International Major Medical vs Patriot America Plus
International Major Medical carries limited PED cover, while Patriot America Plus only offers acute-onset PED cover only. For most parents over 60 with even one chronic condition, that single line decides the comparison. The table below calls the winner on each point.
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 Plus isn't out — it leads on lowest deductible and age eligibility — but the overall scorecard goes 6–3.
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 Plus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage limit | $5M | $1M | International Major Medical |
| Lowest deductible | $250 | - | Patriot America Plus |
| Pre-existing condition cover | Limited | Acute-onset | International Major Medical |
| Direct billing at hospitals | Yes | Yes | |
| Hospital network size | Very large | Very large | |
| Typical premium band | - | ~$215 | |
| Avg claim settlement | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Age eligibility | 14-99 | 0-99 | Patriot America Plus |
| 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.
- 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.
Claims experience
| Metric | International Major Medical | Patriot America Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 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▾
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
- IMG and IMG both run direct-billing, so the family doesn't front the ER bill and chase reimbursement later.
- COVID-19 treatment is in scope on both — handled like any other illness, not a separate rider.
- 24×7 phone support sits behind both plans — useful when a hospital admits at 2am IST and you need pre-auth.
- Neither plan is fixed-benefit; both reimburse real charges up to the medical limit, which is what you want for an unpredictable US bill.
Premium is meaningfully higher than standard visitor plans.
Acute-onset PED only up to age 70; 20% coinsurance on first $5k stings.
Other comparisons you might want
More comparisons for International Major Medical
More comparisons for Patriot America Plus
Treat this page as a decision aid, not insurance advice. We have no commercial relationship with IMG or IMG; the brochures, sample certificates and rate cards we used are dated 2026 and may be revised by the insurers without notice.