Foreigners, including Ukrainians, are required to comply with visa requirements and have appropriate insurance to enter the United States. Here is a detailed explanation of when insurance is required, what kind of policy is needed, and where it is best to obtain it

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine

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A trip to the United States requires compliance with the requirements for the visa procedure and the issuance of an appropriate health insurance policy. When planning your trip to the country, find out what type of visa you need to get to enter the country and what the insurance requirements are. By following these rules, you can easily visit the USA.

Who needs to take out an insurance policy before traveling to the USA?

The US offers different visa categories depending on the purpose of your visit. Each type of visa has its own eligibility criteria, application procedure and insurance requirements:

Tourist visas (B-2)

Travel insurance is included in the list of mandatory documents when obtaining a visa. The presence of the policy can also be checked by border guards during the inspection. Additionally, consider that travel insurance is important for travelers because the US has one of the most expensive health care systems in the world.

If you plan to stay in the US for less than a year, a travel health insurance policy will suffice. It's also a great option for young travelers who need basic emergency care.

Student visas (F-1)

This category of visas is intended for foreign full-time students and their dependents. The US State Department does not have any specific insurance requirements for F visas, but in most cases your university will require proof of insurance coverage for you and family members. If you know which institution you plan to attend, contact them to find out which insurance policy will meet their requirements.

Exchange visas (J-1)

J visas are issued by those who come to the US for work (exchange), travel or short-term study. This visa category has very specific insurance requirements:

- The amount of medical payments in case of illness or accident must be at least $100,000.

- Compensation for the repatriation of the body in the amount of $25,000.

- Expenses related to the medical evacuation of the patient to his native country in the amount of $50,000.

- The deductible should not exceed $500 in case of illness or accident.

Work visas (H-1B)

If you are applying for an H-1B visa, you are most likely a highly qualified professional. To obtain this visa, your employer applies on your behalf. Depending on your tax status in the US, you may or may not be required to have a national insurance plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) when you apply for an H-1B visa. If you are going to work in the USA for the first time, obtaining a health insurance policy is mandatory before entering the country.

Refugees under the Uniting for Ukraine program

Ukrainians moving to the USA on the basis of the U4U sponsorship program are not required to have mandatory insurance for entering the country. However, this document is highly desirable.

Undoubtedly, refugees who arrived in the USA under the United for Ukraine program have the right to take out health insurance under the state Medicaid program, which will give you the opportunity to visit doctors for free. However, the first time after arrival, in particular during the preparation of documents and health insurance under the state Medicaid program, it is better to be sure that in case of an emergency or illness, you will be able to receive guaranteed help in a language you understand. Also, considering the high cost of medical services in the USA, an insurance policy can save you a lot of money in case of illness. Therefore, before traveling, we advise you to purchase a travel insurance policy.

Health care system in the USA: 5 basic rules you should know before traveling

1. There is no universal health care system in the USA. That is, every time you receive medical care in the US, someone has to pay for it - either the insurance company or the patient himself.

2. Health care services are very expensive. According to information published on the official website of the US government, if you break your leg, the cost of treatment will cost up to $7,500, and a 3-day hospital stay can sometimes cost a patient $30,000.

3. Most people in the US have a health insurance policy that protects them from large medical bills.

4. Most often, patients receive all the necessary medical care from a therapist at the initial appointment. If the patient has complications or if consultation with a specialized specialist is needed, the therapist will issue an appropriate referral.

5. In most cases, to receive a doctor's consultation, you need to make an appointment. This can be done over the phone or online.

Where to buy a health insurance policy for travel to the USA?

For the safest trips, you should buy insurance policies only from verified agents. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can purchase reliable insurance that has many advantages: packages for entry to any country in the world, guarantee of payments, online payment. A reliable policy in your mail in just a few minutes.

Just choose the most suitable options for the specifics of your trip, travel safely and save money at the same time.

We remind you! Many Ukrainians face difficulties when applying for the U4U program and obtaining a U.S. visa, in particular because of the multi-step process and the need to meet strict deadlines. Read this article to find out how to get the right to live, work, and receive financial support in the United States in a short time.

Photo: IStock

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Darya Rogova is the head of the Visit Ukraine insurance department

To safely move, travel or find employment in a new country, you will need travel insurance. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

Do you have additional questions? Contact the Visit Ukraine hotline (Telegram | WhatsApp).