Inbound USA Choice

Q1: Am I eligible for the Inbound USA Choice plan?
If you are a non-United States citizen traveling to the U.S. for a short trip, you are eligible for this plan. Your plan must become effective within 12 months of your arrival in the United States. The minimum coverage period is 5 days and the maximum coverage period is 364 days.

Q2: Can I extend the Inbound USA Choice plan?
Yes, you can extend your coverage in an increment of 5 days or more up to 364 days.You have to extend the policy before it expires. For each extension, there is a $5 fee. Policy can be extened online.

Q3:Can I cancel the Inbound USA Choice plan?
Yes, you can cancel this plan. A written request is required for cancellation. If you request for cancellation before the effective start date, you will receive full refund back. After the start date of the policy, refund is possible only if you have not visited doctors or other medical providers during the coverage period. You would get a prorated refund for the number of days left in the policy.  $25 cancellation fee would apply. No refund is available if there is a claim on file.

Q4. What does the Inbound USA Choice plan cover? Why is it so much cheaper than the comprehensive plans?
The Inbound USA Choice covers for unexpected sickness or injury that starts, after the policy becomes effective. It does not cover for preventive care, pre-existing conditions, dental or vision. The Inbound USA Choice plan is a limited coverage plan. It pays a pre-defined fixed dollar amount for every service or treatment. These amounts are provided in the schedule of benefits, both in the plan brochure and Plan Description of Coverage. This plan is less expensive than comprehensive plans, because the plan offers very limited or restricted benefits. Benefits may not be adequate in case of any major medical problem.

Q5. The plan says that the deductible is per incident or per injury or sickness. Does this mean I have to pay the deductible each time I make a visit to a Doctor or hospital?
No you do not have to pay deductible each time you go to a doctor. Per-incident/per sickness or injury means that the deductible would apply separately to each different sickness or injury. But for each individual sickness or injury the deductible would apply only one time. After you meet the deductible once for a sickness or injury, the plan would pay a fixed dollar amount for every service or treatment related to that. You would not be responsible for further deductibles for follow up visits for the same sickness or injury. You would be responsible for a new deductible, only if a new unrelated sickness or injury starts.
For Example: If you have flu and visit the doctor two times for the same problem and the doctor asks you to take some lab test, then you pay the deductible once for all the services/treatment related to the flu. However if you go to doctor for a different problem, say, an ankle sprain, then the deductible will be applicable again, once for all services /treatments taken for the ankle sprain.

Q6. How does the Deductible Work?
For the Inbound USA Choice plan, it is better to choose the lowest deductible available. The deductible is per/incident type, which means, you would be responsible for separate deductibles, for every unrelated sickness or injury. The limited plans pay a fixed dollar amount for every service or treatment.  Also, the deductible is applied to these fixed benefit amounts, and not the amount that the doctor’s charge.
For example :  You choose a $50,000 policy maximum, with a $50 deductible, and you need a doctor’s consolation. You can see in the Schedule of benefits that the insurance would pay $60 for a doctor’s visit.  Now the deductible of $50 would apply to the fixed benefit amounts. So in this case the plan would pay ($60-$50) = $10 towards your doctor’s visit. Whatever amount the doctor might charge, the insurance would pay only $10. If you go back again for the same situation for another consultation, then the plan would pay $60.

Q8. Which doctor or hospital can I go to?
Inbound USA Choice Insurance is a limited coverage plan and does not participate in any PPO Network. You can go to any doctor, hospital or provider of your choice.

Q9. Do I have to Pay up front, or are the doctors going to bill the insurance company directly?
The billing process is the discretion of the providers. Depending on the billing practice of the service provider, they may directly bill the insurance company, or may ask you to pay up front, and get reimbursed from the insurance company. Claim process would be mandatory, whether you have to pay upfront, or the providers directly bill the insurance company.

Q11. What information do I need to purchase this insurance?
Name(s), date of birth, and passport number of the visitor(s), and a US correspondence address

Q12. I want to purchase insurance for more than one visitor. Should I purchase two separate policies for them or have a combined policy?
The benefits and cost does not differ if you buy individually or combined policies. If the visitors have different travel plans (might be coming together but leaving on different dates, etc.) it is recommended to buy separate policies. Having separate policies gives you more flexibility in renewals and cancellations.

Q13. When will I receive my ID card?
The Inbound USA plan is an online insurance policy, once you purchase the policy online you will receive a printable Id card and policy documents in your e-mail. You can print and cut the paper ID card for your record and use it in the event you go to Doctor or hospital. If your premium is over $100 then you will have the option of the ID card sent to your mailing address in addition to the email ID card.

Q14. How do I use this insurance?
Please refer to the following article about the policy usage: how to use Visitor Insurance?

Q15. Where can I find answers to other questions I have?
Learn more from informative articles at Visitor Insurance Information section.

Q16. Does Inbound USA cover coronavirus?
Depending on when you purchased a travel insurance policy and the type of plan purchased, coverage for coronavirus, if any, may vary. For more in-depth information regarding the impact of the coronavirus on travel insurance, please go to our information hub.