🇰🇷South Korea · Visitors InsuranceUpdated June 2026

Visitors Insurance for Koreans Visiting the USA (2026)

Korea's National Health Insurance (건강보험) doesn't cover treatment in the United States. Protect yourself before you land.

✍️ Ty Taylor · TX #2608479TX·8 min read·A-Rated US Carriers

Korean National Health Insurance (NHIS) Has No US Coverage

South Korea's National Health Insurance Service (NHIS / 국민건강보험) covers medical care within Korea only — it offers zero reimbursement for US treatment. South Korea and the United States have no bilateral healthcare agreement, meaning every US medical charge is your personal responsibility. US ER visits average $3,100; ICU care runs $4,000+ per day. With 1.8 million Korean-Americans concentrated in Los Angeles, New York, and New Jersey, parents and relatives visiting on a B-2 visa face serious financial exposure — a single hospitalisation can exceed ₩15 million in uncovered US charges.

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US emergency care is priced in dollars — a single ER visit can cost ₩4,000,000+ before any treatment begins.

What US Medical Bills Actually Look Like

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 Flight

$95,000–$250,000

Air ambulance, medical crew

Best Visitors Insurance Plans for Koreans

All three plans below are accepted at any US hospital and purchased 100% online. Coverage certificate arrives by email in minutes.

IMG Patriot America Plus

Largest US carrier network · UHC PPO

✓ Up to $1,000,000 coverage
✓ $0–$2,500 deductible options
✓ Acute onset pre-existing: up to policy max (under 70)
✓ Emergency evacuation: $500K
✓ Available ages 14 days–99 yrs
✓ Multilingual 24/7 support

From ~$33/month (age 30–44)

Best for: First-time visitors, families, tourists

Highest Limits

WorldTrips Atlas America

Maximum coverage · Top evacuation benefit

✓ Up to $2,000,000 coverage
✓ $0–$5,000 deductible options
✓ Acute onset pre-existing: up to policy max (under 70)
✓ Emergency evacuation: $1,000,000
✓ Available ages 14 days–99 yrs
✓ Flexible coverage periods

From ~$30/month (age 30–44)

Best for: Seniors 65+, long stays, max protection

Best Value

Trawick Safe Travels USA

Budget-friendly comprehensive · Telehealth included

✓ Up to $1,000,000 coverage
✓ $0–$5,000 deductible options
✓ Acute onset pre-existing: up to policy max (under 70)
✓ Emergency evacuation: $500K
✓ Available ages 14 days–89 yrs
✓ Free telehealth included

From ~$28/month (age 30–44)

Best for: Budget-conscious, short stays, under 70

Compare All Plans — Get Your Free Quote →

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How Much Does Visitors Insurance Cost?

Price estimates below are for $100,000 coverage with a $250 deductible. Actual quotes vary by plan, exact age, state, and dates.

Age Group	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

* Estimates based on $100K coverage, $250 deductible. Get an exact quote at towerhilltravelinsurance.com/quote.

Who Needs Visitors Insurance from South Korea?

Tourists & Sightseers

Koreans visiting US attractions, national parks, or major cities on a B-2 tourist visa. Coverage for the full duration of your stay.

Visiting Family & Diaspora

South Korea's large diaspora in the US regularly brings parents, siblings, and relatives for extended visits. One plan covers the entire trip.

Business Visitors (B-1)

B-1 visa holders attending conferences, meetings, or business negotiations in the US. Full medical coverage while you work.

Students' Visiting Parents

Parents visiting children studying in the US on F-1 or OPT visas often need coverage for 30–90 day stays. Comprehensive plans available.

How to Buy Visitors Insurance in 4 Steps

Enter Your Trip Details

Travel dates, traveler ages, and country of citizenship. Takes 30 seconds.

Compare Plans Side-by-Side

See coverage limits, deductibles, and pricing for all three plans in one view.

Select & Pay Online

Choose your plan and pay securely with any major credit or debit card.

Get Your Certificate Instantly

PDF insurance certificate and ID card delivered to your email in minutes.

What Visitors Insurance Covers

Emergency room visits & hospitalization

Surgery & specialist consultations

Prescription drugs (related to covered condition)

Acute onset of pre-existing conditions

Emergency medical evacuation

Repatriation of remains

Urgent care & walk-in clinics

Ambulance transportation

Routine check-ups & preventive care

Pre-existing condition ongoing management

Dental cleaning / cosmetic procedures

Pregnancy & maternity (unless complications)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does South Korea's National Health Insurance (NHIS) cover medical care in the USA?+

No. South Korea's NHIS (국민건강보험) covers treatment at enrolled Korean medical facilities only — it provides zero coverage in the United States. Korea and the US have no bilateral healthcare agreement. Without dedicated visitor insurance, any US medical treatment is entirely your personal financial responsibility. An ER visit alone averages $3,100; a hospital night averages $11,700.

What visitor insurance is best for Korean visitors to the USA?+

For Korean visitors, we recommend IMG Patriot America Plus for its A-rated carrier status and acute onset pre-existing condition coverage. Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive is an excellent value option. WorldTrips Atlas America covers up to $2,000,000 — ideal for Korean seniors or those with cardiac history. All plans can be purchased online in minutes with instant policy delivery.

Can I buy visitor insurance for my Korean parents visiting the USA?+

Yes — this is one of the most common purchases we handle for the Korean-American community. You can buy a plan on behalf of parents or family members, even before they depart Korea. Plans are available for all ages up to 99, and most include acute onset coverage for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease — very common among older Korean visitors.

Do South Korean citizens need a visa to visit the USA?+

South Korean citizens can visit the USA for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA). For stays exceeding 90 days, a B-1/B-2 visa is required. Visitor insurance is not mandated for ESTA, but is strongly recommended — your NHIS is completely invalid in the USA.

How much does visitor insurance cost for Korean visitors?+

Plans typically start around $1.10–$2.00 per day. A healthy Korean adult under 60 visiting for 30 days usually pays $35–$80. Seniors over 70 will see higher rates. The cost is a fraction of what a single US medical emergency would cost without coverage — an ER visit alone runs ₩4,000,000+.

Does visitor insurance cover COVID-19 for Korean visitors?+

Yes — most plans including IMG Patriot America Plus and Trawick Safe Travels USA cover COVID-19 as an acute illness. This includes hospitalization, physician visits, and prescription medications required for COVID treatment. COVID is treated the same as any other emergency illness under these policies.

What should a Korean visitor do in a US medical emergency?+

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest ER immediately. Then call your insurer's 24/7 international assistance line (printed on your insurance ID card, emailed at purchase). They can coordinate billing with the hospital, locate in-network providers, and arrange medical evacuation if needed. Acting quickly minimizes out-of-pocket exposure.

Can I buy visitors insurance after arriving in the USA from South Korea?+

Yes, you can purchase a plan after arrival, but it's strongly recommended to buy before you leave South Korea. Buying before departure eliminates illness waiting periods (typically 0–2 days) and ensures immediate accident coverage from day one. Some plans also won't cover conditions that appeared during any gap in coverage.

What if I need to extend my visitors insurance stay?+

Most plans allow extensions before your policy expires. You can typically extend online through the provider's portal. Extensions must be requested before the current policy ends — you cannot extend retroactively. Some plans allow extensions up to 364 days total.

How do I use my insurance if I need medical care in the USA?+

For emergencies, go to the nearest ER — call 911 if life-threatening. For non-emergencies, call your plan's 24/7 assistance line first; they can direct you to in-network providers. Always carry your insurance ID card (printed or on your phone). Most comprehensive plans reimburse claims within 15–30 business days after documentation is submitted.

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