Key Takeaways:
- Certain foreign medical services are covered by some U.S.-based health insurance plans, although not all do, and the precise medical services covered differ depending on the health plan and health insurance provider.
- You may still be responsible for a significant portion of the medical costs even if your U.S.-based health plan covers care received abroad.
When we book a trip, we frequently daydream about the historical sites we want to visit or the delectable food we can’t wait to try at local cafes. Though it can happen, not many people dream of spending a night in a foreign hospital or requesting a medical evacuation. It’s possible that you currently have health insurance that covers you domestically, but does it also extend abroad? Would your current insurance cover? What would happen if you broke your leg or had a stroke while travelling abroad?
Does your health insurance cover you on your travels?
- The short answer is no, you are not protected outside of the United States if your medical coverage is provided by Medicare or Medicaid.
- Keep in mind that Medicaid coverage does not, save in extremely rare circumstances, transcend beyond your place of residence when travelling across state lines.
- This isn’t as clear-cut if you have insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace or through your place of employment. A lot relies on your plan.
- State-specific insurance policies that are subsidised, like those available through the marketplace, are not available elsewhere.
- To some extent, you might be able to obtain emergency coverage while travelling, but you won’t be able to purchase prescription drugs or see a doctor for a standard operation and expect payment.
- Again, it depends on your plan, private insurance may or may not provide coverage abroad. Therefore, getting in touch with your insurance company is the best method to find out if your health insurance covers overseas travel.
- Find out from the agent if your emergency medical coverage is valid outside of the US, if it covers pre-existing conditions, and how to file a claim in the event that your insurance does cover you overseas and you require medical attention.
- Make sure you read the fine print and know what emergencies are covered by and not covered by your plan.
How do you get health insurance when travelling outside of the US?
If your health insurance does not cover you overseas, you may be able to obtain international medical coverage by taking one of the following routes.
Get travel insurance:
- Buying travel insurance is the first tried-and-true way to obtain medical coverage while travelling abroad.
- It’s not necessary for every traveller, and you might not purchase it for every trip, but it’s one of those items that can come in handy in a pinch.
- The cost varies and is determined by the traveller’s age, the length of the trip, the destination, the money paid in advance, and the level of coverage desired.
- You can opt to get coverage for weather, terrorism, missing connections, rental car damage, travel and baggage delays, trip cancellation and interruption, and emergency medical insurance in addition to that.
- Most of the time, the comprehensive plan will also include some kind of medical evacuation and repatriation coverage.
- Your foreign coverage plan will take care of things if you’re hospitalised overseas and want to be sent to a hospital of your choosing, or even go back home, for better care.
- Keep in mind that in order to ensure that everyone is protected in the event of an emergency medical scenario, you must obtain a policy for each person travelling.
Pay for your vacation using a travel credit card
- While the maximum amount of emergency evacuation coverage offered by travel rewards credit cards is smaller, it’s still a good idea to have it in case you didn’t get a complete travel insurance plan.
- You must use your travel card to pay for all or a portion of the trip in order to be reimbursed (according to the terms on each card).
What does this mean for you?
First and foremost, be sure to get in touch with your health insurance company to inquire about if your current plan would pay for an emergency while travelling abroad. If not, check to see if any included coverage is sufficient for you by consulting your credit card benefits guide. As an alternative, think about getting a complete policy from one of the many companies that offer travel insurance, which also covers other possible travel-related accidents.