Medical insurance for H1B Visa holders
The H1B Visa is a non-immigrant Visa in the USA given for professionals who work in speciality occupation, required higher education or its equivalent. Those coming to the USA as fashion models of distinguished merit or government-government research and development work, co-production projects administered by the Department of Defence can also apply for the H1B Visa.
In America some of the temporary work Visa categories require your prospective employer to obtain a labor certification or other approval from the Department of Labor filing the petition for a Non-immigrant Worker, Form I-129 with USCIS. Whether the labor certification is required for you will be reviewed by your employer as per the instructions on Form I-129. The employer must fill this form on your behalf and be approved by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After approving the petition the USCIS will send your employer Notice of Action, Form I-797.
It is reported that recently when USCIS started receiving the applications for H1B Visa for the fiscal year 2014, it received 50,000 packages on the day 1 itself. This reflects a sudden resurgence in interest in the most sought after work Visa offered by the United States. Though the USCIS has not officially come out with the numbers, the above information is according to FCi Federal, a Virginia based government services and technology provider. According to Congressional approved mandate USCIS can reward a maximum of 65,000 H1B Visas for the fiscal year 2014 which will begin from October 1, 2013.
The USCIS is said that based on the feedback provided by number of stakeholders it will receive more petitions than the H1B Visa cap and when it accepts more petitions than it is allowed then there will be a lottery system to randomly select the numbers.
Required Documentation for H1B Visa, H1B Visa Insurance Requirements
- Valid Passport
- Non-immigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
- Application fee payment receipt
- Photo; you will be uploading while completing online Form DS-160 application if that fails you have to give one printed photo
- Receipt number of as it appears on your Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker, Form I-129, or Notice of Action, Form I-797, from USCIS.
Important information
- If your petition is approved it does not guarantee that you will be issued a Visa.
- Do not make travel plans or book tickets until you have a Visa.
- The Visa is valid until its expiration dates unless cancelled or revoked.
- A valid US Visa in an expired passport is still valid. So do not remove it from your passport even if your passport is expired. It can be used on your new valid passport for travel and entry to the USA.
Medical Insurance for H1B Visa holders:
The high health care costs in the USA makes it a necessity for non-immigrants to buy insurance coverage. H1B Visa insurance coverage is designed by insurers in the USA to cover temporary work Visa holders to medical coverage during emergency. Compare several plans and buy H1B Visa insurance online at American Visitor Insurance. You can buy the health insurance for H1B visa holders immediately after the Visa is issued by the American consulate office.
H1B Visa with a new selection process for petitioners
In early 2021, USCIS announced that the H-1B selection process will be changed from the current lottery system to prioritize wages. The rule will be effective from December 2021 and the selection process of H1B Visa will be based on the wages of the application.
The foreign workers need to have a precise degree in the “specialty occupation” for them to be able to apply for the H1B Visa. This change is made to protect the economic welfare of US workers and also provide a benefit for highly skilled foreign workers from the temporary employment program.
What does visitors medical insurance cover?
- Health care expenses: Covers hospital expenses for sickness or accidents.
- Doctor visit: Insures Doctor visits for sudden injury or sickness.
- Pharmacy drugs: Doctor prescribed eligible pharmacy drugs expenses.
- Medical evacuation: Medical evacuation expenses to nearest facility included.
- Repat of remains: Repatriation of remains to home country included.
- Pre-existing conditions: Some plans insure acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
Cost of best health insurance in USA for H1B Visa
What is the best travel insurance for USA H1B Visa 2024?
Average cost of medical insurance for USA H1B Visa insurance holders-
A comprehensive travel insurance plans provide exhaustive coverage for health expenses up to the policy medical maximum amount. In contrast to fixed benefit plans there are no limits for each benefit.
Insurance Plans Plan Maximum Deductible Provider Network Cost # Patriot America Plus IMG $50K - $1M $0 - $2K United HealthCare $96 - $177 Safe Travels USA Comprehensive Trawick International $50K - $1M $0 - $5K First Health Network $96 - $176 Atlas America WorldTrips $50K - $2M $0 - $5K United HealthCare $116 - $235 Diplomat America Global Underwriters $50K - $1M $0 - $5K No PPO $155 - $266 Patriot Platinum America IMG $2M - $8M $0 - $25K United HealthCare $214 - $360 Atlas Premium America WorldTrips $50 - $2M $0 - $5K United HealthCare $138 - $270 Safe Travels USA Cost Saver Trawick International $50 - $1M $0 - $5K First Health Network $92 - $154 Visit USA Standard Travel $75K - $150K $0- $1K United HealthCare $93 - $115 # The average cost of travel insurance plans for USA is based on quotes for a 40-year-old with a duration of one month.
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A fixed benefit travel insurance plan is the cheapest travel insurance because it has a fixed limit of coverage for different medical benefits.
Insurance Plans Plan Maximum Deductible Provider Network Cost # Safe Travels Advantage Trawick International $25,000 $0 First Healthcare $20 Safe Travels Elite Trawick International $25K - $175K $0 First Health Network $24 - $68 Visitors Care IMG $25K - $100K $0 - $100 United HealthCare $25 - $54 VisitorSecure WorldTrips $50K - $130K $0 - $100 United HealthCare $44 - $80 # The average cost of travel insurance plans for USA is based on quotes for a 40-year-old with a duration of one month.
Factors to buy best travel medical insurance USA
Age of the traveler
The cost of medical insurance for travelers is directly proportional to the age of the traveler. The older the traveler and greater will be the cost of the H1B Visa health insurance.
Type of US travel health insurance
Comprehensive insurance provides exhaustive coverage but is more expensive than fixed benefit insurance which has a specified limit for each treatment.
Medical maximum coverage
The price of USA medical insurance for H1B Visa is directly dependent on the maximum medical coverage and inversely proportional to the deductible of the plan chosen.
Region of coverage
Health insurance for USA H1B Visa depends on the coverage region. The cost for H1B Visa insurance for the United States is most expensive when compared to Europe or Asia.
Duration of travel insurance
The cost of trip insurance directly depends on the length of travel. The longer the duration of H1B Visa medical insurance required, the higher will be the cost.
Any add on benefits
Additional add-on benefits to the basic insurance for tourist plan like adventure sports coverage, coverage for pre-existing conditions… will add to the overall cost.
Testimonials - From Our Customers
I had a no-problem trip but Seven corners was easy to deal with in the securing of the travel insurance and dealing with a few issues prior to departure.
Karen
I have always gotten a quick response with a live person. I placed a claim, we will see it their payment to me is as good as their customer service is.
Margaret
Good policy options and pricing. Like to purchase high coverage for medical without covering full cost of trips - like the options Seven Corners provides.
Connie
Best health insurance for H1B visa holders - FAQ's
1. What does US travel insurance cover?
There are broadly two types of travel insurance to the US;
- Travel health insurance where the focus in on insuring the health of the traveler.
- Trip Cancellation insurance where the insurance plan covers both the health of the traveler as well as the refundable expenses for the trip.
Between the two, travel Insurance to the US covers unexpected sickness and injury, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, acute onset of pre existing condition, baggage delay, baggage loss, trip interruption and trip delay.
2. Is Indian health insurance valid in the USA?
Most domestic health insurance offers very little coverage outside their home country. Domestic Indian health insurance will offer little coverage outside India. Indian international travelers can buy Indian travel insurance, however it will be prudent to buy US travel insurance for travel to the United States.
US insurance companies work in the US hospital network and claims are easier settled by US insurance plans as opposed to insurance by international companies.
It is therefore recommended to purchase travel insurance from the insurance companies in the US. These insurance plans are available online and can be purchased from anywhere in the world before you start your travel.
3. Does travel insurance work in the US?
Yes. These travel insurance plans are from the reputed and popular private insurance companies in the US. These companies have been used for international travel for a long time now and has served many travelers over the years and have excellent rating and popularity.
They are associated with the provider networks in the US which are popularly known as PPO networks such as First Health network, United Healthcare, Coventry healthcare...to name a few.
4. Is health insurance mandatory for H1B visa holders?
Yes, health insurance for H1B visa holders is required given the very high cost of US healthcare. U.S. authorities wants to ensure that visa holders have access to necessary healthcare while working in the United States and do not become a burden on the US healthcare system.
5. What type of health insurance should I get for my H1B visa?
H1B visa holders can choose from different types of health insurance plans, such as individual visitor medical insurance plans or employer-sponsored health insurance plans. Those H1B visa holders who do not get any health insurance from their employer, can compare and buy H1B visa health insurance on American Visitor Insurance. H1B visa holders should select a best health insurance for H1B visa holders plan to be safe in case of a medical emergency.
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