Visitors Insurance for the USA

Visitors insurance (also called travel medical insurance or visitor health insurance) is short-term health coverage for non-US citizens visiting America. It covers emergency hospitalization, doctor visits, urgent care, surgery, prescription drugs, and emergency medical evacuation. Unlike your home country's health insurance, visitors insurance is accepted at US hospitals and clinics.

Visitors insurance typically costs $1–$3 per day depending on age, coverage level, deductible, and plan. A 60-year-old on a 90-day visit with $100,000 coverage pays roughly $80–$150. Older travelers pay more. Use our free quote tool for an exact price based on your specific details.

Visitors are not legally required to have health insurance in the US. However, US hospitals charge the highest medical rates in the world — an ER visit can cost $3,000–$10,000, and a hospital stay can easily reach $50,000+. Your home country's health plan almost certainly won't cover US medical bills. Visitors insurance is strongly recommended for any trip to the USA.

Standard visitors insurance covers: emergency hospitalization and surgery, ER visits, doctor and specialist consultations, prescription medications related to a covered illness or injury, diagnostic tests and lab work, emergency medical evacuation, and acute onset of pre-existing conditions. Trip cancellation and baggage loss are typically not included in visitors insurance (those are covered by trip insurance).

IMG Patriot America Plus is the most popular visitors insurance plan — it balances price, coverage limits, and pre-existing condition provisions. For maximum coverage (up to $2M), WorldTrips Atlas America is the top pick. For flexible deductible options and UnitedHealthcare network access, Trawick Safe Travels USA is excellent. The best plan depends on your age, health, and budget — use our comparison tool to find the right fit.

Yes, but there is typically a 48–72 hour waiting period for illness-related claims if you purchase after arrival. Injuries are usually covered immediately. To avoid any waiting period, purchase before leaving your home country. We recommend buying at least one week before your trip begins.

Most visitors insurance plans cover the 'acute onset' of pre-existing conditions — meaning a sudden, unexpected medical emergency caused by a known chronic condition (like diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension) is covered for emergency treatment. Ongoing management of chronic conditions is generally excluded. Ask us about the right plan if your traveler has complex medical history.

Most visitors insurance plans can be purchased for 5 days up to 364 days (just under one year). Plans are generally renewable as long as no claim has been filed and the maximum duration hasn't been exceeded. For stays longer than 6 months, we recommend discussing options with our team.