US travel health insurance for dependents refers to health insurance policies purchased for family members (parents, spouses, children) who are visiting the United States on various non-immigrant visas (e.g., B2 tourist visa, F2 dependent of F1 student, J2 dependent of J1 exchange visitor, H4 dependent of H1B worker, L2 dependent of L1 intra-company transferee).
It provides financial protection for medical emergencies, accidents, and other travel-related risks while abroad. It is important for dependents to have this insurance due to the extremely high cost of healthcare
Several US travel health insurance options are well-suited for dependents, offering family coverage, robust medical protection, and additional benefits for children and other eligible family members.
Best for International Visitors: These plans are designed specifically for non-US citizens traveling to the US. They offer family coverage, high medical maximums (up to $2 million), emergency medical evacuation, and the “return of minor children” benefit, which pays for a child’s return home if the insured adult is hospitalized or incapacitated.
Several plans are consistently highlighted for their comprehensive nature and AOPEC coverage. While "best" is subjective, these frequently come up in comparisons:
Up to $2 million in medical coverage, $50,000 for return of minor children, 24/7 assistance.
A popular comprehensive travel medical insurance plan for visitors to the USA. Known for its strong benefits, it includes access to the UnitedHealthcare PPO network. Covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to policy maximum for ages up to 79 years.
Policy maximum?
$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000, $2,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000
Period of coverage?
364 days
Up to $1 million in medical coverage, $100,000 for return of minor children.
Best comprehensive plan offering strong coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions travelers under age 70 often up to the selected policy maximum. Direct billing through United healthcare or First health care ppo.
or Unitedhealthcare Policy maximum?
$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500
Period of coverage?
5 days to 12 months
Multiple coverage levels, up to $5,000 for return of minor children.
Policy maximum?
$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000
Period of coverage?
5 days to 364 days
Up to $1 million in medical coverage, $50,000 for return of minor children.
A high-end comprehensive travel medical insurance plan designed for international visitors to the USA. this plan offers broader coverage acute onset of pre-existing conditions for Non-cardiac events are covered up to the policy limit for ages up to 70 years. While cardiac-related coverage covers up to policy maximum for ages up to 64 years, up to $25,000 for those aged 65 to 69 years and $15,000 for ages 70 and over.
Policy maximum?
$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2.5000 and $5,000
Period of coverage?
5 days to 12 months
A popular comprehensive travel insurance plan for visitors to the USA and offers best coverage for acute onset pre-existing conditions available for visitors up to 89 years old. For persons under 70 years of age, the plan covers the acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the policy’s medical maximum. For those aged 70 to 79, non-cardiac acute onset benefits are limited to $35,000, and for travelers 80 years and older, the benefit is limited to $20,000. In the case of cardiac and stroke-related acute onset incidents, the plan offers up to $25,000 for those under 70, and $15,000 for travelers aged 70 and above.
Policy maximum?
$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000
Period of coverage?
5 days to 364 days
Provides good comprehensive coverage, including COVID-19-related treatment, with various policy maximums and deductible options. Suitable for those looking for flexibility in coverage levels and coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions travelers under age 70 often up to the selected policy maximum.
Policy maximum?
$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000 $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000
Period of coverage?
15 days to 365 days
Specifically designed for non-U.S. residents visiting the United States, this plan provides reliable coverage for new medical conditions and acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to age 99. It’s an excellent choice for older travelers, offering flexible policy limits and comprehensive benefits for added peace of mind.
Policy maximum?
$100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 , $5,000
Period of coverage?
10 days to 364 days
Maximum age limit
Up to 99 years
It's a specialized health insurance policy purchased for family members (such as parents, spouses, or children) who are visiting the United States on various non-immigrant visas (e.g., B2, F2, J2, H4, L2). It provides financial protection against the extremely high costs of medical care in the U.S. for unexpected illnesses, injuries, and emergencies.
The U.S. healthcare system is very expensive, and there is no universal healthcare. Your dependents' domestic health insurance from their home country will almost certainly not cover them in the U.S. Without this insurance, even a minor illness or accident could lead to medical bills costing thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, leaving you financially responsible.
It is highly recommended for all dependents. It is mandatory for certain visa categories, most notably J-2 visa holders (dependents of J-1 exchange visitors). J-2 insurance must meet specific U.S. Department of State requirements for medical benefits, medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains. For other visas (like B2, H4, F2, L2), while not legally mandatory, it's a critical financial safeguard.
*Comprehensive Plans: Offer broader and more substantial coverage. They typically pay a percentage (e.g., 80% or 100% after deductible) of eligible medical expenses up to a high overall policy maximum (e.g., $100,000 - $1,000,000+). These are generally highly recommended for dependents due to better protection against high U.S. medical costs. * Fixed/Limited Benefit Plans: Pay only a fixed, pre-determined amount for each medical service (e.g., $50 for a doctor's visit, $500 for hospitalization per day). While cheaper, they can leave large gaps between the fixed benefit and the actual bill.
Most US visitor health insurance plans for dependents do not cover routine care or ongoing management of pre-existing conditions. However, many comprehensive plans offer limited coverage for the "acute onset of a pre-existing condition." This means a sudden, unexpected, and severe flare-up of a pre-existing condition that requires immediate medical attention. This coverage often has specific sub-limits (e.g., $25,000) and requires the condition to have been stable for a "look-back period" (e.g., 90-365 days) before the policy's effective date. It's crucial to check the policy wording carefully.
*Deductible: This is the amount your dependent must pay out-of-pocket for covered medical expenses before the insurance company starts to pay. A higher deductible typically results in a lower premium (cost of the insurance).
*Policy Maximum: This is the total maximum amount the insurance company will pay for covered medical expenses during the policy period. For the U.S., a higher policy maximum (e.g., $250,000 or more) is generally safer due to high healthcare costs.
Yes, this is a critical benefit. Most comprehensive plans include coverage for emergency medical evacuation (transporting the dependent to the nearest appropriate medical facility or back to their home country if medically necessary) and repatriation of remains (transporting remains in case of death). For J-2 visa holders, this is a mandatory requirement with specific minimum limits.
Most reputable US travel health insurance plans for visitors, including those for dependents, now include coverage for medical expenses related to COVID-19, treated like any other illness. It's always advisable to confirm this specifically when comparing plans.
Generally, no. Most U.S. domestic health insurance plans (including employer-sponsored ones) are designed for residents and do not allow the addition of short-term visitors or dependents on non-immigrant visas unless specifically allowed by your employer's plan (which is rare for visitor-type dependents). You will almost always need to purchase a separate visitor health insurance policy for them.
You can easily purchase these plans online through specialized comparison websites (e.g., AmericanVisitorInsurance.com, VisitorsCoverage, Insubuy,) or directly from international insurance providers. You will need to provide basic information about your dependent(s), including their age, travel dates, and destination (USA).
Many comprehensive US travel health insurance plans are renewable, allowing you to extend coverage if your dependents prolong their stay. It's important to check the specific plan's renewability terms and limitations before purchasing. Renewing usually means continuity of coverage for conditions that arose during the initial policy period.
Generally, no. Most US visitor health insurance plans for dependents do not require a medical check-up prior to purchase. Eligibility is typically based on a declaration regarding age and any known pre-existing conditions, which are then subject to the policy's terms regarding coverage for those conditions.
You can find reliable US insurance providers like International Medical Group(IMG), Seven Corners, WorldTrips, Global Underwriters, Travel Insure, GeoBlue, HTH Worldwide, INF insurance, HTH Worldwide and Venbrook International.
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