Medical travel insurance helps travelers cover the costs of medical care while they are away from home. Short and multi-trip travel medical insurance, as well as major medical insurance, are the most common types of medical travel insurance. Short-term and multi-trip medical plans provide coverage for travelers who become ill or injured while on the road. Major medical insurance for travelers is for those who plan to stay in another country for six months or longer and provides more comprehensive coverage, including routine wellness care. Evacuation insurance and specialized policies for those participating in athletic competitions or high-risk activities are two other types of coverage.
Travel medical insurance is designed for travelers who will be out of the country for less than six months, and policies can be issued for a single trip or for a period of time that includes multiple trips in and out of the traveler’s home country. With this type of medical travel insurance, different levels of coverage are available, so it’s a good idea for travelers to review available policies to ensure that they’re getting the coverage they need.
For those who will be traveling abroad for an extended period of time, major medical travel insurance is an option. Exams, as well as emergency and long-term medical treatment, are covered by this type of insurance, which is similar to standard health insurance. For travelers who already have health insurance, either type of travel medical insurance can be a good way to supplement it and reduce out-of-pocket costs if they get sick or hurt while traveling. Standard health insurance policies often require the traveler to pay for his care and then submit his bill for reimbursement after he returns home, whereas medical travel insurance usually pays up front for overseas medical care.
When traveling, travelers should always check with their insurance company to see what kind of coverage they have. For example, in the United States, Medicare does not cover those who travel outside of the country. Travelers should also check to see if their insurance is valid in the country they intend to visit. It is also a good idea for travelers to inquire about evacuation insurance. The cost of evacuation can be significant if a traveler becomes ill while on the road and needs to be transported home or to a hospital for treatment, making evacuation insurance an important add-on to a travel insurance policy.