Visitors Insurance for Grandparents Visiting the USA

US Customs and Border Protection typically grants B1/B2 visitors a stay of up to 6 months (180 days) at entry. Stays can sometimes be extended by filing Form I-539 with USCIS, granting up to an additional 6 months. Visitors insurance can cover the full duration of the stay — up to 364 days total. We recommend purchasing coverage for the full intended stay from the start.

For long stays, IMG Patriot America Plus is the top pick — it covers up to 364 days, is renewable, and provides strong acute onset pre-existing condition coverage. WorldTrips Atlas America is the best choice if your grandparents need higher coverage limits (up to $2M). Both plans can be purchased for the full 6-month stay upfront with significant savings compared to buying shorter periods.

Yes — visitors insurance covers the grandparent themselves, not the newborn. It covers any medical emergency the grandparent experiences during their stay, including emergency hospitalization, doctor visits, and acute onset of pre-existing conditions. The coverage is not specific to the purpose of the visit — it covers the insured traveler regardless of why they're in the US.

Yes. IMG Patriot America Plus and IMG GlobeHopper Senior cover travelers up to age 99. WorldTrips Atlas America covers travelers up to age 79 with standard limits and up to 99 with modified benefits. Trawick Safe Travels Elite covers up to age 89. We regularly help families get coverage for grandparents in their 80s and 90s — age is not a barrier.

Visitors insurance is not a legal requirement for a B2 tourist visa. However, for a long stay of 3–6 months, the financial risk of going uninsured is enormous. Grandparents helping with a newborn often push themselves physically — interrupted sleep, lifting, activity changes — increasing their health risk. A single hospitalization without insurance can leave your family with $30,000–$100,000 in bills.

A 6-month (180-day) visitors insurance policy for a 65-year-old grandparent with $100,000 coverage and $250 deductible typically costs $280–$400 total. For a 70-year-old, expect $420–$580. For a 75-year-old, $550–$800. These are all-in costs for 6 months of full US medical coverage — less than the cost of a single ER visit without insurance.

Yes, but purchase before arrival whenever possible to avoid the 48–72 hour illness waiting period. If they've already arrived, buy immediately — even with the waiting period, coverage for accidents begins right away and illness coverage starts within a few days. Don't wait until they have a health issue, as plans cannot be purchased after a claim occurs.

Most visitors insurance plans include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. If your grandparents need to be transported home due to a medical emergency, the plan covers the cost of medical-grade transport. Emergency evacuation from the US to Asia or Europe can cost $80,000–$200,000 without insurance — this is one of the most important benefits of having coverage.