US travel health insurance for dependents refers to health insurance policies purchased for family members (parents, spouses, children) who are visiting the United States on various non-immigrant visas (e.g., B2 tourist visa, F2 dependent of F1 student, J2 dependent of J1 exchange visitor, H4 dependent of H1B worker, L2 dependent of L1 intra-company transferee).
It provides financial protection for medical emergencies, accidents, and other travel-related risks while abroad. It is important for dependents to have this insurance due to the extremely high cost of healthcare
Several US travel health insurance options are well-suited for dependents, offering family coverage, robust medical protection, and additional benefits for children and other eligible family members.
Best for International Visitors: These plans are designed specifically for non-US citizens traveling to the US. They offer family coverage, high medical maximums (up to $2 million), emergency medical evacuation, and the “return of minor children” benefit, which pays for a child’s return home if the insured adult is hospitalized or incapacitated.
Several plans are consistently highlighted for their comprehensive nature and AOPEC coverage. While "best" is subjective, these frequently come up in comparisons:
Policy maximum?
$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000, $2,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000
Period of coverage?
364 days
or Unitedhealthcare Policy maximum?
$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500
Period of coverage?
5 days to 12 months
Policy maximum?
$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000
Period of coverage?
5 days to 364 days
Policy maximum?
$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2.5000 and $5,000
Period of coverage?
5 days to 12 months
Policy maximum?
$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000
Period of coverage?
5 days to 364 days
Policy maximum?
$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000 $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000
Period of coverage?
15 days to 365 days
Policy maximum?
$100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 , $5,000
Period of coverage?
10 days to 364 days
Maximum age limit
Up to 99 years
It's a specialized health insurance policy purchased for family members (such as parents, spouses, or children) who are visiting the United States on various non-immigrant visas (e.g., B2, F2, J2, H4, L2). It provides financial protection against the extremely high costs of medical care in the U.S. for unexpected illnesses, injuries, and emergencies.
The U.S. healthcare system is very expensive, and there is no universal healthcare. Your dependents' domestic health insurance from their home country will almost certainly not cover them in the U.S. Without this insurance, even a minor illness or accident could lead to medical bills costing thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, leaving you financially responsible.
It is highly recommended for all dependents. It is mandatory for certain visa categories, most notably J-2 visa holders (dependents of J-1 exchange visitors). J-2 insurance must meet specific U.S. Department of State requirements for medical benefits, medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains. For other visas (like B2, H4, F2, L2), while not legally mandatory, it's a critical financial safeguard.
*Comprehensive Plans: Offer broader and more substantial coverage. They typically pay a percentage (e.g., 80% or 100% after deductible) of eligible medical expenses up to a high overall policy maximum (e.g., $100,000 - $1,000,000+). These are generally highly recommended for dependents due to better protection against high U.S. medical costs. * Fixed/Limited Benefit Plans: Pay only a fixed, pre-determined amount for each medical service (e.g., $50 for a doctor's visit, $500 for hospitalization per day). While cheaper, they can leave large gaps between the fixed benefit and the actual bill.
Most US visitor health insurance plans for dependents do not cover routine care or ongoing management of pre-existing conditions. However, many comprehensive plans offer limited coverage for the "acute onset of a pre-existing condition." This means a sudden, unexpected, and severe flare-up of a pre-existing condition that requires immediate medical attention. This coverage often has specific sub-limits (e.g., $25,000) and requires the condition to have been stable for a "look-back period" (e.g., 90-365 days) before the policy's effective date. It's crucial to check the policy wording carefully.
*Deductible: This is the amount your dependent must pay out-of-pocket for covered medical expenses before the insurance company starts to pay. A higher deductible typically results in a lower premium (cost of the insurance).
*Policy Maximum: This is the total maximum amount the insurance company will pay for covered medical expenses during the policy period. For the U.S., a higher policy maximum (e.g., $250,000 or more) is generally safer due to high healthcare costs.
Yes, this is a critical benefit. Most comprehensive plans include coverage for emergency medical evacuation (transporting the dependent to the nearest appropriate medical facility or back to their home country if medically necessary) and repatriation of remains (transporting remains in case of death). For J-2 visa holders, this is a mandatory requirement with specific minimum limits.
Most reputable US travel health insurance plans for visitors, including those for dependents, now include coverage for medical expenses related to COVID-19, treated like any other illness. It's always advisable to confirm this specifically when comparing plans.
Generally, no. Most U.S. domestic health insurance plans (including employer-sponsored ones) are designed for residents and do not allow the addition of short-term visitors or dependents on non-immigrant visas unless specifically allowed by your employer's plan (which is rare for visitor-type dependents). You will almost always need to purchase a separate visitor health insurance policy for them.
You can easily purchase these plans online through specialized comparison websites (e.g., AmericanVisitorInsurance.com, VisitorsCoverage, Insubuy,) or directly from international insurance providers. You will need to provide basic information about your dependent(s), including their age, travel dates, and destination (USA).
Many comprehensive US travel health insurance plans are renewable, allowing you to extend coverage if your dependents prolong their stay. It's important to check the specific plan's renewability terms and limitations before purchasing. Renewing usually means continuity of coverage for conditions that arose during the initial policy period.
Generally, no. Most US visitor health insurance plans for dependents do not require a medical check-up prior to purchase. Eligibility is typically based on a declaration regarding age and any known pre-existing conditions, which are then subject to the policy's terms regarding coverage for those conditions.
You can find reliable US insurance providers like International Medical Group(IMG), Seven Corners, WorldTrips, Global Underwriters, Travel Insure, GeoBlue, HTH Worldwide, INF insurance, HTH Worldwide and Venbrook International.
Compare Visitors insurance USA
B1 visa health insurance
Senior Citizen travel insurance
Pre-existing visitors insurance
View best visitors insurance plans
Visitor insurance for parents from India
Green Card Holder Medical Insurance
Atlas America insurance
Patriot America Plus insurance
Safe Travels USA insurance
Venbrook Premier insurance
Diplomat America insurance
SafeVista Comprehensive insurance