International Major Medical vs Patriot America
International Major Medical 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. Here's how each line of the policy actually plays out.
Most parents visiting the USA prefer International Major Medical for this combination of coverage and budget.
Net-net: International Major Medical wins this matchup, mostly because of coverage limit and pre-existing condition cover. Patriot America isn't out — it leads on lowest deductible — but the overall scorecard goes 8–2.
Quick verdict
Strongest all-round mix: comprehensive cover, $5M limit, direct billing.
View PlanLower starting premium (~$0/month) without giving up the essentials.
View PlanBetter suited for older travellers: limited PED cover, accepts up to age 99, comprehensive payouts.
View PlanSide-by-side: who wins what
| Feature | International Major Medical | Patriot America | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage limit | $5M | $1M | International Major Medical |
| Lowest deductible | $250 | - | Patriot America |
| Pre-existing condition cover | Limited | Acute-onset | International Major Medical |
| Direct billing at hospitals | Yes | Yes | |
| Hospital network size | Very large | Large | International Major Medical |
| Typical premium band | - | ~$168 | |
| Avg claim settlement | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Age eligibility | 14-99 | 14-99 | |
| COVID covered | Yes | Yes | |
| Emergency evacuation | $1M | $1M | |
| 24×7 support | Yes | Yes |
Who should choose which
- You want the lower monthly premium.
- You want a higher coverage cap ($5M vs $1M).
- 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.
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 ($250).
- No emergency dental cover.
- Lower coverage cap ($1M).
- PED only for sudden flare-ups, not ongoing care.
- Smaller hospital network (large).
Claims experience
| Metric | International Major Medical | 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▾
International Major Medical — 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
- Both International Major Medical and Patriot America settle directly with US hospitals — no $50k credit card hold at admission.
- 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.
- Both are true comprehensive plans — they pay actual hospital bills, not capped per-day or per-procedure amounts.
Premium is meaningfully higher than standard visitor plans.
Acute-onset PED capped at $1,000 lifetime — very limited if pre-existing conditions exist
Other comparisons you might want
More comparisons for International Major Medical
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 International Major Medical and Patriot America certificates are the source of truth.