CoverAmerica - Gold vs. ChoiceAmerica
If you’re weighing your options for a travel medical insurance plan that is right for you, you are already taking a step in the right direction to protect yourself while traveling abroad. When trying to decide between a limited or comprehensive coverage plan, you may have come across two popular travel medical plans, CoverAmerica - Gold and ChoiceAmerica.
CoverAmerica - Gold is a comprehensive coverage plan, which means that it is a percentage-based plan that pays up to 100% of eligible medical expenses within the PPO network for treatment and services. ChoiceAmerica is a limited coverage or budget plan, meaning that it pays a fixed, pre-defined amount for each treatment or service after the deductible is satisfied. Both of these plans provide coverage within the U.S. and are renewable for up to 12 months. The key differences between each of these plans are highlighted in the comparison chart below:
- Administered by IMG
- Limited coverage plan
- Pays predefined fixed amounts for treatment and services
- Coverage only in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada
- Coverage for border entry denial
- Coverage available for loss of passport and essential travel documents
- Optional riders available for pre-existing conditions, adventure sports and dental & vision
- Covers COVID-19
- Covers Influenza Vaccination
- Must be purchased within 30 days of arriving in U.S.
- If no claims have been filed, policy can be cancelled and refunded for a $20 cancellation fee
- Limited pre-existing condition coverage rider with no restrictions to an acute onset
- Policy maximum up to $150,000
- Available up to age 79
- Administered by IMG
- Comprehensive coverage plan
- Pays up to 100% within PPO network for treatment and services
- Covers travel to the U.S. and incidental trips to Canada, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, and South America
- Coverage for border entry denial
- Coverage available for loss of passport and essential travel documents
- Maximum 365 days of coverage
- Plan pays 100% coverage after deductible, in network
- UnitedHealth PPO network
- Coverage for COVID-19 like any other new illness if contracted after the policy start date
- Quarantine indemnity benefit of up to $50/day for 10 days
- Free cancellations and extensions at no extra fee
- Acute onset of pre-existing conditions coverage
- Emergency dental treatment and eye exams
- Influenza vaccination coverage
- Trip Interruption benefit of up to $10,000
- Available up to age 79
- Insurance ID cards downloadable to iPhone and Android Wallets
COMMON EXCLUSIONS (What's not covered)
- Preventative care (immunizations, routine medical exams)
- Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
- Terrorism coverage
- Trip interruption coverage
- Pregnancy and maternity care
BEWARE: Risk of Limited Plans
Limited coverage insurance plans may be less expensive, but come with higher liability risks. Since limited travel insurance policies only cover a fixed, pre-defined amount for each benefit, you pay for any costs that exceed the pre-defined amount for any given medical treatment or service, and those medical costs could potentially run up to thousands of dollars.
Example: If you have a limited coverage policy with a limit of $400 for ambulance services, which costs about $2,000, then you have to pay the difference – a liability of $1,600.
