COVID-19 Insurance for H4 Visa Holders

The H4 visa is issued to dependents of H1 visa holders who are employed in the US by US-based organizations. While applicants put all of their focus on paperwork and attending interviews, the insurance segment is left behind. But with the current Coronavirus pandemic hitting the world, all of this may change. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about insurance for H4 Visa Holder when America reopens.

COVID-19 and H4 Visa Holders

H4 visa holders are qualified for medical care programs like Medicare and Medicaid. On top of that, the US healthcare system is among the most expensive in the world. In case of emergency, the non-availability of comprehensive medical insurance can be disastrous for the H4 visa holder and even jeopardize the H1 holder’s visa status.

After November 3^rd, 2019, it became imperative for immigrants to submit proof of insurance packages or proof of the ability to pay for their medical expenses. Failing to do so will result in a visa denial. This is to ensure they do not become a financial burden on the federal government. While a federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to do so, it may get overturned.

Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, the rule may well apply to all immigrants moving into the United States. Therefore, it is advised to apply for a comprehensive visitor medical insurance package before applying for the H4 visa.

COVID-19 Options for H4 Visa Holders

Many H4 visa aspirants who are looking forward to moving into the United States have various insurance options at their disposal. Companies are pushing out existing and new insurance packages. Some of them are:

Seven Corners

Seven Corners is a 25-year old insurance firm that specializes in travel insurance plans. Currently, it is providing a wide-range of COVID-19 travel and medical coverage packages.

The packages can be broadly classified into two categories, Travel medical insurance and trip cancellation insurance. The first one covers your medical expenses while the latter your trip cancellation, should it get canceled.

H4 visa aspirants can apply for any of the Seven Corners insurance packages with the main condition being that he or she should not have been affected by the disease before buying the policy.

INF Insurance

INF is another insurance company specializing in visitors’ insurance in the United States. The company is now offering COVID-19 visitor travel insurance for coverage against coronavirus.

They are offering two INF Visitor Care packages, a Standard one, and a Premier one. The standard package is a normal one eligible for all age groups. If you don’t have any pre-existing conditions, then it’s advised to opt for an INF standard insurance plan. But if you have a pre-existing condition and symptoms, then there’s the Premier one that covers all pre-existing conditions. It covers everything from hospital stays to doctors’ appointments. This is a one-of-its-kind medical insurance plan since other insurance agencies don’t entertain visitors with pre-existing conditions.

The plans are open to both non-US citizens and US Expatriates visiting the country.

How to Apply for H4 Visa COVID-19 Insurance

Applying for a COVID-19 insurance package is similar to applying for any other type of insurance package or loan with a bank. You have to fill out a form, submit the relevant documents, link it with your bank account and you’re good to go.

For applying for Seven Corners COVID-19 insurance packages, please click on this link. Likewise, for applying for INF insurance packages, please visit this link.

The links will take you to the respective insurance packages. Simply navigate the website and find for the “Apply Now” button or of similar action.

You’ll then be asked to fill out an online form and answer some questions. After you’ve submitted the form, you’ll likely receive a verification call and the representative will direct you towards completing formalities if any.

But before all of this, you should read the agreement completely and understand what you are getting into. In case of any sort of doubt or confusion, please get in touch with the customer support or the insurance agent listed on the website before proceeding.

Once everything is done, you can gather a copy of the insurance and visit the consulate for H4 visa approval.

What Does H4 Visa Health Insurance Cover?

Not all insurance packages cover the same thing. What each package covers depends on the company, package, type, and premium. Some plans are designed for people who travel frequently while others are for a one-time visit. In the case of COVID-19 insurance packages, some packages cover pre-existing conditions while others reject applicants with any sort of pre-existing ailments. So you got to pick the one that’s best suited for your needs.

But generally speaking here’s what an H4 Visa health insurance package will cover:

Unexpected medical expenses

When you’re traveling, it’s quite a possibility that you’ll encounter some unexpected medical expenses which can range from food poisoning treatment to some severe medical conditions. Almost all insurance packages cover this kind of unexpected medical expenses. But the requirement remains that the hospital has to be a part of their provider network — not only for the first hospital that treats you, but all subsequent clinic visits, examination, and sampling test centers must fall under their provider network. If not, then chances are you’ll have to pay them separately out of your expenses.

Supplemental travel expenses

If you misplace your luggage during the travel only to never be found, then it is covered under supplemental travel expenses. If a close relative passes away and you need to interrupt your travel because you want to attend the funeral, then the expenses including trip cancellation cost will be covered. So, consider them as additional coverage for accidents or illnesses. In case of quarantine for 14-15 days, if you miss your flights, then COVID-19 packages will likely cover them.

Emergency reunion or bedside visit expenses

This coverage is for one person of your choice who you want to be at your bedside in case you get hospitalized. All the traveling and accommodation costs will be borne by your insurer. Generally, it covers a round trip in economy class. But not all packages include accommodation in their T&Cs. So this is something you need to check with any particular insurance package. The visitor can be either a family member or a friend, and the choice is exclusively up to you.

Expenses due to death

Most travel insurance packages will pay the policyholder’s beneficiary in case they pass away while on a trip. But the process is quite complex and time-consuming. You need to read the terms and conditions section as to under what circumstances the amount will be disbursed.

Travel assistance services

This kind of service provides the traveler with 24-hour travel assistance which includes medical emergencies, roadside assistance, and translation services to name a few. Generally speaking, it has to do with any kind of assistance you might require in case you get injured while on a trip abroad. The emergency reunion expenses mentioned above are also a type of travel assistance service. These vary greatly from plan to plan, so it is advised to check what’s included and what’s not.

Conclusion

With COVID-19 likely to last for a few months to years, it’s highly encouraged to get a package for yourself and your family members as soon as possible if you’re planning to travel into the United States.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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