Parents visiting the U.S.? Here's everything you need to know about getting the right health insurance for your parents before they get here.
Why is Health Insurance Necessary for Parents Visiting the USA?
Bringing your parents to visit the United States is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time together, create lasting memories, and show them the country you call home.
However, unlike many countries where healthcare is more affordable or even government-funded, medical care in the U.S. is, unfortunately, incredibly expensive. Something as routine as a doctor’s visit can cost hundreds of dollars, while an unexpected hospitalization could easily lead to tens of thousands in medical bills. And we don’t want our parents to stress about that, nor do we ourselves want to worry about that.
Many visitors assume that their parents’ existing health insurance from their home country will cover them in the U.S., but in most cases, it doesn’t. Without the proper U.S. health insurance, your parents could be left paying out-of-pocket for any healthcare services they need during their visit. That’s why securing the right travel health insurance is essentialit provides peace of mind and financial protection, allowing them to enjoy their trip freely and without the stress of unexpected medical expenses.
Health Insurance for Parents Visiting USA
Travel medical insurance, also referred to as visitors insurance, provides coverage for emergency medical expenses incurred during an extended stay or while traveling temporarily in the United States.
This type of health insurance for parents visiting USA is especially important for elderly travelers, who may be at a higher risk of health complications. Many travel insurance plans offer benefits such as hospitalization coverage, doctor visits, emergency room expenses, and even medical evacuation if specialized treatment is needed. Some plans also provide coverage for pre-existing conditions, which is a critical factor for older travelers with underlying health concerns.
Top Health Insurance Plans for Parents Visiting the USA
Pick from a range of travel medical insurance plans designed specifically for elderly travelers:
How to Choose Health Insurance for Visiting Parents
When choosing visitors insurance for parents visiting the USA, it is important to consider various factors, including age, medical history, length of stay, overall health risks, and more. Here are the key factors to evaluate when selecting a travel insurance policy for the U.S.:
Medical Expenses
Coverage amounts for medical expenses can vary widely depending on the policy. A good starting point is to look for policies with coverage amounts of at least $50,000, but it is important to consider the specific healthcare needs of your parents or relatives when selecting coverage amounts. It would be best to go higher if your parents are older or have health concerns.
Emergency Medical Coverage
Make sure the insurance policy covers emergency medical expenses, including hospitalization, doctor's visits, and urgent care.Visitors insurance policies are designed to cover these inherently, but their coverage details may vary from plan to plan. Be sure to read the plan terms to understand what the details and extent of coverage each plan offers.
Comprehensive vs. Limited Coverage Plans
When selecting a travel insurance plan, it's important to understand the difference between comprehensive and limited coverage plans.
Comprehensive Coverage Plans
Comprehensive plans, as the name suggests, are designed to give more extensive coverage, typically covering a high percentage (sometimes 100%) of eligible medical expenses after the deductible.
They often include hospital visits, emergency medical evacuation, and coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions. While they tend to be more expensive, they provide the most financial security in case of an emergency.
Limited Coverage Plans
While a limited plan might be tempting due to its lower cost, these plans tend to have fixed benefit limits, meaning they only reimburse up to a set amount for each type of medical service. This can leave significant gaps in coverage, making them less ideal for elderly travelers who may require more medical attention.
Given the high cost of healthcare in the U.S., a comprehensive plan is generally the better option, especially for senior travelers who might be more susceptible to health issues.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
If your parents require transportation to a different medical facility or even back home for specialized care, this benefit is crucial. The recommended coverage amount for emergency medical evacuation is at least $100,000.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Many elderly travelers have pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease. If your parents have a pre-existing condition or you are worried about the flare up of an old conditionsuch as an old injury or previous medical conditionyou should opt for a plan that covers pre-existing conditions or acute onset of pre-existing conditions. Here are a few policies that offer coverage for pre-existing conditions for seniors.
Deductibles and Copayments
Consider the deductibles and copayments associated with the policy, as well as any limitations on coverage.
Your deductible is completely customizable. When selecting your policy in the quote tool, you can set your deductible to your desired amount.
Higher deductibles may lower the policy premium, but can also increase out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a medical emergency. A lower deductible means less out-of-pocket expense when seeking medical treatment, but it may come with a slightly higher premium. Make sure to evaluate which option you are more comfortable with.
Policy Maximum
Also referred to as the Coverage Limit, this is the maximum amount the insurance policy will pay for covered medical expenses. Since this maximum is of your choosing, ensure that the policy provides adequate coverage for medical expenses in case of an emergency, whatever that means for you.
In general, the higher the policy maximum, the better it is. This does depend on their length of stay, age, and the activities in which they plan to participate. Usually, a $100,000 policy maximum is ideal. As people age, their health insurance options become more restrictive.
Provider Network
Some insurance plans partner with a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), which is a network of doctors, hospitals, and healthcare facilities that have agreed to provide services at negotiated rates that you might otherwise get if you don’t have an insurance policy. It is recommended to opt for a plan with a PPO network when purchasing a policy for senior parents visiting the U.S. That way, If your parents uses an in-network provider, they may pay lower out-of-pocket costs.
Repatriation of Remains
In the unfortunate event of a traveler’s passing, this benefit covers the cost of transporting their remains back to their home country. The recommended coverage amount for return of remains is at least $25,000.
How to Get Health Insurance for Parents Visiting USA
Health insurance for visiting parents can be purchased online through a travel insurance marketplace such as VisitorsCoverage. You can also purchase a plan for your parents using their information and following the tips above.
The process is very straightforward. All you will need is your parent's basic information such as:
- Full name
- Home country
- Citizenship
- Destination country
- Travel dates
- Date of birth
- Home address
Health Insurance for Immigrant Parents Over 65
If you are looking for health insurance for an immigrant parent over 65, you still have options. Most travel medical insurance plans offer coverage for individuals up to the ages of 74 to 99, however, coverage may be more limited.
It is also expected that the premium for the plan will be higher than it would for someone younger, and some benefits may be capped for certain age groups.
However, visitors insurance for parents over 65 is still crucial to have some protection if they are sick or injured during their visit.
- Medical coverage is crucial for parents that are visiting the U.S. for short visits or extended periods of time due to the high cost of medical care in the U.S.
- You should consider things like policy maximum, deductibles, pre-existing conditions, medical expense coverage, and provider networks when choosing a plan.
- Plans are available for elderly travelers up to 99 years of age, but plans and coverage may be limited for certain ages.
- Travel medical insurance for parents visiting the USA can be purchased through VisitorsCoverage.
Get Covered With VisitorsCoverage
Ready to find a visitors insurance plan for a visiting parents? Compare our available visitors insurance plans to find a policy that best fits your budget and your parent's needs.
This process can be a little overwhelming, we totally understand. That is why we have our team of licensed insurance agents equipped to answer any of your questions. Our Customer Success Team is here to walk you from start to finish in finding the right policy for your parents.
FAQs: Finding Insurance for Parents Visiting the USA
Should each parent have their own travel insurance plan?
When it comes to travel medical insurance for parents visiting the U.S., it is recommended that each parent has their own individual policy. This is because each policy will have its own limits and restrictions, and having separate policies ensures that each parent is adequately covered for their specific healthcare needs.
What's the best travel insurance health plan for parents?
CoverAmerica-Gold Insurance is a comprehensive coverage travel medical insurance policy, which provides hand-picked benefits such as 100% coverage after the deductible, $20-$25 urgent care consultations (depending on the policy maximum), coverage for emergency dental treatment and eye exams. It also covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions, which makes the plan ideal for elderly travelers, particularly travelers coming from India and Asia. The plan has been very popular for parents visiting the U.S. This plan is 100% within the United Healthcare PPO network, one of the most widely-known networks in America.
Can I purchase insurance for my visiting parents?
Yes, you can complete the application on behalf of your parents and make the payment using your credit card.
My parents don't have insurance, will I be liable for my parents' medical bills?
If you've signed any sponsorship document or signed as their guarantor, you may be liable for their medical bills. Consult an expert legal advisor to get more help.
What if my parents are already here and have pre-existing conditions?
You may consider the ChoiceAmerica limited coverage plan which offers an optional pre-existing condition rider benefit that can be added during your purchase. The ChoiceAmerica plan is available to purchase even after arriving at your destination country. To qualify for the optional pre-existing condition rider, 30 days of coverage must be purchased.
My parents will be traveling, what kind of insurance should I choose?
We recommend that you buy a comprehensive coverage policy with a higher policy maximum if your parents plan on a lot of travel or activities during their stay.
Can I add my visiting parents to my health insurance?
Unless your parents are considered your dependents and live in the United States, they can't be covered by your health insurance.It is suggested to get them their own travel medical health insurance policy.
Can I get more help choosing the best policy for my parents?
Finding a suitable plan for your parents is essential when traveling abroad. Travel medical insurance can provide coverage for unexpected and new illnesses, injuries, or accidents that occur during their visit abroad. Along with financial protection for eligible medical expenses, you also get a peace of mind. This will allow you and your family to enjoy their stay without worrying about the potential what ifs. To find a suitable plan option and receive a quote, please enter your travel details in our quoting tool. If you'd rather talk to someone, our licensed insurance experts on our Customer Success Team can answer all your questions.
Which insurance is best for parents visiting USA?
Comprehensive travel insurance, such as CoverAmerica-Gold or Atlas America, are preferred for parents visiting the USA as they offer adequate coverage and benefits ideal for older travelers.
