Parents visiting the United States benefit from travel medical insurance that covers hospitalization, doctor visits, urgent care, emergency medical evacuation, or eligible treatment for the acute onset of a pre-existing condition. The best travel insurance for parents visiting the USA will not be the same for every family. Age, trip length, policy maximum, deductible, budget, and available benefits all affect the right choice.
Based on coverage features, age limits, and available benefits, four of the best visitors insurance plans for parents are Atlas America Insurance, Beacon America Insurance, Patriot America Plus Insurance, and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive Insurance. Here’s a comparison of the four plans:
| Plans | Maximum Coverage by Age | Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions | Deductibles | Estimated 30-Day Cost at Age 65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas America |
|
| $0–$5,000 | $249 |
| Beacon America |
|
| $0–$2,500 | $218.70 |
| Patriot America Plus |
|
| $0–$2,500 | $246 |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive |
|
| $0–$5,000 | $255 |
Estimated costs are based on one 65-year-old traveler, 30 days of base coverage, and a $250 deductible. Atlas America, Patriot America Plus, and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive use a $100,000 policy maximum. Beacon America uses the closest available maximum of $110,000. No optional coverage was selected. Actual rates may vary based on the traveler’s information and coverage dates.
Medical Insurance for Parents Visiting the USA with Pre-Existing Conditions
Most visitors insurance plans do not cover routine care or ongoing treatment for a condition that existed before the policy began. A parent with diabetes may not be covered for insulin refills, regular glucose monitoring, or treatment planned before travel. Similar exclusions may apply to routine blood pressure medication, dialysis, and scheduled follow-up visits.
Some plans include limited coverage for the acute onset of a pre-existing condition. Acute onset means a sudden and unexpected recurrence that develops quickly and requires immediate medical care. For example, a parent with a heart condition may experience a health emergency during the trip. Coverage applies only when the event meets the plan’s requirements.
Acute-onset coverage can be important for parents with existing health conditions, but it does not cover every medical issue related to those conditions. Worsening symptoms, routine maintenance, medication refills, and planned treatment are commonly excluded.
Some plans offer limited non-acute pre-existing condition coverage for eligible medical events that do not meet the acute-onset definition. Such coverage may provide added protection for certain existing conditions, subject to the plan’s terms.
Best Travel Insurance for Parents Over 70 Visiting the USA
Travel insurance choices become more limited after age 70. Policy maximums may drop again at age 80. Among the available plans, Atlas America, Beacon America, Patriot America Plus, Safe Travels USA Comprehensive, and International Major Medical are the more suitable travel insurance plans for senior parents due to their age eligibility and coverage limits.
Key differences may include the medical maximum, acute-onset benefit, emergency medical evacuation limit, deductible, and premium. A lower premium may also come with lower limits or no acute-onset coverage.
Do Your Parents Need Travel Insurance to Visit You in the US?
There’s no legal requirement for your parents to have travel insurance for America to visit you in the US on a B2 tourist visa or without a visa, but ask yourself this question: If one of them were to get sick or hurt, who would pay for expensive American medical treatment?
Your domestic health insurance coverage cannot cover your visiting parents, and any health insurance they have in their home country is unlikely to be accepted in the US. And even if it is, it won’t be sufficient. If you’re prepared to pay over $100,000 out of your own pocket in case of a medical emergency, you can forego having visitors insurance and take your chances. But, if like most Americans you cannot afford to do that, visitors medical insurance is essential coverage for your parents.
And if you think visitors insurance is too complex to purchase on your own, you’re in luck. Insubuy makes it easy to get instant quotes, compare plans, and buy online instantly. No doctor’s exam is required, and coverage can begin as soon as the next day.
Why Trust Us?
Insubuy has specialized in insuring visiting parents for almost 25 years. No other company has more experience or expertise in offering the best travel insurance for parents visiting the USA. Plus, we’re located in the USA, so our licensed agents will be here, in the same time zones as you, every step of the way.
Need more proof? Check out our ratings on Trustpilot and Google.
How to Choose Health Insurance for Parents Visiting the USA
When selecting health insurance for parents visiting the U.S., several key factors should guide your decision to ensure comprehensive and suitable coverage for their stay:
- Medical Expense Coverage
Choose policies that cover essential medical expenses, including hospitalization, doctor's visits, and urgent care. Coverage amounts vary, so consider a minimum of $50,000 for basic coverage but aim higher depending on your parents' specific health needs. - Emergency Medical Evacuation
In case a medical emergency requires transportation to a specialized facility, opt for a plan that includes emergency medical evacuation, ideally with coverage of at least $100,000. - Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions
If your parents have pre-existing conditions, selecting a policy that accommodates this is critical. Some plans offer limited coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions, a feature worth considering to mitigate unexpected costs. - Deductibles and Copayments
Review deductibles and copayments carefully. Lower deductibles mean higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs during a medical incident, which can be helpful for elderly travelers. - Policy Maximum
Ensure the policy maximum is sufficient for potential high-cost medical events. A policy maximum of $100,000 is often recommended for comprehensive protection, though higher limits may be ideal for longer stays or travelers with known health conditions. - Provider Network (PPO)
Choose an insurer with a preferred provider network (PPO) to reduce out-of-pocket costs for in-network care, an important factor for managing expenses. - Repatriation of Remains
This feature covers the cost of returning remains to the home country if needed. Look for a policy offering at least $25,000 for this benefit.
By carefully evaluating these elements, you can select an insurance plan that balances coverage needs with budget considerations, ensuring your parents are protected during their U.S. visit.
What is the Best Visitor Insurance for Parents Visiting USA?
-
Atlas America
- Rating: A++ “Superior” by AM Best
- Emergency medical coverage: Up to $2,000,000
- Medical evacuation: $1,000,000
- Pros: Extensive medical evacuation coverage, cancellable and extendable.
- Cons: $10,000 policy maximum for insureds ages 80 and above.
-
Beacon America
- Rating: A “Excellent” by AM Best
- Emergency medical coverage: Up to $1,100,000
- Medical evacuation: To policy maximum
- Pros: Includes home country coverage, cancellable and refundable.
- Cons: Limited medical evacuation coverage for those over 69.
-
Patriot America Plus
- Rating: A- “Excellent” by AM Best
- Emergency medical coverage: Up to $1,000,000
- Medical evacuation: $1,000,000
- Pros: Higher medical maximums than most plans for those over 69.
- Cons: One of the lower medical maximums for those 80 and older.
-
Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
- Emergency medical coverage: Up to $1,000,000
- Medical evacuation: Up to $1,000,000
- Pros: High policy maximums and evacuation coverage, even for older insureds.
- Cons: No coverage for loss of passport or travel documents.
All of the above plans are extendable and refundable. They all can be purchased online on this website instantly. You will receive the ID card and other policy documents immediately in your email.
In addition to the plans listed above, we have many other visitors insurance plans available. You can get instant quotes from multiple products, compare them side by side and make an immediate purchase online of the best visitors insurance in the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best travel insurance for elderly parents visiting the USA?
Does visitors insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
How much does travel insurance for parents visiting the USA cost?
Can parents over 80 get visitors insurance?
Is travel insurance required for parents visiting the USA?
How much medical coverage should parents visiting the USA buy?
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