Healthy travelers may not think they need travel medical insurance if they don't have pre-existing medical conditions that are exacerbated by long flights, unfamiliar foods, or a lack of sleep, for example. But because they are healthy, they may be less concerned about trying new things or more relaxed in unfamiliar surroundings – and end up seriously injured or ill. And if they are traveling outside the United States, their medical insurance, including Medicare, may not cover the cost of the care they need.
Medical care while traveling can be extremely costly, depending on the traveler’s injury or illness, the country they’re in, and if they need medical transportation or evacuation. Without travel insurance that includes medical coverage, the traveler may be stuck paying for the costs of care over several months or even years.
Types of Travel Insurance
There are different types of travel insurance available, including:
- Trip only - which covers trip cancellation, trip interruptions, and trip delays
- Medical only - which can include emergency medical or dental care and medical transportation
- Trip and medical - which offer both benefits and greater peace of mind
Healthy travelers or those on a budget may be tempted to purchase a policy that only covers trip cancellation. However, if they are traveling outside the United States, SentinelMED recommends spending a little more for insurance that includes medical coverage. Consider this fact: U.S. citizens who travel abroad die in motor vehicle accidents at higher rates than the local population. Traffic accidents involving U.S. citizens abroad have increased since 2020. Healthy travelers can also experience fractures or falls, or pulmonary or respiratory problems, which are among the most common medical emergencies while traveling. A broken ankle from stumbling off a curb or struggling with high altitudes becomes a much bigger issue when a traveler is in another country and far from home.
Medical Services That Travel insurance Can Cover
Having travel medical insurance can offer considerable cost savings, greater peace of mind, and improved outcomes in a medical emergency. Typically, medical coverage through travel insurance covers or provides:
Emergency medical or dental care. Travel insurance will reimburse patients for emergency care, such as for a stroke, heart attack, or broken tooth that requires a root canal that can't wait. Patients should file a claim with the travel insurance company as soon as possible.
Medical case management. Travel insurance companies work with patients’ doctors and families to manage their medical care. If patients cannot receive the care they need at their location, the travel insurance company will arrange for the patient to be transported, either to another location, or back to the United States, to receive treatment.
Medical transport and logistics. If a patient needs to be transported, medical insurance companies will work with the patient, their family, and a medical transportation provider to coordinate everything, which can make the process much more efficient. SentinelMED regularly works with travel insurance companies to provide transport logistics and scheduling for sick or injured travelers. Our medical team will help determine when a patient is stable enough for transport, determine the most appropriate mode of transport, and provide a medical escort, if necessary, to accompany the patient. Our medical escorts are physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses who are trained or experienced in emergency and travel medicine.
Long-distance medical transportation can be costly, ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to more than $100,000. Travel medical insurance can cover this expense and provide peace of mind for an affordable fee.
Of course, travel insurance policies can vary in the benefits they provide. Travelers should take the time to understand what they are buying, including maximum coverage amounts and any exclusions.
More About SentinelMED
SentinelMED provides medical escort, evacuation, and repatriation for patients who need assistance with long-distance travel. In many cases, our medical escorts travel with patients on commercial flights, a cost-effective and faster transport alternative to air ambulance services.
At SentinelMED, we understand the complexity of delivering exceptional care to domestic medical travelers. Please contact us if you’d like to learn more about our services and staff.
