International Travel Medical Insurance

Are you traveling outside the United States, arranging medical coverage for relatives visiting America, studying in the United States or entering the country as a new immigrant?

Use our international insurance marketplace to compare available plans, benefits, deductibles, coverage limits and prices. You can select a plan, enroll online, pay for the coverage and download your insurance documents.

• Compare several plans and price levels
• Select your deductible and coverage maximum
• Complete the application online
• Pay securely through the insurance marketplace
• Download your policy documents and proof of coverage

Compare International Insurance Plans

Affiliate disclosure: I may receive compensation if you purchase coverage through this link. Your premium is not increased because you used my link.

What Type of International Coverage Do You Need?

Select the situation that most closely matches your needs. You will be taken directly to the appropriate quote and comparison section.

Will Your Regular Health Insurance Cover International Travel?

Do not assume that a California health plan will provide the same coverage outside California or outside the United States that it provides within its normal service area.

Coverage depends on your insurance company, plan type, provider network, reason for treatment and the exact wording of your Evidence of Coverage.

• Emergency care may be handled differently from routine medical care.
• HMO and EPO plans may have limited benefits outside their normal service area.
• A California PPO does not necessarily provide full worldwide provider access.
• You may be required to pay the foreign provider and submit a claim for reimbursement.
• Foreign hospitals may not recognize or directly bill your California insurance company.
• Medical evacuation or transportation back to the United States may not be included.
• How California Health Insurance Works Outside California and the USA

Before traveling, review your Evidence of Coverage and contact your current insurance company.

Travel Medical Insurance Is Not the Same as Trip Cancellation Insurance

People frequently use the phrase “travel insurance” to describe several different types of protection. Before purchasing a plan, decide which risks you are trying to cover.

Travel Medical Insurance

• Unexpected illnesses or injuries during the covered trip
• Doctor and hospital services, subject to the policy
• Emergency medical treatment
• Ambulance benefits
• Emergency medical evacuation, when included
• Repatriation benefits, when included

Trip Protection or Trip Cancellation Insurance

• Cancellation of a prepaid trip for a covered reason
• Trip interruption
• Travel delay
• Lost or delayed baggage
• Other nonmedical travel expenses

Not every travel policy includes both medical coverage and trip cancellation benefits. Review the plan description, exclusions and certificate carefully before purchasing.

Compare Available Coverage

What Can International Medical Insurance Include?

Benefits vary substantially from one policy to another. Depending on the plan selected, international medical insurance may include:

• Doctor and specialist visits
• Emergency room treatment
• Hospitalization
• Urgent care
• Diagnostic tests and X-rays
• Prescription medication benefits
• Ambulance transportation
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Repatriation of remains
• Limited benefits for an acute onset of a preexisting condition
• Accidental death and dismemberment benefits
• Travel assistance services

These benefits are not included in every plan, and exclusions, deductibles, coinsurance, benefit maximums and eligibility requirements apply. The actual policy documents control.

What Should You Compare Before Buying?

Price is important, but the least expensive policy is not automatically the best policy for your situation. Compare:

• Deductible: The amount you may pay before certain benefits begin.
• Policy maximum: The maximum amount the plan may pay.
• Coverage period: Make sure the effective and termination dates cover your entire trip.
• Destination: Confirm that coverage applies in every country you plan to visit.
• Age eligibility: Plan choices and maximum benefits may change at older ages.
• Preexisting-condition provisions: Review the definitions, exclusions and any acute-onset benefit.
• Provider network: Determine whether the plan uses a network and how claims are handled outside it.
• Emergency evacuation: Check the benefit amount, conditions and required authorization.
• Renewal or extension rules: Check whether the policy can be extended if the trip lasts longer.
• Cancellation and refund rules: Review these before paying.
• Visa or school requirements: Confirm that the selected plan satisfies the requirements that apply to you.

Compare Plans, Benefits and Prices

Medicare and Medical Care Outside the United States

Original Medicare generally provides only limited coverage for medical services received outside the United States. There are a few special exceptions.

• Some Medicare Supplement plans include limited foreign travel emergency benefits.
• Medicare Advantage travel benefits vary by insurance company and plan.
• Emergency travel benefits are not the same as worldwide comprehensive health insurance.
• Medical evacuation back to the United States may not be covered.
• Review your Medicare plan documents before every international trip.

Start with our explanation of California and Medicare coverage outside the country, and then review Medicare’s official publication.

• Steve Shorr Insurance — Out-of-Area and International Coverage
  
• Medicare — Coverage Outside the United States
  

Compare Travel Medical Plans

How the Online Quote and Enrollment Process Works

1. Select your coverage category.
2. Enter the traveler’s age, destination and travel dates.
3. Compare available plans, deductibles, maximum benefits and prices.
4. Open the plan details and review the exclusions.
5. Select the plan that best fits your needs.
6. Complete the application and payment information online.
7. Download your confirmation and insurance documents.

The insurance marketplace provides the plan comparisons, policy details, application, payment process and policy administration. After enrolling, use the account and contact information shown in your confirmation documents for policy changes, extensions, cancellations and claims questions.

Start an International Insurance Quote

International Medical Insurance FAQ

• Can someone visiting the United States purchase visitor medical insurance?
  • International visitors can compare plans based on factors such as age, citizenship, destination, trip length, deductible and desired policy maximum.
• Can I purchase coverage for my parents or relatives?
  • You can help a parent or relative compare and purchase coverage. The application will require accurate information about the person who will be insured.
• Can I obtain proof of insurance?
  • After the enrollment is completed and processed, insurance documents are generally made available electronically. Review the specific plan and confirmation information for details.
• Are preexisting conditions covered?
  • Many travel medical plans exclude preexisting conditions. Some plans may include a limited benefit for the acute onset of a preexisting condition. Definitions, age restrictions, exclusions and benefit limits vary considerably.
• Does travel medical insurance replace Covered California or a regular U.S. health plan?
  • No. Travel medical insurance is generally temporary coverage designed for international travel or visitors. It is not a substitute for comprehensive Affordable Care Act major medical coverage for someone residing in California.
• Should I purchase coverage before leaving?
  • It is generally better to compare and purchase coverage before the trip begins. Effective-date rules, eligibility and benefits vary by policy.
• Can the policy be extended if the trip lasts longer?
  • Some policies may be extended or renewed, while others cannot. Check the extension rules before purchasing and request an extension before the existing coverage expires.

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