Bridge Plan vs International Major Medical
International Major Medical brings a $5M medical limit to the table; Bridge Plan caps out at $1M. That gap matters most if a visiting parent needs ICU or surgery — the kind of bills a US hospital writes in six figures. The table below calls the winner on each point.
Net-net: International Major Medical wins this matchup, mostly because of coverage limit and age eligibility. Bridge Plan isn't out — it leads on lowest deductible — but the overall scorecard goes 4–2.
Quick verdict
Strongest all-round mix: comprehensive cover, $5M limit, direct billing.
View PlanPremiums are within a few dollars — neither is a clear budget winner.
Better suited for older travellers: limited PED cover, accepts up to age 99, comprehensive payouts.
View PlanSide-by-side: who wins what
| Feature | Bridge Plan | International Major Medical | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage limit | $1M | $5M | International Major Medical |
| Lowest deductible | $100 | $250 | Bridge Plan |
| Pre-existing condition cover | Limited | Limited | |
| Direct billing at hospitals | Yes | Yes | |
| Hospital network size | Very large | Very large | |
| Typical premium band | - | - | |
| Avg claim settlement | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Age eligibility | 14-64 | 14-99 | International Major Medical |
| COVID covered | Yes | Yes | |
| Emergency evacuation | $1M | $1M | |
| 24×7 support | Yes | Yes |
Who should choose which
- You prefer this insurer's reputation or service.
- You've used them before and know what to expect.
- You want a higher coverage cap ($5M vs $1M).
- The traveller is older — this plan accepts up to age 99.
Real-life cost scenarios
What you'd pay out-of-pocket on a typical US medical bill, using each plan's mid-tier deductible and coinsurance.
How we calculated
How we calculated
How we calculated
Plan limitations side by side
- Lower coverage cap ($1M).
- Won't accept travellers above age 64.
- Highest minimum deductible ($250).
Claims experience
| Metric | Bridge Plan | International Major Medical |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of claims | Slower | Slower |
| Typical claim time | 26–37 days | 26–37 days |
| Common issues |
|
|
Typical experience — actual times vary by case complexity and documentation.
If something goes wrong: emergency flow
A simple, repeatable sequence so a stressed family member knows exactly what to do.
- 1Visit the hospital
Go to the nearest ER. Don't delay over network checks in a true emergency.
- 2Show your insurance card
Present your insurer ID and policy number at admission.
- 3Call the 24x7 helpline
Notify the insurer within 24 hours so they can coordinate with the hospital.
- 4Cashless or reimbursement
In-network: hospital bills the insurer directly. Out-of-network: collect every bill and receipt.
- 5Pay only your share
You cover the deductible plus your coinsurance %; the insurer settles the rest.
Go to the nearest ER. Don't delay over network checks in a true emergency.
Present your insurer ID and policy number at admission.
Notify the insurer within 24 hours so they can coordinate with the hospital.
In-network: hospital bills the insurer directly. Out-of-network: collect every bill and receipt.
You cover the deductible plus your coinsurance %; the insurer settles the rest.
Things most people miss
The fine print that decides whether a claim gets paid in full, partially, or not at all.
What a deductible actually costs you▾
Coinsurance — the hidden second bill▾
Pre-existing conditions — the small print▾
Network restrictions in real ERs▾
Why claims get rejected▾
NRI visitors split fairly evenly between these two.
Based on typical user preferences (age, coverage, cost). Not a popularity poll.
Where they're the same
- Both Bridge Plan and International Major Medical settle directly with US hospitals — no $50k credit card hold at admission.
- COVID-19 treatment is in scope on both — handled like any other illness, not a separate rider.
- Both IMG and IMG keep a round-the-clock claims line, not just business hours.
- Both are true comprehensive plans — they pay actual hospital bills, not capped per-day or per-procedure amounts.
Stricter eligibility than visitor plans - read residency requirements.
Premium is meaningfully higher than standard visitor plans.
Other comparisons you might want
More comparisons for Bridge Plan
More comparisons for International Major Medical
BackToIndia is independent — we don't sell Bridge Plan or International Major Medical and earn nothing from either IMG or IMG. Plan data is reviewed by our editorial team in 2026; always confirm specifics against the official policy wording before purchase.