Visitor Insurance for Colombians Visiting New York City
New York City has one of the largest Colombian communities in the US — concentrated in Queens (Jackson Heights, Elmhurst) and the Bronx. Direct flights from Bogotá and Medellín to JFK and Newark make NYC the second-most visited US city by Colombians. Colombian insurance covers nothing here.
Why Colombians Visit New York
New York is home to approximately 100,000+ Colombian-born residents — one of the largest Colombian communities in the US. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Colombians visit New York on B1/B2 tourist visa, E-2 investor visa, L-1 intracompany transfer visa, F-1 student visa sponsor visits visas to see family, receive medical care, and attend important life events. Most arrive without any understanding of what US healthcare actually costs.
Important: Colombian EPS plans (Sura, Compensar, Sanitas, Famisanar) and Colombian private insurance (AXA Colombia, Seguros Bolívar) have zero coverage in the United States. New York City hospitals — NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai, NYU Langone — charge some of the highest rates in the country. Without US visitors insurance, every dollar of care is out of pocket.
Why Colombians Come to New York
Colombian Community in Queens
Jackson Heights and Elmhurst in Queens are home to 100,000+ Colombians. Family visit traffic is extremely high year-round.
Tourism & Business
NYC is the top US business and tourism destination for Colombians flying from Bogotá and Medellín.
Students at NYC Universities
Columbia, NYU, and Fordham have significant Colombian student populations. Parents visit for graduation and family weekends.
Cultural Events
NYC Colombian Independence Day celebrations (July 20 area) and Queens cultural festivals draw Colombians from across the tri-state area.
Business & Finance
New York is a key destination for Colombian executives, investors, and fintech professionals.
Medical Second Opinions
NYC's world-class hospitals — Memorial Sloan Kettering, Weill Cornell, Mount Sinai — attract Colombian medical tourists.
What US Medical Bills Actually Look Like in New York
Emergency Room Visit
$3,100–$8,000
Triage, exam, basic tests
One Night Hospitalization
$11,700–$22,000
Room, nursing, meals only
Cardiac Event Treatment
$75,000–$185,000
Catheterization, ICU, meds
Medical Evacuation Home
$95,000–$250,000
Air ambulance back to Colombia
Visa Types & Coverage Eligibility
B1/B2 tourist visa
Eligible for all visitors insurance plans from Tower Hill
E-2 investor visa
Eligible for all visitors insurance plans from Tower Hill
L-1 intracompany transfer visa
Eligible for all visitors insurance plans from Tower Hill
F-1 student visa sponsor visits
Eligible for all visitors insurance plans from Tower Hill
Visitors Insurance Cost for Colombians
Monthly premium estimates · $100,000 coverage · $250 deductible
| Age | 30 Days | 60 Days | 90 Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25–34 | $28–$42 | $55–$83 | $82–$124 |
| 35–44 | $33–$52 | $65–$103 | $98–$155 |
| 45–54 | $45–$72 | $89–$143 | $133–$215 |
| 55–64 | $72–$118 | $143–$235 | $215–$352 |
| 65–69 | $115–$188 | $229–$375 | $343–$562 |
| 70–74 | $165–$265 | $329–$529 | $493–$793 |
| 75–79 | $215–$355 | $429–$709 | $643–$1,063 |
Major Hospital: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital / Weill Cornell, New York City
Ranked #4 in the US and #1 in New York. Located in the Upper East Side and multiple boroughs. ER visits average $4,500–$11,000. Has a substantial Spanish-speaking staff. All Tower Hill plans accepted for emergency care.
All Tower Hill visitors insurance plans are accepted for emergency care at this facility.
Best Visitors Insurance Plans for Colombians in New York
All three plans are accepted at any US hospital, purchased entirely online in minutes, and include emergency evacuation back to Colombia.
IMG Patriot America Plus
UHC PPO network
- ✓ Up to $1,000,000 coverage
- ✓ Acute onset pre-existing: $25K
- ✓ Emergency evacuation included
- ✓ Up to 364 days
Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
First Health PPO
- ✓ Up to $1,000,000 coverage
- ✓ Acute onset pre-existing: $100K
- ✓ Dental emergency included
- ✓ Telemedicine included
WorldTrips Atlas America
UnitedHealthcare PPO
- ✓ Up to $2,000,000 coverage
- ✓ $1M evacuation coverage
- ✓ Acute onset included
- ✓ Mental health coverage
Compare Plans Before You Visit New York
Takes 5 minutes. Certificate emailed instantly. Plans accepted at all New York hospitals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
I have family in Queens and visit NYC every year from Bogotá. Do I need insurance each trip?
Yes — each US visit requires its own visitors insurance policy. Your EPS and any Colombian private plan provide zero US coverage. For annual visits, just purchase a new policy 1–2 days before each departure. It takes 5 minutes online.
New York is very expensive. How much coverage should Colombians buy?
For visiting New York City, we recommend $250,000 minimum coverage — especially for travelers over 55. NYC's hospitals are among the most expensive in the world. NewYork-Presbyterian and Mount Sinai bill at rates 2–3x the national average for many procedures. WorldTrips Atlas America offers up to $2,000,000 — ideal for older travelers.
My Colombian parents speak Spanish only. Is there Spanish-language support for insurance in NYC?
Yes. All three major plans — IMG, Trawick, and WorldTrips — provide 24/7 assistance in Spanish. NewYork-Presbyterian and NYC Health + Hospitals both have extensive Spanish-language services. In an emergency, your parents call the assistance number on their card and speak to a Spanish-speaking representative immediately.
We're visiting Queens (Jackson Heights). Are Queens hospitals the same as Manhattan hospitals?
Visitors insurance covers any US hospital — Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx. Elmhurst Hospital Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Queens are both in Jackson Heights' area and are fully covered for emergency care under any visitors insurance plan.
My Colombian parents want to visit NYC, then go to Miami to see other relatives. Is that one policy?
Yes. One visitors insurance policy covers your parents anywhere in the US — New York, Florida, or any other state — for the entire duration of the policy period.