Coverage for Koreans Visiting the USA

Visitor Insurance for Koreans Visiting the USA

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

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

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

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.

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

Pre-Existing Conditions — What's Covered for Koreans?

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 Koreans

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 Koreans?

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 Koreans — Step by Step

1

Get an instant quote

Click 'Get Quote' and enter the visitor's age, travel dates, and home country (South Korea). 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 — Koreans Visiting the USA

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.

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 Koreans

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

Get a Free Quote

Instant price · No obligation

Get Quote →