👵👴 爸媽來美探親要不要買醫療保險？Visitor Insurance 懶人包

很多住在美國的子女，最擔心的一件事就是：
「爸媽年紀大了，要來美國探親，如果在這裡生病或跌倒，醫療費怎麼辦？」

爸媽來美多半是用 觀光簽證或 ESTA，沒有美國身份、沒有美國醫療保險，也不能申請 Medicare。
如果在美國看一次急診，醫療帳單可能是台灣的好幾倍，輕輕鬆鬆就超過 幾千到幾萬美金。

這時候就會聽到一個名詞：Visitor Insurance（訪客醫療保險）。
這篇文章會用最白話的方式，帶你看懂：

什麼是 Visitor Insurance？跟 Travel Insurance 有什麼不同？
誰需要買？爸媽來美沒身份怎麼辦？
什麼是 pre-existing condition（慢性病）？包什麼、不包什麼？
要怎麼選？保額、plan 類型、年齡限制怎麼看？
如果爸媽在美國生病，需要坐飛機回台，怎麼處理？要不要包機？
要去哪裡買？是跟航空公司買就好，還是要找專門的 visitor plan？

🏥 什麼是 Visitor Insurance？跟一般旅遊保險不一樣

Visitor Insurance 又叫做「訪客醫療保險」或「來美探親醫療險」，主要的用途是：

給沒有美國身份、沒有美國醫療保險的外國人，來美國短期停留時用
重點放在「醫療費」：看診、急診、住院、手術、檢驗、救護車…
有些計畫會加上緊急醫療後送（Evacuation）與遺體送返（Repatriation）

這跟我們平常看到的 一般 Travel Insurance / 旅遊平安險 有幾個重要差別：

Travel Insurance 比較偏向：行程延誤、行李遺失、班機取消、旅遊不便險
Visitor Insurance 比較偏向：醫療費＋急診費＋醫療後送
長輩來美探親，最在意的是「醫療風險」，所以比較適合買 Visitor Medical Plan

簡單講：年輕人來美玩，買 Travel Insurance 就好；爸媽 60–80 歲來美探親，比較需要的是 Visitor Medical Insurance。

👨‍👩‍👧 誰適合買 Visitor Insurance？

如果符合以下幾項，就可以把 Visitor Insurance 列入選項：

使用台灣、香港、大陸、其他國家護照來美國，沒有美國身份
停留時間大約 1～6 個月（甚至更長）
年齡大約 55～85 歲，甚至以上
本身有慢性病，例如高血壓、糖尿病、心臟病、關節問題…
無法使用子女的公司醫療保險，也不能參加 Medicare

這種情況下，如果完全沒有任何醫療保險，一旦需要急診或住院，對整個家庭都是非常大的壓力。

💊 Pre-existing Condition（慢性病）到底包不包？

華人家庭最常問的一句話就是：

「我爸媽有糖尿病 / 高血壓 / 心臟病，Visitor Insurance 到底包不包？」

1️⃣ 什麼是 pre-existing condition？

簡單說，只要是來美國之前就已經存在的疾病，幾乎都算 pre-existing condition，例如：

糖尿病（有在吃藥或曾經診斷）
高血壓、心臟病、心律不整
中風病史、心肌梗塞病史
腎臟病、肝病
長期關節炎、慢性腰痛
甲狀腺問題、長期服藥的慢性病

不管是在台灣看診，還是在第三國，只要在來美前就已經存在、看過醫生、拿過藥，就很容易被歸類為 pre-existing。

2️⃣ 大部分 Visitor Insurance：不包「慢性病本身的治療」

這是很多人不知道的重點：

一般 Visitor Plan 大多不會承保 pre-existing condition 本身的 routine care
例如：糖尿病回診、慢性高血壓控制、慢性腰痛追蹤 → 通常不賠
很多保單會明寫：pre-existing condition excluded（排除）

3️⃣ 有些計畫會承保「急性惡化（Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition）」

這又是另一個容易誤會的地方：

所謂 Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition 通常是指：

原本存在的慢性病，在來美期間突然嚴重惡化
需要緊急治療、住院、甚至有生命危險
不是長期控制不良的慢性情況，而是突然發作的急症

例如：

血糖突然飆高到危險值，必須送急診 → 某些計畫可能會視為急性惡化而給付
長期心臟病，但突然心肌梗塞 → 部分計畫可以在年齡限制內理賠
高血壓本身的日常看診 → 通常不包

不同公司、不同計畫對「Acute Onset」的定義不一樣，而且 通常有年齡上限（例如只保到 69 歲或 79 歲）。
所以在幫爸媽選 plan 時，一定要看清楚：

有沒有包含 acute onset of pre-existing condition？
年齡限制到幾歲？
最高理賠額度是多少？

4️⃣ 80 歲以上爸媽（例如 80 歲的媽媽）特別要注意

對於 80 歲以上的長輩，很多 visitor plan 的情況會變成：

保費變得很高
能選擇的計畫變少
有些只提供固定給付型（fixed benefit），不是綜合型（comprehensive）
有些計畫對 pre-existing condition 完全不承保

如果你像很多人一樣，家中有七、八十歲的爸媽要來美探親，事先了解清楚，比事後抱著帳單發愁好很多。

📦 常見 Visitor Insurance 會保什麼？不保什麼？

通常可以涵蓋：

門診看診（doctor visit）
急診室（ER）
住院與手術
X 光、化驗、檢查
救護車（ambulance）
緊急醫療後送（Emergency Medical Evacuation）
遺體送返原居地（Repatriation of Remains）

常見不保或限制較多的部分：

pre-existing condition 的 routine care（慢性病日常追蹤）
自願性的體檢、健檢
牙科、驗光、配眼鏡（除非因意外受傷）
懷孕相關、多數心理諮商
故意行為、非法行為導致的事故

每家公司的條款不同，投保前一定要看好「exclusion（除外責任）」跟「limitation（限制）」。

🧮 要怎麼選 Visitor Insurance？5 個重點

1️⃣ 保額（Coverage Limit）

一般建議至少選擇 USD 100,000 以上
年紀較大、擔心住院或手術，可以考慮更高的保額（如 250,000 或 500,000）

2️⃣ 自付額（Deductible）和自費比例（Coinsurance）

自付額越高，保費越低，但出事時自己要先付那一段
有些計畫是先付 deductible，再由保險按比例支付（例如 80%/20%）

3️⃣ 綜合型（Comprehensive）vs 固定給付型（Fixed Benefit）

Comprehensive：依實際醫療費用理賠，一般來說保障較好，保費也較高
Fixed Benefit：每項給付有固定上限，例如急診最多賠多少、手術最多賠多少
對於年紀較大的長輩，如果預算許可，多數人會偏向綜合型（comprehensive）

4️⃣ 有沒有醫療後送（Evacuation）與遺體送返（Repatriation）

如果需要從美國送回原居地，Air Ambulance（空中醫療後送）非常昂貴
有這些保障可以在非常緊急的情況下，幫忙處理後送與相關費用

5️⃣ 年齡限制與 pre-existing condition 條款

確認爸媽的年齡是否在可承保範圍內
是否有提供「Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition」
年齡越高，對 pre-existing 的限制通常越嚴格

✈️ 如果爸媽在美國生病，要回台灣怎麼辦？需要包機嗎？

很多人會問：「爸媽如果在美國生病，回不了家怎麼辦？要包機嗎？」
其實大部分情況不需要包機，通常有三種方式：

方式一：一般商業航班（最常見）

病況穩定，醫生認為可以搭機
可以申請輪椅服務，機場會協助從 check-in 一路送到登機門
必要時可以選擇升等、或為長輩多買一個座位，讓他們比較好休息

方式二：醫護陪同飛行（Medical Escort）

某些計畫或專門公司提供醫護人員陪同長輩搭機
在機上協助用藥、監測狀況，適合可以坐飛機但需要醫療照護的人

方式三：空中醫療後送（Air Ambulance）

真正的「包機醫療專機」，機上有醫療團隊與專業設備
費用非常高昂，往往是十幾萬到幾十萬美金
通常只在病況非常危急、完全無法搭乘普通飛機時才會考慮

如果有購買包含 Emergency Medical Evacuation / Repatriation 的計畫，一旦遇到重大事故，務必要儘早聯絡保險公司的 24 小時緊急服務中心，按照指示處理，不要自己先做決定。

🛒 要去哪裡買 Visitor Insurance？

常見的幾種管道：

國際醫療保險公司官網（例如專做 International / Visitor Plan 的公司）
專門的比較平台（可以一次看到多家 visitor 計畫，試算保費）
懂中英文的當地保險顧問 / agent，幫你一起看條款與年齡限制

選擇管道的重點不是「哪一家公司最好」，而是：

有沒有清楚知道爸媽目前的健康狀況（慢性病、用藥）
有沒有確認年齡對應的 plan 選項與 pre-existing 限制
如果真的出事，有沒有一個可以幫忙追蹤理賠與文件的窗口

🔗 Visitor Insurance 跟你在美國的醫療與退休規劃怎麼搭配？

Visitor Insurance 只是爸媽來美時的一段「短期醫療防護網」，同時你也要考慮：

你自己在美國的醫療保險（HMO / PPO / EPO / HDHP）怎麼搭配
FSA / HSA 等醫療帳戶如何幫你自己省稅與預備自付額
日後爸媽如果移民、拿到綠卡，是否符合 Medicare 或其他保險資格

如果你覺得英文壓力大、條款看不懂，也可以尋找懂中英文、熟悉美國醫療與移民家庭情況的顧問，一起幫你把整個家庭的「醫療風險」先排好，遇到事情時才不會手忙腳亂。

延伸閱讀：

👵👴 Visitor Insurance for Parents Visiting the USA: A Practical Guide for Asian Families

If your parents are coming to visit you in the United States, one of the biggest worries is often:

“What if they get sick or fall while they are here? How do we handle the medical bills?”

Most parents visit the U.S. on a tourist visa or ESTA. They:

Do not have U.S. health insurance
Cannot be added to your employer health plan
Do not qualify for Medicare

At the same time, U.S. medical costs can be extremely high. A single ER visit or short hospital stay can easily reach thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.

This is where Visitor Insurance comes in. In this guide we will cover:

What Visitor Insurance is and how it differs from regular travel insurance
Who needs it (especially parents aged 55–85 with no U.S. status)
How pre-existing conditions (such as diabetes or high blood pressure) are treated
How to choose a plan: coverage, deductibles, age limits
What happens if your parents need to fly home while still sick
Where and how to buy Visitor Insurance

🏥 What Is Visitor Insurance? Not the Same as Regular Travel Insurance

Visitor Insurance is short-term health coverage designed for people who are temporarily visiting the U.S. and do not have domestic health insurance. It usually focuses on:

Doctor visits and urgent care
Emergency room treatment
Hospital stays and surgery
Diagnostic tests and imaging
Ambulance services
Sometimes: emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains

It is different from typical travel insurance, which often focuses more on:

Trip cancellation or interruption
Lost or delayed baggage
Flight delays and trip inconvenience

For younger travelers on short vacations, a simple travel insurance plan might be enough.
For parents aged 60–80 visiting children in the U.S., the main concern is medical risk, so a Visitor Medical Insurance plan is usually more appropriate.

👨‍👩‍👧 Who Should Consider Visitor Insurance?

Your parents or relatives likely need Visitor Insurance if they:

Hold a non-U.S. passport and visit using a tourist visa or ESTA
Will stay in the U.S. for several weeks or months (often 1–6 months)
Are in their late 50s, 60s, 70s or even 80s
Have chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or heart issues
Do not have any local U.S. health coverage and cannot enroll in Medicare

Without any coverage, a single emergency can create serious financial and emotional stress for the entire family.

💊 How Do Pre-Existing Conditions Work Under Visitor Insurance?

This is probably the most common and confusing question:

“My dad has diabetes and high blood pressure. Will Visitor Insurance cover it?”

1️⃣ What counts as a pre-existing condition?

In general, any illness, injury or condition that existed before the effective date of the policy can be considered a pre-existing condition. For example:

Diabetes (with or without medication)
High blood pressure, heart disease, arrhythmia
History of stroke or heart attack
Chronic kidney or liver disease
Long-term joint pain or arthritis
Thyroid disorders requiring medication

2️⃣ Most Visitor Insurance plans do NOT cover routine care for pre-existing conditions

Many standard Visitor plans will:

Exclude routine treatment or follow-up for pre-existing conditions
Not cover regular diabetes check-ups or chronic blood pressure management
Often state clearly that pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage

3️⃣ Some plans cover “Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions”

Another important concept is Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Condition. This usually refers to:

A sudden and unexpected emergency related to a pre-existing condition
For example, a heart attack, a stroke, or a sudden diabetic crisis
Not routine or poorly controlled chronic symptoms over time

For example:

A sudden heart attack in a parent with long-term heart disease → may be covered under “acute onset” for certain age ranges
Regular blood pressure follow-up → usually not covered
Daily management of diabetes → usually not covered

Each company sets its own rules and age limits, so it is important to check:

Does the plan cover “acute onset of pre-existing conditions”?
Up to what age is this benefit available?
What is the maximum coverage amount for such events?

4️⃣ Special considerations for parents over 80

For parents over age 80, Visitor Insurance options become more limited:

Premiums are significantly higher
Fewer plans are available
Some plans are fixed-benefit only (not comprehensive)
Many plans either exclude pre-existing conditions entirely or offer very limited protection

If your parents are in their late 70s or 80s, it is especially important to understand what the policy does and does not cover before they travel.

📦 What Does Visitor Insurance Typically Cover (and Not Cover)?

Commonly covered:

Doctor and urgent care visits
Emergency room treatment
Hospital stays and surgery
Diagnostic tests, imaging and lab work
Ambulance (ground ambulance)
Emergency medical evacuation (in serious cases)
Repatriation of remains

Common exclusions or limitations:

Routine care for pre-existing conditions
Preventive care or check-ups
Dental and vision care (unless due to an accident)
Pregnancy-related care in many plans
Injuries from illegal or risky activities

Always review the “Exclusions” and “Limitations” sections carefully before purchasing.

🧮 How to Choose a Visitor Insurance Plan: 5 Key Factors

1️⃣ Coverage limit

Many families choose at least USD 100,000 of medical coverage
For older parents or those with higher risk, higher limits (USD 250,000 or more) may provide more peace of mind

2️⃣ Deductible and coinsurance

Higher deductibles lower the premium but increase out-of-pocket risk
Some plans use cost-sharing (for example, 80% paid by the plan, 20% by the patient after the deductible)

3️⃣ Comprehensive vs fixed-benefit plans

Comprehensive plans: pay a percentage of the actual covered charges; generally stronger protection
Fixed-benefit plans: pay up to a fixed dollar amount for each type of service (for example, a set amount for ER or surgery)
For older parents, if the budget allows, many families prefer a comprehensive plan

4️⃣ Evacuation and repatriation benefits

Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation benefits can be very important in severe cases
Air ambulance services can be extremely expensive without coverage

5️⃣ Age limits and pre-existing condition rules

Check whether your parents’ age falls within the plan’s eligibility range
Understand if “acute onset of pre-existing conditions” is covered, and up to what age
Make sure you are comfortable with the limitations for pre-existing conditions

✈️ If Parents Get Sick in the U.S. and Need to Return Home, What Happens?

Many families worry:

“If my parents get sick in the U.S., how can they fly back to Taiwan or their home country?”

In reality, there are three main options, and most cases do not require a private air ambulance.

Option 1: Commercial flight (most common)

The doctor confirms that the patient is stable and “fit to fly”
You can request wheelchair assistance at the airport
Upgrades or an extra seat can provide more comfort for long flights

Option 2: Medical escort on a commercial flight

Some services provide a nurse or doctor to accompany the patient on a regular flight
They help manage medication and monitor the patient during travel

Option 3: Air ambulance

Used only in very serious cases when the patient cannot travel on a regular flight
Fully equipped aircraft functioning like a flying ICU
Extremely expensive without appropriate coverage

If your plan includes Emergency Medical Evacuation or Repatriation, you should always call the insurance company’s 24-hour assistance line before arranging any long-distance medical transport.

🛒 Where Can You Buy Visitor Insurance?

Common ways to purchase include:

Directly from international insurance companies that specialize in visitor and travel medical plans
Through comparison platforms that let you quote multiple Visitor plans side by side
Through a licensed, bilingual agent who understands both U.S. healthcare and your parents’ situation

When choosing where to buy, the key questions are not “which brand sounds familiar,” but:

Does the plan match your parents’ age and health profile?
Do you clearly understand the pre-existing condition limitations?
Is there someone who can help you with claims and paperwork if something happens?

🔗 How Visitor Insurance Fits Into Your Overall Family Health Plan

Visitor Insurance is a short-term safety net for your parents while they are visiting. At the same time, you should also look at:

Your own U.S. health coverage (HMO, PPO, EPO, HDHP)
How FSA or HSA accounts support your personal medical costs
Long-term plans if your parents later immigrate and potentially qualify for Medicare

If you prefer support in both English and your native language, working with a bilingual advisor can help you coordinate Visitor Insurance, your own coverage and future Medicare or retirement planning.

Related articles:

“HMO vs PPO vs EPO vs HDHP – How to Choose?”
“FSA vs HSA: Still Confused?”
“Medicare A, B, C & D Explained: Simple Guide to the Red-Blue Card”

👵👴 爸媽來美探親要不要買醫療保險？Visitor Insurance 懶人包 Visitor Insurance for Parents Visiting the USA: A Practical Guide for Asian Families