Do I Need to Get US Travel Insurance?



Technically, no. If you're visiting America for a short period, the US for a brief time, you're not legally required to carry insurance for health. Yet, the price of health care for visitors to the US is extremely high. At the same time, insurance coverage for travelers to the US isn't required; however, insurance is highly recommended.

 

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A single consultation with a physician in the US can cost thousands of dollars. If you are involved in an accident that requires an ambulance, the journey to the ER alone could cost you hundreds of dollars. That's not even to include the expense of hospitalization and medical treatment. If you don't possess health insurance, you'll be responsible for all the costs yourself. This refers to expenses in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and even hundreds.

If you intend to remain in the United States for longer periods, i.e., longer than 6 months you may want to consider US healthcare insurance alternatives. Find out here the difference between international travel insurance and health insurance.

 

What Does US Travel Health Insurance for Visitors Cover?

Typically the majority of health insurance plans for travelers to the US will cover the following aspects:

  • Visit the doctor
  • Hospitalization (the cost of the hospital room)
  • The cost of prescription medications and medicines
  • Surgery procedures
  • Emergency services, like ambulances and ER
  • The costs of laboratory tests and the cost of X-rays
  • Physical therapy
  • The below medical procedures, however, aren't included in the majority of plans:
  • Dental
  • Maternity
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • AD&D (accidental deaths and dismemberment)

Where to Find the Best Travel Health Insurance for Visitors to the United States?

One of the most important items that all travelers to the US must be prepared for prior to their vacation is the need for travel health insurance. The most convenient way to purchase travel health insurance in the US is via the internet. Comparison marketplaces, let you easily compare plans from your home. What Is the Best Health Insurance Plan for Visitors to the USA?.

How to Purchase Visitor Medical Insurance for The US?

When you are looking to purchase an insurance policy for health care for those who travel to the US, you must conduct your research and choose the best one. This includes looking through various plans and carefully examining the benefits they provide.

It is possible to find health insurance plans suitable for travelers to the US by using marketplaces for comparison. When you decide which medical insurance plan to purchase be sure to study the policy and learn the amount of coverage they provide and the amount of coverage they provide. Check out the following points you should be aware of when purchasing healthcare insurance for visitors from the USA.

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Travel Health Insurance for the USA

Health insurance coverage in the US can be difficult and confusing for even those who live there and even tourists. Therefore, prior to deciding the best plan for you be sure that you've taken into account the following factors:

Health insurance policies offer different coverage amounts. They can vary from $25,000 up to millions of dollars of coverage. This is the amount your insurance will pay to cover medical expenses. Naturally, policies that have greater coverage will be more expensive.

It is important to select an insurance plan with a maximum in line with the duration you're planning to spend in the US. If, for instance, you're just staying for a week, the maximum amount of coverage may be less than if you would be staying for one month or more.

If you're fit, do not select the lowest health insurance policy you come across and call it a day. If you require medical attention while traveling to the US, the cheapest health insurance policy is likely only to pay a part of the medical expenses which means you'll be responsible for the entire cost.

About This Author

Philip Diack is Founder and Managing Director of Passports and Visas.com, a national passport and travel visa service with offices in Atlanta, Miami, Washington, DC, NYC, Denver and San Francisco.

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