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UK citizens visiting the US can secure short-term medical insurance for their trip to the US through international providers like IMG Global, Allianz, and AXA. Short-term medical coverage can be purchased through short-term health insurance plans or travel medical plans.
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Do you live in the UK and are planning a trip to the US? Due to the high costs of healthcare in the US, you’ll want to be covered by a health insurance plan while visiting the country. The insurance experts at Pacific Prime have created this guide to help you find the right plan for you.
We’ll discuss what short-term medical insurance is, what to look for in a plan, and which providers offer short-term medical insurance plans. Keep reading to learn more, or click here for a free health insurance quote!
Explaining Short-Term Medical Insurance
Short-term medical insurance is medical care coverage that is shorter in duration than a standard health insurance plan, typically lasting around a few months to a year. It can be used to bridge gaps in coverage or for travelers going away on extended trips.
Short-term medical insurance can be purchased through standalone policies or through travel medical insurance policies. Travel medical insurance covers healthcare services in addition to the typical travel risks covered by most travel insurance plans.
What Short-Term Medical Insurance Covers
Short-term medical insurance typically covers a wide array of health benefits like hospitalization coverage, doctor and specialist visits, and more. The exact benefits included in the policy will vary across plans and providers.
Some examples of services covered by short-term medical insurance are:
- Hospitalization
- Doctor and specialist visits
- Outpatient surgery
- Prescription drugs
- Oncology
- Diagnostic tests and vaccinations
- Emergency dental treatment
- Medical evacuation
- Repatriation of mortal remains
Short-term medical insurance plans may have smaller coverage limits than your standard health insurance plan.
Why UK Visitors Need Short-Term Medical Insurance in the US
UK visitors should secure short-term medical insurance for their US trips because of the high costs of healthcare in the country. Without adequate medical coverage, UK visitors could end up paying high out-of-pocket costs for any medical services they receive.
The US has the most expensive healthcare services in the world, meaning you could end up paying double or triple the costs of healthcare services in the country than elsewhere. Visitors and expats should only travel to the US after they are adequately insured to remain protected.
Recommended Short-Term Medical Insurance Providers
UK visitors can find short-term medical insurance through international providers like IMG Global, Allianz, and AXA. These providers offer medical coverage in the US through short-term health insurance plans or travel medical insurance plans.
We will discuss more about these providers in the following sections.
IMG Global Short-Term Medical Insurance
IMG Global is a leading international health insurance provider that offers short-term travel medical insurance through its Patriot Plus plan. This plan was created for non-U.S. residents looking for temporary medical insurance while traveling for business or pleasure to the United States.
The Patriot Plus plan offers different maximum limits and deductibles, so travelers can customize their plan how they like. Policies can cover travelers from five days up to 12 months, with an option to renew the policy for up to two years.
Some of the medical care coverage included with the Patriot Plus plan are:
- Outpatient surgery
- Hospitalization
- Dental treatment
- Emergency eye exam
- Radiology/X-ray
- Physician visits
- Prescription drugs
- Physical therapy
The Patriot Plus plan also offers various crisis support benefits, including emergency medical evacuation, political evacuation and repatriation, repatriation of remains, and return of minor children coverage.
To begin comparing IMG Global plans, click the link here for a free quote.
Allianz Short-Term Medical Insurance
Allianz provides short-term medical insurance through its Flexicare plan. This plan is available in three-month, six-month, and nine-month durations. The Flexicare plan was designed for those who want comprehensive medical coverage while traveling abroad for short periods.
The Flexicare plan offers a core plan with medical coverage and an optional outpatient and medical repatriation plan to further customize coverage. The annual limit included in the core plan is US $202,500.
The core plan also covers the following:
- Hospitalization
- Semi-private room at the hospital
- Prescription drugs and materials
- Surgical fees
- Physician and therapist fees
- Diagnostic tests
- Outpatient surgery
- Emergency dental treatment
- Ambulance ride
- Oncology services
The Outpatient optional plan offers services like:
- An annual limit of US $5,400
- Vaccinations
- Specialist fees
- Prescribed physiotherapy
- Diagnostic tests
The other optional plan, the Medical Repatriation plan, covers the cost of the insured being transported home for treatment instead of staying in the country. This benefit only applies if the insured’s home country is included in the plan’s area of cover.
To begin comparing Allianz plans, click the link here for a free quote.
AXA Short-Term Medical Insurance
AXA provides short-term medical insurance plans for UK visitors going to the US for three to 11 months. The short-term medical insurance is offered in two different plans: Foundation and Standard. UK visitors can also further enhance their coverage with optional outpatient coverage.
While both the Foundation and Standard plans offer similar medical benefits, they differ in annual limits. The Foundation plan has an annual limit of US $160,000, while the Standard plan offers an annual limit of US $1,600,000.
The benefits included in the Foundation and Standard plans are:
- Hospital charges and surgery
- Second Medical Opinion service
- Virtual Doctor service
- Emergency cover
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Wide range of cancer treatment
- Ambulance transport
- CT, PET, and MRI scans
- Dental treatment (Standard plan only)
To begin comparing AXA plans, click the link here for a free quote.
How to Choose the Right Short-Term Medical Insurance Plan for the US
UK visitors can choose the right short-term medical insurance for their US trip by determining their healthcare needs, considering the length of the trip, and what they can afford. Understanding these factors can help guide you on your insurance shopping journey.
Determine Your Healthcare Needs
You can determine your healthcare needs for your policy by considering any pre-existing conditions you may have or possible medical support you see yourself needing. You should take some time to understand how much coverage you will need for your estimated medical expenses abroad.
You could ask yourself questions like:
- What is my overall health status?
- Do I plan on doing any semi-risky activities like hiking?
- Do I want the freedom to choose any doctor or hospital?
Once you understand what you will need for healthcare coverage, you can move on to other considerations like trip length.
Consider the Length of the Trip
You will need to consider how many months the trip will be in order to choose your short-term medical insurance policy. Some insurance providers may offer more flexible terms with the ability to renew, but others may offer more fixed coverage terms.
Generally, longer trips will require higher coverage limits for medical care. If you plan on being in the US for upwards of a year, you should look for a plan that offers adequate coverage for a year.
Consider What You Can Afford
Take the time to consider your budget and what you can afford to pay in medical insurance premiums. While you shouldn’t choose a policy strictly because it is the cheapest option, you should ensure that you are not paying for coverage you won’t need.
Consider your tolerance for out-of-pocket costs and if you can afford a higher deductible plan. A higher deductible plan means your premium costs will be lower. Are you able to pay more upfront for a lower copay or coinsurance?
The right short-term medical insurance plan for you will fit your monthly budget while also offering the protection you need while in the US.
Applying for Short-Term Medical Insurance for the US
UK visitors can apply for short-term medical insurance directly through the insurance providers’ websites or with an insurance broker. They should also apply for their plan before they leave for their trip.
Applying for short-term medical insurance with an insurance broker can streamline the process and provide you with coverage more quickly. An insurance broker can offer free and unbiased advice and provide years of market knowledge to help you find the best plan for your needs.
Insurance experts like Pacific Prime have the experience and knowledge necessary to help you find short-term medical insurance coverage for your trip. If you’d like to compare plans on your own, use Pacific Prime’s free quote tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long am I covered in a short-term medical insurance plan?
Short-term medical insurance typically covers the insured from a few months to up to a year. The exact duration of the insurance policy will depend on the insurance plan and provider.
What does short-term medical insurance cover?
Short-term medical insurance covers a wide array of healthcare services, from inpatient and outpatient care to medical evacuation. It can also cover doctor visits, prescription drugs, repatriation of remains, and more.
Why should UK visitors get short-term medical insurance in the US?
Visitors from the UK benefit from short-term medical insurance while in the US because it protects them from paying the high out-of-pocket costs for healthcare in the country. Paying for expensive medical care while uninsured in the US can land many with high medical debt.
What if I extend my stay while visiting the US?
If you extend your stay while visiting the US, you can reach out to your provider about extending your policy coverage term or renewing the policy. The IMG Global Patriot Plus plan offers policyholders the option to renew their policy for up to two years.
Conclusion
Short-term medical insurance can protect UK visitors in the US from the high medical costs of healthcare in the country. This important coverage can protect travelers who will need coverage for under a year and offer them peace of mind while traveling.
Are you ready to begin shopping for your short-term medical insurance? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime can help. If you’re also interested in medical coverage through travel insurance or an international health insurance policy, we can help find the right fit for you.
Reach out to Pacific Prime today online, or call us toll-free at 1-800-868-1451. For a free quote from a variety of insurance providers, click here!
Since joining Pacific Prime, Eric was exposed to a new world of insurance. Having learned about insurance products extensively, he has taken joy and satisfaction in helping individuals and businesses manage risks and protect themselves against financial loss through the power of words.
Although born and raised in Hong Kong, he spent a quarter of his life living and studying in the UK. He believes his multicultural experience is a great asset in understanding the needs and wants of expats and globe-trotters.
Eric’s strengths lie in his strong research, analytical, and communication skills, obtained through his BA in Linguistics from the University of York and MSc in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Bristol.
Outside of work, he enjoys some me-time gaming and reading on his own, occasionally going absolutely mental on a night out with friends.
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