Are you going abroad and looking for a policy that protects you from any unexpected event of illness or injury? If yes, you should learn about travel medical insurance and how it is helpful in medical emergencies. Different plans offer various medical coverages during emergencies or illness while abroad. However, before searching for the right plan, you should learn the basics of travel medical insurance. For your convenience, we have gone through some key points you should be aware of first.
What is Travel Medical Insurance?
Travel medical insurance pays for the emergency medical expenses you may incur during a trip. If you are travelling and have a sudden illness, medical condition, or injury, then this insurance plan will reimburse you. However, it is important to understand that the medical emergency assistance is up to the plan limits. Travel medical insurance will pay for customary and reasonable charges for bills. These may include:
- Doctor bills
- Ambulance service
- X-rays, examinations, lab tests, anesthetics, and treatments
- Medicine and drugs
- Dental care. But, there may be a limit on the dental payout.
Comprehensive travel medical insurance policies may also include coverage for family members. These are those family members who are travelling with you. Also, it includes coverage for a family member who visits you if you get hospitalized. However, the definition of “family” can differ. It commonly includes your children, spouse, parents, siblings, grandparents and more. Therefore, if your travel partner gets sick or injured during the trip, you can get the benefits of trip cancellation.
Travel Insurance vs Travel Medical Insurance
A detailed travel insurance policy will cover more protections than a stand-alone travel medical insurance. It is so because it includes protections other than medical emergencies. It will cover everything from medical assistance to trip cancellations.
Travel medical insurance plans will cover only the protections associated with emergency medical events. Therefore, emergency medical coverage will safeguard you if you break your leg while enjoying your vacation abroad. Besides, you will not be covered if you plan to get your teeth cleaned while travelling abroad. Travel medical insurance is supposed to protect you only in case of emergencies.
Different Types of Medical Insurance Policies
There are different types of travel medical coverage. Therefore, when buying travel medical insurance, you must know the different types of policies and coverages.
Primary and Secondary Medical Coverage
Joe Cronin, President of International Citizens Insurance, said, “Travel medical insurance coverage can be primary or secondary. It depends on the plan and the payout. If it is primary, it will pay out before any other health insurance you may have. If you already have health insurance and buy travel medical insurance as secondary coverage, your health plan has to pay first.
If you travel abroad and your U.S. health plan does not offer coverage, a secondary travel medical plan will become primary coverage. It is so because overseas, you lack any other insurance.”
Single-trip vs Multi-trip
These two coverages depend on how often you travel throughout the year. Here is the difference between these two.
- Single-trip Coverage: This plan starts when you leave your home and travel to your destination. It is also eligible for multiple destinations. The single-trip coverage ends when you return to your home. It covers you throughout your trip. For instance, you could buy a single-trip plan for a month-long European vacation. In this kind of vacation, you travel to several different countries.
- Multi-trip Coverage: This coverage is also known as annual travel insurance and covers you for a calendar year. It is perfect for travellers who take three or even more trips per year. For instance, you could take a trip to Italy and then come home for a few weeks, then travel to Germany, come home again, and then take off to Mexico.
Things That Travel Medical Insurance Does Not Include
Things that are covered and excluded by a travel medical insurance plan will rely on the travel insurance company. However, we have mentioned some general exclusions below.
Pre-existing Conditions
How pre-existing conditions are covered will differ by travel insurance firm. One insurance firm might define a “pre-existing condition” differently. Some insurance firms will have a look at your past medical records. They need this record to know if a condition was present during a time that could range from 90 days to one year ago. It depends on the policy.
Intoxication and Drug Use
Travel medical insurance generally will not cover emergency medical costs due to drug use or intoxication. For instance, if you get intoxicated and go through an accident, your travel medical insurance will not cover the cost of your injuries in this case.
Dangerous Activities
Some travel medical insurance policies will not include expenses from certain activities. These activities include skydiving, mountain climbing, and parasailing. Work with a travel insurance agent if you engage in activities like we mentioned. It is important to compare adventure travel insurance plans to ensure your specific activities will be covered.
Who Needs Travel Medical Insurance?
Kristie Tse, Founder at Uncover Mental Health Counseling, said, “Travellers with no medical issues should have some form of travel medical insurance. Specifically if they go outside the U.S. The most common medical emergencies that people experience are fractures from falls. trauma involving motor vehicles. It also includes respiratory problems. For instance collapsed lungs and cardiovascular issues like heart attacks.
You will get stuck paying medical bills out of pocket if you lack the right coverage. For instance, the company will not cover your expenses during the trip if you get injured or sick.
Senior travellers should make sure that they have good medical benefits while travelling abroad. This is because Medicare will not provide benefits outside the U.S.”
Factors That are Considered in the Cost of Travel Medical Insurance
The amount you pay for travel medical insurance relies on four primary factors. These factors include age, trip duration, destination, and coverage limit deductible. Also, different companies have set different amounts for travel medical insurance.
Conclusion
Buying travel medical insurance before your trip is vital. It lessens the risks of medical emergencies during your trip. Numerous companies offer travel and medical coverage. Therefore, before buying one, do your research. Look into the offers these companies give. Then, choose the one that best suits your needs. We have discussed everything you must know about travel medical insurance so you can choose the best option for your trip. In this article, you will learn what travel medical insurance covers. Plus we have also mentioned what travel medical coverage does not cover. Hopefully, these will prove to be helpful on your next international trip.
