Michelle MegnaLead Editor, Insurance
Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.
Michelle Megna
Michelle MegnaLead Editor, Insurance
Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.
Lead Editor, Insurance
Ashlee ValentineDeputy Editor, Insurance
Ashlee is an insurance editor, journalist and business professional with an MBA and more than 17 years of hands-on experience in both business and personal finance. She is passionate about empowering others to protect life's most important assets. When Ashlee isn't spreading insurance knowledge or solving television murder mysteries, she enjoys spending time with her family (including the furry and feathery ones) on their farm in Kentucky.
Fact Checked
Ashlee Valentine
Ashlee ValentineDeputy Editor, Insurance
Ashlee is an insurance editor, journalist and business professional with an MBA and more than 17 years of hands-on experience in both business and personal finance. She is passionate about empowering others to protect life's most important assets. When Ashlee isn't spreading insurance knowledge or solving television murder mysteries, she enjoys spending time with her family (including the furry and feathery ones) on their farm in Kentucky.
Deputy Editor, Insurance
Fact Checked
Updated: May 31, 2024, 9:50am
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
WorldTrips and IMG are the best travel medical insurance companies for visitors to the U.S., based on our analysis.
If you’re going to have family or friends from another country visit you, they should plan to buy travel medical insurance. Health insurance from other countries isn’t usually accepted in the U.S. and the cost for medical treatment in the states can add up quickly.
Travel medical insurance, also called visitors insurance, can provide financial compensation for a visitor’s medical expenses if they get sick or injured during their trip to the U.S. We evaluated visitors insurance policies to find the best travel medical insurance.
How We Chose the Best Travel Medical Insurance
Read more
Summary: Best Travel Medical Insurance for Visitors Coming to the U.S.
| Editors’ Take | Company | Company - Logo | Forbes Advisor Rating | Forbes Advisor rating | Policy | Average cost | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for Cost | IMG (VisitorsCoverage) |  | 5.0 |  | Patriot America Lite | $304 | |||
| Best Overall | WorldTrips |  | 5.0 |  | Atlas America | $447 | |||
| Great for Trip Interruption Insurance | IMG (VisitorsCoverage) | | 4.5 |  | Patriot America Plus | $332 | |||
| Best for Urgent/Emergency Care Reimbursem*nt | Seven Corners |  | 4.5 |  | Travel Medical Basic | $330 | |||
| Best for Deductible Choices | Trawick |  | 4.0 | | Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $328 |
Source: Forbes Advisor research. *Patriot costs are based on a $50,000 policy because $100,000 wasn’t available.
The Best Travel Medical Insurance for Visitors to the U.S.
Best for Cost
IMG (VisitorsCoverage) Patriot America Lite
5.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Eligible ages
14 days to 99 years
Coverage amounts
5 days to 365 days
Extendable?
Yes, up to 365 days
14 days to 99 years
5 days to 365 days
Yes, up to 365 days
Editors’ Take
We picked the Patriot America Lite policy because its prices are significantly lower than the competitors we assessed. That can make up for out-of-network care, which is at only 80% coverage until you surpass $5,000 in services. We recommend checking out the Patriot America Lite policy if low costs and robust trip interruption benefits are important to you.
- Lowest cost among the policies we evaluated.
- Generous trip interruption benefits of $10,000.
- Decent choice of deductibles and coverage limits.
Related: IMG Travel Insurance Review
Drawbacks
- The only plan among those we evaluated that does not cover acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions.
- Standard care, urgent care and emergency care out-of-network are only covered at 80% for the first $5,000 in services.
More Details
| Coverage type | Coverage limits |
|---|---|
Choices of coverage maximums | $10,000, $50,000, $100,000, $500,000, $1 million |
Deductible choices | $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 |
Network | United Healthcare PPO |
Coverage for in-network urgent care | $25 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum |
Coverage for out-of-network urgent care | $25 copay, 80% of the first $5,000, 100% thereafter |
Best Overall
WorldTrips Atlas America
5.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Eligible ages
14 days to 99 years
Coverage amounts
5 days to 364 days
Extendable?
Yes, up to 364 days
14 days to 99 years
5 days to 364 days
Yes, up to 364 days
Editors’ Take
We chose the Atlas America comprehensive policy because it hits all the high marks for benefits across the board—including high coverage limits, a generous selection of deductible amounts and great trip interruption coverage.
- Competitive costs.
- Excellent trip interruption benefits of $10,000.
- High coverage limit of $2 million available.
- Generous choice of deductible amounts.
- Out-of-network services covered at 100%.
Related: WorldTrips Travel Insurance Review
Drawbacks
- Pre-existing medical conditions not covered (though acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions is covered).
- $200 copay for emergency room care.
More Details
| Coverage type | Coverage limits |
|---|---|
Choices of coverage maximums | $10,000, $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1 million, $2 million. |
Deductible choices | $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 |
Network | United Healthcare PPO |
Coverage for in-network urgent care | $15 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum. |
Coverage for out-of-network urgent care | $15 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum. |
Great for Trip Interruption Insurance
IMG (VisitorsCoverage) Patriot America Plus
4.5
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Eligible ages
14 days to 99 years
Coverage amounts
5 days to 365 days
Extendable?
Yes, up to 365 days
14 days to 99 years
5 days to 365 days
Yes, up to 365 days
Editors’ Take
We like the America Plus plan because it provides decent coverage at a good price and includes generous trip interruption benefits. The low price may make up for out-of-network care being covered at only 80% for the first $5,000 in services.
- Low cost compared to other top-rated companies.
- Ample trip interruption benefits of up to $10,000.
Related: IMG Travel Insurance Review
Drawbacks
- Does not cover pre-existing medical conditions (though does cover acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions).
- Standard care, urgent care and emergency care out-of-network are only covered at 80% for the first $5,000 in services.
More Details
| Coverage type | Coverage limits |
|---|---|
Choices of coverage maximums | $10,000, $50,000, $100,000, $500,000, $1 million |
Deductible choices | $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 |
Network | United Healthcare PPO |
Coverage for in-network urgent care | $25 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum |
Coverage for out-of-network urgent care | $25 copay, 80% of the first $5,000,100% thereafter |
Best for Urgent/Emergency Care Reimbursem*nt
Seven Corners Travel Medical Basic USA
4.5
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Eligible ages
14 days to 99 years
Coverage amounts
5 days to 364 days
Extendable?
Yes, up to 364 days
14 days to 99 years
5 days to 364 days
Yes, up to 364 days
Editors’ Take
We recommend checking out the Travel Medical Basic USA plan if you value having urgent care and emergency room care covered at 100% over coverage for pre-existing conditions.
- Competitive price and coverage amounts up to $1 million.
- Urgent care (in-network and out-of-network) covered at 100% after copay.
- Emergency room care (in-network and out-of-network) covered at 100% after copay.
Related: Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review
Drawbacks
- Does not cover pre-existing medical conditions (but covers acute onset).
- Out-of-network standard care only covered at 80% for the first $10,000 of care, compared to others at 100% or 80% for the first $5,000.
- Trip interruption benefits are low at $2,500.
More Details
| Coverage type | Coverage amounts |
|---|---|
Choices of coverage maximums | $10,000, $50,000, $100,000, $1 million |
Deductible choices | $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $5,000 |
Network | United Healthcare PPO |
Coverage for in-network urgent care | $30 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum |
Coverage for out-of-network urgent care | $30 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum |
Best for Deductible Choices
Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
4.0
Our ratings are calculated based on fees, rates, rewards and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Eligible ages
1 year to 89 years
Coverage amounts
5 days to 364 days
Extendable?
Yes, up to 364 days
1 year to 89 years
5 days to 364 days
Yes, up to 364 days
Editors’ Take
We recommend the Safe Travels USA Comprehensive plan because it has top-notch benefits at a decent price. The policy offers the most deductible choices among the travel medical insurance policies we evaluated. We also picked it because it provides 100% coverage for out-of-network care and 100% coverage for emergency and urgent care.
- Competitive cost.
- Urgent care and emergency room care out-of-network covered at 100% after copay.
- Most choices for deductibles among plans evaluated.
- Provides coverage of up to $125 for one wellness visit to a doctor.
Related: Trawick Travel Insurance Review
Drawbacks
- Trip interruption coverage of $5,000 is low compared to some competitors we evaluated.
- Acute onset pre-existing medical conditions covered, but not pre-existing conditions.
- Dental benefits of $250 are lower than some competitors.
More Details
| Coverage type | Coverage amounts |
|---|---|
Choices of coverage maximums | $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1 million |
Deductible choices | $0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000. |
Network | First Health PPO |
Coverage for in-network urgent care | $30 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum |
Coverage for out-of-network urgent care | $30 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum |
What Is Travel Medical Insurance?
Travel medical insurance for visitors to the U.S. provides short-term medical coverage It compensates you up to the policy limits for medical expenses if you get sick or injured during your trip.
Sometimes called visitors insurance, these policies are designed for non-U.S. citizens traveling to the U.S. for trips lasting a few weeks or a few months, up to a year. For example, travel medical insurance is a common type of travel insurance for parents visiting the U.S. whose adult children live here.
Americans traveling abroad can also buy travel medical insurance for themselves, often as part of comprehensive travel insurance policies that cover trip cancellation, travel delays and much more.
What Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover?
A comprehensive travel medical insurance policy for visitors to the U.S. generally covers inpatient and outpatient services, urgent and emergency medical services and other health care, as well as a range of other types of care.
Here are examples of what’s covered by the Atlas America policy.
| 24/7 Travel and Medical Assistance ServicesServices include medical monitoring consultations, provider referrals, travel document replacement, translation, prescription drug replacement and more. |
| Accidental Death and DismembermentProvides a maximum of $25,000 of coverage for ages 18 to 69; $12,500 for ages 70 to 74; $6,250 for ages 75 and older; and $5,000 for under age 18. |
| Ambulance and HospitalizationIf a covered illness or injury requires hospitalization, the plan provides coverage for eligible hospitalization costs, including intensive care unit and outpatient treatment. |
| Emergency DentalUp to $300 of coverage if you need emergency dental treatment. |
| Emergency Medical EvacuationUp to $1 million of coverage to pay for costs to evacuate you if you need urgent care beyond what’s locally available. |
| Emergency Room and Urgent Care CentersCovers emergency room and urgent care visits. For claims in the U.S., you pay a $200 copayment for emergency room visits for illness unless you’re admitted to the hospital. There’s no copayment for emergency room treatment of an injury. For urgent care, you pay a $15 copay. |
| Illness or InjuryCovers illness and injury up to the limits you choose, which can be up to $2 million for those age 64 and younger. It’s $50,000 for ages 65 to 79 and $10,000 for those over 80. |
| Lost LuggageProvides up to $1,000 for lost luggage coverage. |
| Outpatient CareIncludes up to $50 per day for outpatient physical therapy and chiropractic care. |
| Personal LiabilityProvides up to $25,000 in personal liability coverage to help pay for accidental injuries and property damage you cause to others. |
| Prescription DrugsCovers prescription medicine for treating a covered illness or injury. |
| Travel DelayProvides up to $100 a day after a 12-hour delay period requiring an unplanned overnight stay, with a two-night maximum. |
| Trip InterruptionIncludes up to $10,000 of trip interruption benefits if you have to cut your trip short for a reason covered by your policy. |
Travel Medical Insurance vs. Travel Insurance
The main difference between travel medical insurance for visitors to the U.S. and travel insurance is the scope of medical benefits. Travel medical insurance provides much more coverage for medical treatment than standard travel insurance policies.
For example, travel medical limits for standard travel plans generally tops out at $500,000. You can find travel medical insurance with coverage up to $2 million.
Travel medical insurance is like short-term U.S. health insurance plans—they have deductibles, copays and provider networks. But standard travel insurance policies have more robust coverage for non-medical pre- and post-departure problems.
Benefits vary by policy, but typically here’s how travel medical coverage compares to standard travel insurance.
| Benefit | Travel medical insurance | Standard travel insurance |
|---|---|---|
Emergency dental expenses | Yes | Yes |
Emergency medical expenses | Yes | Yes |
Emergency medical evacuation/repatriation | Yes | Yes |
Non-medical evacuation | Yes | Limited |
Trip cancellation | No | Yes |
Trip interruption and delay | Limited | Yes |
Lost baggage | Limited | Yes |
Delayed baggage | No | Yes |
Lost, stolen or damaged personal items | No | Yes |
What Isn’t Covered by Travel Medical Insurance?
The list of exclusions varies by insurance policy but can include:
- Cosmetic and elective surgeries
- Injuries due to extreme sports
- Intentional self-inflicted injuries
- Suicide or attempted suicide
- Injury or illness while over the legal limits for alcohol
Be sure to review your policy for details on what conditions and activities are not covered.
How Much Does Travel Medical Insurance Cost for Visitors to the U.S.?
Travel medical insurance is relatively affordable considering that you can buy high coverage amounts for long trips to the U.S. Costs will depend mainly on the visitor’s age, trip length and the medical coverage amount and deductible chosen.
| Company and policy name | Policy name | Cost for visitors age 60 and 65 from India coming to U.S. for 30 days | Cost for a visitor age 70 from India coming to U.S. for 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|
WorldTrips | Atlas America | $447 | $1,147.50 |
IMG (VisitorsCoverage) | Patriot America Lite | $304 | $660* |
IMG (VisitorsCoverage) | Patriot America Plus | $333 | $720* |
Seven Corners | Travel Medical Basic – USA | $330 | $979 |
Trawick | Safe Travels USA | $328 | $1,139 |
Source: Forbes Advisor research. *Patriot costs are based on a $50,000 policy because $100,000 wasn’t available.
Cost: Cost for visitors age 60 and 65 are for policies with $50,000 in medical coverage with a $100 deductible. Cost for visitor age 70 is for policies with $100,000 in medical coverage with a $250 deductible.
Methodology
To identify the best travel medical insurance for visitors coming to the U.S., we scored only comprehensive travel medical plans on the following criteria:
Cost (50% of score): Plans with lower costs were awarded the most points.We analyzed average rates for:
- A 70-year-old traveler from India coming to the U.S. for 90 days, with coverage of $100,000 with a $250 deductible (or closest deductible).
- Two travelers ages 60 and 65 coming from India to the U.S. for 30 days, with coverage of $50,000 with a $100 deductible (or closest deductible).
Trip interruption benefits (10% of score): Points were awarded if policies included $10,000 or more in trip interruption benefits. If a visitor has to cut their trip to the U.S. short and return home, this coverage can pay the costs. The reason for the trip interruption must be listed in the policy in order to make a claim.
Choices of policy maximum coverage amounts (10% of score): Points were awarded if the policy had maximum medical coverage amounts of $500,000 and up.
Urgent care out-of-network reimbursem*nt (10% of score): Policies that cover out-of-network urgent care at 100% (after copay) earned points.
Emergency room out-of-network reimbursem*nt (10% of score): Policies that cover out-of-network emergency room care at 100% (after copay) earned points.
Emergency dental care (10% of score): Points were awarded if emergency dental care coverage was $300 or more.
Helping You Make Smart Insurance Decisions
Get Forbes Advisor’s ratings of the best insurance companies and helpful information on how to find the best travel, auto, home, health, life, pet, and small business coverage for your needs.
Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Advisor Community!
This form is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policyand Terms of Serviceapply.
By providing my email I agree to receive Forbes Advisor promotions, offers and additional Forbes Marketplace services. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information and details on how to opt out.
Other Travel Medical Companies We Rated
| Company | Policy name | Forbes Advisor rating |
|---|---|---|
IMG (VisitorsCoverage) | CoverAmerica Gold |
|
Diplomat America | Diplomat America |
|
Seven Corners | Travel Medical Plus USA |
|
IMG (VisitorsCoverage) | Patriot Platinum |
|
Best Travel Medical Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need travel medical insurance if I have health insurance?
Visitors to the U.S. need travel medical insurance if they want to be reimbursed for medical expenses if they get sick or injured here. Health plans from other countries aren’t usually accepted in the U.S.
You also need travel medical insurance if you are a U.S. citizen taking a trip to another country. U.S.-based health plans will have limited or no coverage in foreign countries, so it’s prudent to consider medical insurance for trips abroad.
Does travel medical insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Some travel medical insurance policies cover pre-existing medical conditions—and it’s usually with coverage caps—but not all do. Many travel medical insurance plans for visitors to the U.S. cover the acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions. This coverage generally provides necessary emergency care for a medical emergency that is life threatening or requires immediate medical treatment if you experience a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence of a pre-existing condition. There are coverage limits, so be sure to read the details of the policy.
How far in advance should I purchase travel medical insurance if I’m coming to the U.S.?
It’s prudent to purchase travel medical insurance before you get to the U.S., so that you have medical coverage in place. Occasionally a policy will require purchase at least 30 days in advance if you want certain features, such as a rider to cover pre-existing conditions.
Is travel health insurance ever required?
Travel health insurance isn’t required to enter the U.S. Still, it can be a smart purchase so that you don’t end up with thousands of dollars in medical bills after an injury or unexpected illness while you’re visiting the U.S.
Next Up In Travel Insurance
- Best Travel Insurance Companies
- Best Covid-19 Travel Insurance Plans
- Best “Cancel For Any Reason” Travel Insurance
- Best Senior Travel Insurance Plans Of August 2024
- Average Cost Of Travel Insurance
- How To Get Cheap Travel Insurance
