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Traveling to the United States without adequate visitors health insurance can be risky. Sudden medical emergencies can be costly and emotionally trying, especially in the U.S. where medical costs are notoriously high. US visitors medical insurance can keep you protected and give you peace of mind.
It's especially important to have a good international medical insurance policy if you're traveling to a country like the U.S. where healthcare costs are extremely high and a simple doctor's visit can cost hundreds of dollars. Purchasing medical insurance for the U.S. will give you the peace of mind to truly enjoy your trip.
What This Guide Will Cover:
- What visitors medical insurance is and who needs it
- What is covered and what is not
- Why U.S.-based plans are the better choice for visitors to America
- How to understand your plan options and what they cost
- What happens when you need to use your coverage and how to file a claim
What Is Visitors Medical Insurance?
Visitors medical insurance is a short-term, temporary travel medical insurance policy that provides health, injury and travel emergency coverage to travelers during trips or stays abroad.
For example, if you are traveling to the United States from a home country abroad, you can secure medical insurance for visitors which will act a temporary health insurance plan to cover eligible treatment related to new and unforeseen injuries or illnesses that occur during your travels.
Best Affordable Travel Medical Insurance for Visitors to the US: CoverAmerica-Gold
Best Visitors Insurance for Pre-Existing Condition Coverage for Elderly Visitors: INF Elite X
Best Travel Medical Insurance with High Coverage Limits: Atlas America Premium
What Does Visitors Medical Insurance Cover?
Medical insurance for visitors to USA can offer coverage for the following medical services in the event of a new sickness or injury abroad:
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Urgent care
- Medications
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Return of mortal remains in the event of death
What Isn’t Covered by Visitors Medical Insurance?
Since visitors medical insurance is designed to offer short-term protection, there are some exclusions and limitations to be aware of that.
These are typical medical events that visitors medical insurance would not cover:
- Pre-existing medical conditions and problems related to existing medical issues, known or unknown
- Preventative care such as routine medical checkups, physical exams, immunization shots, etc.
- Maternity, pregnancy and childbirth
- Major dental problems
- Vision checkups, eyeglasses and related treatments
Visitors Medical Insurance From the U.S.
If you're visiting the U.S. from abroad, it is important to consider buying travel insurance based in the United States rather than your home country. Why? There are several reasons.
Most importantly, a U.S.-based travel medical insurance will be recognized by more hospitals and doctors in the U.S. than internationally-based policies, which will provide you greater access to medical care and more opportunity to opt for direct billing rather than having to pay for your medical care upfront.
Benefits of buying policies from a U.S.-based insurance company include:
- Convenience of finding a doctor/hospital, since most will accept U.S. based insurance
- Likely will not need to pay for care upfront
- 24/7 customer support
- Hassle-free claims process
What Are Your Health Insurance Options as a U.S. Visitor?
Major U.S. based health insurance companies, including United Health Care, MetLife Insurance, Aetna Insurance, Kaiser Insurance, BlueCross Insurance, BlueShield Insurance and AAA Insurance, do not offer travel or visitors insurance for foreign visitors coming to America.
This is why purchasing a visitors medical insurance plan offered by a speciality insurance company is the best way to secure coverage during your travels to the U.S.
Visitors Insurance From Your Home Country
Alternative to U.S.-based visitor insurance, you may find that several non-U.S. companies also provide travel medical insurance or visitors insurance.
However, a non-U.S. visitors insurance policy may not provide the same level of coverage as a U.S.-based insurance company. Additionally, there are several differences in insurance purchased from a home country vs. a U.S.-based insurance provider.
If you choose a plan from a company not based in the United States, it may not be accepted by a lot hospitals and doctors in the U.S. Also, when you need to claim your expenses, you may face a lot of paperwork, correspondence, and frustrating follow-ups.
For these reasons, purchasing a visitors medical insurance plan from the U.S. rather than your home country is highly recommended.
How Does Visitors Medical Insurance Work?
If you purchase a visitors medical insurance plan, you will be covered under certain circumstances for specific injuries or illnesses that occur unexpectedly after the effective date of your policy.
If you end up needing medical care for a new injury or illness abroad, you will present your visitors medical insurance information at the doctor or hospital you visit. Depending on the provider, you may have to pay upfront for your care and request reimbursement later, or the provider may bill your insurance company directly.
Regardless of whether you pay upfront or the insurance company is billed, you will then file a claim with your travel insurance will all necessary documentation and paperwork to use your visitor medical insurance policy.
How Do I Make a Visitors Medical Insurance Claim?
Your insurance provider may require you to fill out claim forms and proofs of expenditure, which include copies of the hospital and doctors reports, and all original bills.
Why Buy Visitors Medical Insurance Policy Online?
There are several advantages to consider when it comes to purchasing a visitors medical insurance policy online:
- Easy and quick
- Hassle-free
- No paperwork, faxes or membership requirements
- No physical or medical exams required ID cards available instantly
- Coverage can start immediately or whenever requested
- Easy renewal process
Where’s the Best Place to Get Visitors Medical Insurance?
VisitorsCoverage is a unique one-stop-shop when it comes to travel insurance. You can view plans, compare quotes, get unbiased advice, and purchase travel insurance policies in one place.
If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Success Team.
- Visitors medical insurance covers new, unexpected illnesses and injuries during your trip. Pre-existing conditions, routine care, and maternity are not covered.
- U.S.-based plans are the better choice for visitors to America, offering broader hospital access and direct billing.
- For full pre-existing condition coverage, standard plans are not enough. Look for specialized plans like INF Elite X.
- For travel to the U.S., most specialists recommend at least $100,000 in maximum coverage.
- Comprehensive plans cover a percentage of actual costs. Fixed-benefit plans pay preset amounts per service, which can leave a significant gap in a high-cost market like the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visitors Insurance
Is visitors medical insurance required to enter the United States?
For most travelers, no. The U.S. does not require proof of health insurance as a general condition of entry. That said, certain visa categories do have specific insurance requirements. J-1 exchange visitors, for example, are typically required by their sponsoring institution to carry health coverage that meets minimum standards set by the U.S. Department of State. Even when coverage is not legally required, many travelers have reported that having travel medical insurance showed financial responsibility during the visa process.
My parents are visiting the US. What is the best visitors insurance for them?
Best Affordable Travel Medical Insurance With High Coverage: CoverAmerica-Gold
Best Travel Medical Insurance for Parents with Pre-Existing Conditions: INF Elite X
Best Visitors Insurance With High Coverage Limits for Elderly Travelers: Atlas America Premium
What does visitors medical insurance not cover?
The most critical exclusion is pre-existing conditions. Any illness, injury, or chronic condition that existed before your coverage started is generally not covered under a standard visitors insurance plan. However, there are specialized plans for visitors to the US, especially elderly visitors, that can cover pre-existing conditions. One of the best for pre-existing condition coverage is INF Elite X.
Furthermore, routine care, such as annual checkups, ongoing prescriptions, and preventive screenings, is excluded because this coverage is designed for unexpected medical events, not health maintenance.
If my parent has high blood pressure, diabetes, or hypertension can they get coverage with visitors insurance?
Yes, there are specialized plans that offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions for parents and elderly visitors to the US, provided their condition is stable and they are fit to travel before their arrival. The most popular visitors insurance that includes pre-existing condition coverage is the INF Elite X.
How much visitors medical insurance coverage do I actually need?
For travel to the United States, most insurance professionals recommend at least $100,000 in maximum coverage as a starting point. Given that a serious medical event in the U.S. can easily exceed that, many elderly travelers should opt for $250,000 to $500,000 in maximum coverage, especially for older travelers or longer stays. Emergency medical evacuation, which can be necessary in serious situations, can cost $30,000 to $100,000 or more by itself depending on the circumstances.
What happens if a hospital in the U.S. does not recognize my visitors insurance?
This is where the choice of a U.S.-based insurer becomes most practical. If a hospital doesn't recognize your insurance, you will typically be required to pay for your care upfront. You can then submit the receipts and documentation to your insurer for reimbursement. While this process works, it requires you to have access to immediate funds and patience with the reimbursement timeline. Choosing a plan from a U.S.-based insurer significantly reduces the chances of this happening because most of these plans use a PPO network, which includes the majority of U.S. hospitals and clinics.
Can I extend my parents' visitors insurance if their trip gets extended?
Most plans can be extended before the current coverage period expires, as long as you have not already filed a claim that would affect eligibility. Plans typically have a maximum coverage duration, often 364 days, and cannot be extended beyond that. If there is any chance your trip might last longer than planned, checking the renewal and extension terms of a plan before purchasing is a small step that can save complications later.
How does the claims process work, and how long does reimbursement take?
To file a claim, you'll need to gather your itemized medical bills, diagnosis notes, and all receipts. Submit these, along with a completed claim form, to your insurer. Most U.S.-based plans offer online claims portals, which simplifies the submission process. Once submitted, processing times typically range from a few weeks to about a month, depending on the claim's complexity and whether the insurer needs additional documentation. It is crucial to file promptly after treatment, adhering to the window specified in your policy, as late submissions may be denied on procedural grounds, regardless of the claim's validity.
It's also important to know that even if your hospital or healthcare provider billed your insurance directly, you will still be required to file a claim.
What happens if I need emergency medical evacuation?
Emergency medical evacuation coverage pays for transport to the nearest suitable medical facility if local options can't treat your condition. For U.S. visitors, this benefit is often used for repatriation back home if medically required, or to return remains if the insured person passes away abroad. Evacuation can cost tens of thousands to over $100,000 due to distance and medical complexity, which is why most visitors insurance plans include it as a standard feature.
