Travel Health Insurance Plans
Travel insurance is not something you usually consider when traveling out of the country for business, pleasure, or necessity, although you should. When you consider the hazards involving travel it is wise to be prepared. Several issues could arise from the medical standpoint during the time you are traveling internationally. Domestic health insurance policies may not cover expenses such as: the untimely need to return or the need to be admitted into a hospital for treatment while out of the country. Normally these unforeseen problems will not be covered by current policies. Therefore it would be sensible to consider investing in travel insurance if you travel, even though you may only do so occasionally.
You might even find yourself in a legal jam and need the assistance of the embassy or consulate. With appropriate Travel health insurance you will be protected if unforeseen happens.
Typically these travel insurance policies will not be as inclusive or non-restrictive as your regular health plan after all they are only used in the event of emergency while traveling. The cost of travel insurance for a resident of the U.S. who travels abroad will be significantly less than one who travels locally. This is due in part to the common practice of most foreign countries having socialized healthcare systems. A socialized healthcare system has significantly lower costs than the costs of healthcare in the U.S. There are some Special travel plans available to executives and their families who require a 12 month comprehensive medical policy with coverage for multiple trips of 30 days duration or less.
Travel Health Insurance Overview
Generally there are two main types of travel health insurance, both designed to reduce the financial risk posed by unexpected medical costs or any other crises that can confront travelers. The two types of plans are generally categorized separately as international medical insurance and travel protection plans. The most obvious difference in travel insurance versus health insurance is that travel insurance is only purchased for the length of time you will be traveling. Expiration of coverage and benefits will terminate immediately upon return from travel. This makes it very affordable. Quite frankly you can’t afford not to have coverage in the event that an emergency arises while you are traveling.
There are undeniable limitations and exclusions with travel insurance which include scheduled physical examinations, unnecessary medical treatments, sports related injuries that are a direct result of dangerous sporting actions, pregnancy coverage, scheduled eye or dental exams, and immunizations.
Most of all you must understand clearly that travel insurance will not cover pre-existing health conditions. You cannot purchase travel insurance for the purpose of seeking medical treatment outside the country. This type of insurance should only be purchased as a precautionary measure for true emergencies that arise while you are away from home.
In the event you will be traveling or residing out of the country for an extended period of time, you may purchase travel insurance for up to one year. Generally policies are issued for as few as 5 days. Other options are available also such as international health insurance which is a long term insurance for individuals who continually travel, or trip cancellation insurance in order to recover deposits if an emergency arises and you are unable to travel. Otherwise in a situation such as this the deposit that has been made could be non-refundable.
Travel insurance can be available to persons who are living or studying abroad as well as non-U.S. residents who are traveling to the U.S. or any other foreign country.
These International health plans are available to citizens of all countries offering affordable worldwide coverage.
Travel Health Insurance Benefits
Although the primary benefit of a Travel health insurance policy is the health insurance coverage, most travel plans will provide additional benefits. Benefits of purchasing a travel insurance plan may include: emergency dental coverage, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, return trips to the U.S., trip interruption, lost luggage and accidental death or dismemberment benefits.
What is Typically Covered?
Most travel policies will cover all benefits, except Hospital Indemnity, Lost Checked Luggage, Natural Disaster, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Common Carrier Accidental Death, are subject to the Deductible and Coinsurance.
Medical:
1. Inpatient and Outpatient charges made by a Hospital
2. Charges made by a Physician, surgeon, radiologist, anesthesiologist, and any other medical specialist to whom the Physician has referred the case
3. Charges made for dressings, sutures, casts or other supplies prescribed by the attending Physician or specialist, but excluding nebulizers, oxygen tanks, diabetic supplies and all devices for repeat use at home
4. Charges for diagnostic testing using radiology, ultrasonographic or laboratory services
5. Charges for oxygen and other gases and anesthetics and their administration
6. Charges for prescription drugs for treatment of a covered Injury or Illness, but not for the replacement of lost, stolen, damaged, expired or otherwise compromised drugs
7. Charges made by a licensed Extended Care Facility upon direct transfer from an acute care Hospital
8. Emergency local ambulance transport incurred in connection with Injury or Illness resulting in inpatient hospitalization
Complications of Pregnancy:
Treatment of Complications of Pregnancy during the first 26 weeks of Pregnancy is covered under most insurance plans. Complications of Pregnancy is defined as: Illnesses whose diagnoses are distinct from Pregnancy, but are adversely affected by Pregnancy or caused by Pregnancy, and not associated with a normal Pregnancy. This includes: ectopic Pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, hyperemesis gravidarum, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, missed abortion and conditions of comparable severity.
Hospital Indemnity:
If you are hospitalized as an Inpatient for treatment of a covered Illness or Injury, most plans will provide $100 for each night you spend in the hospital. This benefit is in addition to payments for other covered expenses and is not subject to Deductible or Coinsurance.
Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Condition:
If you are a US Citizen under age 70, you are covered for an Acute Onset of a Pre-existing Condition. Coverage is available on most plans up to $15,000 Maximum for Eligible Medical Expenses and up to $25,000 for Emergency Medical Evacuation. An Acute Onset of a Pre-existing Condition is a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence of a Pre-existing Condition which occurs spontaneously and without advance warning either in the form of Physician recommendations or symptoms. Treatment usually must be obtained within 24 hours of the sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence.
Emergency Dental:
The following Emergency Dental expenses are normally covered: Emergency Dental treatment and Dental surgery necessary to restore or replace sound natural teeth lost or damaged in an Accident that is covered under this insurance subject to the Overall Maximum Limit; and Emergency Dental Treatment necessary to resolve acute, spontaneous and unexpected onset of pain subject to a maximum benefit of $100.
Emergency Medical Evacuation:
If recommended by your attending Physician, who certifies that Evacuation is necessary to safeguard your life and that Medically Necessary treatment is not available locally, and if approved in advance with your travel health insurance provider normally they will provide emergency air and/or ground transportation to the nearest Hospital that is qualified to provide the Medically Necessary treatment.
Terrorism
Most insurance plans provide Medical coverage for Injuries and Illnesses resulting from an Act of Terrorism, (generally subject to a $50,000 lifetime maximum), provided all of the following conditions are met:
1. The Injury or Illness does not result from chemical, nuclear or biological weapons or events.
2. You have no direct or indirect involvement in the Act of Terrorism.
3. The Act of Terrorism is not in a country or location where the United States government has issued a travel warning that has been in effect within the 6 months prior to your date of arrival.
4. You have not unreasonably failed or refused to depart a country or location following the date a warning to leave that country or location is issued by the United States government.
An Act of Terrorism is defined as: an act, including but not limited to, the use of force or violence and/or the threat thereof, of any person or group(s) of persons, whether acting alone or on behalf of or in connection with any organization(s) or government(s) committed for political, religious, ideological or similar purposes including the intention to influence any government and/or to put the public, or any section of the public, in fear.
Most plans have more benefits but you should review policy and all benefits before purchasing travel insurance.
Related Travel Health Insurance Articles
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