With the world returning to normalcy post-COVID, travel is on the rise. A trip overseas can help reset and change the scenario from having undergone intense lockdowns during COVID. However, it is critical to travel with precaution as a trip abroad has its set of unpredictable challenges. A robust visitor health insurance plan can lend complete peace of mind and let you enjoy stress-free travels.
In this blog, we look at the top 8 Best Visitor Health Insurance plans in 2024, considering factors like coverage and traveler’s needs. Let’s dive right in!
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Plan
Before we delve further into the top health insurance plans for 2024, let’s take a peek into the factors you need to consider when choosing an appropriate plan for your needs.
- Age
- Duration of your Trip
- Your Current Health Situation
- Budget
- Destination
Fixed Coverage Plans
Before we look at the top fixed coverage plans for 2024, let’s try to understand the meaning of fixed coverage. Fixed plans offer essential and limited benefits at a lower cost than comprehensive coverage plans. They are ideal for travelers on a budget.
Safe Travels Elite
Safe Travels Elite is a fixed coverage plan that provides coverage to non-US citizens who reside outside the USA and are traveling outside of their home country to visit the United States solely or to visit a combination of the United States and other countries worldwide. The coverage length is a minimum of 5 days up to a maximum of 364 days. The policy ID card and Visa Letter are emailed instantly upon purchasing the policy. Another added advantage of this policy is the ability to renew it if your scheduled return is delayed due to unavoidable circumstances. This makes Safe Travels Elite very convenient for travelers.
The coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions is –
- Under Age 70 – up to the overall maximum limit
- Age (70-79) – up to $25,000
- Age 80 and above – Up to $15,000
The coverage for acute onset related to cardiac conditions is –
Under Age 70 – Up to $25,000
Age 70 and above – Up to $15,000
Visitors Care
Visitors Care is another popular fixed coverage policy offering medical coverage with scheduled benefits for non-US residents traveling to the United States. There are several options based on deductible levels and maximum limits for your needs. The coverage length is a minimum of 5 days up to 12 months. This policy can be renewed for up to 24 months with a $5 renewal fee. Available policy maximums are given below. This may change based on age limitations –
Lite – $25,000 max per coverage period
Plus – $50,000 max per coverage period
Platinum – $100,000 max per coverage period
The coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions is subject to limitations that can be found in the insurance contract. This plan also provides an ID card and Visa letter instantly via email upon purchase of the policy.
Some of the key benefits of Visitors Care —
- 24/7 Medical and Travel Assistance Services
- Multilingual Staff & Claims Administrators
- Highly trained customer service professionals
- Core Values driven by a commitment to customers
- Customer service centers located in the US and UK
- Financial security to fulfill our promise when you need it most.
Visitors Secure
Visitors Secure, a budget-friendly fixed coverage insurance plan, is only for individuals traveling outside of their home country who are at least 14 days of age and are eligible for coverage under this plan. US citizens must be traveling outside of the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands to be eligible. For individuals coming to the US who are over age 65, coverage must be effective within 30 days of arrival. You can choose deductibles and coverage options to help the plan meet your budget.
The coverage length is a minimum of 5 days up to a maximum of 364 days. You can renew the policy for up to a maximum of 364 days with a $5 renewal fee. Like most plans, the ID card and Visa Letter are emailed to you instantly upon purchase of the policy.
The coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions for those under Age 70 is —
– Plan A – $50,000 lifetime maximum for eligible expenses
– Plan B – $75,000 lifetime maximum for eligible expenses
– Plan C – $100,000 lifetime maximum for eligible expenses
– Plan D – $100,000 lifetime maximum for eligible expenses
Please note that this plan pays a fixed amount per incident up to the policy maximum.
Some of the key benefits of Visitors Secure are —
- Efficient online account management and resource tool that you can use to extend coverage, reprint ID cards, download claim forms, and view the status of your claim.
- Worldwide travel and medical assistance services available globally through excellent customer service representatives.
- Consultations with attending medical professionals during hospitalization and establishment of a single point-of-contact for family members to receive ongoing updates regarding your medical status.
- Travel Document Replacement Assistance for passports, birth certificates, visas, airline tickets, and other travel-related documents.
Comprehensive Coverage Plans
Unlike fixed coverage plans, comprehensive coverage plans offer a broader range of services, including emergency medical services, doctor visits, and hospitalization, and open up a vast network of medical service providers. These plans are more expensive but offer extensive coverage, with policyholders sharing the cost with the insurance company.
Atlas America
Rated one of our top comprehensive coverage plans, Atlas America is ideal for those traveling to any part of the world, regardless of the nature of the trip. Whether you are a student or a corporate employee seeking protection, your unexpected complications and emergencies are covered, offering you complete peace of mind. The coverage length is a minimum of 5 days up to a maximum of 364 days. The coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions is up to the policy maximum. Emergency medical evacuation for acute onset is limited to $25,000. Like all plans, you can expect to receive the ID card and Visa Letter in your email instantly.
Here is a quick peek into what’s covered by Atlas America —
– Hospitalization and Outpatient Treatment
– Emergency Medical Evacuation and Emergency Reunion
– Repatriation of Remains
– Return of Minor Children
– Terrorism
– Political Evacuation
– Natural Disaster – Replacement Accommodations
– Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions
– Sports Coverage for select vacation sports
– Complications of Pregnancy
– Crisis Response up to $10,000 (or up to $100,000 if additional coverage is selected)
Patriot America Plus
Patriot America Plus is one of our best “A-“ rated comprehensive coverage plans that offers a wide range of global medical benefits and assistance services in nearly every country. The coverage length is a minimum of 5 days up to 12 months. You can renew the policy for up to a maximum of 24 months with a $5 renewal fee. The coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions for those under age 70 is up to the policy maximum. Emergency medical evacuation for acute onset is limited to $25,000. The ID card and Visa Letter are emailed instantly upon purchase of the policy. You can expand your coverage to best suit your needs, such as —
- Adventure sports rider that gets you supplemental coverage for injuries sustained during certain extreme sports is excluded from your insurance policy.
- Evacuation Plus Rider provides up to $25,000 for medical evacuations when you experience a sudden, non-life-threatening medical condition that requires hospitalization, including arranging ground and air transportation to the nearest hospital for treatment.
- Enhanced Accidental Death & Dismemberment Rider (AD&D) will pay the primary insured up to $400,000 if your death or dismemberment is the direct result of an accident. This is available with a minimum purchase of three months of medical and AD&D rider coverage.
Please talk to your agent to understand the limitations and exclusions of this policy. You can read more about the Patriot America Plus plan here.
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive is one of our top international travel medical insurance plans that provides coverage to non-US citizens who reside outside the USA and are traveling outside their home country to visit the United States solely or to visit a combination of the United States and other countries worldwide. The coverage length is a minimum of 5 days up to a maximum of 364 days. The coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions is —
– For ages up to and including 69 – The limit is up to the medical policy maximum purchased per policy period except for any coverage related to cardiac conditions or stroke, which will be limited to $25,000. Upon attaining age 70, acute onset benefits will be reduced to a maximum of $35,000, except for any coverage related to cardiac conditions or stroke, which will be limited to $15,000.
Like most plans, you can expect to receive the ID card and Visa Letter via email instantly upon purchase of the policy.
Patriot Platinum America
Patriot Platinum America is known for being one of our most sought-after comprehensive coverage plans. This plan offers a wide range of benefits, from 24/7 medical and travel assistance services, COVID-19 coverage for those traveling to the US, multilingual staff & claims administrations, and highly trained customer service staff. The coverage length is min 5 days up to max 365 days. The policy can be renewed for up to 3 years with a $5 renewal fee. The coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions for non-US citizens under age 70 is up to $1,000,000. You can also opt for the following additional coverage —
- Adventure Sports Rider
- Evacuation Plus Rider
- Enhanced Accidental Death & Dismemberment Rider (AD&D)
Some additional services offered by Patriot Platinum America are —
- Self-Service Member Portal that gets you information and tools to manage your plan from anywhere in the world with access to 24/7/365 service centers, plan document access, claims management tools, explanations of benefits, and more.
- Pharmacy Discount Savings program allows you to purchase prescriptions from one of 35,000 participating pharmacies in the US and receive lower prices than the Universal Rx contract price or pharmacy regular retail price.
- Access to the United Health Care network
- International Provider access for travelers outside of the US to cover 18,550 physicians and facilities
Visitors Protect
Visitors Protect is a highly sought-after comprehensive coverage plan designed specifically for individuals and families traveling from their home country to the US, Canada, and Mexico. This temporary medical insurance includes coverage for pre-existing conditions, so you can truly enjoy your international trip with complete peace of mind.
The coverage length is 90 days up to 12 months. The limit of pre-existing conditions for those under age 70 is up to $25,000, and for those aged (70 and older), it is up to $20,000. The ID card and Visa Letter are emailed on the policy purchase, like all plans.
Here’s a quick summary of some key benefits of the Visitors Protect plan. Please talk to your agent to understand the exclusions and limitations of benefits —
- Eligible medical expenses
- Physician visits/services
- Urgent Care Clinic
- Walk-in Clinic
- CareClix Consultation
- Hospital Emergency Room
- Hospitalization/ Room& Board
- Intensive Care
- Hospital Ancillary services, such as labs, x-rays, drugs, and miscellaneous services
- Outpatient surgical/hospital facility
- Laboratory
- Radiology/x-ray
- Surgery
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Assistant Surgeon
- Anesthesia
- Chiropractic Care
- Physical Therapy
- Extended Care Facility
- Home Nursing Care
- Outpatient Prescription Drugs
Conclusion
What matters at the end of the day is what works for you and your family. If budget is a huge constraint, fixed might be a safer bet. You might opt for comprehensive coverage plans for stress-free travel and broader coverage. Now that you know the top visitor health insurance plans for 2024, you are prepared to plan your next trip overseas hassle-free. Safe Travels!