Major Medical Health Insurance Rates

Visitor health insurance plans are ideal for persons that are not going to be residing in their current location for an extended period of time. For example, if an individual visits the US from another country, and only plans to stay for 3-6 months, a special medical coverage for visitors may be the best option. Generally, they are fairly affordable and provide a wide range of benefits.

This type of plan can also be used for US citizens that are traveling to foreign countries and need temporary medical coverage. Whether the trip is for a few days or is an extended visit of a few months or more, there are affordable options offered from reputable insurers.

What Do These Plans Cover?

A standard visitors health care plan covers the most common emergency room and hospital expenses such as room charges, surgery, inpatient diagnostic testing, many outpatient expenses, intensive care, anesthesia and various facility charges. Private duty nurses, office visits and prescriptions may be covered, although subject to policy restrictions.

However, often there are specific limitations on the covered amounts per event or the total benefit for the life of the plan. Typically, the maximum lifetime benefit is between $25,000 and $100,000. Also, often there are scheduled maximum benefits for many items including surgeries and daily room charges.

What If I Live Here In The US And I’m Traveling Overseas And Coming Back?

Actually, that’s what many of these types of plans are designed for. The vast majority of persons who travel to Europe, Asia or other destinations, do indeed return! Depending on the type of current policy you have, some benefits should provide coverage, especially for major catastrophic expenses. However, often, unexpected physician visits (or specialist visits) may not be covered under your personal or group plan.

Many visitors health insurance policies can provide some of this missing coverage. Although you won’t have the same comprehensive benefits that you are accustomed to, a portion of these office visits or prescriptions will be paid for. There will be limitations, depending on the plan you select, and many times it will NOT be cost effective to add limited office visit and/or RX coverage.

We Just Hired A Nanny From Overseas. Can She Get Medical Coverage?

Usually, she can, although some companies may want her to be a “legal resident” of the state for a period of time. Typically, that time frame is about 6 months. However, there are many health insurance companies that would be able to offer her a policy very soon after she arrives.

Initially, she may only qualify for a basic catastrophic plan with very little office visit or prescription coverages. But preventive benefits should be included with no out-of-pocket cost and at some point (perhaps within 3-12 months), a more comprehensive plan will be able to be offered. Each company has different guidelines so it’s always important to research more than one carrier.

Blue Cross, Aetna, UnitedHealthOne and any regional insurers in your area would be good choices to check. When you request a quote at the top of the page, you’ll be able to view and compare plans from most of those companies. Each company will clearly provide their policy on foreign travel and how it affects policy benefits.