By: Stephanie Burke
Are you looking forward to some fun in the sun this summer? If so, you may already be planning for inconveniences such as travel delays, flight cancellations, and poor weather. Still, you may also want to consider how to prepare for a potential medical emergency.
Does Medical Insurance Cover International Travel?
Experiencing a medical emergency while traveling out of the country is something most folks prefer not to think about. However, most U.S. domestic health plans, including Medicare, are not accepted abroad. Even Medicare supplemental insurance plans have low lifetime limits, typically $50,000, and require a 20% copay. The insured is responsible for paying $10,000 out of pocket plus whatever exceeds the limit. This lack of domestic policy coverage is why the CDC and State Department recommend that U.S. travelers, particularly seniors, purchase travel medical insurance whenever they plan to be overseas.
What is travel medical insurance?
It is meant to cover an emergency medical event outside the country, including ambulance services, hospital stays, and medical evacuation back to the United States. Insurance is purchased per trip for the specific time and destination required, ranging from $40 to $120. The policy should also include a medical waiver; otherwise, it may exclude coverage for preexisting conditions. Another critical detail to review is under what conditions will a medical evacuation back to the United States be covered. Travel medical insurance does not cover routine check-ups or preventative care. A travel major medical plan may be more comprehensive and appropriate for the person planning long-term travel of six months or more out of the country.
Where can I go for more information?
As one may have experienced while searching for the cheapest flight or nicest hotel, there are aggregators available that canvass multiple insurers to find the best quote:
The blog sections on these websites also have a wealth of information about all kinds of travel insurance, along with general travel tips.
Other Travel Medical insurance providers are United Healthcare Global, Blue Cross Blue Shield Geo Blue, and AIG Travel Guard.
Most folks have experience with travel cancellation or interruption insurance, either as a stand-alone policy or offered as a credit card benefit. Travel medical insurance can also be considered further protection from an unforeseen event. Safe travels!