As Americans pack their suitcases for overseas travel, many are often unprepared when it comes to having proper health coverage should a medical emergency occur. According to a survey published in May by travel insurer InsureMyTrip, nearly half of the survey respondents (1,329 Americans ages 18 and older) said they didn’t know if their health care policy would cover a medical emergencies incurred in a foreign country. Being unprepared can be costly. Sonja Bell, a resident of Dallas, Texas, was visiting Bratislava in the central European country of Slovakia in 2012 when she started feeling ill. On her way to the hotel, she stopped at a small clinic. “When we arrived, I was told I was so dehydrated that they would be keeping me overnight,” Bell told ZDNet. She was ultimately diagnosed with pneumonia and bronchitis. The experience produced another surprise as the doctor returned with her health insurance cards. “She said that I would have to pay, upfront, about $2,000 until my insurance made a payment,” Bell added. “If I was due a refund, they would send it to me.” Medical emergencies may not be at the top of your mind when dreaming of overseas adventures, but accidents happen. “While people are more aware of the need for travel insurance, there’s still a lot of confusion around what would and wouldn’t be covered by their own health insurance,” said Suzanne Morrow, Senior Vice President of InsureMyTrip. “When you file the expense, it may be shocking to find out how little your health insurance will [pay] towards it,” Morrow added. Chandrea Brown, a data analytics professional in the health care industry, is embarking on an extended excursion that will begin in Rome later this year. Over the next few months, she intends to explore additional Italian cities and then make her way to Lisbon, Portugal. Asked whether she knew if her current health care policy would cover medical issues abroad, she told ZDNet, “I don’t know yet, but that’s one of the points I want to check.” Don’t fly blind when it comes to health insurance coverage overseas. Before embarking on an international voyage, take the time to evaluate your health care options. Reach out to your health insurance provider, and research how your credit cards can help cover your expenses in an emergency.
Does emergency medical coverage extend to their specific destination?What deductibles, co-insurance, or co-payments would be required in a medical emergency during the trip?How are urgent vs. emergency care issues covered?
(Older adults with Medicare should be aware that foreign medical expenses aren’t covered and that supplemental plans must be purchased separately.) Using sites such as InsureMyTrip can help would-be vacationers compare travel insurance rates and coverage to determine the best fit for their budget. ZDNet has compared five of the best international travel rewards credit cards, which offer anything from generous bonus point offers to $0 foreign transaction fees on purchases. The following credit cards (drawn in part from the list mentioned above) additionally offer travel-related programs that can assist with unexpected events that arise before and during international trips. Travel benefits include:
Trip cancelation and trip interruption insuranceTravel and emergency assistanceAccidental death and dismemberment coverage up to $10,000
Travel benefits include:
Access to the Global Assist HotlineEmergency Medical Transportation AssistanceMedical Prescription Replacement Assistance
Travel benefits include:
Emergency evacuation and transportation coverage for you or any family members injured or sick while travelingTravel and emergency assistance services to help coordinate medical, legal, or transportation servicesTrip delay or cancelation protection up to $2,500 for travel that is canceled or cut short due to illness or other covered reasons
Read more: The Best Bank of America Credit Cards Travel benefits include:
Travel accident insurance covers the cardholder, spouse, and immediate family members, including children, in the case of death or permanent injuryTrip cancelation or interruption insurance reimburses trip expenses for qualifying reasons that include accidental injuries or non-preexisting illnesses
Travel benefits include:
Expenses due to trip cancelation, delay, and interruption can be covered (if they are approved) by up to $10,000 in a 12-month period per the insurance agreementPremium Global Assist can coordinate help during medical emergencies, and emergency medical transport can be provided at no additional cost (provided the service is approved and provided by the hotline)American Express Travel Insurance has policies that will cover emergency medical and dental expenses worldwide (except in places economically sanctioned by US law)
Medical evacuations are rarely covered by domestic health insurance policies. Travel insurance policies, however, typically cover medical transport to the nearest medically-equivalent hospital that can offer lifesaving services. If you haven’t contracted the virus before booking the trip, it will now be considered a covered illness. “I don’t know any company that still has kept in the pandemic exclusion,” she added. An insurance package plan will likely include trip cancelation or trip delay insurance. Post-departure benefits – health insurance coverage in foreign countries, medical evacuation coverage, etc. – will cost even less than non-package plans, and they can be an effective way to save money.
