential financial strain in case of a medical emergency.
Choosing the Right Deductible
A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance starts covering your medical bills.
For example, if you have a $500 deductible and incur a $15,000 medical bill, you must pay the first $500, and then your insurance will cover the remaining.
How to Choose the Right Deductible
Since your deductible amount is something you can set when you are selecting your policy, it is important to understand the pros and cons of different deductible amounts.
Pros and Cons of a Lower Deductible:
- Higher upfront premium cost
- Less out-of-pocket expenses in case of a medical issue
- Ideal for travelers who want peace of mind and fewer surprises
Pros and Cons of a Higher Deductible:
- Lower premium cost upfront
- More out-of-pocket costs in case of an emergency
- Best for travelers on a tight budget or those who are unlikely to need medical care
Consider Health and Pre-existing Conditions
One thing to consider is your current health and any pre-existing conditions that you may have. If you are in poor health or have concerns about your health, a comprehensive plan with good coverage is ideal.
Additionally, some visitors insurance plans offer limited coverage for pre-existing conditions or the acute onset of pre-existing conditions which can be beneficial for those who have certain pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure or other chronic conditions.
Comprehensive vs. Limited Coverage
Visitors insurance will typically fall under two categories - comprehensive and limited coverage. Limited coverage plans only offer predetermined coverage and pay a fixed amount for each benefit. Any expenses beyond the fixed amounts are the policyholder’s responsibility to pay out-of-pocket.
Alternatively, a comprehensive plan offers percentage-based coverage after the deductible is met up to the policy maximum, which can help save you from high out-of-pocket costs and give you much more protection than a limited policy.
Traveler's Age
If you are an older traveler, a comprehensive travel medical insurance plan is typically recommended as these plans offer more extensive coverage compared to a limited plan. While they do have a higher premium, they offer excellent benefits especially for those who are older in age and are at a higher risk for an unexpected injury or illness abroad.
Additionally, if you are purchasing a visitors insurance plan for parents visiting the US, you may want to consider a policy that includes coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Assess Travel Plans and Duration of Stay
The length of your visit affects the type of US visitors insurance policy you should choose. Short-term visits will have lower insurance costs and could have less risks with setting lower coverage limits and maximums, whereas long-term visitors are strongly advised to opt for comprehensive coverage plans with higher limits.
Customizing Your US Visitors Insurance Policy
In addition to the simple customizations of your policy maximum and deductible, you may be able to customize the policy coverage itself or add additional benefits depending on the plan you choose. For example, if you're participating in adrenaline-inducing activities on your vacation, you could add an Adventure Sports Coverage rider to your plan.
You can also add additional coverage for Accidental Death and Dismemberment if you desire higher benefits than what is offered in your plan, if available.
Why Purchasing From a Trusted Provider Matters
When you're ready to purchase your US visitors insurance plan, it's important to do so through a trusted provider that you can rely on throughout your travels. A reputable provider will offer excellent customer service, help along every step of the way, and an easy platform to allow you to easily manage your plan and file claims.
At VisitorsCoverage, we only offer top-rated travel insurance plans from reliable insurance carriers. We make it simple for travelers like you to research, compare, and buy travel insurance online. Our award-winning Customer Success Team is happy to assist you if you have any concerns or need assistance choosing a policy.
Best Medical Insurance for Visitors to USA
The best medical insurance plans for visitors to the USA are those which offer excellent coverage and benefits to keep you protected abroad. Each plan will vary in coverage offered, so once you decide what level of protection is best for you, you can view the top health insurance plans on the market for visitors to the USA to compare your options and make your selection.
One of the top rated and recommended visitors insurance plans is CoverAmerica-Gold, a comprehensive travel medical insurance plan which offers 100% coverage after the deductible is satisfied and allows easy and affordable access to urgent care and an extensive PPO network.
- US visitors insurance provides medical coverage and other key benefits for those traveling to the United States from abroad.
- When choosing a US visitors insurance policy, it is important to consider key factors such as health and pre-existing conditions, age, and travel plans.
- Visitors insurance has two types - comprehensive coverage and limited coverage.
- Purchasing from a trusted source will ensure that you have reliable customer service and help along every step of the way.
- US visitors insurance plans come in all shapes and sizes, so you can find a plan that best fits your individual needs and budget.
