Best health insurance for H1B and H4 Visa holders
Health insurance for H1B Visa holders
H1B Visa is a temporary work Visa for non immigrants in the US offered by US employers for specialty occupations. H4 Visa is given to dependents of the H1B Visa holder and this can include a spouse or minor children.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, initially mandated that all Americans have health insurance or face a penalty. However, the Trump administration repealed this individual mandate penalty in 2019.
Health insurance is indeed crucial for anyone living in the United States, especially for H1B and H4 visa holders.
Find the best health insurance in USA for H1B
H1B Visa holders are facing a very stressful situation in the United States. In addition to the legal changes, the high costs of healthcare especially in light of the Covid pandemic, makes it of paramount importance to have best H1B Visa health insurance. This will mitigate the financial risks while in USA. At American Visitor Insurance, H1B Visa holders can find the ideal H1b Visa medical insurance plan by using our H1B Visa medical insurance comparison tool.
H1B Visa holders should provide relevant information such as their age, the duration of insurance coverage and other relevant details like the medical maximum coverage and the deductible. The H1 B Visa insurance comparison utility will display the available health insurance plans based on the Visa holder’s specific requirements. The H1B Visa holder can then review these plans based on price and other coverage benefits to select the best H1B Visa insurance plan that suits their budget and needs.
What does H1B and H4 Visa insurance cover?
Health care expenses
Covers hospital expenses for sickness or accidents.
Know more »Pre-existing conditions
Some plans insure acute onset of pre-existing conditions.Know more »
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, health insurance is strongly recommended to avoid high medical expenses.
Most H1B employers provide health insurance as part of the employment benefits. However, if employer coverage is not provided to the H1B visa holders, then they can buy short term travel health insurance for an individual or as family health insurance on American Visitor Insurance. These travel health insurance provides health insurance coverage similar to regular health insurance plans for H1B visa holders, but will not cover preventive care or has limited coverage for pre-existing ailments.
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
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 USACost of best health insurance in USA for H1B Visa
What is the best travel insurance for USA H1B Visa 2025?
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 $77 - $139 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 $1M - $8M $0 - $25K United HealthCare $138 - $291 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. Source: AMERICAN VISITOR INSURANCE®
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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. Source: AMERICAN VISITOR INSURANCE®
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.
Which US health insurance is best for H1B1 visa and how does it pay for the 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.
Regards,
H1B Visa health insurance, H1B insurance - Faq's
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.
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Importance of H1B Visa insurance coverage
Given that health care costs in the USA are astronomical, a H Visa insurance plan is a requirement while in USA. American Visitor Insurance allows a H Visa holder to buy short-term medical insurance for the duration of their stay in the USA. This short-term medical insurance plan will cover them for injury sustained in an accident and for any new sickness. Health insurance coverage for H1-visa in the USA includes medical expenses such as doctor's visits, hospital fees and medicines/prescription drugs. We work with all the major insurers who offer health insurance plans for H1B Visa holders, so that you can select the most appropriate plan for your needs from amongst all available plans.
We try to identify the best insurance for H1B Visa holders. All health insurance for H1B holders offered here are underwritten by reputed insurers with A.M. ratings of A+. On purchasing the insurance, you will be provided with the relevant medical insurance details, including an ID card, and a toll free number to the plan administrator so that you can contact someone, at any time of day or night in case of a medical emergency. You may also use the toll free number for guidance on how to find a hospital or doctor, file a claim, or verify a benefit.
The monthly premium or cost of the H1B or H4 Visa insurance plan depends on the following variables:- The age of traveler: The older the H Visa holder, the more expensive is the medical insurance costs for H1B Visa holder.
- The maximum medical coverage selected: The options range from $25,000, up to $1,000,000, the higher the coverage amount, the higher the premium.
- The selected deductible: A 'deductible' is the amount of the medical costs the customer pays before the insurance plan provides any coverage. Most plans provide several options ranging form $0 to $2500 (travelers over age 60 years may not have the $0 deductible option). The lower the deductible, the higher the premium.
- The co-insurance on the plan: 'Co-insurance' is the percentage on medical expenses borne by the customer AFTER the deductible is paid off. This is relevant to comprehensive plans and is typically the 80/20 or 90/10.
- The insurance underwriter: There are different underwriters such as AIG, Lloyds, Nationwide, etc. Premium will correspondingly vary for different underwriter.
- Type of plan: There are two types of plans available: Fixed vs comprehensive visitor insurance coverage
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Affordable but Limited Coverage
Fixed Benefits plans are have specific benefit limits for different covered medical expenses. These benefit limits are not the same as the plan medical maximum.
Scheduled Benefits Example: A plan with a $50k maximum limit may have a maximum of $3k for surgery, and a maximum of $500 for diagnostic services (X-rays, scans).
These fixed limits for different situations are detailed in the plan brochure.
How do fixed benefits plans work? The customer is required to pay an initial deductible for each injury or sickness and the plan pays for the rest of the covered expenses. Scheduled Benefits Plans Highlights.
These plans have a list of medical benefits, over and above which the plan will not pay. While these plans tend to have lower premiums, the out of pocket costs (the cost borne by the customer that are over and above the fixed benefit) may be quite high.
Popular fixed benefit visitor insurance plans
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Expensive but Exhaustive coverage
These plans do not have benefit limits based on the type of medical expense. Benefits for covered medical expenses go all the way up to the plan maximum (less deductible and co-insurance) How do comprehensive benefits plans work?
Typically for all covered medical expenses during the plan period the insured pays the deductible plus 20% of the first $5,000; and then the plan pays 100% of the eligible medical expenses upto the plan maximun. The details for each plan such as the plan maximum, medical expense eligibility etc. are listed in the plan brochure. Comprehensive Coverage Plans Highlights.
- Relatively higher premiums
- Offer better benefits than the Scheduled Benefits Plans.
- Can reduce premium cost by increasing the deductible.
- Amounts are available at $0, $100, $250, $500, $1000, and $2,500 with some plans offering even higher deductible options.
These plans are more flexible than fixed plans and do not have fixed ceilings for various medical benefits. Because they provide more extensive coverage they also cost more.
Popular Comprehensive visitor insurance plans
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