🇰🇷South Korea · Visitors InsuranceUpdated May 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

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Emergency Room Visit

$3,100–$8,000

Triage, exam, basic tests

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One Night Hospitalization

$11,700–$22,000

Room, nursing, meals only

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Cardiac Event Treatment

$75,000–$185,000

Catheterization, ICU, meds

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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.

Most Popular

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: $25K
  • ✓ 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: $50K
  • ✓ 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: $20K
  • ✓ 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 →

No obligation · Certificate in minutes · Licensed TX #2608479TX

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 Group30 Days60 Days90 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?

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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.

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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.

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Business Visitors (B-1)

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

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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

01

Enter Your Trip Details

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

02

Compare Plans Side-by-Side

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

03

Select & Pay Online

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

04

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 Service (NHIS) cover medical care in the USA?+
No. South korea's national health insurance service (nhis) is strictly limited to its home country and has no agreement or coverage arrangement with US healthcare providers. Without dedicated visitor insurance, any medical treatment in the USA — even a basic ER visit — could cost $2,000–$15,000, and hospitalization can easily reach $50,000 or more.
What visitor insurance is best for South Korean visitors to the USA?+
For South Korean visitors, we recommend IMG Patriot America Plus, Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive, and WorldTrips Atlas America. These plans are specifically designed for the US healthcare system and provide comprehensive coverage for emergencies, hospitalization, and doctor visits — everything your domestic NHIS Korea cannot cover during a US trip. Plans can be purchased instantly online.
Do South Korean citizens need a visa for the USA?+
South Korean citizens are eligible to visit the USA for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) by obtaining an approved ESTA before travel. While visitor insurance isn't mandated for ESTA entry, it is highly recommended — your domestic NHIS Korea is invalid in the USA and any medical emergency would be entirely out-of-pocket without dedicated visitor insurance.
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.

Visitor Insurance Guides by Nationality

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Ready to Get Covered for Your USA Trip?

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