Best Medical Insurance for Visitors to the USA From India

Why Visitor Insurance Is Important for Parents Visiting the USA from India?

Is It Better to Buy Travel Insurance From the USA or India?

Decision to buy travel insurance from the USA or India depends on your budget, coverage needed and the preferences:

• PPO Network: Insurance from the USA have access to PPO network which gives access to direct billing and reducing out of pocket expenses, where as with the Indian insurance companies, the PPO network might not be available in the US which will lead to higher out of pocket expense.
• Affordability: Indian company insurance plans might be affordable but ther coverage and benefits might be limited as compared to the comprehensive plans in the US which can provide flexible and extensive coverage.
• Claim reimbursement: Indian insurance companies pay the claims on reimbursement basis which is less preferred when you travel to a foreign country which will again increase the chance of out of pocket payment first.
• Purchase: Purchasing the insurance form US companies is online and straightforward and the policy ID is available immediately after the completion of purchase, which is not always the case in the Indian insurance companies where obtaining the insurance could be a lengthier process.
• Customer Service: This could be an issue with Indian insurance plans as it can get challenging to deal with local providers in the US.
• Regulations: Indian Insurance policies subjected to relaxed regulations affecting the enforcement of policy terms, where as in the US, they follow strict regulations of the Government

How Much Does Healthcare Cost in the USA?

Healthcare in the United States is among the most expensive in the world. Even routine medical care can result in significant expenses for visitors without insurance.

• The average cost of a routine physician’s visit is around $176.
• An echocardiogram can cost approximately $1,000 in Massachusetts and up to $3,000 in New Jersey, depending on the provider.
• Emergency room treatment for conditions like Diabetes Mellitus with Hyperglycemia can cost between $2,500 and $5,000.
• A stroke requiring ICU care for 10 days can result in medical bills exceeding $120,000.
• Heart attack treatment, including ambulance services, ER care, ICU stay, EKGs, MRI scans, and cardiologist follow-ups, can cost around $20,000 or more.
• The average cost of treating acute kidney failure in the USA exceeds $22,000.

Given these high healthcare costs, traveling to the USA without insurance is extremely risky. Medical expenses are significantly reduced when you have short-term travel medical insurance, especially when treatment is received within the insurance provider’s PPO network.

In addition to covering medical expenses, visitor insurance helps minimize overall bills and provides financial protection in case of unexpected illness or emergencies. Therefore, purchasing the best medical insurance for visitors to the USA is essential for a safe and stress-free stay.

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance for Parents Visiting the USA?

When senior Indian citizens plan to travel to the USA, securing comprehensive visitor medical insurance becomes extremely important. Due to high healthcare costs in the United States, even minor illnesses or injuries can result in substantial medical bills for elderly travelers.

Here are the key factors to consider when selecting the best health insurance for parents visiting the USA from India:

Essential Coverage to Look For

• Hospitalization and emergency medical care
• Doctor visits, urgent care, and outpatient treatment
• Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
• Prescription medications and diagnostic tests
• Coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions
• COVID-19 and related treatment

Important Factors to Consider

• Medical Coverage Limits: Choose a policy with a higher coverage maximum (ideally $100,000 or more) to handle hospitalization or serious medical emergencies.
• Age Eligibility: Verify the age limits of the policy and ensure it is suitable for your parents’ age group.
• Pre-Existing Conditions: Check whether the plan covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions, as many policies exclude or limit this benefit.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation:: Ensure coverage includes transportation to an appropriate medical facility or repatriation to India if needed.
• Deductibles: Higher deductibles can reduce premiums but result in higher out-of-pocket expenses during a claim.
• Comprehensive vs Fixed Coverage: fixed benefit travel insurance plans are cheaper but have sub-limits, while Comprehensive visitor insurance plans offer superior protection for serious medical conditions.

Comparing quotes from reputed US insurance providers allows you to evaluate coverage, exclusions, and pricing, helping you choose the best visitor insurance for parents visiting the USA based on their specific health needs and travel duration.

Optional Coverages Available Under Visitor Insurance for Parents in the USA

In addition to core medical benefits, some visitor insurance plans for parents traveling to the USA offer optional or add-on coverages. These benefits can enhance protection based on travel activities, health needs, and trip duration. Availability may vary by insurance provider and plan.

• Pre-Existing Condition Coverage: Certain plans offer limited or optional coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions, which is especially important for elderly parents. Coverage terms and limits vary by plan.
• Personal Liability Coverage: Provides financial protection in case the insured accidentally causes bodily injury or property damage to a third party during their stay in the USA.
• Emergency Trip Extension: Covers unexpected trip extensions due to medical emergencies or unforeseen events, subject to policy conditions.
• Passport Loss Assistance: Offers support and limited reimbursement for expenses related to the loss or theft of a passport while visiting the USA.
• Adventure Sports Coverage: Optional coverage for specific adventure activities such as skiing or scuba diving, where permitted. This benefit may have age restrictions and exclusions.
• Device Protection: Some plans provide optional coverage for loss or damage to personal electronic devices such as smartphones or laptops, depending on the insurer.

Since optional benefits vary across insurers, it is important to review policy documents carefully and select add-on coverages that best match your parents’ health condition, travel plans, and risk profile.

Which Visitor Insurance Covers Emergency Cardiac Issues for Parents Visiting the USA?

What is the Most Popular Travel Insurance for Parents in the USA?

Comprehensive travel insurance plans are the most popular travel insurance plans for parents in the US. They cover:

• Medical Emergencies: This includes covering the expenses for unexpected sickness and injury including emergency evacuation, repatriation.
• Trip Interruption: This includes covering for the unused portion of the trip when you cannot continue with the trip like recovering hotel stays, transportation expenses...
• Baggage loss: Lost or stolen baggage coverage will be provided by replacing or by refunding the expenses for them.
• Travel delays: Coverage for the flight or any transportation expenses due to delay.

What is the Best Company to Get Travel Insurance From?

The best company for getting travel insurance are a few and people can get from any of them depending on their requirements and choices. Here are some popular companies whose travel health insurance for Indian parents are very popular:

• IMG(International Medical Group): Offers a wide range of travel medical insurance plans for both US and non-US residents, with coverage options offering up to $1,000,000 in medical maximums. IMG's Trip plans offer 100% trip cancellation coverage.
• Worldtrips: Offers comprehensive plans with coverage outside of the home country with worldwide coverage including or excluding the US. Policy maximum options available up to $1,000,000 with these plans
• Seven Corners: Offers comprehensive travel insurance plans for US and Non US citizens and residents. Their trip insurance plans provide 100% coverage for trip cancellation.
• Trawick International: They offer comprehensive travel insurance plans that provide policy maximum coverage for up to $1,000,000. Most of their plans are for Non US citizens visiting the US. Their trip insurance plans are popular and offer 100% coverage for trip cancellation.
• INF: INF Plans have been very popular for parents from India, and other older travelers with pre-existing conditions visiting the USA. INF plans travel insurance offers coverage for pre-existing ailments providing the coverage necessary for many seniors visiting their families in the US.

Which is Best Travel Insurance Companies for Parents traveling to USA?

The best insurance for Indian parents in USA are comprehensive plans and offer coverage for pre-existing conditions. Given that parents are buying visitor insurance not for small ailments but rather for more serious situations involving hospitalization, comprehensive visitors insurance for parents from India is recommended especially while traveling to the US.

• Atlas America from Worldtrips: This policy offers a policy maximum of up to $1,000,000 for people up to the age of 65 after which only $50,000 and $100,000 are the options available up to age 79. 80+ travelers are offered $10,000 as policy maximum. Acute onset of preexisting condition is available up to the age of 79.
• Patriot America Platinum from IMG: This plan offers a policy maximum of up to $8,000,000. Offers coverage for US and Non US citizens traveling to the US.Acute onset of preexisting condition is available up to the age of 70.
• Safe Travels USA Comprehensive from Trawick International: Plan offers coverage for Non US residents traveling to USA or USA and then other countries up to $1,000,000 up to 80 and after 80, $20,000 is the policy maximum option available. Acute onset of preexisting condition is available up to the age of 89.
• Patriot America Plus from IMG: This plan offers a policy maximum of up to $1,000,000 up to the age of 70 and is available for both US and Non US citizens living abroad and visiting the US.Acute onset of preexisting condition is available up to the age of 70.
• Travel Medical Choice from Seven Corners: Plan offers a policy maximum of up to $1,000,000 and is available for Non US residents traveling to the US. Acute onset of preexisting condition is available up to the age of 79.
• INF Elite X Insurance from INF: This plan is ideal for parent visiting USA or Candada. Offers medical maximum coverage up to $300,000. Covers Full pre-existing conditions up to 99 years. Minimum enrolment for this plan is 90 days.

How Much Does Medical Insurance for Parents Visiting the USA Cost?

What is the Most Expensive Travel Insurance for Indian Parents in the USA?

There is no one insurance plan that is most expensive. Any comprehensive plan that can offer a policy maximum coverage for up to $1,000,000 can be the most expensive. Here are a few listed for you:

• Atlas Travel plan from Worldtrips: This policy offers a policy maximum of up to $1,000,000 for people up to the age of 65 after which only $50,000 and $100,000 are the options available up to age 79. 80+ travelers are offered $10,000 as policy maximum.
• Patriot America Platinum from the company IMG: This plan offers a policy maximum of up to $8,000,000. Offers coverage for US and Non US citizens traveling to the US.
• Visitors Protect plan from IMG: offers medical maximum coverage of up to $250,000 for individuals up to 70 years old. For those above 70 years, the maximum coverage is $50,000, and it provides coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to 99 years. The minimum purchase requirement for coverage is 3 months.
• Safe Travels USA Comprehensive from Trawick International: Plan offers coverage for Non US residents traveling to USA or USa and then other countries up to $1,000,000 up to 80 and after 80, $20,000 is the policy maximum option available

How US Travel Insurance Covers Comprehensive Coverage for Indian Parents?

US travel health insurance plans provide comprehensive medical coverage for Indian parents visiting the USA by offering wide range of benefits and plan options within their senior travel insurance policies.

1. High policy maximums
   • Coverage limits: US visitor insurance plans generally offer high policy maximum limits ranging from $25,000 up to $2,000,000 to help parents against high cost of medical care in the USA.
   • Comprehensive coverage with no limits: Top US travel medical insurance plans do not have restrictive limits on surgery, or specific tests, allowing the entire chosen policy maximum to be used as needed for eligible medical expenses.
2. Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
   • Crucial for Indian parents: Many visitor insurance plans from US companies offer coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions. This is an important consideration for Indian parents who may have preexisting health issues.
   • Defined benefits: Although routine care, ongoing treatment for pre-existing conditions is not covered, these plans provide coverage for stable pre-existing condition suddenly and unexpectedly becomes life-threatening, offers coverage limits from $25,000 up to $1,000,000 depending on the plan and age.
3. Comprehensive medical benefits
   Travel insurance for Indian parents visiting USA plans include benefits such as:
   • New illness & accident treatment: Travel health insurance for parents visiting the USA provides coverage for hospitalization, physician visits, outpatient services and prescriptions drugs.
   • Emergency medical evacuation: Covers the cost of emergency transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility.
   • Repatriation of remains: Pays for the repatriation expenses back to home country in case of death while in abroad.
   • Emergency dental treatment: Benefits for acute dental pain or accidental dental injuries.
   • COVID-19 coverage: Most travel insurance plans for parents include coverage for covid-19 related medical treatment.
4. Senior focused benefits
   • Age eligibility: US visitors insurance plans typically insure travelers up to age 99, depending on the plan.
   • No pre-travel medical tests: For easy purchase, the insurance company does not require medical records or detailed health examinations before enrollment, this will simply ease the process for parents.
   • Senior specific plans: Plans like Patriot America Plus, Atlas America, Venbrook Premier and SafeVista Comprehensive offer medical benefits with coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions that are designed for Indian parents visiting the USA.
5. Support services and cashless benefits
   • 24/7 Assistance:US travel insurers offer multilingual helplines for medical referrals, claims support assistance globally, which is crucial for elderly travelers in the USA.
   • Cashless billing with network providers: Many US travel medical insurance for parents work directly with an established US network of hospitals and doctors, allowing cashless treatment in covered situations so that parents do not have to pay the high medical bills while getting treated.

Which Pre-Existing Conditions Are Covered by US Travel Insurance?

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How to Choose Insurance With Pre-Existing Condition Coverage?

• Coverage: It is important to see if the plan covers emergency medical evacuation, repatriation and unexpected sickness. Apart from these basic necessary requirements, look if the plan covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
• Policy maximum limits: Consider to have higher coverage limits for the benefits to ensure sufficient coverage for the existing conditions in case of severity.
• Deductible: This is an out of pocket expense.Higher deductible leads to lower premiums, but consider an amount that can be afforded without issues.
• Providers: Some policies provide good coverage for people visiting the in Network facilities, which makes it important to be a part of good provider networks and ensure they cover the hospitals near you.

Does Visitor Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

Yes, visitor health insurance plans also known as travel medical insurance plans cover the existing ailments but it is important to read the policy terms and conditions carefully as extent of coverage in each policy can vary.Here are some common factors on which the policies vary with respect to coverage:

• Waiting Period: Some of the plans have a certain specific time period after which they will start their coverage for the existing ailments or pre-existing conditions.
• Only acute onset coverage: Most of the plans which recognize themselves as pre existing condition coverage plan cover only acute onset or sudden recurrence of preexisting conditions.
• Age limits and coverage limits: Some plans specify the amount of coverage available until age 69 or 79 after which the coverage is either not applicable or it is significantly low. Some plans have coverage available for specific existing conditions and they get covered for those specific health conditions.

Best Health Insurance for Parents Visiting the USA With Pre-Existing Conditions

What Are the Best INF Plans With Pre-Existing Condition Coverage?

Here are some of the popular travel medical insurance plans from India to USA with coverage for pre-existing conditions:

• INF Elite X Plan Insurance:

  This plan is a comprehensive plan with policy maximum up to $1,000,000 starting from $150,000 up to the age of 69 and a policy maximum of $75,000 for ages 70 to 99. The deductible options are available up to $5000 starting from $75 for ages 0 to 69 and for ages 70 to 99 the options are available up to $5000 starting from $250. The plan has a minimum enrollment period of 90 days. The plan life maximum duration is 364 days. The plan provides coverage for pre-existing conditions up to $25000 for ages 0 to 69 and $20,000 for ages 70 to 99 with a deductible of $1500.

  The eligible expenses for outpatient, specialist, urgent care and inpatient services are covered for pre-existing conditions and new sickness as well. The plan covers 80% of eligible expenses that are incurred within the Provider Network and 60% for expenses incurred out of the Provider network .For more details, check out the brochure of the plan for ages 0 to 69. Here is another brochure for ages 70 to 99.

• INF Elite Plus X Insurance:

  This plan is a comprehensive plan with policy maximum up to $150,000 up to the age of 69 and a policy maximum of $75,000 for ages 70 to 99. The deductible options are available up to $5000 starting from $100.The plan has a minimum enrollment period of 90 days. The plan life maximum duration is 364 days. The plan provides coverage for pre-existing conditions up to $25000 for ages 0 to 69 and $20,000 for ages 70 to 99 with a deductible of $1500.

  Coverage for preventive care and maintenance is available with this pla where one full routine physical examination is covered. Coverage for FLU vaccines and Tdap is available. The plan covers 80% of eligible expenses that are incurred within the Provider Network and 60% for expenses incurred out of the Provider network. For more details, check out the brochure of the plan for ages 0 to 69. Here is another brochure for ages 70 to 99.

• Safe Vista Comprehensive plan:

  This plan is a comprehensive plan with policy maximum up to $1,000,000 up to the age of 69 starting from $50,000 and a policy maximum of $50,000 and $100,000 for ages 70 to 99. The deductible options are available up to $5000 starting from $0 up to age of 69 and for ages 70 to 99 the options are available from $100 to $5000. The plan provides coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the age of 99.

  The plan's maximum life is 364 days. The plan covers 80% of the expenses incurred within the PPO network and 50% of the expenses incurred outside of the PPO Network. For more information, please check this brochure of the plan for ages up to 69 and this brochure for ages 70 to 99.

What If My Parents Are Already in the USA With Pre-Existing Conditions?

• If your parents are already in the USA and have pre-existing conditions, the best option is to buy short-term visitor insurance for pre-existing conditions, which is designed to cover situations where a pre-existing condition unexpectedly worsens and requires immediate medical attention.
• Most insurance companies allow you to purchase coverage even after your parents have arrived in the USA. However, there is usually a waiting period of about five days before the coverage becomes effective, and any medical expenses incurred during this period will not be covered.
• Highly recommended insurance plans for parents with pre-existing conditions include:
  • INF Elite X and INF Premier X, which offer full pre-existing condition coverage up to age 99.
  • Atlas America, available up to age 80, offering up to $2 million in maximum benefits including acute onset coverage.
  • Patriot America Plus, which covers acute onset conditions and allows renewals for up to two years.
  • Visitors Protect, which provides specific coverage for pre-existing conditions but may have lower maximum limits and higher premiums for older travelers.
• It is important to review how each plan defines pre-existing conditions and understand the applicable look-back periods, which may range from 180 days to two years.
• For assistance in selecting the right plan, please feel free to call us at (877)-340-7910 or email, and one of our licensed agents will be glad to help you.

How to Extend a Parent’s US Visitor Visa?

The Covid-19 pandemic has stranded many parents in the US both for limited travel and visa options as well as parlous health conditions. International travel restrictions has forced many parents to change their travel plans even while on temporary or short term US visas. These parents have to extend or renew their visa status in order to stay longer in the US. The following is the procedure to extend the US short term visa:

• Parents should complete the I-539 form for extension of a Non-Immigrant Visa
• Parents should submit a letter stating the reason with detailed explanation for extension.
• Parents should submit a copy of form I-94 that that he/she received on entry into the US
• Parents should provide documentary evidence that the extended stay is temporary along with the booked return tickets
• Parents should provide proof that the stay is completely taken care and he/she are financially covered and will not be a public charge in the United States.
• Parents should confirm that if the applicant has received any state benefits after 11-Feburary-2020; they need to be supported with proof of documents separately. The applicant should not have accessed any monetary state benefits or supplementary income from state post this period.

Pay the required renewal fees

Pay $370 filling fees +$85 for biometric fees depending on the petition at the USCIS.

Visa extension processing

The USCIS will issue a receipt with 13-digit case number on submission of the extension application. The Indian tourist should provide this case number to check the status of the application and its processing times (customer service number helpline number is: 1-800-375-5283).

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