Do Visitors Need U.S. Health Insurance?
While health insurance is not always mandatory when traveling to the U.S., regulations may vary depending on the circ*mstances around your visit and your visa needs. In addition, health plans from different countries are generally not accepted in the U.S., which means you could pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for treatment in an emergency without a valid plan.
Note that many foreign visitors traveling to the U.S. do not need a visa to enter the country for less than 90 days. However, some visa requirements for long-term visitors require health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay. Regardless of the requirements for your travels, it’s worth considering a travel medical insurance plan based on the high cost of U.S. healthcare. According to GoodRx, an emergency room visit can cost upwards of $2,400 to $2,600 without insurance in the U.S.
Health Insurance Requirements for People Visiting the U.S.
While tourists do not technically need a travel medical insurance plan to obtain a visa, other types of visitors do. For instance, if you’re a student planning to study abroad in a U.S.-based college or university using an F-1 or J-1 visa, you’ll likely need some sort of health insurance or a comparable equivalent. Many universities that accept students on visas require medical coverage that complies with the school’s outlined health insurance requirements.
Note that health insurance requirements for visitors to the U.S. largely depend on the type of visa you need to enter the country. Regardless of whether it’s required, we recommend medical insurance based on the high costs of U.S. healthcare services.
Best Travel Health Insurance for Visitors to the U.S.
Our team has spent extensive time researching the best travel medical insurance plans for visitors to the U.S., considering factors such as availability, coverage, customer support and provider reputation.
- Seven Corners Travel Medical Basic: Our pick for group travelers
- WorldTrips Atlas America: Our pick for high coverage limits
- IMG Patriot Lite: Our pick for budget coverage
- IMG Patriot America Plus: Our pick for continuous coverage
- Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive: Our pick for wellness coverage
Seven Corners
Recommended Plan: Travel Medical Basic
4.5
Our Review
Cost$115Medical Expense Max$100,000Medical Evacuation Max$250,000
Why We Picked It
Seven Corners’ Travel Medical Basic plan is our pick for group travelers. This plan is specifically designed for groups of up to 10 non-U.S. residents and non-U.S. citizens aged 14 days or older, making it ideal for families traveling together. However, it is also available for solo travelers. You can extend coverage for up to a year, with protection both in the U.S. and worldwide.
Pros and Cons
Pros Fully covers emergency room and urgent care services after copay Offers 24/7 emergency assistance Several deductible options available Cons Not available for permanent residents and green card holders Low trip interruption benefits
Medical Coverage Details
The Travel Medical Basic plan offers extensive coverage with benefit maximums of up to $1 million and various deductible options, making it easy to customize a plan to suit your needs. Medical coverage offered through this plan includes the following:
- General medical
- Emergency dental
- Emergency services and assistance
- Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
- Optional adventure activity coverage
Learn more:Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review
WorldTrips
Recommended Plan: Atlas America
4.0
Cost$96Medical Expense Max$100,000Medical Evacuation Max$1,000,000
Why We Picked It
WorldTrips’ Atlas America plan is our pick for high coverage limits. This plan is designed for U.S. tourists, temporary workers, business visitors and international students studying abroad, providing accessible health coverage to a variety of travelers. It provides overall coverage maximums of up to $2 million, with up to $1 million for emergency medical evacuation coverage.
Pros and Cons
Pros Offers travel benefits along with medical coverage Covers 100% of out-of-network medical services Includes overall coverage limits of up to $2 million Cons Coverage excludes adventure sports Does not cover pre-existing conditions
Medical Coverage Details
The Atlas America plan offers up to $2 million in overall coverage and seven different deductible options, providing sound medical coverage along with supplemental travel benefits. Medical coverages include services that fall under the following categories:
- General medical
- Emergency dental and vision
- AD&D
- Emergency services and assistance
Learn more: WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review
IMG
Recommended Plan: Patriot Lite
4.4
Cost$89Medical Expense Max$100,000Medical Evacuation Max$500,000
Why We Picked It
We chose IMG’s Patriot Lite plan as our pick for budget coverage — the company quoted us less for this plan than its competitors on our list. You can buy this plan as an individual or group, making it ideal for family members traveling to the U.S. together. Like other insurance companies in this review, IMG is partnered with UnitedHealthcare, meaning policyholders have access to a domestic network of over 1.4 million physicians for medical care.
Pros and Cons
Pros Variety of deductibles to choose from Offers an adventure sports rider Individual and group plans available Cons Out-of-network coverage only includes 80% of services for the first $5,000 spent No COVID-19 coverage
Medical Coverage Details
Policyholders can choose coverage with a maximum of up to $1 million with the Patriot Lite plan, with deductibles ranging from $0 to $2,500. Coverages with the Patriot Lite plan include the following:
- General medical
- Emergency services and assistance
- Emergency dental and vision
- AD&D
Learn more: IMG Travel Insurance Review
IMG
Recommended Plan: Patriot America Plus
4.4
Cost$97Medical Expense Max $500,000Medical Evacuation Max $1,000,000
Why We Picked It
IMG’s Patriot America Plus plan also made our list for providing short-term insurance for business and leisurely travelers. We named it our pick for continuous coverage, as it provides up to 24 months of renewable, consecutive coverage. Other benefits include access to multilingual customer service representatives and a maximum limit of up to $1 million. Unlike IMG’s Patriot Lite plan, Patriot America Plus covers COVID-19 treatments.
Pros and Cons
Pros Uses United Healthcare’s PPO network Offers COVID-19 coverage Includes return travel coverage of up to $10,000 Cons Only provides acute onset pre-existing condition coverage Does not fully cover out-of-network expenses
Medical Coverage Details
As with IMG’s Patriot Lite plan, coverage with a maximum of up to $1 million is available, with your choice of deductible from $0 to $2,500. Coverages with the Patriot America Plus plan include the following:
- General medical
- Emergency dental and vision
- AD&D
- Emergency services and assistance
Learn more: IMG Travel Insurance Review
Trawick International
Recommended Plan: Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
4.5
Cost$96Medical Expense Max $150,000Medical Evacuation Max $1,000,000
Why We Picked It
We named Trawick’s Safe Travels USA Comprehensive plan our pick for wellness coverage, as it affords policyholders a general wellness visit with a U.S. doctor during their travels for up to $125. As is standard across most plans in our review, Trawick’s Safe Travels plan offers up to $1 million in medical expense coverage. It also offers up to $2 million in emergency medical evacuation coverage and eight deductible options up to $5,000.</p
Pros and Cons
Pros Provides up to $2 million in emergency evacuation coverage Offers trip interruption benefits of $5,000 Provides coverage for a general wellness visit Cons Does not cover pre-existing medical conditions Lower dental benefits than competitors
Medical Coverage Details
The Safe Travels USA Comprehensive plan covers up to $1 million in medical benefits after you pay your deductible. Benefits provided with each plan include:
- General medical
- Emergency dental and vision
- AD&D
- Emergency services and assistance
- Optional sports activity coverage (excludes extreme sports)
Read more: Trawick International Travel Insurance Review
Compare Travel Medical Insurance Plans for U.S. Tourists
See the table below for a direct comparison of costs, deductibles and more between travel medical insurance plans for U.S. visitors.
| Provider | Plan Name | Cost | Medical Maximums | Networks Used | Deductibles | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Medical Basic | $115 | $1 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $5,000 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Atlas America | $96 | $2 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $5,000 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Patriot Lite | $89 | $1 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $2,500 | EXPLORE PLANS | |
| Patriot America Plus | $97 | $1 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $2,500 | EXPLORE PLANS | |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $96 | $1 million | FirstHealth or Aetna | Up to $5,000 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Provider | Plan Name | Cost | Medical Maximums | Networks Used | Deductibles | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Medical Basic | $115 | $1 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $5,000 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Atlas America | $96 | $2 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $5,000 | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Patriot Lite | $89 | $1 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $2,500 | EXPLORE PLANS | |
| Patriot America Plus | $97 | $1 million | UnitedHealthcare | Up to $2,500 | EXPLORE PLANS | |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $96 | $1 million | FirstHealth or Aetna | Up to $5,000 | EXPLORE PLANS |
We based plan costs on quotes we obtained for a 30-year-old Australian citizen traveling to the U.S. for 30 days. Each plan includes a medical maximum of $500,000 with a $250 deductible. Note that your actual cost will depend on factors such as your age, number of travelers, chosen deductible and more.
Types of Health Insurance for U.S. Visitors
Travelers have options when it comes to health insurance for U.S. visitors. For one, you could choose an international travel medical insurance plan, which provides coverage for emergency medical expenses or evacuation abroad. A U.S. short-term health insurance plan is also an option. Some health insurance companies, such as UnitedHealthcare, work with providers to allow policyholders to use the company’s preferred provider organization (PPO) network.
If you’re wondering whether your domestic health insurance policy will cover you in the U.S., we encourage you to contact your insurance provider for more details. You may need to purchase valid coverage specifically for your U.S. trip if you’re concerned about or foresee needing medical care abroad.
Fixed Medical Insurance
Fixed medical insurance or fixed indemnity insurance pays a predetermined amount of money for specific medical procedures and services. This type of medical insurance plan is limited — no matter what your total bill amounts to, it will not cover more than the agreed-upon amount. Fixed medical insurance plans are usually cheaper than comprehensive policies, which we cover in the next section.
Comprehensive Medical Insurance
Comprehensive medical insurance covers doctor’s visits, hospital care, prescription drugs and more without setting limits on certain services. Note that these plans typically have coverage maximums, deductibles and copays, so you will have to pay a certain amount before your policy covers any medical expenses.
Comprehensive coverage does not have benefit limits based on the type of medical service like fixed medical does, but it will cost you more overall. However, because health care in the U.S. is expensive, you may find comprehensive plans more beneficial in the long run despite being pricier than a fixed plan.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Health Insurance
Short-term and long-term health insurance plans provide coverage that lasts for a specific period. You can consider travel medical insurance plans short-term policies for U.S. visitors, as they can cover medical expenses incurred during a period lasting less than a year.
If you plan on staying in the U.S. for longer than a year, you may be eligible to purchase a health insurance plan through a domestic provider, depending on your visa. For example, if you have a J-1 or F-1 visa, you may be eligible for a university-sponsored or private health insurance plan. We encourage you to check with the U.S. Department of State when you receive your visa for more on what long-term health insurance options are available to you.
What Does Travel Insurance in the U.S. Cover?
Travel insurance in the U.S. provides a variety of coverages for unexpected events that can affect your travel plans both before and during your trip. Specifics will vary depending on your choice of policy but will likely include some or all of the following coverages:
Trip cancellation: If you must cancel your trip for a covered reason, travel insurance can help you recover non-refundable costs such as hotel reservations, airline tickets and more.
Trip interruption: If you need to cut your vacation short for a covered reason, travel insurance plans can compensate you for expenses you didn’t use during your trip.
Trip and baggage delays: A travel insurance policy can help cover costs you incur if your trip or baggage gets delayed for a covered reason. Most coverage also includes lost or stolen baggage.
Emergency medical: Emergency medical coverage can reimburse the cost of necessary treatments if you experience a medical emergency abroad up to a maximum amount.
Emergency evacuation and transport: If you need transportation to a medical facility in the U.S. during a medical emergency, this coverage will provide an expense limit for the services. This benefit can also cover emergency evacuations if a natural disaster or political conflict occurs and affects your travels.
How Much Does Travel Health Insurance for U.S. Visitors Cost?
Our research found that the cost of travel insurance for U.S. visitors can range from $96 to $115. This range is based on quotes gathered for a 30-year-old Australian citizen traveling to the U.S. for 30 days. Each plan we obtained a quote for included a medical maximum of $500,000 with a $250 deductible.
For cost data specific to your travel needs, we encourage you to gather quotes from the providers in this review. The quotes you receive will depend on factors such as your age, plan limits, chosen deductible, number of travelers and more.
How To Use Visitor Health Insurance
If you’ve purchased a visitor medical insurance plan for your stay in the U.S., it’s important you understand how to use it. Healthcare facilities in the U.S., such as doctor’s offices, urgent care locations and emergency rooms, often require you to bring an insurance card with you. This card includes essential information associated with your policy that helps the facility file a claim with your insurance provider. If you have one through your visitor health insurance plan, it is best to have it on hand when receiving medical treatment.
MARKETWATCH GUIDES TIP
Your health insurance plan may require pre-approval before you receive treatment in non-emergent cases. Your insurance company may request to verify a procedure or medicine is necessary before agreeing to cover it. Be sure to check your policy to find out what the restrictions are.
Many visitor health insurance plans also cover prescription medications. If you’ve been prescribed medicine through a U.S. doctor during a medical visit, a pharmacy may choose to verify your prescription before filling it. This means the pharmacy will contact your healthcare provider with any questions about the prescription being correct. Verification could delay when you receive your medication, but likely won’t take longer than three to10 business days.
Finding Doctors and Hospitals as a Visitor
Most insurers provide online tools that help you find in-network healthcare providers and facilities covered by your insurance policy. Note that you may pay more if you choose to receive care through a doctor or facility that is not considered in-network. Out-of-network providers do not contract with your health insurance plan to provide agreed-upon rates. Unless you have a plan that lets you pick any provider you’d like, you will need to find a provider or facility working with your insurance.
If you want to verify the benefits offered by your insurance plan, contact your insurance provider directly or consult any documentation provided at the time of purchase. Healthcare providers may also take steps to verify your coverage, as it ensures the facility receives payment and lessens the chance of a denied insurance claim.
The cost of medical treatment depends entirely on the type of insurance plan you have. If you’ve purchased a travel medical insurance plan, your provider will cover emergency medical expenses up to a maximum amount. Once you’ve hit that limit, you will have to pay the rest of your bill. If you have a plan with a deductible or co-pay, you must pay that amount before your insurer will cover your expenses.
Paying Medical Bills Without Insurance
If you opt out of medical coverage when visiting the U.S. and end up needing medical care, you will have to cover the entire bill out of pocket. However, you have several options regarding payment. You can contact the debt collector in charge of your bill and work to negotiate the cost of your bill down. You can also set up a payment plan that works with your income and what you can afford.
While these payment options can be helpful, they do not negate the high U.S. healthcare costs, and can still leave you with a substantial bill after a medical crisis.
DID YOU KNOW?
According to a study by the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, health expenditures per person in the U.S. in 2022 were over $4,000 more than any other high-income nation. For this reason, we recommend some form of medical coverage to help cover potential emergency expenses when visiting the U.S.
Filing a Claim with Visitor Health Insurance
Filing a claim through a visitor insurance plan or travel medical insurance policy will vary based on your provider. Note that providing proper documentation will help the claims process go smoothly, so it is important to keep track of hospital invoices and other billing forms.
If you have a domestic health insurance policy, the healthcare facility that provided your treatment will file your claim. You’ll receive a bill once your insurance provider processes the claim. On the other hand, travel medical insurance may require you to submit documents proving your claims for emergency medical treatment. Once your claim has been approved, your travel insurance company will reimburse your medical bills.
Where Can You Buy Visitors Insurance?
You can buy visitors’ insurance directly from travel insurance companies, international health insurance companies, university-approved providers and domestic providers, depending on the type of visa required during your stay. If you’re on a tourist visa, you can purchase travel medical insurance covering emergency medical services and transport, if needed, to a healthcare facility. Most travel insurance providers also offer travel healthcare plans that can last up to a year if you are planning multiple trips.
If you’re on a J-1 or F-1 visa and enrolling in a schooling program, contact your university to see if you’re eligible for a sponsored or private health insurance plan. If you need clarification on the available coverage or plan to stay in the U.S. for longer than a year, contact the U.S. Department of State for more information.
Do U.S. Visitors Need Health Care Coverage?
Healthcare in the U.S. is expensive. While medical insurance isn’t required for some visitors — such as tourists on a B-2 visa — it’s still worth considering if you’re concerned about an unexpected medical emergency abroad. We encourage you to extensively research your visa type and the coverage available to you before settling on a plan. Understanding the benefits and exclusions of a healthcare coverage plan will ensure there are no surprises if you need medical care during your U.S. trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visitor Health Insurance
Visitor health insurance costs in the U.S. depend on factors unique to your travel needs. After gathering quotes from the providers in our review, we found that visitor health insurance can range from $89 to $115. This range is based on a 30-year-old Australian citizen traveling to the U.S. for 30 days, opting for a plan with a medical maximum of $500,000 and a $250 deductible. Your actual costs will vary.
Our research team found the average cost of travel insurance ranges from $35 to $400, with the average being $221 for a standard policy. Your costs will vary depending on your chosen plan, provider, length of travels, number of travelers and more.
Yes, foreigners can get insurance while in the U.S. Various insurance options are available to travelers depending on their length of stay and visa type. It’s best to research what’s available to you based on your visa requirements before purchasing a plan.
No, it’s not hard to get travel insurance for travel to the U.S. Providers such as Seven Corners, WorldTrips, IMG, Trawick and more provide plans for non-U.S. citizens seeking trip and medical coverage while abroad.
Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies
Our team surveyed dozens of travel insurance providers and created a scoring system to judge each company based on coverage, quality and service. We also collected sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the internet, to simulate an authentic customer experience. Here are the factors we take into consideration when rating providers:
- Cost (10%): To determine a baseline average travel insurance cost, we gathered quotes from each travel insurance company based on different traveler profiles. Travel insurance companies at or below our calculated average cost of $221 earn full points in this category. Specifically, we obtained quotes for the following trips
- A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
- A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
- A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
- A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
- A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
- A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
- A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
- Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
- Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
- Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursem*nt amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursem*nt after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
- Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.
A.M. Best Disclaimer
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If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at[email protected].
