Average cost of health insurance in the USA
How much does visitor health insurance cost?
The United States is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world attracting around 80 million tourists annually. However the healthcare costs in the USA for visitors is exorbitant, and it is important that visitors are well informed about US healthcare expenses and have the best medical insurance for visitors to the US. At American Visitor Insurance, we help visitors make an informed decision regarding the average cost of travel insurance in USA. We help them answer questions like - how much travel medical insurance do I need? We work with the top US travel insurance companies to offer their best medical insurance for visitors to usa products. We help travelers find the best health insurance for visitors to usa using our travel insurance cost comparison tool where visitors can compare travel health insurance usa cost options among the best medical insurance for visitors to usa.
How much does visitor health insurance USA cost?
Healthcare in the U.S. is extremely expensive, and without good travel health insurance, even a simple doctor’s visit can become a financial burden. In 2025, the cost of travel health insurance for visitors to the US ranges between $19 to $172 per month, depending on the age, the insurance company, the type of visitors insurance, the coverage limits, and whether you want coverage for pre-existing conditions. If you are looking for a cheap option, some plans cost as little as $1 to $5 per day, making it an affordable way to stay covered.
Why is travel insurance USA is so important? A routine doctor’s visit can cost between $250 to $350, while a heart attack will leave you with a bill of at least $25,000. If you need to stay in the ICU after a stroke, the cost can exceed $150,000. Even something as routine as an echocardiogram ranges from $1,500 to $4,000, depending on where you get it. Emergency treatments for conditions like diabetes complications cost anywhere from $3,500 to $7,000, and if you need treatment for kidney failure, expect to pay over $30,000.
How much does cheap visitor insurance in USA cost?
Cheap visitor health insurance for visitors to USA starts at $19 per month for fixed benefit plans.
The cost of visitor insurance is calculated based on one-month quotes.
| Plan Name | Plan max range | Deductible | Age 35 | Age 55 | Age 75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Travels Advantage | $25,000 - $150,000 | $0 | $19 - $54 | $29 - $82 | $59 -$160 |
| Visitors care | $25,000 - $100,000 | $100 | $19 - $41 | $29 - $62 | $64 - $144 |
| Safe Travels Elite | $25,000 - $175,000 | $0 | $25 - $71 | $36 - $110 | $105 - $150 |
| Visit USA Budget | $50,000 - $150,000 | $250 | $30 - $49 | $42 -$74 | $81 |
| VisitorSecure | $50,000 - $130,000 | $100 | $31 - $55 | $46 - $84 | $93 - $135 |
| Travel Medical USA visitor basic | $50,000 - $150,000 | $100 | $39 - $47 | $56 - $68 | $178 - $196 |
How much does the best comprehensive visitor insurance cost per month?
The cost of comprehensive visitor insurance starts around $53 month, depending on factors such as age, coverage limits, deductible, and optional add-ons. Higher-tier plans with extensive coverage, including pre-existing condition benefits and lower deductibles, tend to be more expensive. On average, a good comprehensive health insurance plan costs $58 to $108 per month for a 35 year old traveler.
The cost of best visitor health insurance for visitors to USA is based on one-month quotes with a $250 deductible.
| Plan name | Plan maximum | Age 35 | Age 55 | Age 75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Essential America | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $53 - $98 | $117 - $200 | $244 - $326 |
| Visitors Preferred | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $53 - $99 | $123 -$231 | $244 |
| Patriot America Plus | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $57 - $106 | $124 - $235 | $279 - $420 |
| Safe Travels USA | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $57 - $103 | $123 - $227 | $244 - $321 |
| VenbrookPremier | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $58 - $104 | $129 - $240 | $352 - $437 |
| Atlas America | $50,000 - $2,000,000 | $58 - $114 | $127 - $253 | $344 - $429 |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $66 - $122 | $143 - $269 | $285 - $455 |
| Atlas Premium America | $50,000 - $2,000,000 | $72 - $142 | $158 - $316 | $430 - $537 |
| Diplomat America | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $81 - $142 | $176 - $303 | $342 |
| Travel Medical Choice | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $98 - $173 | $186 - $333 | $736 - $1,000 |
| Patriot America Platinum | $1,000,000 - $8,000,000 | $108 - $226 | $240 - $494 | $604 |
| Visit USA Superior | $250,000 | $112 | $233 | $404 |
Visitor health insurance for USA
Review US visitor insurance plan benefits.
How much does 6 month medical insurance for visitors to USA cost?
For a 60 years old traveler, the cost of USA visitor insurance for extended stay typically ranges around $122 to $1,050, based different coverage options on American Visitor Insurance. The best 6 month USA travel insurance which is affordable, reliable and essential depends on the age, medical needs, and traveler’s budget. From ER visits to urgent care, stay covered for 6 months in the U.S starting from just $1.50/day!
Best health insurance for foreigners in USA
International visitors to USA
Following are the different types of visitors to USA, Review the average cost of health insurance for visitors to USA:
- Visitors medical insurance - Short term health insurance for USA visitors, international tourists on vacation or to visit family. More details»
- International students health insurance - International students enrolled in a US university. More details»
- J1 Visa holders insurance - J visa holders or exchange scholars on research program. More details»
- US Immigrant health insurance - New immigrants planning to settle in USA. More details»
- Green Card Holders medical insurance - US Green Card holders frequently visiting US. More details»
- Global health insurance - Travelers like expatriates, missionaries. More details»
- H1B visa holders insurance - Non-immigrants on temporary work visa. More details»
- F2 visa holders insurance - Dependants of F1 visa holders. More details»
- J2 visa holders insurance - Dependants of J1 visa holders. More details»
- US visa types - Coverage for different visas in the US. More details»
Cost of routine physician visits
While visiting the United States is great fun, being forced to visit an US hospital can be financially traumatic, especially if you do not have proper travel insurance. While the US healthcare system is amongst the best in the world, medical costs for visitors to the USA is very-very expensive. There are chances that a visitor may face a medical emergency and will have to visit a physician.
Even a visit to a physician is very expensive in the US when compared to many other countries. In the US it costs $176/ while in countries like Spain the cost is only about $11. Even neighboring Canada it costs only $30. You can review the comparative costs of a routine physician visit in these countries.
Cost of Surgery
- Just imagine that you face an even more serious medical situation, you might have an accident, have a fall or have a serious heart problem.
- The average cost of a bypass heart surgery in the US would be $73,420 while that of a knee replacement is $25,637.
- This price is not something any tourist in the US would like to face while enjoying a holiday.
- You can compare the cost of these surgeries in other countries like Australia, South Africa, the UK or Argentina.
- The price is significantly less when compared to the price of surgeries in the US.
Cost of staying in hospital
- Any serious medical treatment would involve a stay in the hospital.
- For an average of 7 day stay in a US hospital it would cost you $16,000.
- While 10 days of stay in a hospital in Germany would cost you only $4,000. This is a very huge difference.
- Bottom line, while the healthcare cost in US is very sophisticated, it is also really expensive.
What does travel insurance for visitors to USA coverage include?
Does best visitor insurance cover accidents and emergency medical ailments?
stethoscope Doctors visit
This allows travelers to visit Doctors for sudden unanticipated medical ailments (continuing treatment for pre-existing ailments and preventive care are not covered). The Co-pay and deductible will vary depending on the chosen health insurance for USA travel, travelers do have the option of No Co-pay and $0 deductible.
local_pharmacy Pharmacy drugs
Doctor prescribed eligible pharmacy drugs are also covered.
ecg_heart Visitors medical insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions
A pre-existing condition is a medical ailment that existed before the start of the US holiday insurance for visitors coverage. Conditions considered as pre-existing diseases include Asthma, heart related issues, high blood pressure, kidney disease, cancer, diabetes etc. It is difficult to find health insurance for tourists in USA that covers pre-existing conditions. Only some tourist health insurance cover pre-existing conditions with INF being one such company. Some INF visitor insurance in USA plans insures in-patient, out-patient, urgent care, specialist and doctor visits related to pre-existing conditions.
surgical Surgery
Emergency surgery treatment will be covered. The maximum available amount for surgery is typically $50,000, but this varies from plan to plan.
medical_services Medical Evacuation
Provides coverage for medical evacuation up to $1,000,000 if the traveler has to be evacuated to get access to proper medical treatment in the event of a medical emergency.
local_hospital Repatriation of remains
The repatriation of remains benefit pays for the repatriation expenses back to the home country in the event of death of the traveler. While this depends on the tourist health insurance chosen, one can get repatriation coverage up to $50,000.
dentistry Emergency dental coverage
Emergency dental coverage up to $300 is available for acute onset of pain to natural teeth.
High US Healthcare Costs: In US hospitals, patients with travel insurance to USA within the PPO network, incur significantly lower costs for treatments compared to uninsured patients. Simply having visitors health insurance in USA or USA Travel Insurance for visitors or health insurance for visitors in USA can greatly reduce medical expenses. The best health insurance for tourists in USA varies based on the best USA travel insurance for visitors plan chosen, however travelers can get coverage up to $1,000,000.
Steps to buy
US visitor travel insurance online
search Step 1: Finding the available US travel insurance plans
Complete the travel insurance quote request form by providing details of the traveller and insurance requirements.
balance Step 2: Compare the different travel insurance options
Compare the price and the benefits of the different travel insurance options to identify what fits your needs best.
attach_money Step 3: Buy the travel insurance that you like best
Purchase the plan that fits your needs and budget best by using a credit card and completing the online application.
mail Step 4: Review insurance plan documents received by email
Review the travel insurance documents received by email closely for coverage details and relevant contact numbers
Different types of US Visitors travel insurance
Fixed Benefit travel insurance
A fixed benefit or scheduled benefits travel insurance plan is the cheapest US travel insurance plan, however this is because the Fixed benefit travel insurance have a fixed limit of coverage for different medical benefits. Fixed benefit international travel medical insurance works well for small ailments but can be inadequate for more serious medical conditions involving hospitalisation.
Comprehensive travel insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance provide full coverage for medical expenses up to the policy medical maximum limit. As opposed to fixed benefit international travel medical insurance there are no coverage limits for each benefit. It is much more expensive when compared to fixed benefit plans but also provides significantly superior coverage especially in case of a serious medical emergency or hospitalisation.
What is the best health insurance for visitors to USA? What is the best travel insurance for USA? What is the best visitor insurance USA?
There are different factors for buying best health insurance for USA visitors. Visitors should compare fixed benefits and comprehensive visitor insurance plans. Foreign visitors to USA travel insurance customers should understand the concepts of deductibles and co-insurance and Pre-existing conditions travel health insurance.
A prudent and well informed traveler will make the correct choice while buying tourist insurance in USA for his or her unique needs. While the best travel insurance for USA varies from traveler to traveler, the following list can be considered the best health insurance for foreign visitors to USA based on their popularity.
USA Healthcare travel insurance - FAQ's
1. What happens if a tourist visiting the US is forced to go to a hospital for a medical emergency?
What happens if a tourist gets sick in USA? How are tourist emergency hospital bills handled? What is involved in seeing a Doctor in the US as a tourist? How is the medical treatment in USA for foreigners handled? All of these are common concerns of tourists visiting the United States. It is extremely important for US tourists to know that healthcare in the US is very expensive and that most US residents have health insurance to cover their medical expenses. Given this situation, it is important for US tourists to have the best travel insurance for US as they are fully responsible for any medical expenses that they incur in the country. Being forced to get medical treatment in the USA without insurance can be financially catastrophic, and the best way to shield oneself from this situation is to buy US travel insurance for the entire duration of one’s visit to the country.
2. What travel insurance covers the USA?
US Travel insurance plans for coverage can be purchased online at American Visitor Insurance to get a medical and travel insurance cover in the United States. International travel insurance provides coverage for unexpected medical emergencies during the travel period. Travel insurance is particularly important during the Covid19 pandemic for safe travel to the US. American visitor insurance offers customers with some of the best US travel insurance options which can be compared to find the most appropriate product for one’s needs. For more details travelers can call the customer service or email and the team will be glad to help.
3. What does US travel insurance cover?
A standard US travel insurance plan offers protection for all unexpected travel and medical illness or injury during the trip. Trip cancellation insurance provides coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions, medical emergencies, trip cancellation, trip interruption, delays and medical evacuation, lost -damaged, or stolen of the luggage.
4. Can I still get travel insurance for the USA?
Yes, travelers can buy travel insurance if the traveler has already started a trip. However travelers should keep in mind that the cover is provided for any illness or injury that occurs after the inception of the policy.
5. Do I need medical insurance to travel to the US?
Purchasing medical insurance for travelling to the US is not mandatory, however it's best to get a travel medical insurance. Healthcare in the US is very expensive and if there is need for hospitalization travelers may end up in a huge financial loss. An adequate US travel insurance plan will provide coverage for medical expenses incurred in case of any injury or illness especially during the pandemic.
6. Can I travel to the USA without travel insurance?
Yes, one can travel to the USA without travel insurance, however this is very risky given the high cost of US healthcare services. One can easily buy travel insurance for USA online by comparing available popular options on American Visitor Insurance.
7. Can I get US health insurance for tourist visa in USA?
It is unlikely that you will be able to obtain US domestic health insurance with a tourist visa in the USA. However you can buy US travel health insurance which will provide health insurance coverage for the tourists temporary stay in the US. The main limitations of US travel medical insurance when compared to US major medical health insurance is that the travel health insurance does not cover any preventive care and provides very little coverage for pre-existing conditions.
However it works very well in typical travel related accident or sickness medical care. Tourists can review different US travel insurance plans, benefits and coverage options from various travel insurance companies using the Compare US tourist Insurance tool to find the best fit for your needs.
8. What happens if a tourist gets sick in USA without insurance?
- If a tourist gets sick in the USA without insurance, they will be responsible for paying for their medical expenses out of pocket. Medical expenses in the US can be very expensive, and the cost will depend on the severity of the illness or injury and the type of medical care needed.
- If the medical expenses are high and the tourist is unable to pay, they may be sent to a collections agency, which can negatively impact their credit score. In some cases, they may also be denied entry into the US in the future.
- It's important to note that some hospitals may provide emergency medical treatment regardless of insurance status, but the tourist will still be responsible for paying for the care they receive.
- To avoid these situations, it's highly recommended for tourists to buy proper US travel health insurance that will cover their medical expenses while they are in the US.
9. How much does it cost to see a doctor in the USA?
The cost of seeing a doctor in the USA can range anywhere from $100 to more than $200 for a routine consultation without insurance. The actual cost can vary depending on factors such as location, type of doctor, and specific medical services. Having health insurance can significantly impact the out-of-pocket cost.
The average cost of a doctor’s visit in the USA is:
- $100 - $200 for a primary care physician (PCP) visit for a physical exam or a consultation.
- $250 or more for a specialist visit for a consultation or a procedure.
- More than $2000 for an emergency room (ER) visit for an illness or an injury.
However, these are just estimates and the actual cost may vary depending on the specific services and tests you need during your visit.
For example, some of the common tests and procedures that may add to your cost are:
- $50 - $100 for a blood test
- $100 - $200 for an electrocardiogram (EKG)
- $20 - $50 for a vaccine or an injection
- $150 - $200 for a strep test
- $150 - $300 for a urine test
- $200 - $400 for an X-ray
- $500 - $1000 for an ultrasound
- $1000 - $2000 for a CT scan
- $1500 - $3000 for an MRI
If you have health insurance, your cost may be lower depending on your plan’s coverage and deductible. You may also have to pay a co-pay or co-insurance fee at the time of your visit. If you do not have health insurance, you may have to pay the full amount out of pocket or negotiate with the doctor or the hospital for a discount or a payment plan.
Given this situation it is very important for everyone visiting the US to have the best travel health insurance possible. This is true even if you have health insurance in your home country and might offer coverage globally. This is because of the fact that the cost of US healthcare is very high and that US insurance providers negotiate better prices with hospitals and healthcare providers for their customers when compared to customers who are not part of any US insurance preferred providers network (PPO network).
10. How can international tourists and foreigners get health insurance in the USA?
Residents in the US can get health insurance in the USA mostly from their employer or from government programs like Medicare or Medicaid or from the Health Insurance Marketplace through insurance agents or brokers or from direct purchase from insurance companies. However, these options are not available for international tourists or visitors to the US. Tourists should buy international travel insurance that are offered by reputed US insurance providers. However, deciding on one company or insurance policy can be difficult, and this is where insurance comparison websites like American Visitor Insurance are very helpful. On American Visitor Insurance, visitors can easily compare visitors insurance based on the price as well as coverage details and buy the US travel insurance plan that is best suited to their needs.
11. Is it worth it to get health insurance for visitors to the US?
Given the very high cost of US healthcare, it is very logical to buy good health insurance for visitors to the US. The cost of the US health insurance for visitors is very small when compared to the healthcare costs in the USA for expatriates and visitors, so a small cost will bring tremendous peace of mind while in the country.
And, should the traveler fall sick or get injured while in the US you will no doubt consider the short term visitor health insurance as the greatest investment you ever made. Of course, we all hope that your travels are smooth and pleasant. US travel Insurance is however for the unexpected, whether falling sick or having an accident and finding yourself in a hospital in the US. An US short term health insurance for visitors policy will take care of you in those situations.
12. How to buy visitors insurance? How to find the best visitor health insurance?
There are many visitor health insurance plans for coverage in the USA offered by US insurance providers. Given the several US visitor insurance options, it can be confusing to find the best health insurance for travel to USA for your needs. What is very useful in making this decision is to compare travel insurance USA of different companies. The US travel insurance comparison allows travelers compare prices as well as coverage benefits in an objective manner.
The traveler can change relevant factors like the medical maximum coverage required, the US traveler insurance deductible, any US travel health insurance plans with coverage for pre-existing ailments, travel insurance USA coverage for Covid19 ... The global travel insurance comparison also allows travelers to buy the best travel insurance based on ones needs by completing an online application and paying using a credt card. One completing the purchase the travel insurance plan is emailed to the customer.
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Best medical insurance for visitors to America
Ailment and average cost of treatment in US
According to INF insurance, the top Eight visitor medical insurance claims for older travelers visiting the US are:
1. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Hyperglycemia
Patients admitted to the hospital Emergency Room(ER) and discharged within 1-2 days. The average bill across the US for a hypoglycemic event is around $25,000.
2. Cerebral Infarction, also known as stroke
This can involve a 4-5 day stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) coupled with at least 2 MRI scans and follow up treatments with a Neurologist. The average cost of a cerebral infraction is nearly $100,000.
3. Septicemia
blood poisoning caused by bacteria often due to Urinary Tract infection
The average cost of septicemia in 2018 was over $50,000
4. Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Ischemic stroke- the occlusion of a cerebral artery that causes damage to the brain tissue dependent on blood supply for the affected blood vessel. Treatment for this kind of stoke will definitely need ICU care for 8-10 days, many brain scans from MRI and PET machines, and skilled follow up care. The average cost of cerebral artery occlusion in 2018 was nearly $120,000.
5. Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction
, commonly known as heart attack
Typical medical bills will include ambulance, hospital emergency room, ICU, EKG and MRI heart scans and continuing care from cardiologists. The average cost for Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction in 2018 was close to $20,000.
6. Persistent atrial fibrillation
which results in irregular or rapid heartbeat.
Common symptoms experienced by older travelers due to extreme weather conditions can include dizziness, nausea and heart palpitations. According to INF claims data, the average cost of an atrial fibrillation in 2018 was almost $12,500.
7. Hypertensive emergency
A Hypertensive emergency is high blood pressure with a systolic blood pressure of over 180 mmHg or having a diastolic blood pressure over 110mmHh. This level of high blood pressure can permanently damage organs such as the brain, kidney, eyes, or heart. INF claims data found that the average treatment of hypertensive emergencies was over $85,000 in 2018.
8. Acute Kidney Failure
Acute Kidney Failure is a complication caused by different pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, urinary tract infections or diabetes. The average treatment cost of acute kidney failure in the USA was over $22,000 in 2018.
Visitors Pre-existing conditions coverage
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Resourceful tourist health insurance USA information
Find the best travel insurance
Find out the best insurance for your budget and needs
Know more »How does travel insurance work?
Claims process for expenses due to injury or sickness
Know more »How to buy travel insurance?
Guide to buying the best international travel health insuranceKnow more »
US visitor insurance glossary
Commonly used international travel medical insurance termsKnow more »
Travel insurance for specific groups
Tourists, Cruises, Students, J1 visa, OPT status, Immigrants...Know more »
Compare travel insurance plans
Compare the best travel insurance plan for your needs
Know more »Top Eight visitor medical insurance claims for older travelers visiting the US
Click here to know more »US health care costs and need for visitors insurance for USA visitors
Click here to know more »US Travel Insurance to cover medical care for visitors in USA
After being aware of these facts, it would be penny wise pound foolish to not buy adequate visitor medical insurance for the US. Buying proper visitor medical insurance will protect you from a financial crisis while in a medical emergency.
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