Travelers visiting the United States on a B1/B2 visa or tourist visa are eligible to buy visitor medical insurance, even if they do not live or work in the USA. These short-term health insurance plans are specifically designed for foreign nationals who are temporarily visiting the USA and provides coverage for unexpected medical emergencies that may arise during your stay.
Visitor medical insurance is available to those who qualify as:
These insurance plans are designed for foreign nationals who do not intend to remain in the USA for long term, and therefore have a need for temporary health insurance coverage.
Visitor medical insurance plans offer a variety of coverage periods to fit your specific travel needs:
Yes. Travelers visiting the United States on a tourist visa or B1/B2 visa can buy visitor visa health insurance to cover medical expenses and emergency services during their stay. These visas are issued to non-immigrants entering the USA for business or tourism purposes.
Visitor visa health insurance in the USA is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended due to the extremely high cost of healthcare. A relatively small, minor medical emergency could lead to an enormous out-of-pocket expense for a person with no insurance coverage.
Having visitor medical insurance USA can reduce hospital bills, especially if the person receives medical treatment from providers affiliated with a Preferred Provider Organisation (PPO) network. The US insurance company PPO network healthcare billing is usually significantly lower than regular hospital bills without PPO network in the United States.
Other affordable travel insurance for the US are Venbrook Essential from Venbrook International and Visitors Care from IMG.
* The price shown is for a 30-day trip with a $25,000 maximum coverage and a $0 deductible for a 40-year-old traveler.
The cost of visitor insurance depends on several factors:
For an average traveler, there are cheap travel insurance plans at less than a dollar a day.
Fixed vs Comprehensive Visitor Insurance Plans
The most affordable visitor health insurance USA starts from $20 per month with options up to $191 per month. The average cost of fixed benefit visitor travel insurance for the USA is calculated based on one-month quotes.
| Plan Name | Plan max range | Deductible | Age 40 | Age 60 | Age 70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Travels Advantage | $25,000 - $150,000 | $0 | $20 - $58 | $39 - $102 | $60 - $166 |
| Visitors Care | $25,000 - $100,000 | $100 | $25 - $47 | $40 - $75 | $66 - $152 |
| Safe Travels Elite | $25,000 - $175,000 | $0 | $26 - $76 | $50 - $134 | $109 - $155 |
| Venbrook Essential | $25,000 - $150,000 | $0 | $26 - $81 | $49 - $124 | $68 - $147 |
| Visit USA Budget | $50,000 - $150,000 | $250 | $32 - $56 | $49 - $86 | $84 |
| VisitorSecure | $50,000 - $130,000 | $100 | $34 - $62 | $55 - $76 | $96 - $139 |
| Travel Medical USA Visitor Basic | $50,000 - $150,000 | $100 | $42 - $52 | $79 - $94 | $173 - $191 |
The best travel insurance cost for USA ranges from $58 to $353 per month. The average cost of comprehensive travel insurance for the USA is based on one-month quotes with a $250 deductible.
| Plan name | Plan maximum | Age 40 | Age 60 | Age 70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Essential | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $58 - $109 | $131 - $266 | $263 - $328 |
| Safe Travels USA Cost Saver | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $71 - $117 | $139 - $250 | $237 - $299 |
| Venbrook Premier | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $77 - $135 | $176 - $346 | $352 - $437 |
| Patriot America Lite | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $72 - $130 | $153 - $289 | $252 - $337 |
| Atlas America | $50,000 - $2,000,000 | $78 - $154 | $177 - $378 | $355 - $444 |
| Patriot America Plus | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $77 - $139 | $164 - $311 | $287 - $434 |
| Travel Medical Basic | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $80 - $138 | $167 - $314 | $252 - $337 |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $90 - $168 | $172 - $351 | $294 - $470 |
| SafeVista Protect | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | $93 - $127 | $215 - $248 | $320 |
| Diplomat America | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $125 -$214 | $229 - $301 | $353 |
For a 60-year-old traveler, the cost of USA visitor insurance for 6 months typically ranges around $122 to $1,050, based different coverage options, medical needs, and traveler’s budget on American Visitor Insurance.
The best 6 month USA travel insurance is the one which is affordable, reliable and allows the traveler stress free.
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.
The Best health insurance for visitors to USA is Patriot America Plus.
The other top recommended best travel insurance for USA include Atlas America and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive.
Age: 40 years | Plan maximum: $50,000 | Deductible: 250
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. |
For minor illness or injury, $50,000 might be enough coverage. However, if you are concerned about an (albeit unlikely) stay at a hospital, those expenses can run up quickly beyond $100,000 in a few days. When asked, I typically recommend at least $100,000 maximum. If a person is at risk for multiple fractures or a longer hospital stay (they are older, perhaps?), then I would go as high as I could. Often, the age of the insured will limit the maximum allowed.
Typically no. First of all, travel insurance is only for unexpected medical illness or injury. There are many medical expenses which may be desired (teeth cleaning or check, wellness check, immunization) which will not be covered. We sell two types of policies: fixed and comprehensive plans.
The fixed plans have limited coverage to a set amount or cap. If you are charged more than the policy allows for a specific medical expense, then you will have to pay the difference.
A comprehensive plan is more complete, but there is a deductible that must be paid before the insurance pays out any amount and often there is coinsurance to pay after, although this is usually limited to 20% of the first $5000. So, with a comprehensive plan, you can calculate an out of pocket maximum that you would have to pay (deductible + coinsurance) which needs to be paid only one time. While you can choose a $0 deductible on a comprehensive plan, we don’t recommend that since that will cost you significantly more than putting even a small deductible on the policy, but that is up to each customer’s choice and comfort level.
Visitor medical insurance provides temporary health insurance for U.S. resident and non-resident international travelers visiting the U.S. for short periods of time. This type of visitor insurance provides coverage for unexpected medical emergencies during these trips without the expense and complexity of long-term U.S. health insurance.
Visitor health insurance plans provides visitors with flexible options to meet the specific travel needs.
These options help to meet the various needs of visitors to the U.S., whether they are going on a short visit or an extended stay.
Yes. Buying travel health insurance for visitors to the USA is absolutely worth it, and in many cases essential.
"After rigorous searching for suitable student health insurances online, I stumbled upon the American visitor Insurance."
"We really thank American insurance team for providing great assistance in taking the insurance. We were successfully."
"Thank you American Visitor Insurance customer service for meticulously following through. I truly appreciate it."
Many travelers on US visitor visa (B1/B2) who are on temporary or short term US visas may have to extend or renew their visa status in order to stay for longer durations in the US. The following is the procedure to extend the US short term visa:
Pay $370 filling fees and +$85 for biometric fees depending on the petition at the USCIS.
The USCIS will issue a receipt with 13-digit case number on submission of the extension application.
The visitor should provide this case number to check the status of the application and its processing times (customer service number helpline number is: 1-800-375-5283).
American visitor insurance is a travel health insurance comparison website where international travelers can compare the most popular US travel medical insurance plans and buy it online. Travel insurance while relevant all along, has become more important in the current Covid pandemic situation. Given the increased stress on healthcare systems in several countries, many nations are insisting on adequate travel insurance before allowing international travelers enter their countries.
This information can guide international travellers to USA in better understanding US travel insurance requirements and the financial support it offers.
Deductible is the amount that insured travelers need to pay for coverage before the travel insurance actually starts to pay for the healthcare services along with the co-pay or coinsurance. Travelers will need to pay the medical fees up to the amount of deductible and along with coinsurance and co-pay. For example if the deductible amount is $1,500 then travelers need to pay up to $1,500, it is only after this amount is paid that the insurance plan stays paying. The Deductible is introduced to prevent frivolous claims.
Coinsurance is similar to co-pay in domestic US health insurance. Here the insured needs to pay a percentage of the total cost of the medical fee instead of paying a fixed amount. If you have 10% of coinsurance that the insured will have to pay 10% of the total cost of the bill .Co-insurance is paid on top of the Deductible. Typical Co-insurance ranges from 10% to 20%. The higher the co-insurance, the lower will be the cost of travel insurance.
Travelers can review the insurance glossary for travel to the USA to understand other terms and also check our travel insurance guide for easy understanding.
Riders – Riders are additional benefits that a traveler can purchase within the insurance policy. These are benefits that are usually not covered under the standard insurance policy. Depending on the need of the traveler, customers can add rider benefits at additional cost while buying the policy.
Copay or copayment is the fixed amount that the insured will have to pay for the medical service availed. The amounts would usually differ depending on the service availed.
Network and Out of Network- In US most hospitals have PPO networks. In the PPO network there are selected doctors and hospitals that have a working agreement with the insurance providers who charge the insurance provider directly and work out cheaper for the travelers. If the insurance provider is in the network they will provide a list of in network facilities so that the insured finds it easy to use the provider who can offer services.
Out of network insurance is literally when the customer goes to a healthcare facility outside of the covered network provider. In this situation, the insured will have to pay for the treatment themselves and then file a claim, this process might be confusing and sometimes out of network doctors and hospitals are more expensive and may even not be covered.
Pre-existing condition is a medical ailment that existed before the start of the travel insurance cover. Acute onset of a pre-existing condition is a sudden relapse of the pre-existing condition without advance warning which requires medical attention within 24 hours. Travelers with pre-existing conditions always find it hard to buy travel health insurance. There are various conditions that are considered as pre- existing diseases but some of common ailments in this category are Asthma, heart related issues, high blood pressure, kidney disease, cancer, diabetes etc.
Typically all insurance providers have their terms and conditions for the pre-existing condition coverage provided. Travelers can buy a travel insurance policy without a medical check, however most insurance providers only provide coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions. With the pre-existing condition there is a "look back" period of 60-180 days to determine the claim. Most insurance providers offer health insurance coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions with fixed or limited coverage. If any of the travelers has one of these conditions it’s very important for them to buy a policy that includes the illnesses in the coverage and to be aware of the terms of pre-existing condition coverage.In a case where the insured is using an out-network provider the insured will need to notify the insurance provider to get pre approval or pay and then apply for a reimbursement. In situations like an admission at the hospital for overnight stay, Major Surgery, Prescription of expensive drugs, Medical appointment to a behavioural, physical, speech or occupational therapist for treatment all of this would typically require pre-approvals from the insurance provider.
Along with comparing different travel insurance options (commonly known as US visitors insurance), travellers can find out details about the different factors to consider while buying travel medical insurance as well as see responses to typical questions that customers have. Some of the important foreigners health insurance for travelers factors to consider in US travel insurance include fixed benefits vs comprehensive benefits, coverage for pre-existing ailments, coverage for Covid19 and Quarantine, medical maximum coverage, co-insurance, deductible and renewability.
American Visitor insurance has a friendly health insurance for travelers comparison tool where customers can compare prices and benefits of the several health insurance for non residents in USA options available.
Yes, tourists can and should buy health insurance for visitor visa USA. Given the high cost of healthcare in the US, it is very risky to travel to the US without the best health insurance for foreigners. International tourists can compare different health insurance usa for foreigners online and then buy the best medical insurance for foreign visitors to usa for their needs.
Any pre-existing medical condition is something that the traveler has before or when he/she buys the travel insurance plan. The pre-existing condition can be an illness or any injury. Some other examples of pre-existing conditions are cancer, diabetes or asthma/respiratory issues.
There are two main purposes of US travel medical insurance. One is to insure the value of your invested cost in your trip in case something comes up which means you are not able to go on your trip. This type of insurance is called trip cancellation insurance or trip insurance. Typically, you insure your trip for a certain amount (the non-reimbursable portion of your deposit) and the higher the amount, the higher the cost of the insurance.
Some of these policies have a set limit on their amount (but they are consequently more economical). Some credit card companies offer insurance on what you purchase with your card (so airline tickets and hotel reservations, perhaps) and no more. Most of these policies also cover you in case you are sick while you are on your trip or have to interrupt your trip for some reason (death in family back home, problem with home or business, etc).
If you want health coverage while on your trip, be sure that the policy includes this (my own credit card coverage does NOT include this coverage). There are also international health insurance for USA policies that cover you for sudden illness or accident while you are on your trip. If you cancel your trip, you can simply cancel them for a refund on your premium, but they will cover any medical expenses (after a deductible) while you are on your trip and also have some minor travel benefits, such as baggage loss and trip interruption as well.
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.
There are many plans with coverage for both in the USA as well as around the world offered by US insurance providers. Given the several plans options, it can be confusing to find the best health insurance for international travel for your needs. What is very useful in making this decision is to compare travel insurance USA of different companies. The 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 deductible, any USA travel health insurance plans with coverage for pre-existing ailments, international coverage for Covid19. The global travel insurance comparison also allows travelers to buy the best plans based on ones needs by completing an online application and paying using a credit card. Once completing the purchase, the plan is emailed to the customer.
As a sponsor for anyone on a student’s visa, a visitor’s visa or for permanent residency status (Green card) you are completing the I-134 Form. The I-134 form is an Affidavit of Support indicating to the U.S. government that the visa applicant will be financially supported by the sponsor in the United States. This is to remove the risk of the visa applicant from becoming a public charge (financial liability) to the US government.
The sponsor is therefore considered responsible for any living and healthcare expenses of the visa applicant while in the United States. In the event that the visa holder needs healthcare services, the healthcare provider can hold the sponsor who provided the I-134 form, ie 'Affidavit of Support' responsible for any medical bills that are not paid by the sponsored visa holder. Given this risk and the high US healthcare costs, it is important that the sponsor ensures that the visa applicant has good medical insurance coverage as long as the I-134 Affidavit of support is valid. At American visitor insurance, we have US travel health insurance and student medical insurance options which are applicable for these visa applicants.
An Affidavit of Support is enforceable until the visa applicant either becomes a US citizen, or is credited with 40 quarters of work (which is typically 10 years).
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.
No, international tourists do not get free healthcare in the USA. The United States does not have a universal healthcare system, and US healthcare services are very expensive, especially for the uninsured. If you are a tourist visiting the US, it is very important to have the best travel medical insurance for any unexpected medical expenses that may arise during your trip. US travel medical insurance covers emergency medical expenses, including hospitalization, doctor visits, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation.
Tourists can compare and review the best US travel insurance options using the American Visitor Insurance comparison tool as well as review the policy brochures to understand the coverage limits and exclusions.
There is no denying that travel insurance to USA is unfortunately very expensive. The main reason for this is simply because the cost of healthcare in the USA is very expensive and the travel insurance USA costs are directly related to the healthcare costs.
One more factor for some USA travel insurance plans to be very expensive is that there are specially designed travel insurance for USA plans available for older travelers, with higher medical coverage as well as some plans with coverage for pre-existing ailments.
Plans usually have a deductible which you must pay before your plan will cover your costs. You can choose a $0 deductible, but that will cost you a lot more. I recommend $100 or some amount that is reasonable. Also, I don’t recommend going to the emergency room for a cold or stomach ache; that will be a large bill and sometimes they put a larger deductible on an emergency room visit if you are not admitted. You can visit an Urgent Care clinic for minor complaints while you are here. I recommend a comprehensive plan with a reasonable deductible.
Please let us know in case of any questions.
Sincerely,Fixed benefit or scheduled benefit plans are the most affordable travel insurance plans.
Learn More »International travel insurance plans covering pre-existing conditions which many older travelers look for.
Learn More »Compare quotes online for best travel insurance online, Fixed vs comprehensive travel insurance USA.
Learn More »Compare and buy the best travel medical insurance plans online.
Learn More »There are many cheap international insurance plans also known as visitor insurance plans.
Learn More »Coinsurance & Deductible - How visitor travel insurance works.
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Click here to read more »We also short term travel insurance in USA.
Click here to read more »Compare quotes online for best tourist visa health insurance USA.
Click here to read more »USA Healthcare cost & need for US visitors medical insurance.
Click here to read more »You can find reliable US insurance providers like International Medical Group(IMG), Seven Corners, WorldTrips, Global Underwriters, Travel Insure, GeoBlue, Travelex, INF insurance, HTH Worldwide and Venbrook International.
