Visitors Medical Insurance vs. Health Insurance
People living in the United States who invite loved ones such as parents, in-laws, siblings, etc. from other countries to visit them in the US nearly always have domestic health insurance.
However, your visiting loved ones cannot be covered by your domestic insurance plan, and they cannot be covered by their own health insurance from back home. You will want to purchase visitors medical insurance for them in case they get sick or become injured outside their home country.
However, there can be some confusion about the difference between the visitors medical insurance you can buy for your loved ones and the domestic health insurance you have for yourself. Many people mistakenly assume that visitors insurance will provide the same coverage as their long-term major medical plan, and can be disappointed to discover that this isn’t the case.
The fact is the major medical insurance you have in the US is very expensive. You may not realize the full cost, because your employer pays a large portion of it. By comparison, visitors medical insurance is low-cost, short-term coverage designed to provide coverage for new medical conditions, injuries, or accidents that occur after the effective date of the policy when the insured is out of their home country. It cannot possibly provide all of the coverage of a major medical plan for the modest premium that is charged. If it did, the insurance companies would go out of business.
The following are some examples of coverage typically offered by major medical insurance plans that are not provided by visitors medical insurance:
Vaccines and Immunizations
Being as visitors medical insurance is meant to provide coverage for new medical conditions that occur after the effective date of the policy, vaccines and immunizations are not covered by any plan. A vaccine such as a flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine, etc. is considered a preventative measure, so it would not be covered. Your visiting loved ones should make sure they get all necessary vaccines in their home country prior to their trip. Any preventative vaccines they receive in the US will have to be paid for out-of-pocket.
Prescription Refills
It’s normal for visiting parents and other older individuals to have prescriptions to manage illnesses and chronic conditions. Visitors medical insurance will never cover prescription refills for the routine maintenance of pre-existing conditions. Your loved ones should make sure to bring enough prescription medication to cover the full duration of their trip, plus an extra amount.
However, if the plan you’ve purchased has a prescription drug discount card, you can use that to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions.
Doctor’s Checkups
Your parents likely have to go to regular annual or biannual doctor’s appointments for routine checkups or to manage a pre-existing condition like high blood pressure or diabetes. Periodic checkups are considered to be preventative care, and are thus never covered by any visitors medical insurance plan.
It is highly recommended that your loved ones schedule a checkup with their doctor prior to leaving their home country. Of course they are welcome to see a doctor in the United States, but they will have to pay the full cost themselves, or have you pay it.
Healthcare for Chronic Conditions
Visitors medical insurance will not cover treatment of conditions that develop due to long-term chronic conditions. If your father needs knee surgery due to his arthritis, it would not be covered. If your mother needs cataract surgery, it would not be covered.
Although these conditions may require timely treatment, they are the result of a chronic condition that has been going on for years, and treatment is thus considered routine maintenance of a pre-existing condition.
Dental and Vision Care
If your uncle breaks his glasses and needs a new pair, visitors insurance will not provide coverage for the new frames, or for the eye doctor appointment to get a prescription. The same is true if your sister wants to go to the dentist to get a cleaning. These services are not covered by visitors medical insurance, and must be paid for out-of-pocket.
It’s a good idea to make sure your loved ones get all routine dental and vision care taken care of prior to departing for the United States. If they wear glasses or contacts, suggest that they bring an extra pair just in case.
If your loved ones would like to get vision or dental care while in the US, consider enrolling them in a dental/vision discount plan. These types of plans are not insurance, but they can allow them to get eyecare, dental cleanings, glasses frames, and a range of other services at discounted prices.
If Visitors Insurance Covers So Little, Why Buy It?
We’ve established that visitors medical insurance cannot cover some of the things your major medical plan covers. So, why still have it when the coverage is much more limited?
The answer is cost. From living in the USA, you understand how expensive healthcare can be even when you do have insurance. Can you imagine the cost if your mother broke her hip, or if your father contracted pneumonia and you had no insurance coverage for them at all? The emergency room could leave you with a bill that exceeds what you earn in a year. Don’t risk going into debt. Purchase visitors medical insurance. For a relatively minimal cost, you can enjoy a lot of financial protection against the unexpected.
The Importance of Study Abroad Insurance
Each year, many high school and college students get the opportunity to study abroad in another country as part of an exchange program or similar program. Some may only spend a few weeks abroad, while others will study in a different country for a semester or longer. If you’re reading this, there’s a chance that your child may be taking part in a study abroad program this year. And if that is the case, you need to know about study abroad insurance.
While some universities offer sponsored group health insurance plans for students participating in study abroad programs, others do not, and require you to purchase coverage independently. Regardless, it is incredibly important that you purchase this coverage for your child or dependent. Read on to learn some of the reasons why.
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Your Domestic Health Insurance Probably Isn’t Sufficient
Your child is likely covered under one of their parent’s domestic health insurance plans, and this certainly provides quality health insurance coverage for them. However, this coverage likely isn’t suitable if they are studying abroad.
Many domestic health insurance plans do not provide coverage outside of the insured’s home country. Those that do often only provide coverage in case of an emergency under very limited circumstances. In any case, since the child will be outside of your PPO network, the costs will be much higher, and some hospitals won’t even provide treatment without prior guarantee of payment. The student would either have to travel with a lot of cash, or a credit card that’s accepted in a foreign country with a massive limit to guarantee they can get care.
You don’t want to risk having massive out-of-pocket expenses, and you certainly don’t want to risk your child not being able to get the medical treatment they need. The solution is to purchase study abroad insurance.
The Advantages of Study Abroad Insurance
You know your child, and you know they can become sick or get injured with little warning. When they’re in a different country than you are, you will of course want to make sure they can get the best treatment available for the least amount of money. A comprehensive study abroad insurance plan is necessary and recommended for several reasons:
Conclusion
No matter how long your student is studying abroad, it is always advisable to purchase study abroad insurance. The best plan will depend upon a variety of factors such as the country they’re studying in, duration of the program, and the school they will be attending. Leave yourself ample time to research an adequate insurance policy for the student’s needs.
Five Hidden Dangers of Beach Vacations
For many, summer is the time to take a vacation to a place with white sands, blue waters, and endless sunshine. However, all that fun in the sun can hide some dangers that you didn’t even know existed. Keep the following in mind before you head out to splash in the water and work on your tan.
1. Sinkholes
It’s common for children to dig holes and build sandcastles on the beach. The trouble is, very few beachgoers take the time to refill the holes they’ve dug once it’s time to leave. The result is a minefield of hard-to-spot holes in the sand. One wrong step could lead to a twisted ankle, broken bone, or other injury. When you first arrive at the beach, don’t let your children run wild. Be sure to carefully scope out where you’ll set up your towel and umbrella to ensure there aren’t any sinkholes nearby.
2. Rip Currents
A rip current, or undertow is a strong current of water that flows away from the shore. Mistakenly swimming into a rip current can pull you way out to sea. For this reason, over 80% of lifeguard rescues are performed because of these currents. To avoid them, always check the local beach forecast before heading out, and never swim at beaches that don’t have lifeguards present. If you’re caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you’re out of it.
3. Polluted Water
Failing septic systems, untreated sewage waste from ships, and fertilizers can pollute water, even if it seems clean. Swimming in this water can cause a range of health issues like gastrointestinal conditions, conjunctivitis, and ear infections. Local authorities should regularly test the water for contaminants, and close beaches if they are deemed unsafe. Never swim at closed beaches, regardless of how inviting they look.
4. Jellyfish Stings
Jellyfish are fascinating creatures, but they can be difficult to spot and their sting is painful. They typically swim with the current, and prefer to stick to shallow water. Even if a jellyfish washes up on the beach, be sure to avoid it. The tentacles can sting as long as they stay wet. A sting from a jellyfish can result in rashes, burns, and even neurological damage.
5. Severe Sunburn
Though the sunlight is a primary attraction for beachgoers, it can also be one of the biggest dangers you encounter. Severe sunburns can cause painful blisters, and prolonged exposure can lead to skin cancer. Regularly apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 while you’re at the beach. Also, drink plenty of water. Hydrated skin cells plump up and help protect the deeper cells from damage.
Protect Yourself with the Right Travel Insurance
Even the most careful vacationer can’t avoid every danger, but they can be prepared for them.
If you’re planning a beach vacation in another country outside the United States, get travel medical insurance. The domestic health insurance from your home country is unlikely to be sufficient if you get sick or injured abroad. Travel medical insurance can help pay for necessary medical treatment outside your home country, meaning you won’t be stuck with a bill you may not be able to afford to pay.
If your international beach vacation is taking you to the USA, get visitors medical insurance. Healthcare costs in the US are among the highest in the world. You don’t want to get injured at the beach and have to pay for treatment at an American hospital out of your own pocket. It simply isn’t affordable for most people. Visitors insurance can help relieve you of the financial strain.