Visiting the United States is an expensive undertaking for many travelers. A medical emergency within the travel period might upset the entire planning. A visitor health insurance plan is one way of taking care that unforeseen expenses do not make the trips unsuccessful.
People visiting the United States for a limited period from all over the world can buy visitors insurance. Though the usual coverage period for which insurance can be bought is 12 months, this can be extended if the insured person’s stay in the US is extended.
You can eligible for the visitors insurance plan if you are an employee on deputation, coming to U.S. for training, going to a university to study, seeking new business opportunities, or just a tourist. If you are planning to migrate to the United States, the visitors health insurance can be useful until you make more permanent arrangements.
US visitors insurance can be bought online even before traveling to the U.S. However, it is advisable to purchase the insurance only after receiving the visa and buying the ticket. Insurance coverage begins on the date indicated on the visitors insurance card, and cannot be earlier than the date of arrival in the U.S.
If the family members of the visitor are also accompanying the visitor, the insurance plan can include them, or can be added on when they join the traveler. A variety of plan periods are available and all these can be renewed.
Your visitors insurance plan covers medical treatment for the following categories: injuries during the stay, sickness, medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. If you have a pre-existing condition, then that is not covered. Other conditions not covered are medical treatment for testing medicines and childbirth.
There are two types of visitors health insurance plans: scheduled benefit plans and comprehensive benefit plans. Scheduled benefit plans place a limit for each type of treatment covered, and are typically cheaper than comprehensive benefit plans. For example, you can purchase a plan with a $50,000 maximum limit, which may include a maximum limit of $2,000 for surgery and $500 for diagnostic services. Some of the plans of this type are Inbound USA and Visitors Care Insurance.
The comprehensive benefits plan usually does not feature any limits, other than published usual, reasonable, and customary charges. Once the insured pays the deductible and the co-insurance, the visitor medical insurance plan covers the expenses up to the maximum policy limit. Some examples of this type are the Diplomat America, Atlas America, and Liaison International plans.
Ray Sandeo frequently writes about visitors insurance