Health Insurance

For travelers who become seriously ill or injured overseas, obtaining medical treatment and hospital care can be costly. The Social Security Medicare program does not cover hospital and medical services outside the United States. Before you leave the United States, learn what medical services your health insurance will cover abroad.

If your health insurance policy does not cover you abroad, you are urged to purchase a temporary health policy that does. There are short-term health and emergency assistance policies designed for travelers.

You can find the names of such companies from your travel agent, your health insurance company, or from advertisements in travel publications. In addition to health insurance, many policies include trip cancellation, baggage loss, and travel accident insurance in the same package. Some travelers-check companies have protection policies available for those who purchase travelers checks.

MEDICAL EVACUATION

One of the chief advantages of health and emergency assistance policies is that they often include coverage for medical evacuation to the United States. Medical evacuation can easily cost $5,000 depending upon your location and medical condition. Even if your regular health insurance covers you for emergencies abroad, consider purchasing a supplemental insurance policy to cover medical evacuation.

Whichever health insurance coverage you choose for overseas, remember to bring your policy identity card and claim forms with you.

Excerpted from:U. S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U. S. State Department Publication 9926. February, 1992. pgs. 15-16.


Your Armchair Advisor says "always purchase traveler's insurance when travelling abroad."


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