Michelle MegnaLead Editor, Insurance
Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.
Michelle Megna
Michelle MegnaLead Editor, Insurance
Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine editor covering consumer technology, a foreign correspondent for Time and various newswires and local newspaper reporter.
Lead Editor, Insurance
Amy DaniseManaging Editor, Insurance
Amy Danise is the managing editor for the insurance section at Forbes Advisor, which encompasses auto, home, renters, life, pet, travel, health and small business insurance. She is a highly experienced editor, writer and team leader with an extensive background in the insurance sector. With a career spanning more than three decades, she has focused her work on consumer-oriented publications.
Fact Checked
Amy Danise
Amy DaniseManaging Editor, Insurance
Amy Danise is the managing editor for the insurance section at Forbes Advisor, which encompasses auto, home, renters, life, pet, travel, health and small business insurance. She is a highly experienced editor, writer and team leader with an extensive background in the insurance sector. With a career spanning more than three decades, she has focused her work on consumer-oriented publications.
Managing Editor, Insurance
Fact Checked
Updated: Mar 19, 2024, 6:22am
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Visitors insurance—also called travel medical insurance—can reimburse a person’s medical expenses if they get sick or injured during a trip to the United States. That’s important because health insurance from other countries generally isn’t accepted in the U.S. and the cost for medical care in the states can be significant.
The best travel medical insurance policies package together valuable benefits that can help pay for routine, urgent and emergency medical care. To identify the best medical insurance for visitors to the USA, we scored policies on cost, medical coverage amounts, out-of-network reimbursem*nt, emergency dental benefits and trip interruption benefits.
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The Best Travel Medical Insurance for Visitors to the USA
- Atlas America – Best Overall
- Patriot America Lite – Best for Cost
- Patriot America Plus – Great for Trip Interruption Insurance
- Safe Travels USA Comprehensive – Best for Deductible Choices
- Seven Corners Travel Medical Basic – Best for Urgent/Emergency Care Reimbursem*nt
Best Overall
Atlas America
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's benefits and coverage levels. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Eligible ages
14 days to 99 years
Coverage length
5 days to 364 days
Via VisitorsCoverage's Website
14 days to 99 years
5 days to 364 days
Yes, up to 364 days
Editor's Take
High coverage limits, a generous selection of deductible amounts and great trip interruption coverage earned Atlas America’s comprehensive policy high marks for benefits across the board.
Pros & Cons
- Competitive costs.
- Excellent trip interruption benefits of $10,000.
- High coverage limit of $2 million available.
- Out-of-network services covered at 100%.
- Wide range of choices for deductible amounts.
- Pre-existing medical conditions not covered (though acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions is covered).
- $200 copay for emergency room care
More Details
- Choices of coverage maximums: $10,000, $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1 million, $2 million.
- Choice of deductibles: $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000.
- Network used: United Healthcare PPO.
- Coverage for in-network urgent care: $15 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum.
- Coverage for out-of-network urgent care: $15 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum.
Best for Cost
Patriot America Lite
5.0
Our ratings take into account a product's benefits and coverage levels. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Eligible ages
14 days to 99 years
Coverage amounts
5 days to 365 days
Extendable?
Yes, up to 365 days
Via VisitorsCoverage's Website
14 days to 99 years
5 days to 365 days
Yes, up to 365 days
Editor's Take
The America Lite policy from Patriot is worth checking out if low cost and robust trip interruption benefits are important to you. The cost of the America Lite plan is significantly lower than the competitors we assessed, which can make up for the lack of coverage for acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions.
Pros & Cons
- Decent choice of deductibles and coverage limits.
- Generous trip interruption benefits of $10,000.
- Lowest cost among the policies we evaluated.
- The only plan among those we evaluated that does not cover acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions.
- Standard care, urgent care and emergency care out-of-network are only covered at 80% for the first $5,000 in services.
More Details
- Choices of coverage maximums: $10,000, $50,000, $100,000, $500,000, $1 million.
- Choice of deductibles: $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500.
- Network used: United Healthcare PPO.
- Coverage for in-network urgent care: $25 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum.
- Coverage for out-of-network urgent care: $25 copay, 80% of the first $5,000, 100% thereafter.
Great for Trip Interruption Insurance
Patriot America Plus
4.5
Our ratings take into account a product's benefits and coverage levels. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Eligible ages
14 days to 99 years
Coverage length
5 days to 365 days
Extendable?
Yes, up to 365 days
Via VisitorsCoverage's Website
14 days to 99 years
5 days to 365 days
Yes, up to 365 days
Editor's Take
The America Plus plan by Patriot provides decent coverage at a good price and includes generous trip interruption benefits. The low price may make up for out-of-network care being covered at only 80% for the first $5,000 in services. Unlike the Patriot Lite plan, America Plus covers the acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions.
Pros & Cons
- Ample trip interruption benefits of up to $10,000.
- Low cost compared to other top-rated companies.
- Does not cover pre-existing medical conditions (but does cover acute onset of pre-existing medical conditions).
- Standard care, urgent care and emergency care out-of-network are only covered at 80% for the first $5,000 in services.
More Details
- Choices of coverage maximums: $10,000, $50,000, $100,000, $500,000, $1 million.
- Choice of deductibles: $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500.
- Network used: United Healthcare PPO.
- Coverage for in-network urgent care: $25 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum.
- Coverage for out-of-network urgent care: $25 copay, 80% of the first $5,000,100% thereafter.
Best for Deductible Choices
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's benefits and coverage levels. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Eligible ages
1 year to 89 years
Coverage length
5 days to 364 days
Extendable?
Yes, up to 364 days
Via Trawick International's Secure Website
1 year to 89 years
5 days to 364 days
Yes, up to 364 days
Editor's Take
Great benefits at a decent price make Safe Travel USA’s comprehensive plan worth a look. The policy provides 100% coverage for out-of-network care and 100% coverage for emergency and urgent care. It also has the most choices for a deductible amount among the medical insurance plans we reviewed.
Pros & Cons
- Competitive cost.
- Most choices for deductibles among plans evaluated.
- Urgent care and emergency room care out-of-network covered at 100% after copay.
- Acute onset pre-existing medical conditions covered, but not pre-existing conditions.
- Dental benefits of $250 are lower than some competitors.
- Trip interruption coverage of $5,000 is low compared to some competitors we evaluated.
More Details
- Choices of coverage maximums: $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1 million.
- Choice of deductibles: $0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000.
- Network used: First Health PPO.
- Coverage for in-network urgent care: $30 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum.
- Coverage for out-of-network urgent care: $30 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum.
Best for Urgent/Emergency Care Reimbursem*nt
Seven Corners Travel Medical Basic USA
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's benefits and coverage levels. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Eligible ages
14 days to 99 years
Coverage length
5 days to 364 days
Extendable?
Yes, up to 364 days
On Seven Corners' Secure Website
14 days to 99 years
5 days to 364 days
Yes, up to 364 days
Editor's Take
Consider the Travel Medical Basic USA plan by Seven Corners if you value having urgent care and emergency room care covered at 100% over coverage for Covid.
Related: Seven Corners Travel Insurance Review
Pros & Cons
- Coverage amounts up to $1 million and a competitive price
- Emergency room care (in-network and out-of-network) covered at 100% after copay
- Urgent care (in-network and out-of-network) covered at 100% after copay
- Does not cover Covid-related medical expenses or pre-existing medical conditions (but covers acute onset)
- Out-of-network standard care only covered at 80% for first $10,000 of care, compared to others at 100% or 80% for first $5,000
- Trip interruption benefits are low at $2,500
More Details
- Choices of coverage maximums: $10,000, $50,000, $100,000, $1 million
- Choice of deductibles: $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $5,000
- Network used: United Healthcare PPO
- Coverage for in-network urgent care: $30 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum
- Coverage for out-of-network urgent care: $30 copay, 100% thereafter up to policy maximum
Summary: Best Travel Medical Insurance for Visitors Coming to the U.S.
| Company | Company - Logo | Forbes Advisor Rating | Forbes Advisor Rating | Policy | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | LEARN MORE | Choices of deductibles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas America |  | 5.0 |  | n/a | Get A Quote | Via VisitorsCoverage's Website | $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 | |
| Patriot America Lite |  | 5.0 | | America Lite | Get A Quote | Via VisitorsCoverage's Website | $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 | |
| Patriot America Plus | | 4.5 |  | America Plus | Get A Quote | Via VisitorsCoverage's Website | $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 | |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive |  | 4.0 |  | Comprehensive | Get A Quote | Via Trawick International's Secure Website | $0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 | |
| Seven Corners Travel Medical Basic USA |  | 4.0 | | Travel Medical Basic | Get A Quote | On Seven Corners' Secure Website | $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $5,000 |
What Is Travel Medical Insurance?
Medical insurance for visitors to the USA provides short-term medical coverage. If you get sick or injured during your trip, the best travel medical insurance policies provide high levels of compensation for medical bills.
These policies—also called visitors insurance— are designed for non-U.S. citizens traveling to the U.S., typically for trips up to 364 days.
If you’re an American traveling internationally, you can also buy travel medical insurance, often as part of comprehensive travel insurance policies that cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delays, medical costs and much more.
Types of Travel Medical Insurance for Visitors to the USA
There are two main types of travel medical insurance for visitors to the USA: fixed and comprehensive.
Fixed Medical Insurance
Fixed travel medical insurance is also called a fixed benefits policy or a limited policy. Fixed benefit plans are more affordable but have limited coverage.
These plans have a maximum fixed coverage amount for each medical service or condition. Deductibles apply for each event. For each injury or illness, you pay an initial deductible and the limited medical plan pays for the rest of the expenses covered by the policy.
Fixed medical insurance usually doesn’t include trip interruption coverage.
Comprehensive Medical Insurance
Comprehensive medical insurance policies are more expensive but provide more generous coverage than limited plans—for example, maximum coverage limits can be millions of dollars.
There are no sub-limits for coverage with comprehensive visitors insurance policies. You’re covered for medical costs up to the policy maximum, minus your deductible and coinsurance.
Trip interruption, trip cancellation and travel delay benefits can be found in some comprehensive visitors insurance plans.
What Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover in the USA?
Comprehensive travel medical insurance for visitors to the USA generally covers inpatient and outpatient services, urgent care and emergency medical services, emergency dental care and other healthcare, such as:
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Emergency medical treatment for pregnancy complications
- Mental disorders
- Prescriptions/medication
Do I Need Travel Medical Insurance as a Visitor to the USA?
Visitors to the USA need travel medical insurance if they want to recoup money they pay for medical costs if they get ill or injured in the United States. Health plans from other countries aren’t usually accepted in the U.S. For example, travel medical insurance is a common type of travel insurance for parents visiting the U.S. whose adult children live here.
You also need travel medical insurance if you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally. It’s important to consider medical insurance for trips abroad because U.S.-based health insurance plans may have limited or no coverage in other countries.
Where to Purchase Visitors Insurance
You can buy visitors insurance online from a visitors insurance comparison provider such as VisitorsCoverage, and many travel insurance companies also sell visitors insurance online at their websites.
You can generally choose from several policies that have a range of coverage and costs, from budget plans with low benefit limits to more expensive policies with more generous coverage.
| Insurance company | Examples of visitor insurance policies offered |
|---|---|
IMG Global | Patriot America Plus, Visitors Protect Insurance and Patriot Platinum Medical Insurance |
Seven Corners | Travel Medical USA Visitor Basic and Travel Medical USA Visitor Choice |
Trawick International | Safe Travels USA Comprehensive |
USI Affinity | Visit USA-HealthCare Visitors Insurance (Budget Plan, Standard Plan and Superior Plan) |
WorldTrips Travel Insurance | Atlas America |
Methodology
To identify the best medical insurance for visitors coming to the USA, we scored only comprehensive travel medical plans on the following criteria:
Cost (50% of score): Plans with lower costs were awarded the most points. We analyzed average rates for:
- A 70-year-old traveler from India coming to the U.S. for 90 days, with coverage of $100,000 with a $250 deductible (or closest deductible).
- Two travelers ages 60 and 65 coming from India to the U.S. for 30 days, with coverage of $50,000 with a $100 deductible (or closest deductible).
Trip interruption benefits (10% of score): Points were awarded if policies included $10,000 or more in trip interruption benefits. If a visitor has to cut their trip to the U.S. short and return home, this coverage can pay the costs. To make a claim for trip interruption, the reason must be listed in the policy.
Choices of policy maximum coverage amounts (10% of score): Points were awarded if the policy had maximum medical coverage amounts of $500,000 and up.
Urgent care out-of-network reimbursem*nt (10% of score): Policies that cover out-of-network urgent care at 100% (after copay) earned points.
Emergency room out-of-network reimbursem*nt (10% of score): Policies that cover out-of-network emergency room care at 100% (after copay) earned points.
Emergency dental care (10% of score): Points were awarded if emergency dental care coverage was $300 or more.
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