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Best Health Insurance for H1B Visa Holders

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Health Insurance for H1B Visa Holders

The H1B Visa is a temporary work visa for non-immigrants in the U.S., offered by U.S. employers for specialty occupations. The H4 Visa is granted to dependents of H1B visa holders, which can include a spouse or minor children.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, all Americans were initially required to have health insurance or face a penalty. However, the Trump administration repealed this individual mandate penalty in 2019. Despite the repeal, health insurance is crucial for anyone living in the United States, especially for H1B and H4 visa holders.

The cost of healthcare in the U.S. is extremely high, and without the best medical insurance for H1B Visa holders, individuals may face huge financial burdens. Medical expenses can easily reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. This makes it essential to have the best H1B health insurance and H4 health insurance to avoid paying these costs out of pocket.

Find the Best Health Insurance in USA for H1B

H1B Visa holders are facing a very stressful situation in the United States. Along with ongoing legal changes, the extremely high costs of healthcare make it of paramount importance to have the best H1B Visa health insurance. Having adequate coverage helps mitigate major financial risks while living in the USA.

At American Visitor Insurance, H1B Visa holders can easily find the ideal H1B Visa medical insurance plan by using our H1B Visa medical insurance comparison tool.

To get accurate results, H1B Visa holders should provide relevant information such as age, duration of insurance coverage, and other key details like the medical maximum coverage and deductible. The H1B Visa insurance comparison utility will then display available health insurance plans based on the visa holder’s specific requirements.

After reviewing these options, the H1B Visa holder can compare plans by price and coverage benefits to select the best H1B Visa insurance plan that fits their budget and needs.

H1B Visa Health Insurance Requirements USA

H1B visa holders are not required by U.S. law to have specific health insurance coverage. However, since the United States does not have a universal healthcare system, having health insurance is strongly recommended to avoid extremely high medical expenses.

Most H1B employers provide health insurance as part of their employment benefits. However, if employer coverage is not provided to H1B visa holders, they can purchase short-term travel health insurance as individual or family health insurance from American Visitor Insurance.

These travel health insurance plans offer coverage similar to regular health insurance for H1B visa holders, but they typically do not cover preventive care and may have limited coverage for pre-existing ailments.

What Are the Types of USA Health Insurance for Visitors?

The types of US travel insurance plans are fixed benefit and comprehensive visitors insurance. Compare Comprehensive vs fixed benefit visitors insurance for USA.

Feature Fixed Benefit Visitor Insurance USA Comprehensive Visitor Insurance USA
💲 Cost Affordable with lower premiums More Expensive due to extensive coverage
🛡️ Coverage Fixed amount per benefit limited or coverage under certain conditions Benefits for covered medical expenses up to the plan maximum
📉 Deductibles Usually higher deductibles for lower cost Often lower deductibles, more coverage
🌐 PPO network Usually no PPO network participation Offers PPO network access with discounted rates
💳 Payment method Usually requires you to pay upfront and then seek reimbursement from the insurer Allows direct billing(cashless), so the insurer handles payments to the provider
❤️ Pre-existing conditions coverage Not all plans offer coverage. Some offer coverage up to a specified limit Some plans offer coverage, while some others offer coverage only for acute onset of pre-existing conditions
👥 Recommended for Budget conscious travelers who only need basic coverage. Travelers who want comprehensive coverage for any medical needs.

What Is The Best Travel Insurance For USA H1B Visa?

How Much Does the Best Comprehensive Visitor Insurance Cost per Month?

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.

The average cost of US H4 visa health insurance per month for applicant aged 40 years.

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

How Much Does Cheap Visitor Insurance in the USA Cost?

A fixed benefit travel insurance plan is the cheapest travel insurance because it has a fixed limit of coverage for different medical benefits.

The average cost of travel insurance plans for USA is based on quotes for a 40-year-old with a duration of one month.

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

Source: American Visitor Insurance®

Can Non-Citizens Get Medicare?

To qualify for Medicare, you must have worked in the US for 40 quarters (10 years) or have a Green card for at least 5 years.
H1B h4 Visa insurance US employers with more than 50 full time employees provide health care coverage. If there are less than 50 full time employees and if your employer does not provide health care coverage, you need to purchase a qualified health insurance plan to receive coverage for medical treatment. While employers provide some cover for H1B Visa holders, they do not usually provide coverage for H4 Visa holders.

At American visitor insurance we offer a number of short term visitor insurance plans which however do not satisfy Obamacare (ACA) requirements. These plans work well even while you are waiting for your employer's plan or during the time period before you can purchase a domestic Obamacare US plan.

attach_moneyHEALTHCARE COST IN USA

What Does Travel Medical Insurance for H1B and H4 Visa Cover?

Medical Insurance for Visitors to USA Reviews

Karen

Karen

"After rigorous searching for suitable student health insurances online, I stumbled upon the American visitor Insurance."

Margaret

Margaret

"We really thank American insurance team for providing great assistance in taking the insurance. We were successfully."

Connie

Connie

"Thank you American Visitor Insurance customer service for meticulously following through. I truly appreciate it."

H1B Visa Health Insurance, H1B Insurance - Faqs

1. What is the most important factor to consider when choosing health insurance for H1B and H4 visa holders?

The most important factor is coverage. Ensure the plan covers a wide range of medical expenses, including doctor's visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription drugs, and preventive care.

2. 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 comprehensive coverage health insurance plan to be safe in case of a medical emergency.

3. Can I add my dependents to my H1B health insurance?

If you are buying H1B insurance on American Visitor Insurance, then you can add your dependents, such as your spouse and children, on the H1B Visa health insurance plan.

4. What happens if I do not have health insurance for my H1B visa?

If you do not have proper health insurance, you may face a penalty and the H1B Visa status can be jeopardized. It is therefore important to have the necessary health insurance at all times in place to maintain your Visa status. H1B Visa holders can by H1B Visa insurance on American Visitor Insurance that is offered by reputable US insurance providers.

5. Is health insurance mandatory for H1B Visa holders?

Yes, health insurance is required for H1B Visa holders 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.

6. What Kind of Hospital Room Does My Plan Cover for H1B Visa Holders?

Most travel medical insurance plans for H1B visa holders cover a semi-private hospital room typically a room shared by two patients. Private rooms are usually not covered unless they are medically necessary, for example, when isolation is required for health reasons. This approach helps keep overall medical costs lower while still ensuring a comfortable and safe environment for treatment. If a private room is preferred, the additional cost may need to be paid out of pocket.

Tip: When seeking care, use a PPO network hospital whenever possible to benefit from negotiated rates and to simplify the billing process.
Example of plans suitable for H1B visa holders:

What Factors Affect the Cost of H1B Visa Insurance?

1 Age of the H1B Visa holder
The cost of health insurance is directly proportional to the age of the applicant. The older the traveler and greater will be the cost of the H1B Visa health insurance in USA.
2 Types of US H1B travel insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance which provide exhaustive coverage are more expensive than fixed benefit travel insurance.
3 Medical Maximum Coverage
The price of medical insurance for US H1BH4 Visa is directly dependant on the maximum medical coverage and inversely proportional to the deductible of the plan chosen.
4 Region of Coverage
Travel insurance for US H1B Visa depends on the coverage region. The cost for health insurance for the United States is most expensive.
5 Duration of US Visa insurance for H1B visa
The longer the duration of medical insurance required, the higher will be the cost.
6 Any Add-on Benefits
Additional add-on benefits to the basic travel insurance plan like adventure sports coverage, coverage for pre-existing conditions… will add to the overall cost.

How Can I Buy the Best Health Insurance for H1B Visa Holders Online?

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Finding the available medical insurance for H1B Visa plans
Complete the health insurance quote request form by providing details of the H1B Visa holder and insurance requirements.
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Compare the different US H1B Visa insurance options Compare the price and the benefits of the different travel insurance for H1B Visa holders options to identify what fits your needs best.
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Buy the best health insurance for H1B Visa that you like
Purchase the plan that fits your requirements and budget best by using a credit card and completing the online application.
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Review health insurance for H1B plan documents received by email
Review the Visa insurance policy documents for coverage details and relevant contact numbers

Example Scenario: H1B Software Engineer Arriving Without Insurance

What happens if an H1B visa holder arrives in the U.S. before their employer health insurance begins?

Many H1B visa holders face a coverage gap when they arrive in the U.S., as employer-sponsored health insurance may only start after 30–60 days. In one case, an H1B software engineer arrived without insurance and needed urgent care for flu symptoms before the employer plan became active.

By purchasing temporary H1B medical insurance, the visitor was able to get urgent care treatment covered. A medical bill of $380 was reduced to a small copay, offering immediate protection during the waiting period and avoiding significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Best H1B Visa Health Insurance California

There are a large number of technology companies in California and hence the state is home to a large number of H1B visa holders. The best H1B visa health insurance in California provide comprehensive coverage in a cost effective manner. Many H1B workers have employer-sponsored insurance, however, those H1B visa holders without any employer sponsored insurance can buy H1B visa insurance on American Visitor Insurance. It is important to compare the different plans, the PPO networks, the premium cost and coverage limits on American Visitor Insurance to find the most suitable H1B visa insurance for California to ensure access to quality healthcare in California.

Which US Health Insurance Is Best For H1B Visa And How Does It Pay For Medical Bills?

Hi,
I will travel to the US with a H1B1 visa. Can I apply for one of your insurance with this visa? Also how does this insurance work? In case if i make use of it, do I have to pay the medical bill from my own pocket and afterwards I will get a refund? Or the insurance will take care of the bill right away?
Thank you,
Belen
Dear Belen,

Yes. You can purchase any of these popular US H1B1 US health insurance.

I would recommend these comprehensive plans and at least a $100,000 maximum. Be sure you put your foreign address as your “residence” or home address.

Regarding how the H1B1 visa insurance works: The provider should be able to call and arrange payment. However, they have to agree to make the phone call. It’s possible at a small clinic or dr’s office they won’t want to deal with it (not a huge insurance company after all). If you stay in network (PPO network the company works with), they are contracted to direct bill for you. However, we have had clients IN NETWORK where they refused to call, so this can never be guaranteed.


Please let us know in case of any questions.

Sincerely,
www.americanvisitorinsurance.com
Customer care
(877) 340 7910

Traveling to the U.S. on an H1B visa with your family? If you’re bringing your spouse or children on H4 visas, make sure they’re protected too. Explore affordable H4 visa health insurance plans with comprehensive coverage and flexible options to keep your dependents safe during your stay.

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