Does anyone know how to & where to get it in USA for elderly relatives visiting from Pakistan? Any experience?
Thank you 
I don't know if such an option even exists but will stay tuned to this thread & lets see what comes out!
I don't think there is such an option unless they are legal residents (green card holders) or citizens.
Sehar: International health insurance is offered by some companies for foreign nationals visiting US. I knew someone who used this option for their parents 5 -6 years back. But I lost contact with them. So anyone else has any experience?
Thanks
^Its possible but extremely expensive for visitors...I think the visitor better insure in the country of origin.
roshnie, if they purchase it from Pakistan [ask them to check with the travel agent they are getting their ticket from] its much cheaper. That's what mummy did when she was visiting recently.
There are some other services in the US too, I am not sure if their coverage is better, but I am guessing it probably is.
If the visitor is elderly I would suggest getting the best coverage, even if it is a bit expensive.
I collected info about this when my mom was visiting in the summer but unfortunately by now have deleted all the emails ppl sent me :(
yaar i am moving this to bazar with a link here too, its a more bazarish thread and i think you will get more replies that way, and i will leave a link here too so people who visit this forum see it too :)
If someone is visiting from Pak, they can get traveller health insurance from AIC (American Insurance Corp) there. Its not that expensive, but it doesn't cover doctor visits. It only covers any unexpected hospital stay. So, its better than nothing, and is suitable for old people.
For a visitor who has an immediate family member (son, daughter, brother) in here who is already insured, they can get insurance for the visitor. But if the other person is old, the rate will be very high. So, its a decision, whether you want to pay a high dollar amount every month to the insurance company, and may never use it, or do you want to do self-insurance, where you put away a certain amount each month, yourself, and if something were to happen, use those funds for medical expenses.
Thank you Irem & Faisal. That helps. I will explore it further. :)
Try some County Hospitals that are affiliated with Medical Schools. For example in LA we have, County USC Medical Center and Harbor UCLA Medical Center. Ive known ppl from Pak who got almost free medical treatment there (including coronary).
Well, worse come to worse, some states (including California) have laws which prohibit hospitals from stopping services to those who can not afford it. So, they will treat you first (only applies to emergencies, though) and you can later negotiate a payment plan with the hospital. 5Abi's advice, above, is therefore pertinent too.
I just saw this commercial on TV last night for a very affordable insurance. Its called Champion Health (800-503-8585). The claim to cover medical, dental and optical. The also say that you can gets discounts from 20 - 60% on all services. I haven't tried it out obviously, but call them up and see if it works. The charges are $11.95 for individuals and $19.95 for the whole household.
roshnie
what did you end up doign for health insurance?
Faisal
could you clarify this statement
"For a visitor who has an immediate family member (son, daughter, brother) in here who is already insured, they can get insurance for the visitor. But if the other person is old, the rate will be very high. "
Not as concerned with the rate, but the mechanics of this, how does one go about getting this?
Thanks
Maybe this’ll help:
https://www.specialtyrisk.com/insurance/inboundusa/quote.cfm?&agent_id=%23()3%2F