Given the very expensive US healthcare costs, having the best visitors medical insurance with pre-existing condition coverage is very important. This visitors insurance provides financial protection and relief in the case of unforeseen medical emergencies during their US stay. Many Indian tourists, especially elderly parents coming to the USA to visit their children, generally have some medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, or high cholesterol. In the absence of proper visitors health insurance, even a brief hospital visit or emergency treatment for any of these conditions can amount to thousands of dollars of medical charges.
By selecting the best visitor insurance with a pre-existing condition benefit, Indian visitors can insure themselves against unplanned medical costs and facilitate easy access to good quality treatment in the U.S.
A pre-existing condition is any medical condition that exists before the start of a travel insurance plan. This can include chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, asthma, or high cholesterol. Importantly, a condition doesn’t need to have been formally diagnosed to be considered pre-existing. It only needs to have existed before the insurance coverage begins and this can be determined by a Doctors analysis while treating a patient.
There are generally two types of pre-existing condition coverage available for Indian parents visiting the USA:
| Feature | Full Pre-Existing Coverage | Acute Onset Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Covers all eligible medical expenses related to your pre-existing medical condition(s) without requiring them to be sudden or unexpected. | Covers only sudden, unexpected, and life-threatening flare-ups of pre-existing conditions. It does not cover routine treatment, medication refills, or slow progression. |
| Who it’s for | Older travelers with ongoing chronic conditions or routine medical needs | Seniors and parents who are generally stable but may face sudden medical emergencies |
| What it covers | Ongoing medical conditions, routine treatments, and emergencies related to chronic illnesses | Sudden, unexpected emergencies caused by pre-existing conditions (e.g., heart attack, stroke, severe diabetic complication) |
| Routine care | Included (doctor visits, lab tests, medications for chronic conditions) | Not included |
| Planned treatments | Covered | Not covered |
| Emergency care | Covered | Covered (must be acute and sudden) |
| Time to seek treatment | Flexible, as ongoing treatment is covered | Must be sought promptly as per plan guidelines |
| Recommended Plans for Indian Parents | Elite X, Premier X and Visitors Protect. | Patriot America Plus , Atlas America, Venbrook premier and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive. |
| Best for | Parents with multiple or serious chronic conditions who need full protection | Parents who are relatively healthy but want protection against sudden medical crises |
Yes even after touching down, Indians can still secure travel insurance in the USA to protect against medical emergencies, unexpected hospital visits, or trip interruptions. Learn how to enroll after arrival, what coverage is available, and steps to get started.
Find out if Indians can buy travel insurance after arrival in the USAThe cheapest visitor insurance for pre-existing conditions in the USA starts at $39 per month for a 60-year-old traveler. Actual costs may vary depending on the traveler’s age, duration of coverage, insurance provider, and selected coverage limits.
| Plan Name | Medical Maximum | Deductible | Acute onset coverage | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe Travels Advantage | $25,000 | $0 | Up to 89 yearsopen_in_new | $39 |
| Visitors care | $25,000 | $100 | Up to 70 yearsopen_in_new | $40 |
| Safe Travels Elite | $25,000 | $0 | Up to 89 yearsopen_in_new | $50 |
| Visit USA Budget | $50,000 | $250 | Up to 65 years and aboveopen_in_new | $49 |
The best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions in the USA starts at $139 per month for a 60-year-old traveler, with a Medical Maximum of $50,000 and a Deductible of $250. Actual costs may vary depending on the traveler’s age, duration of coverage, insurance provider, and coverage limits.
Source: American Visitor Insurance®
The average cost of travel medical insurance with coverage for full pre-existing conditions in the U.S., based on quotes for a 60-year-old traveler for 3 months with a $250 deductible, starts at $384. Actual costs may vary depending on the traveler’s age, duration of coverage, insurance provider, and coverage limits.
| Plan Name | Medical Maximum | Full Pre-existing | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| INF Premier X Insurance | $100,000 | Up to 99 yearsopen_in_new | $384 |
| Visitors Protect Insurance | $100,000 | Up to 99 yearsopen_in_new | $1,367 |
| INF Elite X Insurance | $150,000 | Up to 99 yearsopen_in_new | $1,339 |
The best US visitors insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage is listed here:
Policy maximum?
$50,000 to $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0 to $2,500
Period of coverage?
5 days to 12 months
Policy maximum?
$50,000 and $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0 to $5,000
Period of coverage?
5 days to 364 days
Policy maximum?
$50,000 and $2,000,000
Deductible options?
$0 to $5,000
Period of coverage?
Up to 364 days
Policy maximum?
$50,000 and $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0 to $5,000
Period of coverage?
5 days to 12 months
Policy maximum?
$100,000 and $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$0 to $5,000.
Period of coverage?
10 days to 364 days
Policy maximum?
$50,000 and $250,000
Deductible options?
$250 to $5,000
Period of coverage?
Minimum purchase 90 days
Policy maximum?
$150,000 and $1,000,000
Deductible options?
$500 to $5,000.
Period of coverage?
Minimum purchase 90 days
When selecting the best travel insurance for visiting parents with chronic illnesses in the US, several factors influence the cost of the plan:
By carefully considering these factors and selecting the right plan whether full pre-existing coverage or acute onset coverage—you can ensure your parents are fully protected, can access quality healthcare, and enjoy their visit to the USA with peace of mind.
A pre-existing condition is any medical condition that exists before the start of the travel insurance plan. This includes chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, asthma, or cholesterol problems. Even if the condition has not been formally diagnosed, it may still be considered pre-existing.
Plans like Elite X, Premier X , and Visitors Protect. offer full pre-existing condition coverage. These plans cover ongoing medical conditions, routine treatments, and emergencies related to chronic illnesses.
Acute onset coverage protects against sudden and unexpected medical emergencies caused by a pre-existing condition, such as a heart attack or severe diabetic complication. Unlike full pre-existing coverage, it does not cover routine or planned treatments. Plans include Patriot America Plus, Atlas America, and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive..
Most plans require insurance to be purchased before entering the USA. Coverage usually cannot be added after arrival, so it’s important to buy the plan in advance.
Coverage durations vary depending on the plan. Most visitor insurance plans allow coverage from 5 days up to 364 days. However, plans that provide full pre-existing condition coverage, such as Visitors Protect., Elite X, and Premier X , require a minimum purchase of 90 days. Many of these plans can also be renewed if your parents extend their stay in the USA.
Yes. Many plans, including Patriot America Plus, Visitors Protect., and Atlas America, offer cashless hospitalization at network hospitals, which helps avoid upfront payment stress.
For parents above 70 or with multiple chronic issues, plans like Elite X, Premier X , and Visitors Protect. are recommended as they provide full pre-existing condition coverage.
Yes. Many plans allow you to select policy maximums, deductibles, and coverage duration to match your parents’ health needs, stay duration, and budget.