Finding the Right Medical Travel Insurance for Your Trip

Understanding Medical Travel Insurance

Travel health insurance, sometimes called medical travel insurance, is meant to pay for unanticipated medical costs accrued abroad from your native country. It's crucial since your regular health insurance offers limited coverage or won't cover you overseas. For instance, Medicare usually does not pay for medical expenses outside the United States. Travel insurance comparison website Squaremouth notes that travelers' main concerns are medical costs and evacuation policies.

Types of Medical Travel Insurance

Two basic forms exist: annual multi-trip and single-trip. Single-trip plans cover one particular trip, usually with a maximum trip duration of 30, 45, or 90 days; multi-travel plans cover several visits throughout the year. While some plans give "secondary" coverage, meaning you must first file with your domestic insurance, others provide "primary" coverage, paying claims straight.

What's Typically Covered?

Although coverage varies, common advantages include emergency medical expenses (hospital stays, doctor visits, medications), medical evacuation (transport to an appropriate medical institution), repatriation of remains, and 24/7 emergency support. A few policies additionally cover trip interruption, missing luggage, accidental death, and dismemberment. Plans from Seven Corners, for instance, provide medical evacuation funds and up to $1 million in emergency medical coverage.

What's Often Excluded?

Depending on the plan, pre-existing conditions are usually banned unless you buy a waiver within a designated period following your initial trip payment (usually 7-21 days). Specific programs might contain rules on dangerous sports or adventure activities. Routine medical exams and childbirth are generally not included.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Although many policies provide waivers for pre-existing conditions, you must buy them soon after you reserve your travel. These waivers can call for your condition to be stable upon purchase. Applying for insurance requires disclosure of any pre-existing ailments, which is vital.

Coverage for Seniors

Senior travelers might have particular requirements. Search for designs with more significant medical coverage limits for pre-existing conditions and emergency evacuation. Some companies, like IMG's GlobeHopper Senior plan, specialize in policies for seniors.

Cost of Travel Medical Insurance

Your age, destination, length of travel, and coverage level will all affect the price. Squaremouth claims that while a complete plan averaged $403, the average cost of a travel medical policy in 2023 was $96. USA Today notes that the price may be 11–18% of seniors' travel expenses.

Choosing the Right Plan

Examine many carriers' plans, weighing coverage limits, exclusions, pricing, and customer comments. Visit comparison websites like TravelInsurance.com, Squaremouth, or InsureM for prices and a side-by-side policy comparison trip.

Filing a Claim

Tell your insurance company right away whether you require medical attention during travel. They could have pre-authorizing requirements or point you to particular medical facilities. Save receipts and any medical records. You have to pay ahead and then submit a claim for a refund.

Traveling to Europe

If you are heading to Europe—especially the Schengen Area—you might have to provide evidence of travel insurance to get a visa. Ensure your plan satisfies the Schengen Visa criteria, which usually call for a minimum medical coverage of €30,000.