Superior International Health Insurance for US Travel 2025
Understanding International Health Insurance
Your domestic health insurance often doesn't cover you enough, whether you live overseas or travel. International health insurance provides financial defense against hospital stays, medical events, and regular treatment abroad. Reducing significant healthcare expenses outside of the United States depends on this.
Why Consider International Health Insurance?
While hospitalization for common illnesses like a heart attack can reach $20,000, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that medical evacuations can range from $20,000 to $100,000. In the United States, routine doctor appointments typically cost $176, but expenses can soar internationally, particularly without insurance.
Types of International Health Insurance
Travel Medical Insurance offers coverage for emergency medical expenses, evacuations, and sometimes repatriation for shorter trips.
Comprehensive Global Health Insurance: Provides more extensive coverage, including routine care, maternity benefits, and mental health services, suitable for expats or long-term travelers.
Key Features to Consider
Coverage Area: Choose a plan covering the specific countries you visit or reside in.
Medical Maximum: A higher maximum limit protects against substantial medical bills.
Deductible: Consider a higher deductible for lower premiums, but ensure you can afford it in case of a claim.
Pre-existing Conditions: Look for plans covering pre-existing conditions, especially if you have chronic illnesses.
Network Providers: Check if the plan has a preferred provider network in your destination country. This can lower costs.
24/7 Assistance Services: Access to multilingual assistance, including medical referrals, travel arrangements, and emergency support, can be invaluable in unfamiliar territories.
Top International Health Insurance Providers
Many insurance companies offer worldwide health coverage. Investigate and weigh choices from respected firms, including Cigna Global, GeoBlue, IMG, Allianz, and others. Every provider presents a different set of plans with varying coverage; hence, finding the ideal fit for your budget and situation is vital.
Examples: Real-Life Scenarios
If a traveler gets sick in a far-off location and calls for medical evacuation, their travel medical insurance pays for the trip to the closest suitable institution.
An expat with a thorough global health plan can obtain regular medical treatment in their host nation, including prescription drugs and specialist consultations.
A student studying overseas comes upon a medical emergency. Their overseas student health insurance pays for treatment and hospital stays.
Tips for Choosing the Right Plan
Assess your individual health needs and travel style.
Get multiple quotes from different insurers.
Read plan details carefully, including exclusions and limitations.
Consider factors like your age, destination, and planned activities.
Medicare & International Coverage
Usually, Medicare does not pay medical costs outside of the United States. There are few exceptions, nevertheless, in particular situations, like crises close to American borders or during travel between Alaska and another state via Canada. Some abroad coverage may come from supplemental Medigap policies.
Resources for Finding Information
The US Department of State's website (travel.state.gov) Offers information about health insurance options for US citizens traveling abroad.
Insurance comparison websites allow you to compare insurance plans based on coverage area, benefits, and cost.
| Plan/Provider | Coverage Type | Trip Cancellation | Trip Interruption | Medical Coverage | Medical Evacuation | Pre-Existing Conditions | Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) | Other Benefits | Target Customer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXA Travel InsuranceSilver, Gold, Platinum | Trip Insurance | 100% of Insured Trip Cost | Up to 150% of Trip Cost | $25,000 - $250,000 | $100,000 - $1,000,000 | Gold and Platinum plans (within 14 days of initial trip deposit) | Platinum plan only | Baggage & Personal Effects, 24/7 Travel Assistance | Domestic & International Travelers |
| IMG (Patriot)Patriot Lite, Plus, Platinum | Travel Medical Insurance | Optional Add-on (Platinum) | Optional Add-on (Platinum) | $50,000 - $8,000,000 | Up to $8,000,000 | Acute onset of pre-existing conditions (under 70) | Optional (LX plan) | Telehealth, 24/7 Assistance | International Travelers, Visitors, Students |
| Travel Insured International(through InsuraMatch, LLC, a Travelers-owned insurance agency) | Trip Insurance | Yes (amount unspecified) | Yes | Yes | Up to $1,000,000 | Waiver available | Optional | Baggage and personal effects | US Residents traveling internationally |
| AIG Travel GuardEssential, Preferred, Deluxe | Trip Insurance | Up to 100% of Trip Cost | Up to 150% of Trip Cost (Preferred, Deluxe) | $15,000 - $100,000 | $150,000 - $1,000,000 | Waiver available | Optional Add-on | Baggage Coverage, Travel Delay, 24-hour assistance | Various, including Cruise and Annual Plan options |
| Expat Worldwide Medical CoverageXplorer Premier | International Health Insurance | Not applicable | Not applicable | Unlimited | Up to $1,000,000 | Immediate coverage with proof of previous coverage | Not applicable | Prescription coverage, dental and vision, telemedicine | Expats and families outside home country for at least 3 months/year |
| Allianz Travel Insurance (OneTrip Prime, OneTrip Premier, OneTrip Basic) | Trip Insurance | 100% of Trip Cost (up to limit) | Up to 150% of Trip Cost (up to limit) | Up to $100,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Waiver available | Optional | Baggage Coverage, Travel Delay, 24-hour assistance, Concierge | US residents traveling internationally |
| Travelex (Travel Select) | Trip Insurance | Up to 100% of Trip Cost | Up to 150% of Trip Cost | $15,000 - $50,000 | $500,000 | Waiver available (Ultimate Plan, conditions apply) | Optional | Baggage, Adventure Sports Bundle | Families, Adventure Travelers |
| Seven Corners (RoundTrip Choice, RoundTrip Elite, Liaison Continent, Liaison Majestic) | Trip Insurance/Travel Medical | Up to 100% | Up to 150% | $50,000 - $500,000 | $250,000 - $1,000,000 | Limited; waiver available within 20 days | Optional (some plans) | Baggage, Travel Delay, 24/7 Assistance | Various, including Long-term travelers |
| GeoBlue (Voyager Choice, Trekker Choice, Xplorer Essential, Xplorer Premier, Navigator) | Travel Medical/International Health | Limited (Voyager) | Limited (Voyager, Xplorer) | $50,000 - Unlimited | Up to $1,000,000 | Yes (some plans, conditions apply) | Optional (some plans) | Telemedicine, 24/7 assistance, PPO network access (US) | US citizens abroad, Visitors to US, Long-term travelers |
| Allianz Care (Care, Care Plus, Care Pro) | International Health Insurance | Not applicable | Not applicable | $2,500,000- $5,000,000 | Included | Yes, subject to medical underwriting. | Not applicable | Telehealth, Expat Assistance Program | Expats, Long-term travelers |
| UnitedHealthcare Global (SafeTrip International Travel Medical Plus, SafeTrip International Travel Medical, SafeTrip Travel Protection) | Travel Medical/Trip Protection | Yes (Travel Medical Plus, Travel Protection) | Yes (Travel Medical Plus, Travel Protection) | $50,000 - $1,000,000 | Included | Limited, conditions apply (SafeTrip) | Optional (some plans) | Baggage coverage, travel delay, 24/7 support | International travelers, US travelers |
| Seven Corners (Travel Medical, Travel Medical USA Visitor) | Travel Medical | No | Limited | $10,000 - $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Acute onset only (some plans); varies by plan | No | 24/7 assistance, PPO network (Travel Medical) | Visitors to US, Non-US residents |
