Fixed benefit vs comprehensive: which one to get
**Fixed benefit plans** (also called schedule-of-benefits plans) pay a set dollar amount per medical service regardless of the actual bill. For example, a plan might pay $150 per ER visit or $500 per day of hospitalization — regardless of whether the actual cost is $3,000 or $30,000. These plans are cheap ($40–$80/month) but can leave your parents with massive out-of-pocket bills. Avoid these for US visits.
**Comprehensive plans** (also called expense-based plans) work more like real health insurance — they cover actual medical expenses up to the policy maximum, subject to a deductible. For a 60-year-old parent, expect to pay $100–$300/month for comprehensive coverage with a $100–$250 deductible and $50,000–$100,000 maximum. Always get comprehensive for US visits.
Top comprehensive visitors insurance providers for Indian parents: IMG Global (Patriot America), Seven Corners (Inbound USA), Trawick International, and INF (specialized for Indian visitors with pre-existing condition options).
Pre-existing conditions: the most important clause to read
Most standard visitors insurance plans exclude pre-existing conditions — meaning if your mother has diabetes or your father has hypertension, any claim related to those conditions will be denied.
However, some plans offer acute onset coverage for pre-existing conditions. This means if your mother has a sudden, unexpected medical emergency related to her diabetes (like a diabetic crisis), the plan covers it — even though diabetes is a pre-existing condition. The emergency must be sudden and unexpected (not a routine complication), and treatment must begin within 24 hours.
**INF Premier** and **INF Elite** plans are specifically designed for Indian visitors to the US and offer comprehensive pre-existing condition coverage (not just acute onset) for an additional premium. If your parents have significant health conditions, these plans are worth the higher cost.
Key questions to ask before buying: Does the plan cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions? What is the age limit? (Some plans don't cover visitors 70+.) Is the coverage on admission day or does it start after a waiting period?
How much coverage is enough?
Minimum recommended coverage for parents visiting from India: $100,000 maximum per illness/injury, comprehensive plan, with a deductible of $250 or less.
For parents over 60 or with pre-existing conditions: $150,000–$250,000 maximum, with a plan that includes pre-existing acute onset coverage or full pre-existing coverage.
For a 3-month visit (90 days), expect to pay: - Healthy parent, age 50–59: $180–$350 total (comprehensive) - Parent with pre-existing conditions, age 60–69: $450–$900 total (INF or equivalent) - Parent age 70+: $600–$1,400 total (limited plans available; age 80+ is very restricted)
Always buy coverage for the full duration of the visit — including travel days. Coverage gaps (even one day) are a real risk and can void claims.