PATRIOT EXCHANGE vs ATLAS AMERICA: A Detailed Comparison 

Enrolling in an international exchange program is an exciting step toward personal growth and academic exploration. But with numerous insurance options, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Two popular choices for J-1 visa students are Patriot Exchange and Atlas America. This guide dives into a detailed comparison, helping you decide which plan best fits your needs and budget. 

Table of Contents: 

• Patriot Exchange vs Atlas America 
• Patriot Exchange Plan 
• Patriot Exchange Plan FAQs 
• Atlas America Plan 
• Atlas America Plan FAQs 
• Conclusion 

Patriot Exchange vs Atlas America 

Category	Patriot Exchange	Atlas America
Plan type	Comprehensive	Comprehensive
Plan benefits	Coverage for hospitalization. Emergency Room, Office Visits and Prescription Drugs for accidents and illnesses up to $500,000, emergency medical and political evacuation, repatriation of remains, and AD&D.	Coverage for hospitalization. Emergency Room, Office Visits and Prescription Drugs for accidents and illnesses up to $2,000,000, emergency medical and political evacuation, repatriation of remains, trip interruption, baggage, personal liability, and AD&D.
Underwriter	Sirius Specialty Insurance Corporation	Lloyds of London
PPO	United HealthCare PPO network	United HealthCare for non-US and non-EU citizens. First Health Network for EU citizens coming to the US.
Policy maximum	50,000, $100,000, $250,000, and $500,000 maximum limit per illness/injury for medical insurance for inpatient as well as out-patient benefits for ages up to 64 years.	$50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000, or $2,000,000 for ages under 65 years.  For ages 80 or older the limit is $10,000; while for ages 65 to 79 you can choose from $50,000 or $100,000.
Deductible	$0, $100, $250 or $500 per illness/injury available	$0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 per certificate period.
Coverage days	Coverage from 5 days to 364 days (about 12 months) extendable for a maximum of 48 continuous months.	Coverage from 5 days to 364 days (about 12 months)
Coinsurance	Plan pays 90% in-network and 80% out-of-network	100% of eligible expenses after the deductible up to the overall maximum limit.
Provider	IMG (International Medical Group)	Worldtrips
Brochure	View	View
Plan Page	View Plan Page	View Plan Page
Ratings	AM Best Rating: A-	AM Best Rating: A++ (Superior)  Standard & Poor’s Rating: AA-
Plan features
Hospital room and board	Average semi-private room rate, including nursing, miscellaneous and ancillary services	Average semi-private room rate, including nursing services
Local ambulance	Covers 100% up to the maximum limit. Subject to deductible.	Usual, reasonable, and customary charges when covered illness or injury results in hospitalization as inpatient
Intensive care unit	Covers 90% up to the maximum limit in-network and 80% up to the maximum limit out-of-network.	Up to the overall maximum limit.
Pregnancy	N/A	Offers coverage for complications of pregnancy during the first 26 weeks of gestation.
Other eligible medical expenses	Covers 90% up to the maximum limit in-network and 80% up to the maximum limit out-of-network.	Up to the chosen overall maximum limit.
Pre-existing condition	Pre-existing conditions can be covered but after a waiting period. For conditions existing within 36 months before the effective date, charges are excluded until after 12 months of coverage and then covered at $500 per period of coverage with a $1,500 maximum limit.	For ages under 80 years, the plan provides benefits for a non-chronic acute onset of a pre-existing condition up to the overall chosen maximum limit.
Emergency medical evacuation	Up to $50,0000. Must be approved and coordinated by the Company.	Up to $1,000,000 lifetime maximum, except as provided under acute onset of pre-existing condition.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment	Principal sum: $25,000 Sight of 1 eye: 50% 1 hand or 1 foot: 50% 1 hand and loss of sight of 1 eye: 100% 1 foot and loss of sight of 1 eye: 100% 1 hand and 1 foot: 100% Both hands or both feet: 100% Sight of both eyes: 100%	Ages 18-69  Lifetime Maximum- $25,000  Death – $25,000   Loss of 2 Limbs – $25,000   Loss of 1 Limb – $12,500   Under 18   Lifetime Maximum – $5,000  Death – $5,000   Loss of 2 Limbs – $5,000  Loss of 1 Limb – $2,500  Ages 70-74  Lifetime Maximum – $12,500  Death – $12,500   Loss of 2 Limbs – $12,500  Loss of 1 Limb – $6,250  Ages 75 and older  Lifetime Maximum – $6,250  Death – $6,250   Loss of 2 Limbs – $6,250  Loss of 1 Limb – $3,125
Dental treatment	Up to $350 for treatment due to unexpected pain to natural, sound teeth. Up to $500 for non-emergency treatment at a dental provider due to accident.	Up to $300 for Emergency Dental (Acute Onset of Pain to sound natural teeth)
Political evacuation	$100,000 lifetime maximum.  Must be approved and coordinated by the Company.	$100,000 lifetime maximum.
Natural disasters evacuation	N/A	Replacement accommodations up to $250 a day for up to 5 days
Repatriation of remains	$100,000 maximum limit.  (Must be approved in advance by the company).	Up to the selected overall maximum limit.
Emergency reunion	Maximum limit $15,000 for 15 days maximum.	Up to $100,000, subject to a maximum of 15 days (about 2 weeks)
Return of minor children	N/A	Up to $50,000
Trip Interruption	N/A	Up to $10,000
Trip Delay	N/A	Up to $100 a day after a 12-hour delay period requiring an unplanned overnight stay. Subject to a maximum of 2 days.
Lost Luggage	N/A	Up to $1000 for lost checked luggage
Pet Return	N/A	Up to $1000
Optional Upgrades	Personal Liability, Lost Personal Property, Limited High School and College Sports, and Legal Assistance	AD&D, Personal Liability Coverage, Crisis Response coverage upgrades

Patriot Exchange 

Patriot Exchange plan is designed for students, scholars, cultural exchange participants including J1 and J2 visas, families, and groups of two or more students outside their country of residence. It includes coverage for Medical Expenses, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Repatriation, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Incidental Trip, and more. 

The plan highlights: 

• Plans offer deductibles ranging from $0 to $500. 
• Plan benefits options from $50,000, $100,000, $250,000 to $500,000. 
• Plan pays 90% coinsurance in-network and 80% out-of-network. 
• Covers pre-existing conditions after a waiting period of 12 months. 
• $5 copayment in the Student Health Center. 
• Covers Mental, Nervous and Substance Abuse. 

About the Insurance Provider 

IMG, or International Medical Group, is a leading provider of travel health insurance. With a strong reputation for comprehensive coverage and reliable customer service, IMG offers plans tailored to various travel needs. Their flagship product, Patriot Exchange, is particularly popular among J1 visitors to the US. 

Patriot Exchange FAQs

1. Does Patriot Exchange plan cover dental treatment? 

The plan includes dental treatment due to unexpected pain to sound and natural teeth or due to an accident. The service is offered out-of-network and not in-network. It also covers traumatic dental injury due to accidents for both in and out-of-network.  

2. What optional add-ons are offered by Patriot Exchange? 

Patriot Exchange offers optional add-ons for Personal Liability, Lost Personal Property, and Limited High School and College Sports. 

3. What is the eligibility of Patriot Exchange plan? 

To be eligible for Patriot Exchange, the insured individual must be a participant enrolled in an educational and cultural exchange program, must be a spouse/child of a participant residing outside their primary country of residence, must be 31 years of age but not 65, and must be physically and legally residing in the destination country with the intent to reside for at least 30 days. 

4. Who are the network providers? 

Insured individuals can access United Healthcare network inside the US and IPA network outside the US. 

5. What services require precertification? 

The plan offers no coverage for Interfacility Ambulance Transfer and Emergency Medical Evacuation if precertification is not met. Furthermore, it has 50% reduction in all eligible medical expenses and treatments if precertification requirements are not met. 

Atlas America 

As a J-1 visa exchange program student venturing to the US, you are ready to embark on an enriching adventure. But navigating a new country and healthcare system can raise concerns. Atlas America steps in, offering comprehensive health insurance plans designed to give you peace of mind throughout your exchange program. 

The plan highlights: 

• Plan offers policy maximum up to $2,000,000 depending on the age. 
• COVID-19 is covered and treated as any other sickness. 
• Coverage for an Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Medical Condition. 
• Deductibles ranging from $0 to $5,000 per certificate period. 
• Some coverage for  emergency dental and eye exams. 
• Covers emergency travel benefits, including pet return, return of minor children, lost checked luggage, lost or stolen passport, and more. 
• It offers coverage for complications of pregnancy during the first 26 weeks of gestation.

About the Insurance Provider 

WorldTrips, a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies, stands as a pioneer in the travel insurance industry. Founded in 1998, it was one of the first companies to offer online purchasing, making insurance accessible to individuals, groups, and businesses worldwide. With over two decades of experience, the company has solidified its position as a trusted provider, offering a comprehensive range of travel, medical, and trip cancellation insurance plans tailored to diverse traveler needs. 

Atlas America FAQs 

The plan includes dental treatment due to unexpected pain to sound and natural teeth or due to an accident. The service is offered out-of-network and not in-network. It also covers traumatic dental injury due to accidents for both in and out-of-network.  

1. Can senior citizens buy the Atlas America plan? 

Yes. However, individuals aged 65 to 79 as of the certificate effective date are subject to a $100,000 overall maximum limit or less. Individuals aged 80 and over as of the certificate effective date are subject to a $10,000 overall maximum limit. 

2. Where can I find physicians and hospitals? 

You can find a list of hospitals, physicians and other medical service providers included in the PPO Network for the area where you will be receiving treatment by accessing  www.worldtrips.com. 

3. Does Atlas America cover pregnancy? 

The plan offers coverage for complications of pregnancy during the first 26 weeks of gestation. 

4. Does Atlas America cover pre-existing conditions? 

The plan provides a benefits for an acute onset of non-chronic pre-existing conditions up to the medical coverage lifetime maximum for eligible medical expenses. If you are younger than 80, you may be covered for an acute onset of a non-chronic pre-existing condition. This also includes up to a $25,000 lifetime maximum for emergency medical evacuation. 

Conclusion 

Selecting the appropriate travel insurance is crucial for a worry-free trip to the US. Both Patriot Exchange and Atlas America offer robust plans designed to protect J1 visa holders from unforeseen medical expenses. By carefully comparing coverage options, deductibles, and network sizes, you can select the plan that best aligns with your travel needs and budget. Remember, travel insurance is an investment in your peace of mind. Choose wisely and enjoy your US adventure to the fullest! 

For more information, call Visitor Guard® on 804 325 1385.