Bridge Plan vs Patriot America
Bridge Plan carries limited PED cover, while Patriot America only offers acute-onset PED cover only. For most parents over 60 with even one chronic condition, that single line decides the comparison. Read on for the line-by-line scorecard.
Most parents visiting the USA prefer Bridge Plan for this combination of coverage and budget.
Net-net: Bridge Plan wins this matchup, mostly because of pre-existing condition cover and hospital network size. Patriot America isn't out — it leads on lowest deductible and age eligibility — but the overall scorecard goes 5–3.
Quick verdict
Strongest all-round mix: comprehensive cover, $1M limit, direct billing.
View PlanBoth are senior-friendly — choice depends on PED needs and budget.
Side-by-side: who wins what
| Feature | Bridge Plan | Patriot America | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage limit | $1M | $1M | |
| Lowest deductible | $100 | - | Patriot America |
| Pre-existing condition cover | Limited | Acute-onset | Bridge Plan |
| Direct billing at hospitals | Yes | Yes | |
| Hospital network size | Very large | Large | Bridge Plan |
| Typical premium band | - | ~$168 | |
| Avg claim settlement | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Age eligibility | 14-64 | 14-99 | Patriot America |
| COVID covered | Yes | Yes | |
| Emergency evacuation | $1M | $1M | |
| 24×7 support | Yes | Yes |
Who should choose which
- You want the lower monthly premium.
- Your traveller has pre-existing conditions you want covered.
- You want the widest possible US hospital network.
- The trip is long — this plan covers up to 365 days.
- 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
- Highest minimum deductible ($100).
- No emergency dental cover.
- Won't accept travellers above age 64.
- PED only for sudden flare-ups, not ongoing care.
- Smaller hospital network (large).
Claims experience
| Metric | Bridge Plan | Patriot America |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of claims | Slower | Slower |
| Typical claim time | 26–37 days | 26–37 days |
| Common issues |
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|
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▾
Bridge Plan — Closest match to what most NRIs choose for parents visiting the USA.
Based on typical user preferences (age, coverage, cost). Not a popularity poll.
Where they're the same
- IMG and IMG both run direct-billing, so the family doesn't front the ER bill and chase reimbursement later.
- Neither plan treats COVID as an exclusion; it's covered up to the standard medical limit on both.
- Both IMG and IMG keep a round-the-clock claims line, not just business hours.
- Neither plan is fixed-benefit; both reimburse real charges up to the medical limit, which is what you want for an unpredictable US bill.
Stricter eligibility than visitor plans - read residency requirements.
Acute-onset PED capped at $1,000 lifetime — very limited if pre-existing conditions exist
Other comparisons you might want
More comparisons for Bridge Plan
More comparisons for Patriot America
This comparison reflects publicly available IMG and IMG plan documents as of 2026. Sub-limits, exclusions and territorial rules can change between buy dates, so the official Bridge Plan and Patriot America certificates are the source of truth.