USA Visitors Insurance...
Here is a choice of competing, temporary international travel insurance plans that may be purchased online for quick coverage. All plans are USA-Style.
Page Contents...
-- Insurance Comparison Table
-- Atlas Travel Series
-- Liaison Majestic
-- Liaison International
-- Inbound Guest & Inbound USA
-- Quick-Pick Suggestions
Recommendation -- for U.S. visitors under age 70, we like the Atlas Travel Plan for 2 reasons.
- Coverage up to $15,000 for "an Acute onset of a Pre-existing Condition."
- Inside the U.S. and Canada, "the 20% co-insurance is waived if expenses are incurred within the PPO network." (Expenses must be submitted to the company for review and payment made directly to the provider.) See Atlas brochure for all details.
To our knowledge, this is the only travel insurance plan for foreign visitors that contains significant coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. Given the definition, you may have such a condition and not even be aware of it, so we emphasize this benefit.
| Temporary Health Insurance Plan |
Atlas Travel Series |
Liaison Majestic |
Liaison International |
Inbound Guest |
Inbound USA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benefit Period (see Buying Tips) |
180 days | 6 months | 6 months | 26 weeks | 26 weeks |
| Is the Insurance Company Fully Regulated in Most States? (see Buying Tips) |
Lloyd's, London - "admitted" in KY only, but "approved" in other states. | Yes (most states) |
Yes (most states) |
Lloyd's, London - "admitted" in KY only, but "approved" in other states. | Lloyd's, London - "admitted" in KY only, but "approved" in other states. |
| Is Health Insurance Policy Renewable? |
Yes,
renewable for
up to 12 months maximum. |
Yes, renewable for up to 12 months maximum | Yes, renewable for up to 6 months maximum. | No,
purchase term from 5 days to 6 months |
Yes, renewable for up to 12 months maximum |
| Is Follow-Up Medical Treatment in Your Home Country Covered? | Yes, as travel for covered medical treatment is not excluded. |
No | No | No | No |
| Temporary Health Insurance Plan |
Atlas Travel Series |
Liaison Majestic |
Liaison International |
Inbound Guest |
Inbound USA |
| Any Coverage for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions? (See Plan Brochure for details.) |
YES, under age 70, up to $15,000, and up to $25,000 for Medical Evacuation. (*See brochure wording.) |
Emergency Medical Evacuation benefit, and up to $200/day in hospital for heart attack or stroke ($3000 max). | No | No | No, except Optional coverage of up to $5000 for Heart Attack or Stroke. |
| Is Evacuation to "Home Country" Expressly Stated in Insurance Policy? | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Policy Definition of "Home Country" for Plan Eligibility Purposes. (see policy for details) |
For U.S. Citizens, the USA is considered your "Home Country," regardless of your principal residence. |
"Fixed and permanent home and principal establishment." | "Fixed and permanent home and principal establishment." | "true, fixed, and permanent residence." | "true, fixed, and permanent residence." |
Atlas Travel Series... International Travel Health Insurance
Administered by HCC Medical Insurance Services (HCCMIS)
Insured by Lloyd's, London.
Atlas
Travel Series - Quote & Apply (opens in a new window)
Atlas Travel Series - Plan Brochure (opens in a new window)
The Atlas plan may be purchased in daily increments from 5 days up to one year. The plan may be renewed for up to 1 year of continuous coverage.
Plan Advantage - If you are under age 70, you are covered for the unexpected "Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Condition" up to a maximum of $15,000, regardless of your home country (see brochure for details, treatment must be received within 24 hours).
Plan Advantage - Follow-up treatment in your Home Country is covered, if you were first treated while outside of your Home Country. Upon return home, your insurance "Coverage Period" ends, but the 180 day "Benefit Period" may continue beyond the end of your Coverage Period, and often does. (See Buying Tips & Reviews, #1 and #2 for definitions of Coverage Period and Benefit Period.) While this feature may not be of value to travelers who have adequate Home Country healthcare systems, it can be of great benefit for those who do not.
Plan Advantage - Inside the U.S. and Canada, the 20% co-insurance is waived if expenses are incurred within the PPO Network and expenses are submitted to Underwriters for review and payment directly to the provider. (See brochure for all details.) The Atlas Series offers a choice of two PPO Networks within the USA - HYGEIA a and PHCS-MultiPlan (links open in a new Window).
Limitation to Note - The Atlas Series is underwritten (insured) by Lloyd's, London. Lloyd's is fully "admitted" in only two states, but "approved" in all others (see Buying Tips & Reviews #5). Lloyd's is the only non-USA insurance company that we currently recommend. We do so because Lloyd's has a long business history in the United States, is admitted or approved in every U.S. state, and is known and respected throughout the world.
The "Plan Advantages" noted above make the Atlas Plan a strong fit for many U.S. visitors.
Atlas Travel Series - Quote & Apply (opens in a new window)
What to Expect After You Apply - The plan administrator (HCCMIS) does not mail an insurance policy packet, unless specifically requested. When purchasing on-line, you are asked if you want "on-line fulfillment?" Unless you click the drop-down box and select otherwise, you will not be mailed a policy certificate. There is no additional charge if you select "U.S. mail." In either case, please be sure to print your on-line and/or e-mail insurance confirmation.
Liaison Majestic... International Travel Health Insurance
Administered by Seven Corners Inc.
Insured by Nationwide Insurance Company (most states).
Liaison Majestic - Quote & Apply (opens in a new window)
For Sample Policy Wording & Brochure - open quote link and see the 2 links in the left column.
Liaison Majestic may be purchased in daily increments, from 5 days up to one year. The plan may be repurchased for up to 1 year total by U.S. visitors.
Plan Advantage - Emergency medical evacuation (up to $300,000) is a separate benefit that does not count towards the policy's medical maximum and is not subject to the "pre-existing" exclusion for medical benefits. Also, back to "Home Country" is a specifically stated evacuation benefit.
Limitation to Note - "Pre-notification" is required for any medical treatment within the USA. In most cases, you will need to use the PPO network for benefits. Failure to pre-notify the company will result in a 20% reduction of benefits.
Other Limitations - For non-U.S. citizens, there is very little medical coverage for "pre-existing conditions."
What to Expect After You Apply - Upon completing your online application, a Confirmation page will appear. Within moments, you are sent a confirmation e-mail. Print the Confirmation page or e-mail and make extra copies. This is your insurance confirmation /ID card.
The confirmation/ID contains your policy number, insurance contact information, and critical "Pre-Notification" instructions. This is good, detailed information on using the plan and you should keep it handy in several locations.
Liaison International... Short-Term Travel Health Insurance
Administered by Seven Corners Inc.
Insured by Nationwide Insurance Company (most states).
Liaison International - Quote & Apply (opens in a new window)
For Sample Policy Wording & Brochure - After completing the quote page, on the following page you will find links to "Program Summary" and "Brochure" just above your quoted rates.
Plan Advantage - Emergency Medical Evacuation (up to $300,000) is a separate benefit that does not count towards the policy's medical maximum, but is subject to the "pre-existing" medical condition exclusion. Also, back to "Home Country" is a specifically stated evacuation benefit.
Limitation to Note - "Pre-notification" is required for any medical treatment within the USA. In most cases, you will need to use the PPO network for benefits. Failure to pre-notify the company will result in a 20% reduction of benefits.
Other Limitations - For non-U.S. citizens, there is very little medical coverage for "pre-existing conditions."
Inbound Guest, Inbound USA ... "Schedule of Benefits" Travel Insurance for Foreign Visitors
| Non-renewable - up to 6 months of coverage. | Renewable - up to 12 months of coverage |
 |
 |
| Administered by Seven Corners Inc. Insured by Lloyd's, London. |
Administered by Seven Corners Inc. Insured by Lloyd's, London. |
The purpose of these plans is to offer low-cost insurance options for older USA visitors, which meet minimum visa requirements.
Inbound Guest - Quote & Apply (opens in a new window)
Non-renewable, 5 days up to 6 months.
Inbound USA - Quote & Apply (opens in a new window) Renewable,
5 day minimum, renewable up to 12 months total.
The "Inbound" plans are designed as a practical, low-cost option for older foreign visitors to the USA. In addition, some USA visitors of any age may find the Inbound plans to be attractive due to their favorable definition of "pre-existing condition."
These plans meet most minimum U.S. visa requirements and there is no maximum age limit. Because of how these insurance plans reimburse medical claims (a defined benefit schedule, rather than paying claims based on usual and reasonable charges), it is important that you read and fully understand these programs before purchase. In most cases, the defined benefits are less than normal medical charges.
Here are 3 important ways in which the Inbound plans differ from our other category of temporary plans for US visitors.
1. Inbound Guest and Inbound USA are Schedule of Benefits plans. There are established and defined maximum benefits for various medical treatments, such as hospital room and board, doctor visits, etc.
2. Inbound USA is often a more practical and lower-cost plan for older ages. This plan is especially affordable for ages 60 and above. There is no maximum age limit for coverage.
3. Inbound USA has a more favorable definition of "pre-existing condition" when compared to most other temporary health insurance plans. The "look-back period" for defining "pre-existing condition" is only 6 months (12 months for age 70 and above) on Inbound USA, compared to 2 or 3 years on most other temporary plans (see brochure for details).
*Important: In most cases, the maximum insurance benefits under the Inbound plans are less than what is considered to be "usual, reasonable and customary" within the USA. Therefore, in the event of an insurance claim, the insured person could (likely) be responsible for a portion of the treatment charges, even after the per-incident deductible.
However; the Inbound plans might be...
(1) the only practical way for an older US visitor to obtain travel medical coverage, and/or
(2) the only way for a person to obtain true medical coverage that might otherwise be excluded as a "pre-existing condition."
You may purchase Inbound Guest (non-renewable, 5 days up to 6 months) or Inbound USA (renewable, up to 12 months) on-line (links opens in a new Window). Upon completion of your purchase, you will see a temporary on-line ID (please print). You are also sent a confirmation e-mail. Within 2 business days, your actual insurance policy and ID card are mailed to the "correspondence address" that you provided on the application.
*Important Service for Buyers - if you or a family member purchases an Inbound plan, we invite you to immediately contact us after purchase for important advise on using this type of insurance plan, if needed (e-mail me or call 1-407-532-3383).
Tip: On the application, your "correspondence address" may differ from your "home address." Should you wish, you may elect to use the address of a friend or relative living in the USA as your correspondence address. Then your policy and ID card would be mailed to the USA address.
Quick Pick Suggestions . . . for Foreign Visitors to the USA
Quick tips to help you find the right choice for your exact needs and situation. (Please be sure to see plan literature for exact plan wording.)
1. If you want the option of follow-up medical treatment covered in your Home Country:
See Atlas Travel Series (does not "exclude" follow-up covered treatment upon return to your home country).
2. If you need coverage for a "pre-existing" medical conditions:
See Atlas Travel Series for up to $15,000 in coverage. (*Treatment must be received within 24 hours, see brochure for details.)
3. If emergency medical evacuation "back to Home Country" is important wording:
See Liaison Majestic.
4. If you need coverage for complications of pregnancy:
See Atlas International (first 26 weeks only).
5. If you are a U.S. citizen living permanently abroad and visiting the USA:
See Liaison Majestic or
Liaison International. The definition of "Home Country" does not take your citizenship into account, only your
fixed and permanent residence. Important note - U.S. citizens should not use the Atlas Travel Plan when visiting the USA. These travel insurance plans cover you while traveling outside your "Home Country." If you are a U.S.
citizen, the Atlas Plan considers your "Home Country" to be the USA, regardless of your overseas residency.
Three General Comments...
There is no single "best choice" for all situations. The most significant plan differences are in the terms, definitions, and exclusions. We have attempted to highlight many of these key differences here and in greater detail at Buying Tips & Reviews.
Temporary international insurance plans are for sudden and unexpected injury or illness while traveling away from your home country on a temporary basis.
The travel health insurance plans found here are not the same type of plans you might get from a travel agent (e.g. temporary trip insurance). These travel health insurance plans are typically much more comprehensive. Here is just a sample of the benefits contained in these plans (see plan literature for terms, exclusions, and limitations).
- Hospital
- Intensive Care
- Surgery
- Outpatient Treatment
- Prescription Drug
- Dental due to Accident
- Emergency Medical Evacuation
- Repatriation of Mortal Remains
- Emergency Reunion
- Return of Minor Children
- Accidental Death or Dismemberment
- 24-Hour International Assistance
- Trip Interruption
- Lost Baggage
Your questions are invited - E-mail us,
or call 407-532-3383, or USA toll-free 1-888-227-9449
USA-Style International Travel Health & Medical Insurance for USA Visitors.