Reference
Travel insurance, in plain English.
Insurance is full of jargon. Here are the terms that actually matter when you compare visitor, J1, student, immigrant, and Schengen plans — defined simply.
- Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Condition
- A sudden, unexpected flare-up of a pre-existing condition that occurs without warning during the trip. Many visitor plans cover acute onset up to a stated limit, even though they exclude ongoing treatment of known conditions.
- Beneficiary
- The person designated to receive any benefit (such as repatriation or accidental death) payable under the policy.
- Certificate of Insurance
- The document confirming your coverage, dates, limits, and policyholder details. Sponsors and consulates use it to verify that a plan meets their requirements.
- Claim
- A formal request to the insurer to pay for a covered medical expense, submitted with itemized bills and supporting documents.
- Coinsurance
- The share of costs you pay after the deductible, expressed as a percentage (for example, the plan pays 80% and you pay 20% up to an out-of-pocket maximum).
- Comprehensive Plan
- A plan that covers usual, customary, and reasonable charges for eligible medical events, rather than fixed dollar amounts. Generally offers stronger protection than a fixed-benefit plan.
- Coverage Maximum (Policy Maximum)
- The most the plan will pay over the policy period. Common levels range from $50,000 to $1,000,000; higher maximums are recommended for older travelers.
- Deductible
- The amount you pay out of pocket before the insurer begins paying. A higher deductible lowers your premium but raises your share of a claim.
- DOS-Compliant
- Insurance that meets the US Department of State minimums for J exchange visitors under 22 CFR 62.14: at least $100,000 medical, $50,000 evacuation, $25,000 repatriation, and a deductible of no more than $500.
- Evacuation (Emergency Medical Evacuation)
- Transport to the nearest adequate medical facility, or back to your home country, when medically necessary. A core benefit for international travelers.
- Exclusion
- A condition, treatment, or circumstance the policy does not cover. Always read the exclusions before buying.
- Fixed-Benefit Plan
- A plan that pays set dollar amounts for specific services (for example, a fixed amount per day of hospitalization). Cheaper but can leave large gaps on major events.
- Free-Look Period
- A short window after purchase during which you can cancel a new policy for a refund, subject to the carrier’s terms.
- In-Network (PPO)
- Providers that participate in the plan’s Preferred Provider Organization network, often billing the insurer directly and reducing your out-of-pocket cost.
- Policyholder
- The person who owns the insurance policy and is named on the certificate.
- Pre-Existing Condition
- A medical condition that existed before the policy start date. Coverage varies; some plans add acute-onset benefits.
- Repatriation of Remains
- Coverage for returning a deceased traveler’s remains to their home country. Required at $25,000+ for DOS-compliant J1 plans.
- Rider
- An optional add-on that extends coverage (for example, adventure sports or higher acute-onset limits).
- Schengen Insurance
- Travel medical insurance meeting the €30,000 minimum required for a Schengen visa, valid across all 27 Schengen-area countries and covering emergency care and repatriation.
- SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan)
- A university-sponsored student health plan. Many schools let international students waive it with comparable private coverage that meets the school’s criteria.
- Underwriter
- The insurance company that assumes the risk and pays claims. Financial strength is rated by agencies such as A.M. Best (A- or better is considered strong).
- Usual, Customary & Reasonable (UCR)
- The benchmark a plan uses to decide how much of a charge is eligible, based on typical fees for the same service in the same area.
- Visitor Health Insurance
- Temporary medical coverage for non-US citizens visiting the United States, protecting against the cost of unexpected illness or injury during the trip.
- Waiting Period
- A span after the start date during which certain benefits are not yet payable. New lawful permanent residents also face a 5-year waiting period for Medicaid eligibility.
- Waiver (Insurance Waiver)
- Approval to opt out of a required plan (such as a university SHIP) by proving you carry comparable private coverage.
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