Coverage for French Nationals Visiting the USA

Visitor Insurance for French Nationals Visiting the USA

France's Sécurité Sociale covers you in France and the EU — but the United States is a completely different story. You're on your own without dedicated coverage.

⚠️ A routine appendectomy costs an average of $33,000 in the USA. In France, the same procedure would cost a patient next to nothing through Sécurité Sociale.

60,000+
Travelers Covered
151
Countries Served
A-Rated
Carriers Only
Instant
Policy Issuance
Coverage Gap

France's Sécurité Sociale Has No Coverage in the USA

France's Sécurité Sociale provides excellent healthcare coverage within France and, through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), in EU/EEA countries. The United States is not part of this network. France and the USA have no reciprocal healthcare agreement. French nationals visiting the USA for tourism, business, or family visits are fully exposed to American medical billing — which can be 10–20 times higher than equivalent care in France.

$3,100
Average US ER Visit
$11,700
Hospital Night (average)
$50,000+
Emergency Evacuation

Pre-Existing Conditions — What's Covered for French Nationals?

US visitors insurance uses "acute onset" coverage — emergency treatment for a sudden flare of a known condition is typically covered.

ConditionAcute Onset Covered?Notes
Type 2 Diabetes✓ YesAcute onset emergency covered under IMG & WorldTrips
Hypertension / High Blood Pressure✓ YesSudden cardiac event or stroke covered as acute onset
Coronary Artery Disease✓ YesEmergency heart attack treatment covered — not routine cardiology visits
COPD / Asthma✓ YesAcute attack requiring ER care typically covered
Arthritis✗ LimitedRoutine care not covered; acute fracture unrelated to arthritis is covered
Kidney Disease (CKD)✗ LimitedDialysis is excluded; acute infection or emergency is covered

Acute onset means emergency treatment for a sudden flare of a known condition — not routine management. Questions? Call (832) 856-1704.

Best Visitors Insurance Plans for French Nationals

All plans accepted at US hospitals. A-rated carriers. Direct billing available.

IMGMost Popular

Patriot America Plus

Best overall balance of price, coverage, and pre-existing condition provisions

Coverage: $1,000,000
Deductible: $0 – $2,500
Network: IPA global network
  • Up to $1M emergency medical
  • Acute onset pre-existing covered
  • Emergency evacuation included
  • Prescription drug coverage
  • Telemedicine included
  • Coverage up to age 99
  • 24/7 global assistance
  • Renewable — extend as needed
Get Patriot America Plus Quote
WorldTripsHighest Coverage

Atlas America

Maximum medical limits for visitors with complex health history or older age

Coverage: $2,000,000
Deductible: $0 – $5,000
Network: UnitedHealthcare
  • Up to $2M emergency medical
  • Highest available limits
  • Acute onset pre-existing covered
  • Emergency dental included
  • Mental health emergencies covered
  • Multilingual support 24/7
  • Adventure sports optional add-on
  • Renewable coverage
Get Atlas America Quote
Trawick$0 Deductible Option

Safe Travels USA

$0 deductible option — no out-of-pocket at the hospital

Coverage: $1,000,000
Deductible: $0 – $5,000
Network: UnitedHealthcare
  • Up to $1M emergency medical
  • $0 deductible option available
  • Acute onset pre-existing covered
  • Dental emergency benefit
  • Trip interruption coverage
  • Loss of passport benefit
  • AD&D included
  • 24/7 emergency hotline
Get Safe Travels USA Quote

How Much Does Visitors Insurance Cost for French Nationals?

Real price estimates based on actual plan rates — not inflated samples.

AgeDurationCoverageDeductibleEst. Cost
50 years30 days$100K$250$38–$52
55 years60 days$100K$250$85–$115
60 years90 days$100K$250$120–$175
65 years90 days$100K$250$175–$245
70 years90 days$100K$250$240–$340
75 years60 days$100K$500$195–$275

Estimates for visitors insurance to the USA. Exact pricing depends on carrier and plan selected.

How to Buy Visitors Insurance for French Nationals — Step by Step

1

Get an instant quote

Click 'Get Quote' and enter the visitor's age, travel dates, and home country (France). Takes under 2 minutes. No personal information required at this stage.

2

Compare 3–5 plans side by side

Our comparison tool shows IMG, WorldTrips, and Trawick side by side — coverage limits, deductibles, network, and pre-existing condition provisions. Pick what fits the visitor's health and budget.

3

Purchase online — instant policy

Pay securely online. The insurance certificate is emailed within minutes. Print it or save it to your phone — you'll need it if the visitor goes to a hospital.

4

Use the insurance if needed

In an emergency, call the number on the insurance card. The 24/7 assistance team will find the nearest in-network hospital, arrange direct billing, and handle paperwork.

5

Extend if the stay gets longer

If the visitor extends their stay, renew the policy online before it expires. As long as no claim has been filed, most plans renew seamlessly for up to 364 days total.

Frequently Asked Questions — French Nationals Visiting the USA

Does the EHIC or French Assurance Maladie cover me in the USA?
No. The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) only works within the EU/EEA and Switzerland. France's Assurance Maladie has zero jurisdiction in the United States. The moment you land in the USA, you are fully exposed to American medical costs: an ER visit averages $3,100, a hospital night averages $11,700, and a routine appendectomy averages $33,000 — entirely out-of-pocket without visitor insurance.
What visitor insurance is best for French nationals visiting the USA?
For French visitors, we recommend IMG Patriot America Plus for comprehensive A-rated coverage and acute onset pre-existing condition protection. Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive offers strong value. WorldTrips Atlas America is ideal for French visitors over 60 or those with managed health conditions, providing up to $2,000,000 in coverage specifically calibrated for US healthcare costs.
Do French citizens need a visa to visit the USA?
French citizens can visit the USA for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program by obtaining an approved ESTA before departure. For stays exceeding 90 days, a B-1/B-2 visa is required. Visitor insurance is not legally required for ESTA, but is strongly recommended — Assurance Maladie provides zero US coverage.
How much does visitor insurance cost for French visitors?
Plans typically start around $1.10–$2.00 per day. A healthy French adult under 60 visiting for 30 days usually pays $35–$75. Rates increase with age and coverage level. To put this in perspective: a single US hospital night at $11,700 would cost more than an entire year's visitor insurance premium.
Does visitor insurance cover pre-existing conditions for French visitors?
Most plans include acute onset coverage — meaning if you have a managed condition like cardiac disease, diabetes, or respiratory issues and suffer a sudden unexpected emergency, that emergency treatment can be covered. Routine consultations, medication maintenance, or elective procedures for stable conditions are not included. This is important for French visitors over 60 who may have managed health conditions.
Can I buy visitor insurance for my French parents or relatives visiting the USA?
Yes — you can purchase a plan online on behalf of family members, even before they depart France. Simply enter their travel dates and age in the quote tool. Policy documents and insurance ID cards are emailed immediately after purchase. Plans are available for all ages up to 99.
Does visitor insurance cover emergency medical evacuation back to France?
Yes — most plans include emergency medical evacuation coverage, which pays for air ambulance transport or medical repatriation back to France if your condition requires treatment that cannot be adequately provided in the USA. This can cost $50,000–$200,000 without insurance — the coverage alone makes a visitor plan worth purchasing.

Protect Your Family. Get Covered Today.

Home country health insurance doesn't work in America. Get covered before landing — instant quote, instant policy, instant peace of mind.

Get Instant Quote for French Nationals

Licensed Texas #2608479TX · IMG, WorldTrips & Trawick International · (832) 856-1704

Get a Free Quote

Instant price · No obligation

Get Quote →