What’s the first thing you do when you plan a trip? Some people start browsing for cute new vacation outfits, while others compile a list of the foods they want to try. Whether you plan excursions, start with a packing list, or book your hotel first, something that should never be left off your list is buying international health insurance for the USA.
If your vacation plans involve travel to the United States, health insurance becomes even more critical. Unfortunately, the United States has some of the highest medical costs in the world, particularly for those that do not carry insurance.
To keep your trip from becoming an expensive nightmare, we always recommend that people coming to the USA purchase health insurance to cover the entire duration of their trip.
World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Explore your travel insurance options with World Nomads.*
What is health insurance for the USA?
International health insurance for the USA is a type of insurance available specifically to individuals who are traveling through the United States. It can be purchased for trips as short as one day or as long as a year. It is not available to citizens or residents of the United States and is intended to cover those who are only in the country temporarily.
There are many different types of USA health insurance available for travelers. Sometimes coverage is available as part of a larger travel insurance plan, but often, dedicated health insurance is purchased separately.
Some people who travel often purchase international health insurance plans that offer coverage in multiple countries. While some plans include the United States on their list of covered countries, it’s essential to confirm this before you make a purchase. The United States has such high healthcare costs that it is frequently excluded from international travel health insurance plans.
Why travelers should purchase USA health insurance
There are tons of reasons why we recommend that travelers to the USA purchase health insurance. Regardless of whether your visit is to see family, visit friends, or just enjoy some time as a solo tourist, you never know when an accident or injury may happen. Unfortunately, even seeking care for something as simple as a sprained ankle can be astronomically expensive, depending on where you get treated.
Additionally, many health insurance plans for the USA offer resources and assistance in case you need to seek medical attention. This usually comes in the form of a toll-free number you can call, with operators that can help connect you to the nearest and most appropriate form of medical treatment. Many of these plans include foreign language operators, making it possible to receive help in the language of your choosing.
Key features of United States health insurance coverage you need to know
Buying health insurance may look easy, but it’s important to read the fine print. This will help ensure your plan offers the coverage you need and doesn’t require you to pay for features that you won’t use.
Here are some key features of health insurance plans you should know before you make a purchase.
Emergency medical
Emergency medical is one of the most common features of USA health insurance for travelers. Essentially, it provides reimbursement for emergency medical costs accrued while on your trip. However, any treatment provided must be for an unexpected accident, injury, or illness. It will not cover routine visits or any treatment resulting from a pre-existing medical condition.
Typically, experts recommend carrying emergency medical insurance that will reimburse at least $50,000 in costs. Any less, and you may have to pay out of pocket – especially since fees associated with American emergency medical care tend to be very high.
If you’re traveling somewhere remote or doing riskier activities like hiking, biking, or boating, consider upping your coverage amount.
Evacuation
Another common feature of most travel health insurance plans for the USA is evacuation coverage. This is coverage that pays for emergency transportation if you need to seek medical care. It is most valuable for travelers taking a cruise or visiting remote locations within the United States.
While ambulance travel is typically included in emergency medical coverage, specific evacuation coverage can help pay for medevac helicopters and other means of transportation that may be required if you have to go long distances to seek urgent or specialist care.
Repatriation
No one wants to think about cutting their trip short, especially if it’s because of a life-threatening illness or injury. In the event that you need to be airlifted back to your home country for any health-related reason, repatriation coverage helps to cover those costs.
This includes both the repatriation of your body if you were to pass away while in the United States and medical repatriation if you want to return home but are not healthy enough to travel commercially.
Routine and preventative medical visits
While most travel health insurance for the USA does not cover routine or preventative care, some unique plans do offer this coverage. Typically, it’s sold by companies catering to long-term travelers away from home for more than six months at a time.
If you plan to be in the United States for a few months or more and want to be able to access a physician during that time, you will need to find insurance that offers this type of coverage.
Prescription drug coverage
If you take prescription drugs that cannot be purchased in bulk, or if you will be away for an extended period, you will need to buy prescription drugs in the United States. If you pay out-of-pocket, these costs will add up fast.
Like routine and preventative care, prescription drugs are typically not covered by most travel health insurance. However, it is possible to find plans that do offer this coverage. If this is a benefit you need, it’s worth searching until you find the right type of insurance that can provide it.
World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Explore your travel insurance options with World Nomads.*
How to purchase the best international health insurance for your USA trip
There are tons of providers out there that offer excellent health insurance for your trip to the USA. However, it always pays to read the fine print on anything you buy. Lots of tour operators, airlines, and even travel agents sell health insurance coverage, but not all of it is good.
Your best bet is to carefully consider your circumstances, then purchase insurance to match. For example: if you’re heading out to hike and camp in the Grand Tetons, along Mount Rainier, or in Bryce Canyon National Park, you may want to consider purchasing insurance with excellent evacuation coverage in the event that something happens to you on the trail.
If you are older and have pre-existing conditions, it may be worth the peace of mind to consider purchasing routine and preventative care coverage to ensure you can get checked out if you feel unwell.
To help you make such an important decision, there are lots of travel and health insurance comparison tools out there. These sites allow you to compare and contrast different plans, making it easier to find the one that works for you.
Find the right health insurance for your next trip to the United States
Travel should be exciting, not worrying. Travel health insurance for the USA can help alleviate some of your stresses and fears by providing resources and coverage that can protect you if something happens while you’re away from home.
With your health insurance purchased, it’s easier to relax on your trip and enjoy all the delicious food, friendly people, beautiful scenery, and incredible culture that the United States has to offer.
World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Explore your travel insurance options with World Nomads.*
*We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
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