Travel medical insurance can reimburse you for unplanned, essential medical care when you’re traveling outside the country – but only if your claim for reimbursement meets coverage terms and limits. That’s why you need to carefully review and compare travel medical insurance policies before purchasing one, and determine if any other policies you have provide health coverage outside the U.S.
What are the considerations when purchasing travel medical insurance?
It’s not enough to buy just any travel medical insurance policy; making the wrong choice could be costly. You should begin looking for travel medical insurance while planning your trip so you can budget for it. Whether travel medical coverage is included in your trip insurance, added on, or a separate policy, here are some things to consider:
- The cost and length of your trip
- Any current or chronic health conditions you have
- How you’ll get around at your destination (car, taxi, or scooter, for example)
- Whether you plan to take part in any “adventure travel” activities
Here’s something else to keep in mind: Travel medical insurance is not the same as trip insurance, which typically covers things like delayed flights, lost luggage, or rental car damage. Some trip insurance policies also include travel medical insurance, but low-cost policies may not.
And depending on where you are traveling, travel medical insurance may be required for entry. When making travel plans, check whether your destination is on the list of countries that require travelers to present proof of travel medical insurance.
What are common travel medical insurance exclusions?
Policies and coverage can vary by provider, but here are some common exclusions in travel medical insurance.
Acute onset of pre-existing conditions that require emergency medical treatment
Adventure travel activities such as mountain climbing, scuba diving, and bungee jumping, and extreme sports such as base jumping, heli-skiing, and hang gliding
Medical or dental tourism for procedures planned in advance of travel
Accidents while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Travel to countries with travel warnings or advisories; check the U.S. Department of State’s website for current information
Countries listed as excluded in the policy language
Non-urgent medical expenses, such as getting routine prescriptions filled or care for an ongoing medical issue.
Check policy details carefully and ask questions if you are concerned about any of these exclusions. You may be able to purchase supplemental coverage for an additional cost to provide the protection you want and to mitigate risk.
What does travel medical insurance cover?
Travel medical insurance covers unexpected medical expenses while traveling outside your country of residence. Examples include:
- Doctor or dental office visits for a new illness or injury, or an unexpected flare-up of a chronic condition
- Outpatient or inpatient care at a hospital or clinic, including emergency surgery and hospital stays
- Prescription medicine related to a medical emergency or a new illness
- Medically necessary transportation by ambulance or other ground transport
- Medical evacuation to a hospital in a nearby country that can provide appropriate care or to your home country. This service can be extremely expensive, ranging from $20,000 to more than $100,000, depending on the length of transport.
At SentinelMED, we always recommend that travelers purchase travel medical insurance, even if they have private insurance, and especially if they have Medicare and Medicaid, which rarely cover medical care outside the United States.
You can expect to pay about 4% to 10% of the prepaid portion of your trip for travel coverage. For example, for an $8,000 trip, you should be able to purchase travel medical insurance for $320 to $800. The cost may be higher if you are 60 years old or older.
About SentinelMED
SentinelMED provides medical transport, medical repatriation, and medical escort services for people who need assistance to travel long distances. With decades of travel medical experience, the members of the SentinelMED team have assisted with patient transports throughout the world.
Our medical professionals work closely with travel insurance providers, patients, and their families to provide safe and comfortable door-to-door transportation after an accident or illness.
At SentinelMED, we understand the complexity of delivering exceptional care to people who need assistance during travel. Please contact us to learn more about the services that SentinelMED offers or its staff.
