Visitor Health Insurance for Tourists Coming to San Diego
If you are flying into San Diego for a vacation, a conference or a long stay with family, visitor health insurance USA plans are the main way to protect yourself from American medical bills. Your home coverage may pay little or nothing here, and US public programs are generally closed to tourists. Meanwhile, San Diego sits near the top of national rankings for what a single emergency room visit costs.
This guide explains how visitor plans work, what they cost in 2026, which rules trip people up (especially around pre-existing conditions and age), and what is specific to San Diego and California. It is written for visitors and for the San Diego families who host them.
All figures here are based on publicly available information as of September 22, 2026, and rates, rules and products can change at any time. Always check a plan’s current certificate wording before buying.
Quick Answer
Most tourists coming to San Diego on a B-2 visa or the Visa Waiver Program are not legally required to carry health insurance, but US hospital care is very expensive and tourists generally cannot enroll in Covered California or Medi-Cal. Visitor plans come in two main types: cheaper fixed-benefit plans that pay set amounts per service, and comprehensive plans that pay a share of the real bill up to a policy maximum. One broker’s September 2026 sample quotes put 30 days of comprehensive cover for a 65-year-old with a maximum of about $100,000 at roughly $219 to $255. Pre-existing conditions are usually excluded except for limited “acute onset” cover, which often ends at age 70. A licensed agent can tell you which plan fits your situation.
Why Tourists Need Their Own Coverage in the US
Many international visitors assume something will cover them if they get sick. In the US, that assumption can be very expensive.
Is health insurance required to visit the United States?
For ordinary tourists, generally no. Insubuy, a US-licensed visitor insurance broker, states that travel insurance is not required for a B-2 visitor visa or for entry under the Visa Waiver Program. That makes the US different from destinations such as the Schengen area, where proof of cover is part of the visa process.
The big exception is the J-1 exchange visitor. Federal regulation 22 CFR 62.14 requires J-1 participants and their J-2 dependents to carry at least $100,000 in medical benefits per accident or illness, $50,000 for medical evacuation, $25,000 for repatriation of remains, and a deductible no higher than $500 per accident or illness. Even if you are not on a J-1, those minimums are a useful benchmark for what the US government considers a sensible floor.
Why your home coverage probably won’t stretch
Government health plans rarely travel well. Canadians are a good example because so many of them visit San Diego. According to the Ontario government’s current OHIP page (updated January 2026), OHIP pays at most C$400 a day for emergency inpatient care in an intensive care unit or operating room, C$200 a day for lower levels of care, and up to C$50 a day for emergency outpatient services. It also does not pay to fly you home.
You may see older broker articles claiming Ontario scrapped out-of-country coverage entirely in 2020. The proposal was announced in 2019, but the official ontario.ca page today still lists these reimbursement limits and a claims process, so the official page is the one to rely on.
UK travelers face a similar gap. The NHS lists where the UK Global Health Insurance Card can be used, including the European Economic Area, Australia and Montenegro, and the United States isn’t on that list. The NHS also says the card is not a replacement for travel insurance.
Why US public programs aren’t a backstop
Tourists sometimes hear about Covered California or Medi-Cal and assume they are an option in an emergency. They generally are not.
HealthCare.gov says you must live in the United States to enroll in Marketplace coverage. On Medi-Cal, the California Department of Health Care Services put it plainly in a February 2026 letter to counties: B-1/B-2 visa holders remain ineligible because their immigration status indicates no intent to establish California residency.
What US law does guarantee is emergency screening. Under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services explains that hospitals with emergency departments that take Medicare must provide a medical screening exam and stabilizing treatment regardless of ability to pay. That is a right to be seen, not a right to free care. The bill still arrives.
What Medical Care Costs in San Diego
Knowing the size of a possible bill is the fastest way to decide how much cover makes sense. The numbers below come from different sources that measure different things, so read the “what it measures” column carefully.
Emergency room visits
The Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker analyzed 2019 claims from large employer health plans and found the average emergency department visit cost $2,453 in total. Among the 20 largest metro areas it studied, the San Diego area had the most expensive average visit at $3,761, more than twice Baltimore’s $1,645.
Those are amounts insurers and patients actually paid under negotiated rates. A visitor paying out of pocket, with no insurer negotiating for them, can be billed more. The KFF figures also leave out any follow-on hospital admission.
Hospital stays
KFF’s state data, drawn from the American Hospital Association’s annual survey, puts California hospital expenses per adjusted inpatient day at about $4,744 in 2024, compared with a US average of about $3,297. KFF notes this is an estimate of what it costs hospitals to provide a day of care, not what patients are charged.
Ambulance rides
Getting to the hospital has its own price tag. Here the published sources disagree, and the reason is timing.
The City of San Diego’s Fire-Rescue fee page still shows a fee table labeled for fiscal year 2025, with the top-level advanced life support emergency transport at $3,151.32. NBC 7 San Diego reported in June 2025 that the City Council approved increases to $3,371.91 for fiscal 2026 and $3,540.31 for fiscal 2027, which began July 1, 2026. The council action was framed around charges to private insurers, so what a self-pay visitor is billed may differ. Mileage and oxygen are billed on top.
| Cost item | Figure | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average ER visit, US | $2,453 | Total paid per visit, large employer plans, 2019 claims | Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker |
| Average ER visit, San Diego metro | $3,761 | Same method; highest of 20 large metros studied | Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker |
| Hospital expense per inpatient day, California | $4,744 | Hospital cost estimate, 2024; not a patient charge | KFF / AHA Annual Survey |
| Hospital expense per inpatient day, US | $3,297 | Same measure, 2024 | KFF / AHA Annual Survey |
| Top-level ALS ambulance transport, City of San Diego | $3,151 to $3,540 | City page (FY2025 table) vs. approved FY2027 rate | City of San Diego; NBC 7 San Diego |
How Visitor Health Insurance USA Plans Work
Visitor medical plans are short-term policies sold to non-US residents, usually for anything from a few days to a year or two. They are not ACA plans, and they work differently from the insurance most Americans have.
Fixed-benefit plans
A fixed-benefit plan pays a set dollar amount for each type of service, whatever the hospital actually bills. Visitor Guard, another visitor insurance broker, gives the example of a plan paying about $330 toward an emergency room visit; if the hospital bills $2,500, you owe the rest.
These plans are cheaper, and they can make sense for a short trip by a young, healthy traveler on a tight budget. The trade-off is that a serious hospital stay can leave a large balance even though you were “insured.”
Comprehensive plans
A comprehensive plan pays a percentage of eligible charges after the deductible, up to a policy maximum. IMG’s Patriot America Plus is a typical example. According to broker descriptions, after the deductible it pays 100% of eligible expenses inside the UnitedHealthcare PPO network, and outside the network it pays 90% of the next $5,000 and then 100% up to the maximum.
Comprehensive plans cost more because they are designed to absorb a real American hospital bill. Many families hosting older relatives consider this type for that reason.
Deductibles, coinsurance and policy maximums
The deductible is what you pay before the plan starts paying. Common choices run from $0 to $2,500 or more, and a higher deductible lowers the premium. Coinsurance is your share after the deductible, such as 10% of a band of costs outside the network. The policy maximum is the most the plan will pay, offered from as little as $10,000 up to $1 million or $2 million for younger travelers.
PPO networks and direct billing
Many comprehensive visitor plans rent a US provider network. If you use an in-network hospital or clinic, the provider usually bills the insurer directly and applies network discounts. Out of network, you may have to pay first and claim later.
| Feature | Fixed-benefit plan | Comprehensive plan |
|---|---|---|
| How it pays | Set dollar amount per service | Percentage of the eligible bill after deductible |
| Typical monthly price (Visitor Guard, 2026) | Often about $29 to $70 on common short trips | Often about $100 to $255 or more |
| Risk of a large balance after a hospital stay | High | Lower, up to the policy maximum |
| Provider network | Often none | Often a national PPO network with direct billing |
| Who it tends to suit | Short trips, healthy travelers, tight budgets | Older visitors, longer stays, anyone who can’t absorb a big bill |
What Visitor Insurance Costs in 2026
Visitor insurance is priced mainly on age, trip length, policy maximum and deductible. Two brokers published 2026 figures, and they look different at first glance.
Insubuy’s comparison, updated September 18, 2026, quotes one 65-year-old traveler, 30 days of base coverage, a $250 deductible and a $100,000 policy maximum (Beacon America at its nearest option of $110,000), with no add-ons.
| Plan | Maximum cover by age | Acute onset of pre-existing conditions | Est. 30-day cost at age 65 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas America | $2M (0–64), $100K (65–79), $10K (80+) | Up to policy maximum, under 80 | $249 |
| Beacon America | $1.1M (0–69), $50K (70–79), $12K (80+) | Up to $150,000, under 70 | $218.70 |
| Patriot America Plus | $1M (0–69), $100K (70–79), $10K (80+) | Available under 70 | $246 |
| Safe Travels USA Comprehensive | $1M (0–59), $100K (60–79), $20K (80–89) | Policy max under 70; $35K (70–79); $20K (80–89) | $255 |
Visitor Guard’s cost guide, also updated September 18, 2026, reports monthly averages from its own quotes across all available limits and deductibles. For Patriot America Plus it shows $168 to $344 at age 60 and $293 at age 70. For the fixed-benefit Visitors Care plan it shows $38 to $72 at age 60.
These figures don’t really conflict. Insubuy prices one exact profile, while Visitor Guard gives ranges that stretch from low limits with high deductibles to high limits with low deductibles. Visitor Guard’s own headline says typical monthly premiums run about $29 to $255, yet its table includes plans above that range for older travelers, up to $875 a month at age 70. Treat any headline range as a rough guide and get a quote for your exact age and dates.
Pre-Existing Conditions and Older Travelers
This is where most visitor insurance disappointments happen. Standard visitor plans cover new illnesses and injuries that start after the policy begins. Routine care for conditions you already have is usually excluded.
What “acute onset” really means
Several comprehensive plans offer limited cover for the “acute onset” of a pre-existing condition: a sudden, unexpected flare-up that needs urgent treatment. Insubuy notes that insulin refills, routine blood pressure medication, dialysis and scheduled follow-ups are typically not covered.
The fine print matters. Patriot America Plus’s acute onset terms, as summarized on Insubuy’s plan page, require treatment within 24 hours of the sudden onset. The condition must have been stable for at least 30 days before the policy started with no change in treatment, and the benefit excludes people traveling against medical advice, traveling to obtain treatment, or who already knew care was needed or scheduled.
The definition of “pre-existing” is also broad. For this plan, it reaches back three years before the effective date and includes conditions that were never diagnosed. Chronic conditions that gradually get worse don’t count as an acute onset, and neither does anything the traveler was told they should get treated.
Age cut-offs
Age changes both price and cover. In Insubuy’s comparison, acute onset benefits on Beacon America and Patriot America Plus stop at 70, and every plan in the table drops its maximum sharply at 80. Some plans, such as Safe Travels Complete according to Insubuy, offer limited cover for unexpected flare-ups of stable pre-existing conditions up to age 89, with separate higher deductibles.
For relatives over 70 with ongoing health conditions, many families in this situation consider talking to a licensed agent before booking flights. The right plan can depend on a single birthday.
San Diego and California: What’s Different Here
San Diego is a large, busy tourism region. The San Diego Tourism Authority counted 32.4 million visitors in 2025, including 6.5 million overnight guests staying in private homes and 3.8 million day visitors from Mexico. A few local features shape how visitor insurance plays out here.
The county trauma system
San Diego County runs a regional trauma system built around six designated trauma centers: Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego, Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, UC San Diego Medical Center, Sharp Memorial Hospital, Palomar Medical Center and Rady Children’s Hospital. According to Scripps Health, the county’s EMS agency sends each seriously injured patient to a center based on a defined catchment area.
In practice, that means a visitor hurt on a hike, a freeway or a beach may not get to choose the hospital. It’s worth checking whether a plan pays well out of network for emergencies, because network choice may be taken out of your hands.
Side trips to Tijuana and Baja California
Many San Diego visitors cross the border for a day. Some visitor plans cover you anywhere outside your home country; VisitorsCoverage’s summary of Patriot America Plus, for instance, says it covers eligible countries other than the home country, with the UnitedHealthcare PPO network applying only inside the US. Others are US-only. If a Mexico side trip is likely, confirm it in the plan wording and check the US State Department’s current travel advisory for Baja California before you go.
California’s hospital fair pricing law
California’s Hospital Fair Pricing Policies law requires hospitals to offer free or discounted care to uninsured patients earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level. The California Attorney General’s consumer alert says immigration status does not affect eligibility and that uninsured patients can request a written estimate of what the hospital will charge.
The Attorney General frames the program around qualifying Californians, and each hospital writes its own policy, so a foreign tourist’s eligibility is not guaranteed. Still, asking the billing office for the financial assistance policy costs nothing.
Federal Good Faith Estimates for planned care
For care you schedule in advance, the federal No Surprises Act gives uninsured and self-pay patients the right to a Good Faith Estimate. CMS guidance says that if the final bill comes in at least $400 above the estimate, you may be able to use a federal dispute process, with a $25 fee at the time the guidance was issued. It does not apply to walk-in emergencies.
Worked Examples for San Diego Households
These examples use real published prices where available. Where a bill amount is needed, it is clearly labeled as an illustration built from the benchmarks above, not a quote.
Example 1: Hosting a 65-year-old parent in Clairemont for a month
A Clairemont family is hosting the wife’s 65-year-old mother for 30 days. Her blood pressure is well controlled with daily medication. They look at comprehensive plans with a $100,000 maximum and a $250 deductible; in Insubuy’s sample quotes, Patriot America Plus costs $246 for that profile.
On day 12 she develops pneumonia. She goes by ambulance to the emergency room and is admitted for three nights. An illustrative bill using this article’s benchmarks might look like this: one San Diego-area ER visit at $3,761, three inpatient days at California’s $4,744 hospital expense figure ($14,232), and one ambulance ride at $3,540. That totals about $21,533, and real self-pay charges could be higher.
With the comprehensive plan and an in-network hospital, the family’s share is roughly the $250 deductible, provided everything is eligible and within plan limits. If the hospital is out of network, it rises to at least $750: the $250 deductible plus 10% of the next $5,000. It could be more, because VisitorsCoverage’s benefit summary shows out-of-network hospital room and board paid only at an average semi-private room rate. Without insurance, they face the full bill and would need to negotiate or apply for financial assistance.
Now change one detail. If the emergency were a sudden spike related to her blood pressure, the claim would depend on acute onset cover. At 65 she may qualify under Patriot America Plus’s rules if she is treated within 24 hours, her medication hadn’t changed in the 30 days before the policy started, and she wasn’t traveling against medical advice. Had her doctor adjusted her dose two weeks before the flight, or had she been 71, that benefit likely wouldn’t apply.
Example 2: Two young travelers in Pacific Beach on a fixed-benefit plan
Two 30-year-olds from Manchester spend 10 days in Pacific Beach. To save money, they buy a fixed-benefit plan. Visitor Guard’s rough guide puts a 25-year-old at around $1 to $3 a day, so two people for 10 days might pay roughly $20 to $60.
On day four, one of them dislocates a shoulder surfing and goes to the ER for an exam, X-ray and reduction. If the visit costs the San Diego-area average of $3,761 and the plan pays a scheduled amount like the $330 in Visitor Guard’s ER example, the gap is about $3,431, before any separately scheduled amount for the X-ray. Add an ambulance and the gap can pass $6,000.
A comprehensive plan would have cost several times more for the same trip. But it would likely have left them paying something close to the deductible instead. Neither choice is automatically right; the point is to buy knowing which risk you are keeping.
How to Choose and Buy a Plan, Step by Step
- List every traveler’s exact age on the start date. Premiums and benefits often change at 60, 65, 70 and 80.
- Decide how much of a bill you could absorb. That number drives the choice between fixed-benefit and comprehensive, and your deductible.
- Pick a policy maximum. The J-1 federal floor of $100,000 per accident or illness is a common reference point for adults under 70.
- Read the pre-existing condition section. Look for acute onset limits, age cut-offs and the treatment time window.
- Check the network. See whether San Diego hospitals and urgent care centers you are likely to use are in network.
- Confirm geography. Make sure the plan covers any trips to Mexico or other US states.
- Check extension and refund rules. Insubuy says its four compared plans are extendable and refundable, and that coverage can start as soon as the next day.
- Check the insurer’s financial strength. The J-1 rule, for comparison, requires an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or better or an equivalent from another agency.
- Keep documents on your phone. Save your ID card, policy number and the insurer’s assistance phone line.
When broker pages disagree
Broker summaries of the same plan don’t always match, so treat the certificate wording as the final word. For Patriot America Plus, Insubuy describes terms of 5 days to 2 years, while VisitorsCoverage lists 5 to 365 days, extendable up to 365. The difference likely reflects how each site describes initial purchase versus renewal, but only the policy documents settle it.
Ratings can differ too. Insubuy lists the underwriter, SiriusPoint Specialty Insurance Corporation, at A- (“Excellent”) from A.M. Best, and VisitorsCoverage’s page shows both A and A- in different places. Ratings change over time, so checking A.M. Best directly is the reliable route.
Common Mistakes Visitors Make
The most expensive mistake is assuming a US-hosting family’s own health plan covers visiting relatives. Insubuy notes a domestic US plan typically will not, and home-country insurance is often not accepted by US providers.
Other common errors include buying a fixed-benefit plan without understanding it pays set amounts, choosing a policy maximum based only on price, and ignoring the 70 and 80 age thresholds. Starting coverage late is another. Some plans can be bought after arrival, but anything that begins before the effective date is treated as pre-existing, so a gap of even a few days can matter.
A quieter mistake is skipping the plan’s assistance line. Calling before non-emergency care lets you confirm whether a clinic is in network and whether the visit is likely to be covered.
Finally, people forget ambulance costs, which can exceed $3,000 in San Diego before mileage. And some travelers delay care for a worsening condition, which can turn a covered urgent care visit into an ER admission.
Money-Saving Tips That Don’t Gut Your Cover
Raising the deductible is usually the cleanest way to lower a premium without cutting the policy maximum. Buying only the days you need, then extending if the stay runs long, avoids paying for unused weeks on plans that allow extensions.
When care is needed but not urgent, urgent care centers or telehealth services are often far cheaper than an emergency room. KFF found that even the least complex ER visits averaged $592 in total, and it noted that some of those visits could be handled in primary or urgent care. On Patriot America Plus, VisitorsCoverage lists an in-network urgent care visit at a $25 copay.
If you do get a large bill, ask for an itemized statement, ask about the hospital’s financial assistance or self-pay discount policy, and ask for a payment plan. Nothing here guarantees a reduction, but California law gives patients specific rights to request help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is health insurance required to visit the USA as a tourist?
Not for most tourists. Visitor insurance broker Insubuy states it is not required for a B-2 visa or Visa Waiver Program entry. J-1 exchange visitors are different: federal rules require at least $100,000 in medical cover, $50,000 for evacuation and $25,000 for repatriation. Even when it isn’t required, many travelers buy cover because US medical bills are high and home-country plans often pay little.
How much does visitor health insurance cost for the USA?
It depends mainly on age, trip length, deductible and policy maximum. Insubuy’s September 2026 sample quotes put 30 days of comprehensive cover for a 65-year-old with a $250 deductible and a maximum of about $100,000 at roughly $219 to $255. Visitor Guard’s averages show fixed-benefit plans starting around $29 a month at age 50. Younger travelers and fixed-benefit plans cost less.
Can tourists get Covered California or Medi-Cal?
Generally no. HealthCare.gov says you must live in the United States to enroll in Marketplace coverage, and Covered California is California’s version of that marketplace. The California Department of Health Care Services said in February 2026 that B-1/B-2 visa holders remain ineligible for Medi-Cal because their status indicates no intent to establish California residency.
Will a San Diego hospital treat a tourist without insurance?
Yes, in an emergency. Under federal EMTALA rules, hospitals with emergency departments that participate in Medicare must screen and stabilize anyone with an emergency condition, regardless of ability to pay. That doesn’t make care free. You will be billed afterward, and the San Diego area had the highest average emergency room cost among the large metros KFF studied.
Does visitor insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Usually only in a limited way. Most plans exclude routine care, refills and planned treatment for existing conditions. Some comprehensive plans cover the “acute onset” of a pre-existing condition, meaning a sudden, unexpected flare-up needing urgent care. Many of these benefits end at age 70, and some require treatment within 24 hours. Always read the certificate wording.
What is the difference between fixed-benefit and comprehensive visitor insurance?
A fixed-benefit plan pays a set amount per service, such as a few hundred dollars toward an ER visit, and you pay the rest. A comprehensive plan pays a percentage of the eligible bill after your deductible, up to a policy maximum. Fixed-benefit plans cost less, but comprehensive plans are designed to absorb a real US hospital bill.
How much coverage do I need for a trip to San Diego?
There’s no single right number. A common reference point is the $100,000 per accident or illness that federal rules require for J-1 exchange visitors. Given that California hospital expenses average about $4,744 per adjusted inpatient day, a longer admission could use up a lower limit quickly. A licensed agent can tell you what fits your age and budget.
Does visitor insurance cover a day trip to Tijuana?
It depends on the plan. Some visitor plans cover you anywhere outside your home country, including Mexico, while others cover only the United States. Network discounts usually apply only inside the US, so care in Tijuana may be handled as a pay-and-claim expense. Check the plan’s coverage area before crossing the border, and read the US State Department’s current travel advisory for Baja California.
Can I buy visitor insurance after I arrive in the US?
Often yes. VisitorsCoverage says Patriot America Plus can be purchased after arrival, and Insubuy says its plans can start as early as the next day with no medical exam. The catch is that any illness or injury that begins before the effective date is treated as pre-existing and generally won’t be covered. Buying before you travel avoids that gap.
What should I do if I get a big hospital bill in San Diego?
Ask for an itemized bill and the hospital’s financial assistance policy. California law requires hospitals to offer charity care or discounts to qualifying uninsured patients up to 400% of the federal poverty level, though a tourist’s eligibility depends on the hospital’s policy. You can also ask about self-pay discounts and a payment plan, and contact your insurer promptly if you have one.
Conclusion
A San Diego trip can be relaxed and memorable, but a single emergency here can cost thousands of dollars before a hospital admission even starts. Tourists generally can’t fall back on Covered California or Medi-Cal, and home-country plans often pay only a fraction of US prices.
Visitor health insurance USA plans close that gap, but they are not all built the same. The real decisions are fixed-benefit versus comprehensive, the policy maximum, the deductible, and how the plan treats pre-existing conditions at the traveler’s exact age.
Your next step: write down each traveler’s age, trip dates and any ongoing health conditions, then get quotes for at least two comprehensive plans and one fixed-benefit plan so you can compare them side by side. A licensed insurance agent can tell you which applies to you.
Sources
- Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, “Emergency department visits exceed affordability threshold for many consumers with private insurance,” https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/emergency-department-visits-exceed-affordability-thresholds-for-many-consumers-with-private-insurance/, accessed September 22, 2026.
- KFF, “Hospital Expenses per Adjusted Inpatient Day,” https://www.kff.org/health-costs/state-indicator/expenses-per-inpatient-day/, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute, “22 CFR § 62.14 – Insurance,” https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/22/62.14, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, “Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA),” https://www.cms.gov/medicare/regulations-guidance/legislation/emergency-medical-treatment-labor-act, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, “Good Faith Estimate and Patient-Provider Dispute Resolution Process for Uninsured or Self-Pay Individuals,” https://www.cms.gov/cciio/resources/regulations-and-guidance/downloads/good-faith-estimate-patient-provider-dispute-resolution-process-for-uninsured-or-self-pay-individuals.pdf, accessed September 22, 2026.
- HealthCare.gov, “A quick guide to the Health Insurance Marketplace: Are you eligible?,” https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/eligibility/, accessed September 22, 2026.
- California Department of Health Care Services, “All County Welfare Directors Letter No. 26-04: Residency and Electronic Verification Status Update,” https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/vi/services/medi-cal/eligibility/letters/Documents/26-04.pdf, accessed September 22, 2026.
- California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, “Consumer Alert: Free or Reduced Price Healthcare Through Charity Care Programs,” https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/Charity%20Care%20-%20Patient%20FAQ%20Bulletin%20%282%29.pdf, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Government of Ontario, “OHIP coverage while outside Canada,” https://www.ontario.ca/page/ohip-coverage-while-outside-canada, accessed September 22, 2026.
- NHS, “Get healthcare cover abroad with a UK GHIC or UK EHIC,” https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/, accessed September 22, 2026.
- City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, “Ambulance Transport Fees,” https://www.sandiego.gov/fire/about/emergency-medical-services/transport-fees, accessed September 22, 2026.
- NBC 7 San Diego, “San Diego City Council approves ambulance fee increase for private insurers,” https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-diego-city-council-approves-ambulance-fee-increase-private-insurers/3840173/, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Scripps Health, “Trauma Care,” https://www.scripps.org/services/emergency-services/trauma-care, accessed September 22, 2026.
- San Diego Tourism Authority, “San Diego Tourism Fast Facts 2026,” https://www.sandiego.org/about/san-diego-tourism-fast-facts, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Insubuy, “Best Travel Insurance for Parents Visiting the U.S.,” https://www.insubuy.com/best-travel-insurance-for-parents-visiting-usa/, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Insubuy, “Patriot America Plus Insurance,” https://www.insubuy.com/patriot-america-plus-insurance/, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Insubuy, “Patriot America Plus – Acute onset of pre-existing conditions coverage,” https://www.insubuy.com/patriot-america-plus/acute-onset-pre-existing-conditions-coverage/, accessed September 22, 2026.
- Visitor Guard, “Travel Medical Insurance Cost for Visitors to the US 2026,” https://www.visitorguard.com/travel-medical-insurance-cost-visitors-us/, accessed September 22, 2026.
- VisitorsCoverage, “Patriot America Plus Insurance,” https://www.visitorscoverage.com/patriot-america-plus-insurance/, accessed September 22, 2026.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It is based on publicly available information believed to be accurate at the time of writing, and rates, rules, products and eligibility requirements change frequently. It is not financial, insurance, tax or legal advice, and no advisor-client relationship is created by reading it. We are not licensed financial advisors, insurance agents, tax preparers or attorneys, and nothing here is a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any product, policy or security. Your own situation is different from the examples used here, so please consult a licensed financial advisor, insurance agent, tax professional or attorney before making any decision. We make no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and accept no liability for any loss arising from its use. Some links may be to third-party sites we do not control.