Parents Visiting You in the USA? Don't Let a Heart Attack Cost You $100,000. The NRI Guide to Senior Travel Insurance

Parents Visiting You in the USA?

You have settled in the USA, UK, or Canada. You finally convinced your elderly parents to fly from India to visit you for 3 months. The tickets are booked, the visa is approved. But have you thought about the one thing that could bankrupt your family in a single night?

US Healthcare Costs.

A simple 3-day hospital stay for chest pain or a fall in New York or California can easily cost $30,000 to $50,000 (₹25 Lakhs to ₹40 Lakhs). If your parents are over 60 and have Diabetes or Hypertension, they are walking time bombs in a foreign land. Today, we look at why buying "Cheap" travel insurance is a mistake and how to get real protection for your aging parents.

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Buy in India vs. Buy in USA? (The Price Gap)

Many NRIs wonder: "Should I buy insurance from an American company or an Indian one?"

Buying from USA (e.g., VisitorsCoverage, Insubuy)

Pros: Excellent recognition by US hospitals (PPO Networks). Cashless billing is much easier. Often covers "Acute Onset" of pre-existing conditions better.
Cons: Expensive. Premiums can be $300-$600 per month for seniors.

Buying from India (e.g., Tata AIG, ICICI Lombard)

Pros: Very affordable. You pay in Rupees (approx. ₹15,000 - ₹35,000 for the whole trip).
Cons: US hospitals may not recognize the card, forcing you to "Pay First, Claim Later" unless the insurer has a strong TPA tie-up (like UnitedHealthcare).

Verdict: If your parents are healthy, an Indian Policy is cost-effective. If they have serious pre-existing conditions, a US-based "Comprehensive" Policy is safer despite the cost.

The "Pre-Existing Disease" (PED) Trap

This is where claims get rejected.
If your father has been taking BP medicine for 10 years, and he has a stroke in Chicago, the insurance company will say: "This is a complication of a Pre-Existing Disease. Claim Denied."

Standard travel policies exclude PEDs entirely. You MUST look for a policy that offers:

• "Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions" Cover: This is the magic legal term. It covers sudden, life-threatening emergencies related to old diseases (e.g., a sudden heart attack), even if the patient has a history of heart issues.
• Specific Senior Plans: Companies like Care Health or Niva Bupa offer plans specifically designed to cover stable pre-existing conditions (up to a limit).

Don't Be Cheap: Sum Insured & Sub-limits

Many agents will sell you a $50,000 policy because it is cheap. Do not buy it.

$50,000 is nothing in the US healthcare system. That covers maybe 2 days in the ICU. Once that limit is hit, you have to pay the rest. For parents visiting the USA, the minimum coverage should be $250,000 to $500,000.

WARNING - Check for "Sub-limits": This is a hidden trap in cheap policies. A policy might say "$500,000 Cover," but in the fine print, it limits "Room Rent" to only $1,500 per day. Since a US hospital room costs $4,000+, you will pay the difference out of pocket. Always buy a policy "Without Sub-limits."

The "Deductible" Secret

To lower the premium, you can choose a "Deductible" (the amount you pay before insurance kicks in).

• $100 Deductible: Higher Premium.
• $1,000 Deductible: Lower Premium.

Since you are insuring against catastrophic loss (big bills), it is smart to choose a higher deductible ($500 or $1,000) to reduce the upfront premium cost. You can afford $1,000; you cannot afford $100,000.

Action Plan: Before They Board the Flight

1. Buy It Early: Purchase the policy starting from the day they leave their home in India. Coverage usually includes "Journey" risks like lost baggage or passport loss.
2. Declare Everything: Do not hide their diabetes or heart condition on the proposal form. Non-disclosure is the #1 reason for claim rejection.
3. Print the Card: Send a physical copy of the insurance card to your parents and keep a digital copy on your phone. In a US emergency room, showing that card immediately is vital.

(Disclaimer: Policy terms regarding Pre-Existing Diseases are strict. "Acute onset" coverage has specific medical definitions and age limits (often up to age 70). Always read the policy wording document carefully. This article is for educational purposes only.)

Conclusion

Your parents are coming to create memories, not medical bills. A comprehensive travel insurance policy is the best welcome gift you can give them.