Patriot America Plus is a comprehensive travel medical insurance plan for non-U.S. citizens visiting the USA, Canada, or Mexico. It offers policy maximums up to $1,000,000 (through age 69), flexible deductibles from $0 to $2,500, and pays 100% of eligible costs in-network. Standout benefits include $1,000,000 emergency medical evacuation, coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions for those under 70, COVID-19 coverage, and up to $50,000 in accidental death and dismemberment. Coverage runs from 5 days to 12 months and can extend up to 24 months.
Traveling to North America without solid medical coverage is a gamble few can afford. A single hospital stay in the United States can wipe out your savings, and your home health plan almost certainly won’t help once you cross the border. That’s exactly the gap Patriot America Plus fills.
This guide breaks down everything the plan covers, in plain language. You’ll learn who qualifies, how the medical benefits work, which special coverages set it apart, what’s excluded, and the eligibility and pre-certification rules you must follow. By the end, you’ll know whether Patriot America Plus fits your trip—and how to get a quote in minutes.
What is Patriot America Plus and who is it for?
Patriot America Plus is a comprehensive, short-term travel medical insurance plan built for people traveling outside their home country. It’s designed specifically for non-U.S. citizens visiting the United States, Canada, or Mexico.
The plan covers you while you’re away from your country of residence, protecting against sudden illness and injury during your trip. It’s a surplus lines insurance product, and it’s worth noting that it isn’t subject to—and doesn’t provide the benefits required by—the U.S. Affordable Care Act (PPACA). In other words, it’s travel medical coverage, not domestic health insurance.
Who benefits most from this plan
This plan suits a wide range of travelers heading to North America:
- Parents and relatives visiting family in the USA, Canada, or Mexico
- Tourists and vacationers wanting protection against unexpected medical bills
- Business travelers on short or extended trips
- Longer-stay visitors who need coverage for several months
Because it’s comprehensive, the plan pays a percentage of your real medical costs up to a high maximum. That structure handles major emergencies far better than budget fixed-benefit plans, which only pay small set amounts per service. If you want to understand that difference more deeply, our guide on the common mistakes when buying visitors insurance is a helpful read before you commit.
Core medical benefits: what the plan pays
The heart of Patriot America Plus is its flexible, percentage-based medical coverage. You choose your policy maximum and deductible, then the plan pays a share of your covered costs up to that limit.
Policy maximum options by age
Your available coverage limit depends on your age, which reflects the higher health risks that come with getting older. Here’s how the maximums break down:
| Age | Available policy maximums |
|---|---|
| Through age 69 | $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, or $1,000,000 |
| Ages 70–79 | $50,000 or $100,000 |
| Ages 80 and older | $10,000 |
Younger travelers get the widest range and the highest ceilings. If you’re under 70 and want the strongest protection, the $1,000,000 maximum offers serious peace of mind against a catastrophic bill.
Deductible options
The deductible is what you pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in. Patriot America Plus lets you choose from several levels:
$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, or $2,500 per insured person.
A higher deductible lowers your premium but raises your cost per claim. A lower deductible costs more upfront but cushions you when a bill arrives. Pick the level that matches your budget and how much risk you’re comfortable carrying.
Coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums
Coinsurance is the share of the bill you pay after your deductible. This is where the plan really shines, because in most situations, it pays everything:
- U.S. in-network: Plan pays 100%, you pay 0%, out-of-pocket maximum is $0
- U.S. out-of-network: Plan pays 90%, you pay 10%, out-of-pocket maximum is $500
- International (outside the U.S.): Plan pays 100%, you pay 0%, out-of-pocket maximum is $0
The lesson here is simple: staying in-network in the U.S. means the plan covers your full eligible costs after the deductible. Even out-of-network, your coinsurance is capped at just $500.
What’s covered day to day
Beyond big emergencies, the plan handles everyday medical needs:
- Inpatient care — hospital room and board at the average semi-private rate, plus intensive care
- Outpatient care — physician visits, lab work, and radiology
- Urgent care — with a $25 copayment
- Walk-in clinics — with a $15 copayment
- Prescription drugs — covered up to the plan maximum (or up to $250,000 for the highest limits)
One useful detail: urgent care and walk-in clinic copays waive the deductible, unless your deductible is $0. For emergency room visits, an injury isn’t subject to an ER deductible, but an illness-related ER visit in the U.S. that doesn’t lead to hospital admission carries a $250 deductible.
Special coverages that set the plan apart
Patriot America Plus goes well beyond basic medical care. These special benefits are where the plan proves its value in a real crisis.
Acute onset of pre-existing conditions
This is one of the plan’s most important features. For insured travelers under age 70, the plan covers the acute onset of a pre-existing condition—a sudden, unexpected flare-up—up to your period of coverage limit.
There are firm rules. Treatment must begin within 24 hours of the sudden outbreak, and the condition must have been stabilized for at least 30 days before your effective date. Related emergency medical evacuation is capped at $25,000. It’s a valuable safety net, but read the terms closely. For a fuller picture of how pre-existing coverage works across plans, see our guide on travel medical insurance for pre-existing conditions.
Emergency medical evacuation up to $1,000,000
Medical evacuation is often the single most expensive event in a health crisis abroad. An air ambulance can easily top $100,000, and long-distance transport climbs higher.
Patriot America Plus covers emergency medical evacuation up to a generous $1,000,000. The evacuation must be approved in advance and coordinated by the company, so always call the assistance team before arranging transport.
COVID-19 coverage
Good news for today’s travelers: the plan treats COVID-19 like any other illness or injury. Charges for treatment resulting from COVID-19 are covered the same way as any other eligible medical event, with no special penalty or exclusion.
Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
The plan includes AD&D coverage with a principal sum maximum of $50,000. For a covered accidental death, the death must occur within 90 days of the accident. This benefit provides a measure of financial protection for you and your family in a worst-case scenario.
Emergency reunion and return of minor children
If you’re hospitalized far from home, these benefits help your loved ones:
- Emergency reunion — up to $100,000, allowing a family member to join you, for a maximum of 15 days with a $25/day meal limit
- Return of minor children — up to $100,000 to safely return dependent children home
Both require advance approval, so contact the assistance team as soon as an emergency unfolds.
Repatriation of remains
In the event of death abroad, the plan covers the return of mortal remains to your country of residence up to your period of coverage limit. Local burial or cremation is covered up to $5,000. Both require advance approval.
Key exclusions you need to know
No travel medical plan covers everything, and understanding the exclusions protects you from a surprise denial. Here’s what Patriot America Plus won’t pay for.
- Pre-existing conditions — excluded, except under the acute onset provision described above
- Elective and cosmetic procedures — including non-emergency treatments and organ transplants
- Adventure and extreme sports — such as skydiving, bungee jumping, BASE jumping, mountaineering above 4,500m, and off-piste skiing
- Collision sports — like football and rugby
- Maternity and newborn care — including prenatal, delivery, postnatal, and pregnancy complications
- Mental and nervous disorders — along with routine physical exams and immunizations
- Substance use — injuries or illnesses sustained under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while driving over the legal limit
- War and terrorism — including active participation in terrorism, plus terrorism where a travel warning was in effect before arrival
- Genetic testing and non-prescription items — such as vitamins and over-the-counter drugs
You might be wondering whether an activity you have planned is covered. If your trip involves anything adventurous, check the exclusions carefully before you buy, since a denied claim on an excluded activity leaves you facing the full bill.
Eligibility rules: do you qualify?
Patriot America Plus has straightforward eligibility requirements, but each one matters. Miss a rule, and your coverage could be invalid.
Basic requirements
To qualify, you must:
- Be at least 14 days old
- Complete and sign an application
- Pay the required premium
- Receive written acceptance from the company
- Have legally departed your country of residence and legally entered the destination country
Importantly, you cannot establish habitual residency in the destination country. This plan is built for temporary visitors, not permanent residents.
Coverage duration
The plan offers flexible trip lengths:
- Minimum: 5 days
- Maximum: 12 months per period of coverage
Need more time? Coverage can be extended for a minimum of 5 days up to a 365-day period, reaching a maximum of 24 continuous months. Extensions are subject to eligibility and payment of the extension premium.
This flexibility makes the plan work equally well for a short vacation or an extended multi-month stay with family.
Pre-certification: a rule you can’t ignore
Here’s a detail that catches unprepared travelers off guard. Certain services require pre-certification—meaning you must get advance approval before treatment.
What needs pre-certification
The plan requires you to pre-certify major services, including:
- Inpatient hospitalization
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Other significant procedures listed in your policy
The penalty for skipping it
Failing to pre-certify a required service carries a steep penalty: a 50% reduction of your eligible medical expenses. For interfacility ambulance transfers, there’s no coverage at all if pre-certification requirements aren’t met.
In practical terms, that means a $40,000 covered surgery could see its eligible amount slashed to $20,000 simply because you didn’t call ahead. The fix is easy: whenever a non-emergency procedure is planned, contact the assistance team first and let them guide you. In a true emergency, notify them as soon as you reasonably can.
A quick example: how the plan works
Picture Raj, a 58-year-old visiting his daughter in the United States. He chooses a $500,000 maximum with a $250 deductible.
Midway through his trip, Raj develops severe abdominal pain and needs emergency surgery at an in-network hospital. He calls the assistance team, who pre-certify the procedure. The bill comes to $60,000.
Raj pays his $250 deductible. Because he stayed in-network, the plan pays 100% of his eligible costs after that—covering the remaining balance up to his $500,000 limit. His out-of-pocket cost stays at $250 instead of a life-altering $60,000. That’s the power of comprehensive coverage combined with following the pre-certification rule.
Is Patriot America Plus right for you?
This plan is an excellent fit if you’re a non-U.S. citizen visiting the USA, Canada, or Mexico and you want dependable, comprehensive protection. Its high maximums, strong evacuation benefit, COVID-19 coverage, and acute onset protection make it one of the most complete options for visitors.
Keep these takeaways in mind:
- Choose your maximum and deductible to balance premium against protection.
- Stay in-network in the U.S. to enjoy 100% coverage after your deductible.
- Pre-certify major services to avoid the 50% penalty.
- Buy before you leave home to meet eligibility requirements.
- Read the exclusions so you know exactly what’s covered.
Get covered before your trip
A medical emergency abroad shouldn’t turn a memorable trip into a financial nightmare. Patriot America Plus gives you comprehensive protection—high coverage limits, 100% in-network payment, $1,000,000 evacuation, and COVID-19 coverage—all wrapped into one flexible, visitor-friendly plan.
The best time to lock in coverage is before you depart, while your plans are still coming together. Visit Visitors Guru today to get a fast, free quote on Patriot America Plus, compare your options, and choose the maximum and deductible that fit your trip. Protect your health and your wallet, so you can focus on what really matters—enjoying your time in North America.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for Patriot America Plus?
The plan is for non-U.S. citizens visiting the USA, Canada, or Mexico. You must be at least 14 days old, complete an application, pay the premium, receive written acceptance, and have legally left your home country. You cannot establish habitual residency in the destination country, since the plan is built for temporary visitors.
What is the maximum coverage available?
Coverage maximums depend on your age. Travelers through age 69 can choose up to $1,000,000. Those aged 70–79 can select $50,000 or $100,000, while travelers 80 and older have a $10,000 maximum. You pick the limit that fits your needs and budget when you apply.
Does Patriot America Plus cover pre-existing conditions?
It covers the acute onset of a pre-existing condition for travelers under age 70, up to the period of coverage limit. Treatment must begin within 24 hours of the sudden outbreak, and the condition must have been stabilized for 30 days before your effective date. Related evacuation is capped at $25,000.
What happens if I don’t pre-certify a required service?
If you skip pre-certification for a required service like inpatient hospitalization or surgery, your eligible medical expenses are reduced by 50%. Interfacility ambulance transfers receive no coverage without pre-certification. Always contact the assistance team before planned procedures to avoid losing half your benefit.
How long can coverage last?
A single period of coverage runs from 5 days up to 12 months. You can extend coverage for a minimum of 5 days up to 365 days at a time, reaching a maximum of 24 continuous months. Extensions require meeting eligibility rules and paying the extension premium.