Are you planning a trip with stops in multiple countries? If so, make sure your travel medical insurance covers multi-destination trips. Some countries require travel insurance, others don’t, and more than a dozen are often excluded from coverage because of war or civil unrest. When shopping for travel medical insurance, review the policy details carefully so you have coverage at each place you visit and while you’re in transit.
Why is purchasing travel medical insurance important for travel outside the United States?
At some point when you are planning a vacation, you’ll be asked if you want to purchase travel insurance or travel medical insurance. It can seem like an unnecessary expense after you’ve already spent so much on airfare, lodging, or booking a cruise. However, when you compare the cost of travel medical insurance with that of your overall trip, it’s a relatively minor expense for the protection it can provide.
For about 4% to 10% of the prepaid portion of your trip, you can purchase a travel medical insurance policy that will reimburse you for the cost of medical care or evacuation after an accident or illness. As an example, for a $6,000 trip, you should be able to purchase travel medical insurance coverage for $240 to $600. The cost may be slightly higher or lower depending on your age.
Now let’s compare that $240 to $600 to the cost of hospital care outside the United States. In many cases, U.S. private insurance companies will not cover medical expenses when you’re traveling internationally. Neither will Medicare or Medicaid. This means when you get a bill after an accident or injury abroad, you may be liable for the full cost of care once you return. Or, depending on where you’re traveling, you may be required to pay for care upfront. Travel medical insurance can reimburse you for at least some of your unexpected expenses.
Another reason to purchase travel medical insurance is for reimbursement if you need a medical evacuation. These transports can be extremely expensive, ranging from $20,000 to more than $100,000 depending on the length of transport.
Here’s another reason to consider purchasing travel medical insurance: it may be required to enter the country you plan to visit. When making travel plans, check to see if your destination is on the list of countries that will ask travelers to show proof of travel medical insurance.
What should you consider when purchasing travel medical insurance?
When reviewing insurance policies, make sure you understand the difference between travel insurance and travel medical insurance. Basic travel insurance policies typically reimburse trip delays, interruptions, or cancellations and lost or damaged luggage. Some also include coverage for medical and dental emergencies.
Travelers with current or chronic health conditions, or who plan to engage in adventure activities, should review policy exclusions carefully and consider purchasing a supplemental policy. For example, many travel insurance companies won’t provide reimbursement for injuries that occur as a result of a moped accident. If your travel plans include using a moped, you may need to purchase a policy that specifically covers accidents while riding a motorbike or scooter.
Make sure your coverage includes all segments of your trip, including layovers, to avoid gaps in coverage. Also, check the U.S. Department of State’s website to see if the countries you plan to visit are under travel advisories or warnings that could make it harder or more expensive to secure travel medical insurance.
About SentinelMED
SentinelMED provides medical transport, medical repatriation, and medical escort services for people who need assistance to travel long distances. 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 medical assistance during travel. Please contact us to learn more about SentinelMED's services or our staff.
