Visitors Insurance Covering Pre-existing Conditions
We are proud to work with multiple insurance companies which offer some coverage for clients with pre-existing conditions. To be clear, none of them cover necessary, regular medication or treatment one may be receiving for a medical condition. For instance, dialysis done for someone who needs this done regularly or prescription medication taken for high cholesterol will not be covered by these plans. Nor can you travel to receive some sort of medical treatment with these plans. Here is what they cover: Sudden and unexpected issues resulting from pre-existing conditions that are otherwise well controlled and stable. This is called "acute onset" or "sudden recurrence" of the medical condition. It is worthwhile noting that some conditions are excluded from coverage, such as cancer and HIV. Maternity issues are also excluded (but visit our maternity coverage details to see what is offered there).
The best coverage can be found for persons under 70 years of age. INF provides the best comprehensive plans for pre existing condition coverage. INF Elite Network plan being the best of all (ONLY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WITH FULL PRE EXISTING COVER) with full pre existing condition coverage available. This includes doctor appointments, blood tests and lab work, special care, urgent care and hospital stays. Pre existing conditions are covered for a maximum of $25,000 for age 0-69 with a pre existing deductible of $1,500.The plan must be purchased for at least 3 months. INF Advantage plan covers 80% of all eligible medical expenses. This plan provides the highest cover for the acute onset of pre existing conditions. Acute onset of pre existing conditions are covered up to a maximum of $150,000 for age 0-69 with a deductible of $250. "Acute onset" coverage can be found in the Patriot America Plus plan which can be purchased with a maximum of $50,000, $100,000, or $500,000. The coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions is covered as any other condition and up to the maximum of the plan. Other policies offer lower levels of coverage for pre-existing conditions. Liaison Economy plan offers up to $15,000 maximum for the pre-existing condition regardless of the policy maximum for non-US citizens. Liaison Economy covers US citizens (traveling outside the US) with a primary insurance plan up to the maximum of the plan, however. Atlas Premium covers up to overall maximum limit and Liaison Choice up to $30,000 for non-US citizens.
Note that all the above are excellent comprehensive plans. However, if you would rather have a fixed plan (for an example of the difference, visit our fixed vs comprehensive details), some of those also offer coverage for pre-existing conditions. The INF Premier fixed plan is the best plan (ONLY FIXED PLAN WITH FULL PRE EXISITNG COVER)that provides full pre existing condition coverage including the doctor appointments, blood tests, special care, urgent care and hospital stays for emergencies. Pre existing conditions are covered to maximum coverage of $20,000/$30,000/$40,000/$60,000 for age 0-69 subjected to deductible of $1,000/$5,000. The INF Choice plan provides coverage for acute onset of pre existing condition for all ages up to 80+. This plan is best suitable for age 50 and above who exhibit mild pre existing issues. After this, the best coverage in this category for pre-existing coverage can be found in any of the Inbound plans. They cover an acute onset of a pre-existing condition like any other condition. Note that with a fixed plan, the higher the maximum of the plan, the higher the individual caps on coverage, so I recommend getting as high a maximum as you can to maximize your coverage. It will still be cheaper than the cost of a comprehensive plan.
Note that once a person hits age 70, the pre-existing condition benefit either goes away completely or is significantly reduced (to $2,000 or so only). So even though you may be able to pay 69 year old prices if a traveler hits his 70th birthday while on vacation, this benefit will no longer apply from that date forward. So, check the next age category if you are hovering at the 69/70 year boundary.
Best coverage
INF Elite Network plan: (comprehensive plan) Full pre existing coverage available with a maximum of $20,000 for age 70-79 with a pre existing deductible of $1,500. The plan must be purchased for at least 3 months.(Please note that the pre existing deductible is apart from the deductible chosen on the plan).INF Advantage plan: (comprehensive plan) Acute onset of the pre existing conditions is covered for a maximum of $75,000 for age 70-79 with a deductible of $250.
INF Premier plan: (fixed benefit plan) Full pre existing coverage available with a maximum are covered up to $15,000/$25,000 for age 70-79 with a pre existing deductible of $1000/$5000.(Please note that the pre existing deductible is apart from the deductible chosen on the plan).
INF Choice plan: (fixed benefit plan) Acute onset of pre existing conditions are covered up to age 80+.
Atlas America (comprehensive plan) offers maximums of $50,000, $100,000 and $150,000; deductibles of $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000; and acute onset of pre-existing coverage up to $100,000 or maximum of plan (whichever is lowest).
Atlas America Premium (comprehensive plan) offers maximums of $50,000, $100,000 and $150,000; deductibles of $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000; and acute onset of pre-existing coverage up to $100,000 or maximum of plan (whichever is lowest).
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive(comprehensive plan) offers maximums of $50,000 or $100,000; deductibles of $0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000; and acute onset of pre-existing coverage up to $35,000 and only $15,000 for cardiac disease.
Good coverage
Safe Travels for visitors Diamond (fixed benefit plan) offers maximums of $50,000 or $100,000; deductibles of $100 or $200; and acute onset of pre-existing coverage up to $35,000 and only $15,000 for cardiac coverage.Liaison Elite (comprehensive plan) offers maximums of $50,000 $100,000; deductibles of $0, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $2500, and $5000; and acute onset of pre-existing coverage up to $10,000 (non US) or waiver of Pre-existing coverage up to $2,500 (US citizens).
Liaison Choice(comprehensive plan) offers maximums of $50,000 $100,000; deductibles of $0, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $2500, and $5000; and acute onset of pre-existing coverage up to $5,000 (non US) or waiver of Pre-existing coverage up to $10,000 (US citizens).
Liaison Economy (comprehensive plan) offers maximums of $50,000 $100,000; deductibles of $0, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $2500, and $5000; and acute onset of pre-existing coverage up to $2,500 (non US) or waiver of Pre-existing coverage up to $5,000 (US citizens).
Fair coverage
Liaison Economy (comprehensive plan) offers maximums of $50,000 $100,000; deductibles of $0, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $2500, and $5000; and acute onset of pre-existing coverage up to $2,500 (non US).Modest coverage
Safe Travels USA Cost Saver(comprehensive plan) offers maximums of $50,000 $100,000 $250,000 $500,000 and $1 million; deductibles of $0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $2500, or $5000; and unexpected recurrence of pre-existing coverage up to $1,000.Safe Travels USA (comprehensive plan) offers maximums of $50,000 $100,000 $250,000 $500,000 and $1 million; deductibles of $0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $2500, or $5000; and unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing coverage $1,000.
Best coverage
INF Elite Network plan: (comprehensive plan) Full pre existing coverage available with a maximum of $20,000 for age 80-89 with a pre existing deductible of $1,500. The plan must be purchased for at least 3 months.(Please note that the pre existing deductible is apart from the deductible chosen on the plan).INF Advantage plan: (comprehensive plan) Acute onset of the pre existing conditions is covered for a maximum of $75,000 for age 80-89 with a deductible of $250.
INF Premier plan: (fixed benefit plan) Full pre existing coverage available with a maximum are covered up to $15,000/$25,000 for age 80-89 with a pre existing deductible of $1000/$5000.(Please note that the pre existing deductible is apart from the deductible chosen on the plan).
INF Choice plan: (fixed benefit plan) Acute onset of pre existing conditions are covered up to age 80+.
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive(comprehensive plan) offers maximums of $50,000 or $100,000; deductibles of $0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $2500, and $5000; and acute onset of pre-existing coverage up to $35,000 and $15,000 for cardiac disease.
Good coverage
Safe Travels for visitors Diamond (fixed benefit plan) offers maximums of $50,000 or $100,000; deductibles of $100 or $200; and acute onset of pre-existing coverage up to $15,000 for cardiac disease.Fair coverage
Modest coverage
Safe Travels USA Cost Saver (comprehensive plan) offers maximums of $50,000 $100,000 $250,000 $500,000 and $1 million; deductibles of $0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1000, $2500, or $5000; and unexpected recurrence of pre-existing coverage up to $1,000.Safe Travels USA (comprehensive plan) offers maximums of $50,000 $100,000 $250,000 $500,000 and $1 million; deductibles of $0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000; and unexpected recurrence of pre-existing coverage up to $1,000.
INF Premier plan: (fixed benefit plan) Full pre existing coverage available with a maximum are covered up to $15,000/$25,000 for age 90-99 with a pre existing deductible of $1,000/$5,000.(Please note that the pre existing deductible is apart from the deductible chosen on the plan).
After this, the best coverage is the Liaison Choice plan for US citizens traveling outside the US. They have $5,000 maximum coverage for any pre-existing condition. US citizens also have the option of Liaison Elite for the pre-existing condition with a maximum of $10,000. For non-US citizens.
How will the insurance company determine what is a pre-existing condition?
Each company uses a slightly different wording for their definition, but basically, I tell people this is what it means: A pre-existing condition is a medical condition that you have been diagnosed with, are being treated for, or had before the start of the policy with reasonable medical certainty. This definition is tricky because the insured doesn't need to know that they have a condition in order for it to be considered pre-existing. We had a client who was diagnosed with a chronic bladder infection. Since it was found to be chronic, it was determined that the infection must have already been present before the trip started. Unfortunately, that meant the client did not get any coverage for their medical expenses. Many policies require a paerson to be stable in their condition before they will cover it as a pre-existing condition anyway, so even a policy with a pre-existing condition clause like the ones I have described above, may exclude covering expenses in this particular example.
Wishing you safe and healthy travels,
By: Christina Longbrake