U.S. Health Insurance for Visitors
Those visiting the U.S. will want to ensure they have adequate health insurance coverage while in the country due to its high healthcare costs. The U.S. has one of the highest healthcare costs in the world, and medical bills may be much higher than visitors are used to in their home countries.
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Are you planning a trip to the U.S. on a visitor visa? Have you secured health insurance for your trip? If you haven’t yet, you’ll want to read Pacific Prime’s comprehensive guide on U.S. health insurance for visitors.
We’ll discuss why U.S. health insurance is necessary for visitors and the recommended health insurance plans for their time abroad. We will also share information about navigating the U.S. healthcare system so visitors can get the most out of their trip. Keep reading to learn more!
Why U.S. Health Insurance is Essential for Visitors
U.S. health insurance for visitors is essential due to the high cost of medical care in the U.S. Without health insurance coverage, visitors in the U.S. could pay medical bills that are much higher than they are used to in their home countries.
Traveling without health insurance coverage isn’t worth the risk. If you suffered from an unexpected injury while visiting a U.S. national park, for example, you would be forced to pay for medical transportation to the hospital and medical treatment. These treatments can cost thousands of USD.
Understanding Healthcare Costs in the U.S.
The high cost of healthcare in the U.S. is related to expensive medical technology, lack of a universal healthcare system, higher medical professional salaries, and higher prices for medical services.
We will share some common surgical services below and the average price for the service (all listed in USD amounts):
- Angioplasty: $28,2000
- Hip resurfacing: $28,000
- Gastric bypass: $25,000
- Cornea: $17,500
- Gastric sleeve: $16,000
- Heart valve replacement: $170,000
- Heart bypass: $123,000
- Spinal fusion: $110,000
- Hip replacement: $40,364
- Knee replacement: $35,000
Short-Term US Health Insurance for Visitors
Visitors in the U.S. should purchase short-term health insurance to cover them while abroad, as the B-1/B-2 visitor visas only allow trips under 180 days (6 months). Visitors can also purchase travel health insurance instead, which offers medical coverage and travel protection.
Here are some common benefits included with travel health insurance plans:
- Emergency Medical Coverage
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption
- Baggage and Personal Belongings Coverage
- Travel Delay Coverage
- Legal Assistance
- Hotline Assistance Services
- Adventure Sports Coverage
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)
Short-term health insurance offers a more comprehensive approach to health coverage, and can even cover doctor visits and outpatient costs.
Best Health Insurance Insurance Providers for Visitors to the U.S.
Some of the best international health insurance providers for visitors to the U.S. include Allianz, AXA, and Cigna. Each of these leading insurance providers offers comprehensive plans, with a variety of coverage lengths to ensure you are covered for as long as you need while in the U.S.
Allianz U.S. Health Insurance for Visitors
Allianz offers both travel insurance and short-term health insurance to visitors in the U.S. They offer single-trip and annual/multi-trip travel insurance plans, and a short-term health insurance plan called Flexicare.
Allianz Travel Insurance
Allianz’s most popular travel insurance plan, OneTrip Prime, has the following benefits:
- Trip Cancellation Coverage Up To USD $100,000
- Trip Interruption Coverage Up To USD $150,000
- Trip Change Protector Coverage Up To USD $500
- Emergency Medical Up To USD $50,000
- Emergency Medical Transportation Up To USD $500,000
- Lost/Damaged Baggage USD $1000
- Baggage Delay USD $300
- Travel Delay USD $800 (daily limit $200)
- 24-Hour Hotline Assistance
Allianz Short-Term Health Insurance
Their short-term health insurance plan, Flexicare, focuses more on medical coverage than travel benefits. This plan was designed for individuals and families working abroad for less than a year, with the Flexicare plan offered in 3, 6, or 9-month policies.
Here are some of the benefits of the Flexicare plan:
- Maximum Plan Limit of USD $202,500
- Prescription Drug Coverage
- Day-care Treatment
- Medical Evacuation
- Physician and Therapist Visits
- CT and MRI Scans
In addition to this foundational coverage, Allianz offers two additional plans that can be added to the Flexicare plan: the Medical Repatriation Plan and the Outpatient Plan. These plans can extend the coverage of the Flexicare plan, and offer the valuable benefits of repatriation and outpatient care.
AXA U.S. Health Insurance for Visitors
AXA is a leading international insurance provider that offers short-term health insurance to visitors in the U.S. through their Foundation and Standard plans. These plans are similar to their international health insurance plans, but the coverage length is shortened to 3 to 11 months.
The benefits included in these plans are listed in the table below:
| Benefits | Foundation | Standard |
| Annual Plan Maximum Limit | USD$160,000 | USD$1,600,000 |
| Hospitalization & Surgery | Covered | Covered |
| Emergency Coverage | Covered | Covered |
| Medical Evacuation and Repatriation | Covered | Covered |
| Non-Routine Dental Care | Not Covered | Covered |
| CT, PET, and MRI Scans | Covered | Covered |
Visitors who would like to further customize their short-term health insurance plans can purchase additional outpatient coverage. This coverage will offer outpatient treatment, tests and vaccinations, and prescription drugs.
Cigna U.S. Health Insurance for Visitors
The largest international insurance provider on the market, Cigna, offers short-term health insurance plans through their Close Care Flexi plan. This plan was designed for visitors and expats who need comprehensive and customizable coverage for less than a year.
The benefits included with a Close Care Flexi plan are:
- Maximum Annual Limit of USD $500,000
- Inpatient Treatments
- Mental Health Care up to USD $3,000
- Cancer Care
- Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
To further customize and extend your coverage, Cigna gives the option to add optional modules to the Close Care Flexi plan. These optional modules are the Outpatient and Wellness Care module, and Dental Care and Treatment module.
The Close Care Flexi plan only offers coverage in your country of residence, and your home country. This makes it a perfect option for those who don’t plan to travel frequently to neighboring countries and want to save on their deductible because of it.
How to Purchase U.S. Health Insurance for Visitors
Visitors coming to the U.S. can purchase health insurance through an insurance broker. Insurance brokers like Pacific Prime can help you compare plans from various insurance providers, unlike an insurance agent who only advertises for one provider.
An insurance broker will streamline the process for you for free, and help you get insured as soon as possible. You can submit your application and enroll in a plan online, which makes the process convenient and quick.
Navigating U.S. Healthcare for Visitors
Visitors in the U.S. should visit clinics for general practitioner visits, and hospitals for any medical emergencies. If you are having a medical emergency in the U.S., you can call 911 for help and an ambulance.
Most healthcare facilities will ask for your insurance information at the front desk and if they accept your insurance, they will bill your insurance after the appointment or visit. If you need help finding an in-network provider, call your insurance’s help line and ask for recommended providers.
Most healthcare facilities in the U.S. work with a referral system, meaning if you need to see a specialist you will need to first be seen and referred by a general practitioner. If you’re having a medical emergency but don’t need an ambulance, you can visit any emergency room in a hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do visitors to the U.S. have to purchase health insurance?
While not mandatory, it is highly recommended that visitors in the U.S. purchase health insurance before their trip so they are protected. Without this health insurance, visitors could be left vulnerable to high medical bills if they were to have an injury or unexpected illness.
Is health insurance for visitors the same as travel insurance?
Visitors can purchase health insurance through a travel medical insurance policy, or through a short-term health insurance policy. Travel medical insurance plans will offer more basic coverage than short-term health insurance, which can include doctor visits and outpatient costs.
How do I make a claim with my U.S. health insurance?
You can make a claim by submitting all necessary medical bills and receipts to your insurance company. Most insurance companies have online claim submissions, so you will need to follow your insurance provider’s specific instructions on their website.
Conclusion
It’s essential for visitors in the U.S. to acquire adequate health insurance coverage before their trip so they aren’t left paying sky-high medical bills due to an unexpected illness or accident. With a comprehensive health insurance plan, you can trust that you and your loved ones are protected.
Are you ready to begin shopping for health insurance for your U.S. trip? Whether you’re looking for travel insurance or international health insurance, Pacific Prime has you covered. As an insurance broker, we can give our clients free and unbiased advice and help compare a wide variety of plans.
You can contact us online, or call us toll-free at 1-800-868-1451. If you’d like to compare quotes from multiple insurance providers, use our free quote tool!
If you enjoyed this article, check out our others with similar topics like Health Insurance for Visitor Visa Holders and California-Specific Visitor Insurance Plans!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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