How to Choose the Best Travel Medical Insurance Plan

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Global Medical Insurance

Comprehensive worldwide medical insurance program for individuals and families

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Long-term (1+ year) comprehensive worldwide medical insurance for individuals and families
Annually renewable medical coverage
Deductible options from $100 to $25,000
Maximum limit options from $1,000,000 to $8,000,000

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Subject to deductible and coinsurance unless otherwise noted

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**If applicants can verify their prior comprehensive health insurance, with no significant break in coverage (63 days), IMG may accept this as Creditable Coverage and provide a pre-existing conditions waiver (final decision is subject to Underwriters approval). Creditable Coverage is defined as a group health plan provided by a U.S. employer or Health Insurance Issuer, individual major medical health insurance provided by a Health Insurance Issuer, or other Public Health Plan (any comprehensive health plan established or maintained by a State or the U.S. government).

Global Mission Medical Insurance

Comprehensive worldwide medical insurance program for missionaries

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Long-term (1+ year) comprehensive worldwide medical insurance for missionaries
Annually renewable medical coverage
Deductible options from $0 to $25,000
Maximum limit options from $1,000,000 to $8,000,000

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Subject to deductible and coinsurance unless otherwise noted

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Global Crew Medical Insurance

Comprehensive worldwide medical insurance program for marine captains & crew members

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Long-term (1+ year) comprehensive worldwide medical insurance for marine captains & crews
Annually renewable medical coverage
Deductible options from $100 to $25,000
Maximum limits from $1,000,000 to $8,000,000
Premium modes to schedule the frequency of payment that meets your needs

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Subject to deductible and coinsurance unless otherwise noted

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Additional International Health Insurance Plans

The Global Employer's Option - GEO Group

Comprehensive, employer-sponsored group health insurance for internationally assigned employees.

International Marine Medical Insurance

Long-term (1+ year) comprehensive medical coverage for professional marine crew.

MP+ International

Comprehensive worldwide employer-sponsored group health insurance for mission groups.

Recent Blog Articles

How to Choose the Best Travel Medical Insurance Plan

Nov 2, 2020, 15:14 PM by Kate Ruddell

What is the best travel medical insurance plan? What exactly is travel medical insurance? Is it required for my international trip? What should I look for in a travel medical insurance plan to make sure I’m covered?

These are just a few of the questions travelers have been asking themselves as they plan their first vacation, family visit, or study abroad semester since the coronavirus pandemic began. Travel medical insurance may appear overwhelming, but its purpose is simple: travel medical insurance provides coverage for unexpected accidents or illnesses when traveling outside your home country.

Many domestic health insurance plans don’t provide coverage beyond the borders of your home country. Getting bit by a dog or falling and breaking your leg while traveling internationally could leave you paying thousands of dollars for proper medical care.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, most countries didn’t require travel medical insurance for entry, but many countries are now requiring proof of travel medical insurance (some even require COVID-19 coverage) to enter (yes, even for short trips).

Countries with longstanding travel medical insurance requirements for entry include:

Schengen Countries – Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Latvia, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Spain
Antarctica
Cuba

Countries with new travel medical insurance requirements due to COVID-19 include:

Aruba
Brazil
Costa Rica
St Maarten
Tahiti
Turks and Caicos
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates

_{* https://www.cntraveler.com/story/these-countries-now-require-international-health-insurance-for-entry}

Choosing the “best” travel medical insurance plan often depends on your reason for traveling as there are many plan and benefit options available. IMG has been a leader in the travel medical insurance industry since 1990 and offers several different plans to fit every traveler’s needs. Let’s take a look at some of the most common scenarios for travel and the best travel medical insurance plans for each.

International Travelers on Vacation or Holiday

2020 has everyone dreaming of their next international vacation. Maybe you’re planning a heritage trip to Italy with your family to explore your Italian roots for two weeks. A week into your trip, you notice a little sniffle, but nothing too serious; you chalk it up to allergies. The next morning, you wake up with a fever and a sore throat. You think it could be a dreaded sinus infection, but you need to find a doctor to get the appropriate care and medicine to get you back in action as soon as possible.

IMG's Patriot Travel Medical Insurance provides coverage for physician visits, urgent care clinics, and prescription medications.* Use the MyIMG portal to find a doctor and let IMG’s Customer Care team help you navigate the language barrier. Schedule a same-day appointment at an urgent care clinic, get all of your necessary medications, and then get on your way back to see your family without paying a fortune for international medical care.

Consider another example: you’re an adventure junky and can’t wait to hit the slopes. On your first day out, you hit a huge rock while and damage your skull and fracture your spine in four different places requiring you to be airlifted from the mountain to the hospital, where you spend 12 days recovering after surgery. This was a real-life scenario for one IMG member who was glad to have purchased a Patriot Travel Medical Insurance plan. Without a travel medical insurance plan, this event would have cost the member tens of thousands of dollars.

There is travel medical insurance, and then there is travel insurance (or travel protection insurance). It can be confusing, but travel insurance is meant to protect your trip investment in the case of unexpected cancellation or interruption of your trip. IMG’s travel protection plans also include medical benefits, which make them a great option if you have a large amount of pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs that you’d like to insure for your upcoming trip (e.g. cruises, safaris, or guided tours). Learn more about travel insurance here.

Visiting Family in the U.S.

Visitor insurance commonly refers to travel medical insurance for non-U.S. residents visiting the U.S. for a period of less than two years. Receiving medical care in the U.S. can be much more expensive than other areas of the world. Due to these higher medical costs, IMG has specific travel medical insurance plans designed for U.S. visitors such as Patriot America Plus and Patriot America Platinum travel medical insurance plans. While a travel medical insurance plan isn’t currently required for entry into the U.S., it is highly recommended.

Grandparents play a very important role in families and it’s common for grandparents of immigrants to travel to the U.S. to help care for their grandchildren or spend a few months visiting. While they’re in the U.S., it’s important to protect their health. Before choosing the proper level of visitor insurance coverage, consider these factors:

Health Status – if the traveler is in good health, does not get sick often, and does not have pre-existing conditions, then you may explore a plan with less coverage such as Visitors Care. If the traveler is the opposite, it is safest to purchase a plan with higher maximum limits and the most benefits available such as Patriot America Platinum (this plan also includes COVID-19 coverage if contraction and treatment occur after the effective date)*
Activities – When family comes to town, it’s a celebration! Perhaps your family has additional trips planned like a group ski or hiking trip, or maybe they’re looking forward to staying local and exploring your hometown with the children. For more active travelers, consider adding the Adventure Sports Rider to a Patriot Travel Series plan

Length of Stay – The longer the traveler stays, the higher chance that that the traveler may get sick or have an unexpected injury, so a Patriot America Plus or Patriot America Platinum plan would be ideal for longer stays

Overall, IMG’s most popular visitor insurance plan is Patriot America Plus, which provides coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions.** Additionally, IMG recently updated both their Patriot America Plus and Patriot America Platinum visitor insurance plans to include COVID-19 coverage (if contraction and treatment occur after effective date). To learn more and read about real life examples regarding IMG’s visitor insurance plans, check out our “How To Choose The Best Visitor Insurance Plan For You” blog here.

_{**Acute onset of pre-existing condition is defined as “a sudden and Unexpected outbreak or reoccurrence that is of short duration, is rapidly progressive, and requires urgent medical care.” Pre-existing conditions that are chronic or congenital, or that gradually become worse over time are not covered under this benefit.}

International Students

Studying abroad can be one of the most exciting and rewarding times of a student’s scholarly career. International student health insurance is one thing you don’t want to leave off the school supply list. Many schools and universities require proof of health insurance before enrolling for the semester and IMG’s student health insurance plans meet most university requirements.

After enrolling, most universities will offer a group insurance plan with the option to waive your participation if you can provide your own plan. Oftentimes, students opt to purchase their own plans due to finding more affordable plans outside of the university’s offered group plan.

For international students that are healthy and budget conscious, our Patriot Exchange plans meet the U.S.’s J-1/J-2 visa health insurance requirements and most schools’ waiver requirements U.S.'s J-1/J-2 visa health insurance requirements and most schools' health insurance requirements (for F-1/F-2 and M-1/M-2 visa holders). The Patriot Exchange plan is the most budget friendly option, however, if the student becomes sick or injured, they are responsible for any remaining cost that goes above the selected maximum limit.

If you are looking for a student health insurance plan that covers younger and older scholars with dependents, Student Health Advantage (SHA) may be the plan for you. SHA is designed for students from kindergarten to graduate school and offers an enriched benefit schedule and more in-depth coverage (e.g. mental and nervous disorder coverage and organized sports coverage). To learn more and read about real life examples regarding IMG’s student health insurance plans, check out our “Choosing The Best International Student Health Plan” blog here.

Expatriates

For those spending a longer or indefinite period of time outside of their home country, you may be interested in one of IMG’s international private medical insurance plans designed specifically for expats.

At the end of the day, it’s important that you choose the best insurance plan that fits your needs. Not every traveler is the same age, has the same budget, is going to the same destination, or even traveling for the same amount of time. If you have questions or are looking for more information about any of our plans, we encourage you to reach out to our Sales Service Center. They would love to hear from you and can be reached at (866) 368-3724.

_{*This is a summary of a selection of plan benefits offered only as an illustration and does not supersede in any way the Certificate of Insurance and governing policy documents (together the “Insurance Contract”). The Insurance Contract is the only source of the actual benefits provided.}

Benefit	Bronze	Silver	Gold	Platinum
Lifetime Maximum Limit	$1,000,000 per individual	$5,000,000 per individual	$5,000,000 per individual	$8,000,000 per individual
Deductible (Per period of coverage)	$250 to $10,000	$250 to $10,000	$250 to $25,000	$100 to $25,000
Deductible Carry Forward	Included	Included	Included	Included
Treatment Outside the U.S.	50% of deductible waived, up to a maximum of $2,500. No coinsurance.	50% of deductible waived, up to a maximum of $2,500. No coinsurance.	50% of deductible waived, up to a maximum of $2,500. No coinsurance.	50% of deductible waived, up to a maximum of $2,500. No coinsurance.
Treatment inside the U.S. using Medical Concierge	50% of deductible waived, up to a maximum of $2,500. No coinsurance.	50% of deductible waived, up to a maximum of $2,500. No coinsurance.	50% of deductible waived, up to a maximum of $2,500. No coinsurance.	50% of deductible waived, up to a maximum of $2,500. No coinsurance.
Treatment inside the U.S. - PPO Network	Subject to deductible. No coinsurance.	Subject to deductible. No coinsurance.	Subject to deductible. No coinsurance.	Subject to deductible. No coinsurance.
Treatment inside the U.S. - Non-PPO Network	Subject to deductible. Plan pays 80% of the next $5,000 of eligible expenses, then 100% to the overall maximum per period of coverage.	Subject to deductible. Plan pays 80% of the next $5,000 of eligible expenses, then 100% to the overall maximum per period of coverage.	Subject to deductible. Plan pays 80% of the next $5,000 of eligible expenses, then 100% to the overall maximum per period of coverage.	Subject to deductible. Plan pays 80% of the next $5,000 of eligible expenses, then 100% to the overall maximum per period of coverage.
Coinsurance	International – 100% U.S. in-network – 100% U.S. out-of-network – 80%	International – 100% U.S. in-network – 100% U.S. out-of-network – 80%	International – 100% U.S. in-network – 100% U.S. out-of-network – 80%	International – 100% U.S. in-network – 100% U.S. out-of-network – 80%
Outpatient	$300 maximum per visit – lab tests; $250 maximum per visit – diagnostic x-rays $500 maximum limit – specialists/physician charges (pre-inpatient / post-inpatient) Subject to deductible and coinsurance	$300 maximum per visit – lab tests; $250 maximum per visit – diagnostic x-rays 25 combined maximum visits $70 per visit/examination – specialists/physician charges $50 per visit/examination – chiropractor charges $500 maximum limit – surgery intervention consultation charges Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance
Mental/Nervous	NA	Outpatient after 12 months of continuous coverage.	$10,000 maximum per period of coverage with a $50,000 lifetime maximum - Available after 12 months of continuous coverage.	$50,000 lifetime maximum - Available after 12 months of continuous coverage
Hospital Emergency Room Injury	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance
Hospital Emergency Room Illness	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. Covered only if admitted as inpatient	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. Additional $250 deductible if not admitted as an inpatient	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. Additional $250 deductible if not admitted as an inpatient	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. Additional $250 deductible if not admitted as an inpatient
Hospitalization / Room & Board	Subject to deductible and coinsurance for average semi-private room rate	Subject to deductible and coinsurance for average semi-private room rate. All subject to $600 per day/240 day maximum	Subject to deductible and coinsurance for average semi-private room rate	Subject to deductible and coinsurance for average private room rate
Intensive Care Unit	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. $1,500 limit per day – 180 days of coverage per event	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance
CAT Scans, MRI, Echocardiography, Endoscopy, Gastroscopy, Cystoscopy	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. $600 maximum per examination	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. $600 maximum per examination	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance
Surgery	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance
Assistant Surgeon	20% of primary surgeon’s charge	20% of primary surgeon’s charge	20% of primary surgeon’s charge	20% of primary surgeon’s charge
Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Subject to deductible and coinsurance
Maternity Delivery, preventative, newborn care & congenital disorders, Family Matters Maternity Program (available after 10 months of coverage)	NA	NA	NA	$2,500 additional deductible per pregnancy. $50,000 lifetime maximum. $200 newborn preventative care benefit for the first 31 days – 12 months after birth. $250,000 maximum for newborn care & congenital disorders for the first 31 days after birth
Podiatry Care	NA	NA	$750 maximum limit	$750 maximum limit
Physical Therapy	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. $40 maximum per visit – 10 visit limit per event. Available for 90 days following inpatient treatment or outpatient surgery	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. $40 maximum per visit – 30 visit limit	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. $50 maximum per visit	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. $50 maximum per visit
Transplants	$250,000 lifetime maximum	$250,000 lifetime maximum	$1,000,000 lifetime maximum	$2,000,000 lifetime maximum
Prescription Coverage	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. Available for 90 days following related inpatient treatment or outpatient surgery. $600 outpatient maximum limit per event	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. 90-day supply per prescription following related covered event	Subject to deductible and coinsurance. 90-day supply per prescription	International - 100%. Inside U.S. - Prescription drug card co-pay: $20 for generic / $40 for brand name where generic is not available. 90-day supply per prescription
Adult Preventative Care (Age 19 or older)	NA	NA	$250 per period of coverage - not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	$500 per period of coverage - not subject to deductible or coinsurance.
Child Preventative Care (Through age 18)	NA	$70 maximum per visit, 3 visit limit per period of coverage. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	$200 maximum per period of coverage - not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	$400 maximum per period of coverage - not subject to deductible or coinsurance.
Healthy Travel Preventative Coverage	Up to $250 for vaccinations and preventative prescription drugs within 30 days prior to the Initial Effective Date and before departing to any destination. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	Up to $250 for vaccinations and preventative prescription drugs within 30 days prior to the Initial Effective Date and before departing to any destination. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	Up to $250 for vaccinations and preventative prescription drugs within 30 days prior to the Initial Effective Date and before departing to any destination. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	Up to $250 for vaccinations and preventative prescription drugs within 30 days prior to the Initial Effective Date and before departing to any destination. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance.
Vision	Optional Rider	Optional Rider	Optional Rider	Exams - up to $100 maximum per 24 months. Materials - up to $150 per 24 months.
Emergency Local Ambulance (Injury or illness resulting in an inpatient hospital admission)	$1,500 maximum limit per event - not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	$1,500 maximum limit per event - not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	Subject to deductible and coinsurance	Not subject to deductible and coinsurance
Emergency Evacuation	$50,000 maximum per period of coverage. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	$50,000 maximum per period of coverage. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	Up to maximum limit. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	Up to maximum limit. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance.
Emergency Reunion	$10,000 lifetime maximum. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance	NA	$10,000 lifetime maximum. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance	$10,000 lifetime maximum. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance
Interfacility Ambulance Transfer (Transfer from one licensed health care Facility to another licensed health care Facility)	$1,500 maximum limit per event. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance. U.S. only	$1,500 maximum limit per event. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance. U.S. only	Not subject to deductible or coinsurance. U.S. only	Not subject to deductible or coinsurance. U.S. only
Political Evacuation and Repatriation	NA	NA	NA	Up to $10,000 lifetime maximum
Remote Transportation	NA	NA	NA	$5,000 per period of coverage up to $20,000 lifetime maximum. Not subject to deductible or coinsurance
Return of Mortal Remains	$10,000 lifetime maximum - not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	$25,000 lifetime maximum - not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	$25,000 lifetime maximum - not subject to deductible or coinsurance.	$50,000 lifetime maximum - not subject to deductible or coinsurance.
Complementary Medicine	NA	NA	$500 maximum limit per period of coverage	$500 maximum limit per period of coverage
Traumatic Dental Injury Treatment at a hospital facility	$1,000 per period of coverage	$1,000 per period of coverage	Up to the lifetime maximum limit	Up to the lifetime maximum limit
Treatment Due to Unexpected Pain to Sound, Natural Teeth	NA	NA	$100 per period of coverage	100%
Non-Emergency Treatment at a Dental Provider due to an Accident	NA	NA	$500 per period of coverage	See Non-Emergency Dental benefit
Non-emergency Dental	Optional Rider	Optional Rider	Optional Rider	$750 maximum per period of coverage; $50 individual deductible, applies to minor restorative and major restorative services
Hospital Indemnity (Outside the U.S. only)	Private Hospitals: $400 per overnight and $4,000 maximum limit per period of coverage. Public Hospitals: $500 per overnight and $5,000 maximum limit per period of coverage.	Private Hospitals: $400 per overnight and $4,000 maximum limit per period of coverage. Public Hospitals: $500 per overnight and $5,000 maximum limit per period of coverage.	Private Hospitals: $400 per overnight and $4,000 maximum limit per period of coverage. Public Hospitals: $500 per overnight and $5,000 maximum limit per period of coverage.	Private Hospitals: $400 per overnight and $4,000 maximum limit per period of coverage. Public Hospitals: $500 per overnight and $5,000 maximum limit per period of coverage.
Supplemental Accident	NA	NA	$300 of Eligible Medical Expenses following an accident	$500 of Eligible Medical Expenses following an accident
Pre-Existing Conditions Limitation**	Excluded	$50,000 lifetime maximum; $5,000 per period of coverage for unknown conditions. Available after 24 months of continuous coverage. *Will be covered same as any other illness as of the effective date if proof of creditable coverage is provided and accepted.	$50,000 lifetime maximum; $5,000 per period of coverage for unknown conditions. Available after 24 months of continuous coverage. *Will be covered same as any other illness as of the effective date if proof of creditable coverage is provided and accepted.	NA

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How to Choose the Best Travel Medical Insurance Plan

International Travelers on Vacation or Holiday

Visiting Family in the U.S.

International Students

Expatriates

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