As a US permanent resident (green card holder), you have access to excellent healthcare inside the United States. But the moment you board an international flight, your coverage stops at the border. Medicare, Medicaid, and most ACA marketplace plans do not cover services provided outside the US. For the millions of green card holders who travel internationally every year — visiting family in India, Mexico, the Philippines, China, or anywhere else — this coverage gap is a serious financial risk.
Coverage Gap Alert
Medicare does NOT cover international travel (except very limited exceptions near the Canadian or Mexican border). Medicaid does NOT cover international travel at all. If you rely on these programs and travel abroad without separate insurance, you will receive a full bill for any medical services — in foreign currency.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is for US green card holders (permanent residents) who are:
- Traveling to their home country to visit family (India, Mexico, Philippines, China, Nigeria, and others)
- Taking international vacations or leisure trips
- Traveling for business internationally
- Making extended trips of 30–180+ days abroad
- Seniors on Medicare making their first international trip after getting their green card
What Insurance Do Green Card Holders Need?
You need international travel health insurance, sometimes called visitor or travel medical insurance. This covers:
🏥
Emergency Medical Care
Doctor visits, ER treatment, hospitalization, and surgery anywhere in the world.
🚁
Medical Evacuation
Emergency air transport to the nearest appropriate hospital, or back to the USA.
💊
Prescription Coverage
Medications prescribed during an illness or injury abroad.
☎️
24/7 Assistance
A global support line to help find providers, coordinate care, and translate documents.
🏠
Repatriation
Medically-supervised transport back to the USA if needed for ongoing care.
⚡
Acute-Onset Pre-existing
Some plans cover sudden flare-ups of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or COPD.
Best Plans for Green Card Holders
Our three carrier partners cover green card holders traveling from the USA to any international destination. Compare the IMG Patriot International, WorldTrips Atlas International, and Trawick Safe Travels International plans side by side:
IMG
Patriot International
from ~$2/day
Medical
Up to $1,000,000
Evacuation
$500,000
Max Age
99
- ✓Covers US permanent residents traveling outside the USA
- ✓No upper age limit — best for seniors on Medicare
- ✓Strong hospital network globally including India, Mexico, Philippines
- ✓Includes acute onset of pre-existing conditions (select tiers)
WorldTrips
Atlas International
from ~$1.50/day
Medical
Up to $2,000,000
Evacuation
$1,000,000
Max Age
79
- ✓Lowest price for young and middle-aged green card holders
- ✓High $2M medical limit
- ✓Instant certificate — purchase and travel same week
- ✓Note: covers up to age 79 only
Trawick International
Safe Travels International
from ~$2.50/day
Medical
Up to $1,000,000
Evacuation
$500,000
Max Age
89
- ✓Strong acute onset pre-existing condition benefit
- ✓Telemedicine included — great for remote areas
- ✓Good for multi-person family trips
Compare Plans for Green Card Holders
Enter your travel dates and destinations. Compare all three carriers side-by-side. Get covered today.
Common Destinations for Green Card Holders
Here are the most common countries that US permanent residents visit — and what you should know about healthcare coverage there:
| Destination | Key Concern | Recommended Plan |
|---|---|---|
| India 🇮🇳 | Private hospitals in major cities can be expensive; rural areas have limited facilities | IMG Patriot International |
| Mexico 🇲🇽 | Near-border care may be available, but private hospitals in resort areas bill aggressively | WorldTrips Atlas (under 65) |
| Philippines 🇵🇭 | Strong private hospitals in Manila; rural areas may require evacuation | IMG Patriot International |
| China 🇨🇳 | International hospitals in Beijing/Shanghai; evacuation from rural provinces costly | IMG or WorldTrips |
| Nigeria 🇳🇬 | Medical evacuation to SA or UK may be necessary for complex cases | IMG Patriot (high evac limit) |
| UK / EU 🇬🇧🇪🇺 | NHS/EU care available for emergencies but repatriation back to USA not covered | Any plan — focus on evac |
Traveling to Europe as a Green Card Holder
Green card holders can visit most Schengen countries for up to 90 days without a visa (depending on your nationality). If you are visiting Europe — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, or any of the 29 Schengen member states — you will need Schengen-compliant travel insurance that meets the EU embassy requirement of a minimum €30,000 in medical coverage.
Schengen Requirement for Green Card Holders
- ✓Minimum €30,000 (~$33,000) in medical coverage — all three of our plans exceed this
- ✓Coverage must be valid across all 29 Schengen member states
- ✓Must include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
- ✓Certificate must be issued before visa application (or entry for visa-free travelers)
All three plans we offer (IMG Patriot International, WorldTrips Atlas International, and Trawick Safe Travels International) are Schengen-compliant. The WorldTrips Atlas International plan costs around $2–$3.50/day for a Schengen trip. You'll receive an instant insurance certificate that you can attach to your visa application or show at the border.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover green card holders traveling abroad?
No. Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover medical expenses outside the United States, with very limited exceptions near the Canadian or Mexican border. Green card holders on Medicare who travel to their home country or any other international destination have zero Medicare coverage and are fully responsible for all medical costs abroad.
Does Medicaid cover green card holders outside the USA?
No. Medicaid does not cover any medical services outside the United States. Green card holders who rely on Medicaid for healthcare in the USA will have no coverage whatsoever during international travel.
What type of insurance do green card holders need for international travel?
Green card holders traveling abroad need international travel health insurance, also called visitor insurance or travel medical insurance. This is different from travel insurance that covers trip cancellation. The key benefits are emergency medical coverage, hospitalization, and medical evacuation back to the USA. Plans like IMG Patriot International and WorldTrips Atlas International are widely used by US green card holders traveling to India, Mexico, Philippines, China, and other countries.
Can green card holders buy travel insurance for trips back to their home country?
Yes — and this is one of the most important use cases. Many green card holders make extended visits to India, Mexico, the Philippines, China, or other home countries to visit family. These trips can last weeks or months. International travel insurance provides coverage during the entire trip and can typically be purchased for stays up to 12 months.
Will traveling abroad affect my green card status?
This is an immigration question (not insurance), but it's important context. Absences from the US of more than 6 months can raise questions about abandonment of permanent residency. For trips of 6+ months, a re-entry permit is recommended. Travel insurance itself does not affect your immigration status — but maintaining valid health coverage abroad is separate from maintaining your green card.
What is the best travel insurance for green card holders visiting India?
For green card holders visiting India, IMG Patriot International and WorldTrips Atlas International are both strong choices. IMG is often preferred for seniors due to its coverage up to age 99 and strong customer service reputation. WorldTrips offers better value for younger travelers. Both can be purchased before departure from the USA and provide coverage beginning the day after purchase.
Related Guides for Permanent Residents
Green Card Holder Insurance
Our dedicated coverage page for US permanent residents.
MedicareDoes Medicare Cover International Travel?
Full breakdown of what Medicare covers (and doesn't) when you travel abroad.
MexicoParents from Mexico Visiting USA
Coverage guide for Mexican parents visiting family in the US.
HealthPre-existing Conditions Guide
How to find coverage if you have ongoing health conditions.
ClaimsHow to File a Claim Abroad
What to do if you need medical care while outside the USA.
ComparisonWorldTrips Atlas International Review
Deep review of the WorldTrips Atlas International plan for green card holders.
Get International Coverage Before You Leave the USA
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