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When traveling outside ones home country, it is very important to ensure that you have good travel health insurance in the event of unexpected situations. Travel health insurance offers a safety net against medical emergencies. However, not all travel insurance policies are the same, and one of the big difference is the type of visitors insurance. These two types of visitors insurance coverage and they have big differences, and understanding them can help you make the right choice.
Fixed benefits travel insurance offers basic coverage, typically covering emergency medical expenses up to a specific limit and it’s cheaper when compared to comprehensive plans. Comprehensive travel insurance, on the other hand, provides broader protection, covering medical emergencies without any limits, up to the policy maximum. However comprehensive visitor insurance comes at a higher cost.
The choice between fixed benefits visitor insurance and comprehensive visitors insurance depends on your specific needs and how much protection you are looking for during your travel.
Visitor medical insurance plans can be classified as either fixed (limited) benefits or comprehensive plans. There are significant differences in the coverage, price, benefit limits... between the two types of Visitor Insurance. Listed here are details to highlight the differences between Fixed benefit and Comprehensive visitor medical insurance.
| Feature | Fixed benefit plans | Comprehensive plans |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Fixed benefits plans have specific benefit limits for different covered medical expenses. These benefit limits are not the same as the plan medical maximum. |
These plans do not have benefit limits based on the type of medical expense. Benefits for covered medical expenses go all the way up to the plan maximum (less deductible and co-insurance) |
| Cost | Cheapest options with basic coverage | Expensive but exhaustive coverage. |
| Coverage | Clearly defined coverage limits. More affordable when compared to comprehensive plans, but with correspondingly less coverage. | The plan pays for all expenses after the deductible and co-insurance component. These plans are recommended given the high costs of health care in the US. |
| Deductibles | For fixed benefit plans deductibles can be per period of coverage, or per injury/sickness basis | Comprehensive insurance plans typically include deductibles, requiring the insured individual to pay a specified amount out of pocket before the insurance coverage begins. |
| Policy maximum | The policy maximum, like $50K or $100K, is the total limit for all scheduled benefits. It doesn't guarantee full coverage for all medical expenses up to that limit. | Get the coverage up to the chosen policy maximum. |
| Out-of-Pocket Expenses | Policyholders may face higher out-of-pocket expenses for services not covered or not fully covered by the plan. The fixed benefits may not cover the entire cost of medical care. | Comprehensive plans often involve cost-sharing mechanisms such as deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. Policyholders share the costs with the insurance company, and there may be an annual out-of-pocket maximum for added protection. |
| PPO network | You can visit any hospital or doctor, since there will be no discounted rates, the plan will only pay up to the clearly defined limits for different expenses. | Most comprehensive plans have PPO networks, which means cashless service (direct billing as opposed to reimbursement basis), more discounted rates, as well as easier acceptance within the PPO network. |
| How does the plan work? | The customer is required to pay an initial deductible for each injury or sickness and the plan pays for the rest of the covered expenses. | The insured has to pay the deductible and an additional 20% co insurance for the first $5K of the medical expense incurred. After $5K, the plan pays 100% of the eligible medical expenses up to the plan maximum. There are other variances of the co-insurance, some where the plan pays 90% up to first $5K and 100% after that. |
| Trip expenses | Trip Expenses are not covered. | Include extensive travel coverage’s, such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, and baggage protection. These plans offer more comprehensive protection for various travel-related risks. |
| Pre-existing condition | Fixed benefit plans may have limitations or exclusions for pre-existing conditions, potentially excluding coverage or imposing waiting periods. | Comprehensive benefit plans typically cover pre-existing conditions, but there may be waiting periods before such coverage takes effect. |
| Benefits | Fixed benefits plan pays benefits like set of maximum amount. For example: Surgery up to $3k, Local Ambulance up to $300 and Hospital emergency room up to $350 etc... |
Comprehensive plans pays up to the maximum limit For example: Hospital emergency room: subject to a $250 deductible for each emergency room visit for treatment that does not result in direct inpatient hospital admission. Up to the maximum limit. |
| Popular insurance plans | Visitors Care | Visitors Secure | Safe Travels Elite | Safe Travels Advantage Insurance | INF Premier Plan Insurance | | Atlas America | Patriot America Lite | Patriot America Plus | Patriot Platinum | Travel Medical Basic | WorldMed | Diplomat America | Safe Travels USA | Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | INF Elite Plan Insurance | Travel Medical Choice | Atlas Premium | Visitors Protect |
The cheapest visitor health insurance USA starts from $20 per month with options up to $191 per month. The cost depends on the age of the visitor, medical maximum coverage and deductible.
The average cost of fixed benefit visitors travel insurance for USA is based on quotes for one month.
| Plan Name | Plan max range | Deductible | Age 40 | Age 60 | Age 70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Travels Advantage | $25,000 - $150,000 | $0 | $20 - $58 | $39 - $102 | $60 - $166 |
| Visitors care | $25,000 - $100,000 | $100 | $21 - $45 | $40 - $75 | $66 - $148 |
| Safe Travels Elite | $25,000 - $175,000 | $0 | $26 - $76 | $50 - $134 | $109 - $155 |
| Visit USA Budget | $50,000 - $150,000 | $250 | $32 - $56 | $49 - $86 | $84 |
| VisitorSecure | $50,000 - $130,000 | $100 | $34 - $62 | $55 - $76 | $96 - $139 |
| Travel Medical USA visitor basic | $50,000 - $150,000 | $100 | $42 - $52 | $79 - $94 | $173 - $191 |
The best travel insurance cost for USA ranges from $58 to $353 per month. The cost depends on the age of the visitor, medical maximum coverage and deductible.
The average cost of comprehensive travel insurance for USA is based on quotes for one month with $250 deductible.
| Plan name | Plan maximum | Age 40 | Age 60 | Age 70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Essential America | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $58 - $109 | $131 - $266 | $263 - $328 |
| Safe Travels USA Cost Saver | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $71 - $117 | $139 - $250 | $237 - $299 |
| Visitors Preferred | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $77 - $144 | $148 - $301 | $253 |
| Patriot America Lite | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $72 - $130 | $153 - $289 | $252 - $337 |
| Atlas America | $50,000 - $2,000,000 | $78 - $154 | $177 - $378 | $355 - $444 |
| Patriot America Plus | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $77 - $139 | $164 - $311 | $287 - $434 |
| Travel Medical Basic | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $80 - $138 | $167 - $314 | $252 - $337 |
| Safe Travels USA | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $80 - $157 | $147 - $295 | $252 - $332 |
| Diplomat America | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | $125 -$214 | $229 - $301 | $353 |
Travel insurance plans also known as trip cancellation or trip interruption insurance focus on insuring trip related expenses. Trip cancellation insurance or Trip protection insurance is designed to insure both the health of the traveler and the cost of non-refundable trip expenses should the trip get cancelled or is interrupted. Trip cancellation insurance has an add on benefit as ‘cancel for any reason' coverage. You need to buy the 'cancel for any reason' benefit policy, otherwise there are many reasons of changing dates of travel or cancel it completely that will not be covered by trip cancellation insurance.
Visitor insuranceVisitor insurance or Travel medical insurance plans are designed with a focus on the health insurance coverage of the traveler. Travel medical insurance mainly insures the health of the traveler in the event of any unexpected sickness or accident while traveling outside one's home country. It includes coverage for both inpatient and outpatient care, evacuation and repatriation. Travel insurance covers the hospital room and board, ambulance services and any emergency services.
Yes. These travel insurance plans are from the reputed and popular private insurance companies in the US. These companies have been used for international travel for a long time now and has served many travelers over the years and have excellent rating and popularity. They are associated with the provider networks in the US which are popularly known as PPO networks such as First Health network, United Healthcare, Coventry healthcare...to name a few.
Definitely, one can travel to the US on a tourist visa without travel insurance, however it is very important to have travel medical insurance as it can be financially suicidal being admitted to an US hospital without any insurance. The healthcare costs in the US are extremely high and good travel insurance will put your mind at ease during your international travel.
No, the US authorities do not mandate travel insurance for visiting the United States on a tourist visa. However considering the expensive healthcare costs in the US international travelers will invariably not be able to pay out of pocket for unexpected medical incidents.
Most US residents depend on health insurance for their healthcare expenses, and international tourist should similarly ensure that they have proper travel insurance to cover the unexpected incidents.
There are many travel insurance plans offered by reputed US insurance providers with several medical maximum coverage and deductibles options as well as differing coverage for acute-onset of pre-existing conditions.
A comprehensive travel insurance policy covers various traveler benefits, including trip cancellations, medical emergencies, emergency evacuation, lost or delayed baggage, travel delays, and accidental death or injury. It also provides 24/7 assistance for any travel-related issues, offering both support and financial protection against unexpected events during your trip.
Travelers benefits for Fixed coverage, offering limited, predefined protection for specific situations, such as emergency medical expenses, with a set coverage amount. Comprehensive travel insurance policy provides, on the other hand, offers broader protection, including trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost baggage, and more, often with higher limits and greater flexibility, but at a higher cost.
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