Visitors Insurance for Parents

Disclaimer: We are NOT endorsing or recommending any insurance co. We are NOT representatives of them & don’t earn any commission from anyone. The information has been gathered from social network websites, review sites, and other sources. Choosing to use insurance is at the sole discretion of the member & we have no say in that.

This document should guide anyone looking for health insurance for their parents traveling to the USA.

Focused is mainly on US companies because Indian companies generally will pay claims - but hospitals typically do not accept the plan, and you must file for reimbursement.

Reimbursement means you will need to

1) Pay upfront the costs

2) Collect medical records

3) Submit the claim form. Keep in mind- the reimbursement will happen to the insured in India, and the reimbursement will be in Indian Rupees (not USD).

Reimbursement means you will need to

1. International Medical Group (Patriot America, CoverAmerica Gold) - Underwriter: SirusPoint Specialty Corporation of Sweden.

2. Tokio Marine (Atlas America, VisitorSecure) -Underwriter: Lloyd’s of London.

3. Trawick International (Safe Travels USA) - Underwriter: GBG International.

4. Seven Corners (Liaison, In-bound USA) - Underwriter: Lloyd’s of London.

5. INF (Elite / Premier) - Underwriter: Crum & Forster SPC.

6. CIGNA Global | Underwriter: Cigna Europe Insurance Company S.A.-N.V. Singapore Branch (Registration Number: T10FC0145E).

1. International Medical Group (IMG) | Underwriter: Sirius Point Specialty Insurance (BBB Credit Rating | Negative credit outlook)

Plans available: Patriot America Plus, Visitor Care, Cover America Gold, US Visit Pro, and Visitors Protect.

Policy Document: All the policies offer good coverage on paper- 100% of the policy maximum with up to $1,000,000 limits. However, when looking at the internal structure of the plan, we can see that this $1,000,000 will never be paid.
For example, the plan only covers “Acute Onset of Pre-Existing conditions.” Now- you may think having no known pre-existing issues would mean you do not have to worry about this clause- however, if you look at the definition of pre-existing in the policy, it will say,

Pre-existing Condition: Any Injury, Illness, sickness, disease, or other physical, medical, Mental, or Nervous Disorder, condition, or ailment that, with reasonable medical certainty, existed at the time of Application or at any time during the three (3) years before the Effective Date of this insurance, whether or not previously manifested, symptomatic or known, diagnosed, Treated, or disclosed to the Company before the Effective Date, and including any subsequent, chronic or recurring complications or consequences related to that or resulting or arising from that place.”

If you have any chronic issues like diabetes or blood pressure- the plan will not cover them. Moreover- if you have an unknown condition like an undiagnosed aneurysm, clogged artery, kidney stone, etc., which becomes acute- this will also be denied as ”pre-existing” because they existed before the policy began.

Moreover- this plan does not cover worsening issues. Say your BP goes up and you get a nosebleed or you have an asthma attack- these are not considered acute onset because they are not sudden, rapid, or unexpected. Most of the time, IMG will claim the condition was caused by a worsening pre-existing issue and is not covered by the plan.

“A sudden and unexpected outbreak or reoccurrence of short duration is rapidly progressive and requires urgent medical care. A Pre-existing Condition that is chronic or congenital, or that gradually worsens over time is not an Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition.”

Other noticeable clauses in this plan:

Acute onset coverage does not apply if you are above age 70; any infection of the urinary tract (including, without limitation, infection of the kidney, ureter, bladder, prostate, or urethra) is not covered by the plan.
Plan will deny claims based on diet and other factors, which should be concerning.

** There is a pattern of IMG not honoring claims. Even plans offering “pre-existing” coverage by IMG or SirusPoint Specialty Insurance should be looked at twice **

Regulation and who is “IMG” – IMG is based in Indianapolis, IN, and was founded in 1990.

The United States does not regulate this company. Although they are based in Indianapolis, IN, their underwriter (SirusPoint Speciality Corporation) is based in Stockholm, Sweden.

2. World Trips (Tokio Marine) | Underwriter: Tokio Marine Syndicate at Lloyd’s of London (A-Rated)

Plans Available: Atlas America, Atlas America Essential, Visitor Secure.

Policy Document The policy we’re looking at is for Atlas America. There is another plan called “Visitor Secure," – but this is a fixed program. So even if it did work, it would pay out much less. We will focus primarily on the pre-existing conditions covered under this plan- because of several members and my own experience.

Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions – This plan does not cover pre-existing conditions unless they qualify as “Acute Onset,” – which in most cases, does not happen.

They define pre-existing conditions as:

Condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment (includes receiving services and supplies, consultations, diagnostic tests, or prescription medicines) was recommended or received during the two years immediately preceding the certificate effective date.
Condition that had manifested itself in such a manner that would have caused a reasonably prudent person to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment (includes receiving services and supplies, consultations, diagnostic tests, or prescription medicines) within the two years immediately preceding the certificate effective date; or
Injury, illness, sickness, disease, or other physical, medical, mental, or nervous conditions, disorder, or ailment (whether known or unknown)that, with reasonable medical certainty, existed at the time of application or within the two years immediately preceding the certificate effective date. For the Complications of Pregnancy coverage offered hereunder, pregnancy will not be included within the definition of a pre-existing condition.

YOU ARE NOT COVERED IF:

The Acute Onset of a Pre-existing Condition(s) occurs before the certificate's effective date, or
The pre-existing condition is A chronic or congenital;
or A complication or consequence of a chronic or congenital condition;
or A condition that gradually becomes worse over time.

Regulation & Who is “Tokio Marine HCC” – Tokio Marine HCC is HCC Medical Services based in Indianapolis, IN. This company, although bought by Tokio Marine insurance, is backed by a “syndicate at Lloyds of London,” – meaning that this is a product that is unregulated by the United States – as you can see below, this is a UK-based insurance company.

3. Trawick International | Underwriter: Nationwide (A+) | Best Low-Cost Option and Non-Pre-Existing

Plans available: Safe Travels USA

Policy Document: The plan has a 2-week incubation exclusion clause meaning that if you get sick within the first two weeks after arriving in the USA- it will be considered a pre-existing condition.

Few clauses to be aware of in the policy document under exclusions:

“36. Any infection of the urinary tract (including, without limitation, infection of the kidney, ureter, bladder, prostate, or urethra) and any complication, medical condition, or other Illness directly or indirectly arising from there” – there are several parents who visited and got a UTI. It was quite expensive to treat if it got worse.
“25. treatment of hernia; Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease; osteochondritis; osteomyelitis; congenital weakness whether caused by a Covered Accident”… this plan DOES NOT cover hernias or other weakness.

Moreover - in the coverage- you also are taking some risk. For the acute onset of pre-existing conditions- if you have cardiac-related issues (like a heart attack or stroke) – your benefits are capped at $25,000 if you’re under 70, and only $15,000 is above 70. And, if you are above 70, the plan is limited to only $35K in coverage overall.

Also, if you look at the definition of acute onset, it's the same as others. It must be a sudden, unexpected, life-and-death scenario, and there is a 2-day waiting period after they buy the plan to go to the hospital.

Regulation and “Who is” Trawick International. Trawick International is based in Fairhope, Alabama, and works with two underwriters, Nationwide and CF SPC.

4. Seven Corners | Underwriter: Lloyd’s of London (A rating) | Tramont Insurance of Bermuda (Not Rated)

Plans available: Liaison, In-Bound USA

Acute Onset of Pre-Existing conditions is only covered up to $10,000. Also- this program does not cover anyone with acute onset pre-existing conditions above the age of 75.

Based on the definition - you are not covered for the first three days after you come to the USA- which is highly risky as most people fall sick from their flight within this period.

When you look at their definition of Acute onset of Pre-Existing conditions, they say it must be genuinely sudden- and a chronic issue like BP or Diabetes is NOT considered acute onset if it worsens and IS NOT COVERED by the plan.

Regulation and “Who is” Seven Corners. Seven Corners has been around for about 26 years and is also based in Carmel, IN. They claim their underwriter is Lloyd’s of London- however, it is not Lloyds- but a Bermudan-based offshore Trust company that uses the “Lloyd’s of London” name (aka a “fronting carrier”). These companies use offshore trusts to avoid the regulatory scrutiny of the insurance commissioner but also offer more flexibility in the policy filing with the states.

5. INF | Underwriter: Crum & Forster SPC (A-rating) & Best Meridian Insurance (A-rating) | Best option for pre-existing.

Plans available: Elite, Premier, Traveler USA, Standard | INF BMI Programs

Price: Plans tend to be on the higher end of the spectrum- with some premiums at almost $1000 per month or higher for older age groups.
Coverage: 80% or 90% of the negotiated rate. This option has deductibles from $50 - $5000 **Note** You want to go with a low deductible if you wish to a doctor visits/labs/scans/ER covered immediately; you want to go with the high deductible like $5K if your only concern is catastrophic injury or sickness.

Say the bill from the hospital is 100K; with Premier, you will need
to pay the balance after insurance payout/negotiation. So, if insurance discounts by 50K and pays $25K-
you would pay the remaining $25K.
Moreover- Premier is a fixed benefit plan- meaning it will only pay the predetermined dollar amount for a
claim.
- The premier plan is better for small things like COVID tests/doctor
  visits.
With INF Elite, you get a PPO network discount, so the 100K becomes 30K, insurance pays the 25K, and the rest is paid by the insured. There is a reason INF Elite is expensive, but it’s crucial when you need it.
- Elite plan is better for catastrophic claims / ongoing care after an accident/sickness.
INF BMI Plan (better for mild pre-existing and no pre-existing)
REMEMBER: In this plan, you must message their assistance number anytime you need medical attention.
This plan offers $10K, $30K, $ 60K, $100K, and $250K (all through ages 0-74, ages 75-84 coverage only up to
$100k.
- BMI plans have no deductible
- BMI is a complete pre-existing plan but has limitations
  - Pre-Existing is max covered to $6K
  - It is full pre-ex in that it will cover one-off doctor visits / Urgent Care.
  - This plan does NOT cover
    - Specialist visits
    - On-going treatments (like physical therapy)
- BMI plan also
  - Does not allow an extension if you file a claim in the first period
  - Will cover prescriptions at 100%

https://infplans.com/bmitravel/?fbclid=IwAR0BFfgXFkXBqX0DWdAMLSiXGKIMIURj7LMNkt3c_Cvugrvsg_BE_YkCUXI

Policy Document: This policy is the same as Traveler USA but covers better pre-existing conditions).

Unlike most other plans, there are no sickness exclusions in this policy per se. There is one exclusion:

The following information is mentioned:

“We interpret this to mean that we do not pay any benefits for accidents that result from any Sickness/disease, etc., except bacterial infections resulting from an accidental external cut/wound or accidental ingestion of contaminated food.

So, for example, if you cut yourself and develop an infection, it may be considered eligible (subject to other policy provisions, exclusions, and limitations, of course).”

Network Coverage

From July 1- INF will use UHC as their PPO network for all their plans.

Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage

According to the Elite plan- this plan and Premier (fixed benefit option) are “full pre-ex” and “cover all pre-existing conditions”:

According to the first paragraph of the policy: INF Elite & Premier plans - consider issues that you have gone to the doctor for or gotten treatment for only in the last year as pre-existing. Moreover, they are saying that only if you started to take medication for a condition within the previous year would it be pre-existing; otherwise, if it’s stable, it’s not pre-existing.

Upon clarification - this means common issues like BP and Diabetes are covered as a new sickness up to $300K or $75K, and unknown issues are also covered like a new problem.

Cancellation Policy

Unlike other insurances, which give a prorated refund, there is no cancellation after the policy's effective date.

Regulation and “Who is” INF. INF stands for “India Network Foundation,” - a non-profit that has sponsored this program for visitors to the US. INF was founded in 1988 as an organization to communicate news from India to the USA for students (a “network” of “Indians”) based in the USA. They are currently based at 7065 Westpointe Blvd, Orlando, FL 32835, and do many different non-profit projects in India, which are helped by collecting membership fees.

INF’s carriers are Best Meridian Insurance and Crum & Forster SPC (backed by a US Fire Insurance company)

For Quotes:

https://infplans.com/?fbclid=IwAR1wY-vtztxeWrmgr6yx-UmdfGkG45A-h0JO_r8u_GiU7p9SxwT8yJ_l6Us

6. Cigna Global | Underwriter: Cigna Europe Insurance Company S.A.-N.V. Singapore Branch (Registration Number: T10FC0145E) |

Best option for Green card holders / Preventative Care and those looking for close to primary medical coverage

**Note: This is a legit heavy-duty medical insurance plan with pricing similar to Obamacare ($700+ per month for ages 60-69).

Plans Available & Eligibility:

Silver
Gold
Platinum

See details here: https://www.cignaglobal.com/individuals-families/our-plans/global-health-insurance-plans/plans-in-detail

These plans do cover cancer treatment (recurrence or otherwise).

Pregnancy is also covered, but there's a 12-month waiting period.

This plan has a high benefit for mental/behavioural care.

Note: Cigna has plan designs of the following variety:

0% Cost-Share with $0 OOP max

10% Cost-Share with $2000 OOP max

10% Cost-Share with $5000 OOP max

20% Cost-Share with $2000 OOP max

20% Cost-Share with $5000 OOP max

30% Cost-Share with $2000 OOP max

30% Cost-Share with $5000 OOP max

There are also additional add-ons you can have as a topper onto your plan; for example, you can have a combination like:

Gold - $2 million per year (Inpatient Maternity Cover $7k - 12 month waiting period) ($1,000 ER COVER)

Outpatient $35k per year (Pre/postnatal maternity cover $3.5k – 12 month waiting period)

Health and Wellness $450 per screening (FREE upgrade)

Remember that Cigna Global is mainly designed for IN-PATIENT care, and you will need to add outpatient treatment to the plan. However- they will be able to give up to a 10% discount if you ask them, and they will also cover health and wellness (like physicals / routine blood work, etc.)

You can enroll in this plan for your parents (B1/B2 visa holders are eligible for the program)- but keep in mind that when they produce a quote, they expect a ONE-YEAR commitment. This is true health insurance- not a flimsy visitor plan; hence if your parents are green card holders or will be in the US for an extended period- this may be a good option for you.

Premiums are in line with valid health insurance (Obamacare) pricing. See a quote below for a 66-year-old with mild pre-existing conditions:

This plan is $1,669 PER Month - which is probably 4-10x greater than your typical visitor insurance plan. However- once again, it’s important to note that this is NOT visitor insurance; this is true heavy-duty medical insurance.

To complete the enrolment for your parents, you will need to provide the following information:

A copy of your parent's passport
A proof of address dated in the last three months / or / a copy of your driving license if it shows an address on the front, ID – this can be from any country.
Answers to the five medical questions I will ask over the phone.
Payment for the first month which they will take over the phone on a secure phone line (Mastercard, Visa, or American Express).

The plans will also come with the following benefits:

180 days cover in your home country

Covid 19 care in full following diagnosis

Cancer car in full following diagnosis up to the policy limits

As a complete medical insurance plan - you get access to features like:

A Clinical Team involved in:

Coordinating your healthcare and treatment plan.

Accessing global medical experts for advice and support.
Providing second medical opinions or medical reports if

required.

Access to the Wellbeing App:

Access Global Telehealth: Video and phone consultations with medical practitioners and specialists.
Manage health: Health risk assessments and chronic condition management.
Change behavior: Track biometrics and access online coaching programs and a health library.

Keep in mind – that CIGNA Global does require pre-authorization; however, you can access CIGNA providers within the United States and will be able to provide “cashless claims.”

Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage

The major drawback with this program is that it DOES NOT cover pre-existing conditions.

7. Insurance for any traveler:

https://www.visitorscoverage.com/

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