Travel medical insurance USA: Top 5 coverage options for visitors

Ucha Vekua

Travel medical insurance covers your healthcare costs if you get sick or injured while visiting the US. US medical care is extremely expensive, and a single emergency room visit can cost you thousands of USD.

Whether you're traveling for the 2026 FIFA World Cup or just going on vacation, your home country's health insurance probably won't cover you in the US, so it's important to get separate coverage.

Here's what you need to know about getting the right policy.

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Why is travel medical insurance important when traveling to the US?

Healthcare in the US costs more than almost anywhere else in the world.

Your regular health insurance from home usually doesn't cover medical care in the US. Even if it does, you might need to pay upfront and wait months for reimbursement.

Travel medical insurance pays the hospital directly, so you don't need to have thousands of USD on hand during an emergency.

If you're attending a big event like the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, think about the risks. Large crowds mean higher chances of accidents, and even a simple sprained ankle that needs X-rays and treatment could cost you a lot of money out of pocket.

Beyond major events, regular travel has risks, too. You could get food poisoning, need prescription medication, or develop an infection that requires antibiotics.

Travel insurance covers these medical emergency situations, so you can get treatment in the US without draining your savings.

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Top travel medical insurance providers in the US

Choosing the right travel medical insurance depends on factors like your age, how long you're staying, your budget, and what coverage you need.

Here are some popular medical coverage options for visitors to the US:

1. IMG Patriot Lite¹

IMG Patriot Lite is a travel medical insurance plan for short-term international trips. It covers medical emergencies and evacuation while you're traveling outside your home country.

You can choose coverage limits ranging from 50,000 USD to 1,000,000 USD, and the plan covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical evacuation if you need to be transported to medical facilities.

Coverage periods range from 5 days to 12 months, renewable up to 24 months. However, keep in mind that trip cancellation and trip interruption aren't included with this plan.

2. WorldTrips²

WorldTrips Atlas America is a popular option for visitors to the US, including tourists, business travelers, parents visiting family, and international students. The plan covers emergency medical care and provides 24/7 travel assistance services in multiple languages.

Coverage limits vary by age:

  • People 80 and older receive the lowest maximum coverage of 10,000 USD
  • People 65 to 79 can choose between 50,000 USD or 100,000 USD
  • Everyone else can select from 50,000 USD up to 2,000,000 USD

Coverage is flexible, available for trips up to 1 year, and you can buy it while already traveling or extend it if your plans change.

The plan also includes access to Air Doctor, a service that connects you to local healthcare providers through an app. It offers telehealth services for virtual doctor visits within the US.

3. Seven Corners Travel Medical USA³

Seven Corners Travel Medical USA is a visitor insurance plan for non-US residents traveling to the US. There are two coverage levels: Basic and Choice, with medical maximum options up to 150,000 USD based on your age.

The plan includes coverage for diagnostics like X-rays, lab tests, and MRI scans up to 3,000 USD, prescription drugs up to 350 USD per coverage period, and physician visits up to 100 USD per visit with a 30-visit maximum.

You also get 24/7 multilingual travel assistance services to help you find medical care, arrange emergency evacuations, and provide interpretation support during emergencies.

4. Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive⁴

Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive is a popular medical insurance plan for foreign visitors in the US. Coverage is available up to 1,000,000 USD and includes emergency evacuation, repatriation, COVID-19 treatment, and acute onset of pre-existing conditions.

You can choose medical coverage ranging from 20,000 USD to 1,000,000 USD, with deductible options from 0 USD to 5,000 USD. After you meet your deductible, the plan pays 100% of covered expenses up to your policy maximum.

The plan also offers optional add-ons like sports coverage and return to home country coverage.

5. Venbrook International Travel Insurance⁵

Venbrook International Travel Insurance has three plan options for non-US citizens visiting the US:

  • VenbrookPremier covers travelers up to age 89 with medical coverage up to 1,000,000 USD, evacuation up to 1,000,000 USD, and acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to your policy maximum
  • VenbrookBasic is a more budget option for travelers up to age 79 with medical coverage up to 1,000,000 USD and evacuation up to 500,000 USD
  • VenbrookEssential offers basic coverage up to age 89 with medical coverage up to 150,000 USD and evacuation up to 1,000,000 USD

All three plans include COVID-19 coverage and optional add-ons to customize your protection.

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Travel medical insurance protects you from expensive healthcare costs while you're visiting the US. You can choose from multiple providers with different coverage levels, deductibles, and benefits.

Make sure to compare options to find a plan that fits your budget and needs.

This is especially important when traveling to the US for a major event like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but medical emergencies happen on regular vacations, too.

Plus, it's important to remember that traveling to the US comes with other costs.

Using your regular debit or credit card abroad often triggers foreign transaction fees and poor currency exchange rates that add up quickly. This is why it's important to research your payment options before you go so you're not caught off guard by hidden charges.

Wise can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and hidden fees when spending in USD.

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Sources

    1. IMG - Patriot Lite
    2. WorldTrips - US Visitor Medical Insurance
    3. Seven Corners Travel Insurance - Travel Medical USA Visitor Basic & Choice
    4. Trawick International - Safe Travels USA Comprehensive
    5. Venbrook - Travel Insurance

    Sources checked 03/04/2026


*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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