When you are visiting the United States from another country for a vacation or an extended stay, there are lots of things to worry about. Communicating in a different language, learning different customs, and simply getting where you need to go can all be a challenge. You do not need to add “getting affordable, high-quality healthcare” to that list, because visitors insurance can take care of that for you.

Because the U.S. has a privatized healthcare system in which its citizens much purchase their own insurance, typically through their employer but also sometimes through insurance companies, visitors to the country will not be able to leverage any sort of government-sponsored plan. So if you find yourself injured or ill while visiting the U.S., you will have to pay the entire cost of medical care out of your own pocket.

That can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the severity of your medical problem.  And even if you are covered under a health insurance plan in your home country, it likely will not apply in the U.S. Most policies tend to only be good for the country in which they are issued.

Visitors insurance helps keep the cost of medical care down. Instead of paying those full prices for procedures, you will pay only a fraction of them. This way, you can get the same high quality care you would expect in your native country without spending an exorbitant sum. You will be able to enjoy your stay much more if the fear of high medical costs is not lurking in the back of your head.