This article was last updated and fact checked on June 9, 2022 by Mani Karthik.
America is one nation that is known to take healthcare very seriously. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that US spending on health care is nearly twice that of 10 other high-income countries. However, this also goes to show that medical care in the country can be much more expensive than many other developed countries.
This is the primary reason why it is always recommended that anyone travelling to the US should be covered by medical insurance. Not only does travel health insurance lower the financial burden of medical emergencies during your trip, it also increases the chances of you receiving proper and timely medical care. In America, regardless of whether you go to a small clinic or a large hospital, the first thing you will be asked for is health insurance.
Parents visiting their children in the US can be an incredibly joyous occasion. However, for senior citizens travelling overseas, medical insurance is even more crucial. So, if your parents are planning to visit you, as a resident of the US, you can do your part to help them out and get medical insurance for them.
Here are a few things you should consider while choosing medical insurance for your parents.
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Comprehensive Medical Insurance is Better
In comparison to limited coverage travel visitor insurance, a comprehensive plan provides wider benefits and higher coverage. Buying comprehensive travel insurance becomes even more important if your parents are visiting the US for sightseeing and will be travelling extensively. Comprehensive medical plans offer a wide range of health services and keep the elderly covered for a maximum number of eventualities.
CoverAmerica – Gold Insurance is a reliable comprehensive coverage travel medical insurance policy that is best suited for elderly travelers from India to the US. The plan offers coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions, emergency dental treatment, eye checkups and more.
If your parents are above 70 years of age, their safety and health become top priorities, since they are at higher risk of sickness and injuries. Find the best comprehensive plans for seniors belonging to the age group of 70-79 years traveling to the US.
When traveling to USA, travel insurance is much recommended.
Two great plans are, Atlas America and Safe Travels USA.
However there are other choices like these, as well.
Buy Separate Policies for Both Parents
It is a common practice to include both the parents in a single plan. However, there could be times when one parent leaves early for their home country, while the other stays on for a bit longer. A single policy will not allow you to cancel or extend the policy for one person. I would, therefore, strongly recommend individual policies for parents, so that each policy can be chosen for the person’s specific health circumstances. Buying two different policies can be expensive, but their immense benefits make them worth the investment.
Opt for Highest Policy Coverage
Most parents travelling to the US belong to the age group of 50-70 years. People of this age group are more susceptible to emergency health situations. Choosing a high policy maximum can be highly beneficial from a financial perspective. However, stay prepared that with age, the premium will also rise. Moreover, there could be restrictions to the coverage of certain pre-existing diseases as well.
If you think that your parents will be spending most of their time indoor in the US, you can opt for a less expensive, limited coverage policy, with a satisfactory policy maximum. But, why take a risk?
