If you're in the process of planning your trip to the United States, you've probably come across hundreds of resources directing you toward the latest-and-greatest travel deals, hotel and flight accommodations, and must-see tourist attractions. But understanding your options when it comes to travel medical insurance? That can be tricky.
First of All, Why is Travel Medical Insurance Vital for Your Trip to the United States?
It's important to understand that many standard medical insurance policies do not cover you outside of your home country -- and that, in the United States, people are responsible for their own health care costs. As a result, travelers without applicable healthcare coverage are exposed to these high costs, which can lead to deep debt or even bankruptcy.
According to healthcare.gov, a broken leg can cost up to $7,500 to fix in the United States. And the cost of a 3-day hospital stay? Around $30,000.
Travel medical insurance, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), can reduce "the cost of a medical emergency" and the resulting "financial burden on travelers" by providing financial protection and access to quality care in cases of unexpected injury or illness occurring across international borders.
That's why it's so important to evaluate you and your family's needs when it comes to coverage and select a policy that's tailored to you.
Learn more about how travel medical insurance protects you and your family as you travel abroad!
What are Your Options When Selecting a Plan?
The level of coverage that accompanies a travel medical insurance plan tends to fall into one of three categories: budget, balanced, or elite. These 3 coverage levels will vary in cost and benefits in addition to coverage limits. This enables you to find the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
Read on to learn more about these three levels of coverage- and discover your best option for each!
Level One: Budget Coverage
What It Is
Budget travel medical insurance provides coverage for basic emergency medical care as you travel outside of your home country. It offers the financial security of a basic travel medical plan at an affordable price, as it does not include supplemental travel benefits.
Who Might Benefit from Budget Coverage
- International students on a tighter budget
- Individuals traveling to work or study in the U.S. on a J-1 visa
- Long-term travelers interested in no-frills coverage without supplemental travel assistance benefits
- Individuals and families without plans for additional U.S. travel (less likely to need supplemental travel benefits like Trip Interruption and Travel Delay)
Your Best Budget Option: Atlas Essential
Atlas Essential travel medical insurance is perfect for budget-conscious travelers, as it provides coverage for the basic necessities as you travel to and throughout the U.S.
Benefits include:
- Hospital Room and Board
- Local Ambulance
- Intensive Care Unit
- Physical Therapy
- Emergency Medical Evacuation
- Repatriation of Remains
- Local Burial or Cremation
- Terrorism
For your added convenience, Atlas Essential offers a variety of deductibles ranging from $0 to $2,500 per certificate period.
To get a free Atlas Essential quote, click here.
Level Two: Balanced Coverage
What It Is
Balanced travel medical insurance provides coverage for U.S. visitors looking to strike a balance between the essentials and more specific needs. It tends to be customizable, yet still affordable; a balanced plan should provide higher coverage limits than a budget plan in addition to supplemental travel assistance benefits like Lost Checked Luggage and Travel Delay.
Who Might Benefit from Balanced Coverage
- International backpackers and tourists planning for heavy U.S. travel (a plan with additional benefits like Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, and Lost Checked Luggage provides peace of mind)
- International students interested in benefits like Emergency Reunion and Bedside Visit (these benefits provide coverage for emergency travel to reunite family after an evacuation)
- Parents seeking additional coverage and broader protection for themselves and any number of additional dependents
- Business travelers looking to cover specific needs while retaining coverage for the essentials
Your Best Balanced Option: Atlas Travel
Atlas Travel offers both emergency medical coverage and supplemental travel assistance benefits to travelers looking to cover particular needs while abroad. Some unique advantages of Atlas Travel include benefits for Emergency Dental, Personal Liability, and Crisis Response.
Atlas Travel also features emergency benefits such as:
- Hospital Room and Board
- Local Ambulance
- Intensive Care Unit
- Emergency Medical Evacuation
- Repatriation of Remains
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Emergency Reunion
- Bedside Visit
- Terrorism
- Political Evacuation
- Natural Disaster
In addition, Atlas Travel provides supplemental travel assistance benefits like:
- Trip Interruption
- Lost Checked Luggage
- Travel Delay
As with Atlas Essential, Atlas Travel offers a variety of deductibles ranging from $0 to $2,500 per certificate period.
To get a free Atlas Travel quote, click here.
Level Three: Elite Coverage
What It Is
Elite travel medical insurance offers exceptional-quality coverage by providing you with higher coverage limits. While the cost may be higher than for a budget or balanced plan, the higher coinsurance allows you to pay lower out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, higher policy maximums provide further peace of mind- and greater financial help should the unexpected occur.
Who Might Benefit from Elite Coverage
- Parents interested in premium family coverage for their children and themselves
- Tourists, adventure travelers, and vacationers interested in acquiring emergency medical benefits and supplemental travel-assistance benefits in the highest possible coverage amounts
- The business and travel elite seeking additional peace of mind
Your Best Elite Option: Atlas Premium
Atlas Premium is designed for international travelers interested in an exclusive package. It offers the same exceptional benefits as the Atlas Travel plan with even higher coverage limits. Maximum coverage per injury or illness, for example, extends to cover eligible expenses up to $2,000,000.
As with Atlas Travel, Atlas Premium offers a variety of deductibles ranging from $0 to $2,500 (per certificate period).
The following benefits offer increased coverage maximums:
- Political Evacuation -> increases to $25,000
- Natural Disaster -> $250/day for 5 days
- Trip Interruption -> increases to $10,000
- Travel Delay -> $200/day for 2 days
- Lost Checked Luggage -> increases to $1,000
- Crisis Response -> increases to $100,000
To see exactly how Atlas Premium compares to Atlas Travel, check out these "comparison of benefits" tables.
And to get a free Atlas Premium quote, click here!
Health Coverage Provides Peace of Mind
No matter your reasons for visiting the U.S., it's vital that you have insurance coverage for yourself and your loved ones, as unexpected accidents, injuries, and illness can strike at any given time. With an Atlas plan, you'll be provided with access to quality care and financial assistance should the unexpected occur.
Safe travels, and enjoy your trip to the United States!
