Many people of ethnic origin invite elderly relatives such as their parents and in-laws to visit them in the US and spend time with their family. Naturally, the relatives of a working professional are older. Many of them are in their 60s and 70s, while some of them are even in their 80s.
As healthcare costs are very high in the US, hosts are understandably concerned about the health of their visitors. If something serious were to occur, they want to make sure they’re well-protected. Therefore, they would like to get high policy maximum visitors insurance.
Unfortunately, due to higher risks associated with older age, insurance companies are not willing to provide higher coverage. Therefore, you can’t expect to find $1 million coverage for someone in the 70-79 age group, for example.
Available Visitors Insurance Plans
For the 70-79 age group, the following are suitable choices of comprehensive visitors insurance with the maximum coverage:
Atlas America
Features
- Provides $100,000 coverage
- Participates in the United Healthcare PPO network
- Has the highest amount of coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions
Overview
Direct Billing
Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
Patriot America Platinum
Features
- Provides $100,000 coverage
- Participates in the United Healthcare PPO network
Restrictions
- No coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions
Overview
Outside PPO Network: After deductible, pays 90% to $5,000, then 100% to policy maximum.
Direct Billing
Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
Diplomat America
Features
- Provides $100,000 coverage
Restrictions
- No PPO network
- No coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions
- No coverage outside the US
- Not extendable
Overview
Direct Billing
Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
International Major Medical
Features
- Provides $250,000 or $500,000 coverage
- Participates in the First Health PPO network
- Optional COVID-19 coverage
Restrictions
- Not extendable
- Not refundable
- No coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions
Overview
Direct Billing
Visitors Protect Insurance
Features
- Provides $50,000 coverage over age 69 and participates in the United Healthcare PPO network
- Offers coverage for pre-existing conditions with certain limitations
Restrictions
- Not extendable
Overview
Outside PPO Network: After deductible, pays 60% to policy maximum.
Direct Billing
Pre-Existing Conditions
Beacon America
Features
- Provides $50,000 or $25,000 coverage up to 79
- Provides up to $1,100,000 coverage up to 69
- Participates in the United Healthcare PPO network
Restrictions
- No telemedicine coverage
Overview
Outside PPO network: After deductible, pays 80% to $5,000, then 100% to policy maximum.
Direct Billing
Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
For the age group of 65-69, please look at the same list above. The exact policy maximums and other features vary.
For the age group of 80-84, please look at Safe Travels USA Comprehensive and International Major Medical from the list above. The policy maximum and other features vary.
How to Get a Higher Policy Maximum
When a single visitors insurance plan does not provide the required policy maximum, you can consider purchasing multiple visitors insurance plans to get an overall higher policy maximum.
When you purchase two or more visitors or travel medical insurance plans, each plan is considered secondary to another plan.
Various insurance companies have a question in their claim forms such as ‘Do you have any other insurance?’ Therefore, when making a claim, you must disclose to both insurance companies that you have other insurance. You cannot simply hide that fact and choose to use only one of the plans for smaller expenses.
Both insurance companies will contact each other and go through 'Coordination of Benefits' to pay their prorated share for eligible medical expenses.
For smaller expenses, dealing with two insurance companies is double the administrative work for you. However, if you run into larger medical expenses, it would be worthwhile for you to have significantly greater coverage.
Please note that in order for this to work, you must purchase separate plans from different insurance companies. Purchasing the same plan multiple times will not work.
For example, you may purchase Safe Travels USA Comprehensive and Atlas America together because they are two separate plans from different companies. However, you cannot purchase Atlas America and Atlas Premium America together, because they are both from the same company.
Please contact us before making a decision to purchase multiple plans if you have any questions.
Claiming From Multiple Companies
Someone may ask ‘Can I really claim from multiple companies for the same insurance claim?’
Of course, if you have a $5,000 eligible medical expense, you can’t claim the same $5,000 from multiple insurance companies (by hiding that you have another insurance plan) and attempt to collect a total of $10,000 or $15,000, thus trying to make profit. That would be illegal, and insurance fraud.
However, if you purchase two insurance policies that are $100,000 each you have $200,000 of total eligible medical expenses, you can definitely claim $100,000 from each company for a total of $200,000. That is exactly the purpose of purchasing multiple insurance plans.
Coordination of benefits is a well-understood and basic concept in the insurance industry. Therefore, the insurance companies are used to doing it.
Purchasing More Than Two Policies
Can you purchase more than two visitors insurance policies?
Yes, definitely. Of course, when buying three or four policies, your total cost becomes very high. Plus, dealing with all of those policies at once can be a significant administrative burden for you. However, if you are willing to bear the expense and effort, you can certainly do it legally.
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