Do I Need Travel Insurance?
In the United States health insurance, unlike many other countries, you can find dozens of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Hundreds of regular commercial insurance and so many more health insurance plans like managed-care plans—HMOs, PPOs and PPG's. For some travelers, they may have Medicaid, and for those over 65 years have Medicare. All of these different types of plans have many various benefits, costs, deductibles, exclusions and restrictions.
So think before you travel and check your existing health policy to see what it pays for. It may reimburse you for up to 100% of the cost of emergency medical care when you're out of the country, of course, excluding any deductibles or copayments.
For nonemergency care overseas you may be covered but probably will have to call your insurance company or HMO in the United States for all for treatments that need to be authorized.
Check with your health plan about this before you leave home because failure to get authorization from your HMO or insurance company may mean you will not get reimbursed if you later file a claim.
If your health insurance policy doesn't cover your medical cost abroad, or you do not have any coverage whatsoever, then you should consider purchasing a travel health specific insurance policy.
Even if your present health insurance will pay doctor and hospital bills when you're out of the country, you may want to purchase a travel insurance policy to get other important benefits such as coverage for air ambulance transport and on-site medical expense payment.
With some specific diseases like diabetes, COPD, epilepsy, etc when you're traveling it may not be covered so make sure you first speak we your health insurance agent before you travel and then see what is covered.
When my father travels he does get travel insurance, not for the benefit of the health insurance, but just in case he does get ill and unable to take the trip at the at the time he supposed to travel. This way he can get his money back.
Copyright 2005 - Fern Kuhn, RN
Specializing in Diabetes
http://www.travelinsurancecenter.info
http://www.diabetestestingcenter.com
You may reprint this article as long as you keep the links active
Related Articles:
What A Bargain! Why Is Your Travel Insurance So Cheap?
Sorry to use the tired old adage 'you get what you pay for' but, as many people have found out to their detriment, it is especially true when it comes to travel insurance It's all too easy to take the first policy you're offered rather than have to sift through policy details and comparisons to understand exactly what you're getting
Trip Travel Insurance Is Worth The Cost
If you are planning to take an overseas trip, you should definitely look into purchasing a trip travel insurance policy for yourself, your travel companions and your family. So, you may be asking right about now, what is travel insurance and do I really need it? Travel insurance is a short term policy which usually covers things like medical expenses, financial losses and the like for the duration of a trip, whether domestic or overseas.
2007 Travel Insurance Leaderboard
Squaremouth, the industry leader in travel insurance comparison shopping today releases the travel insurance leaderboard for 2007 highlighting the best performing carriers.
Antarctic Trips - Travel Insurance Is Vital!
In November 2007 the MS Explorer, carrying over 150 tourists and crew hit an iceberg in the Antarctic and sank. Miraculously, no souls were lost or turned into human lollipops, but it was a terrifying ordeal and a lucky escape for those onboard. Perhaps it was a timely and sobering warning that this type of tourism should never be marketed like a Disney attraction. Let's hope it also served as a warning to those who think travel insurance is an unnecessary expense!
Top Questions About Travel Insurance Answered by Squaremouth
There are as many options for travel insurance as there are scenarios -- from life-threatening, to simply annoying -- that can arise unexpectedly when you travel. So how can you be sure you've found the right policy for you? Now the summer vacation season is in full swing, Squaremouth, America's fastest growing travel insurance comparison web site, today announces a comprehensive set of answers to customers' most pressing questions.
Cheap High Risk Medical Insurance In Alabama
The cost of health insurance in Alabama is so high that more than 50% of all Alabama residents who have health insurance admit that the cost of their premiums is a severe financial burden every month And with the cost of health care constantly rising, the situation only promises to get worse
Private Medical Insurance- Finding The Right Policy for You
Why Private Medical Insurance Is Becoming So PopularRecent research indicates that the vast majority of consumers take out private medical insurance because they are concerned about the length of waiting lists for treatment in NHS hospitals.68% of those questioned in a recent online poll, said that they wanted to receive treatment when it was needed rather than having to take their chances with the NHS waiting lists.
When To Buy Travel Insurance
Buying travel insurance is something that should definitely be on your to do list, before you leave on your trip It?s no good buying it at last minute, since many insurance policies take a little time to kick in and there is a risk that you will just completely forget with everything else that you need to get done before a big trip
Why Should You Buy Travel Insurance When You Go Away?
Are you someone who likes to travel If you are, you are certainly not alone
Backpacker, Student, And Gap Year Travel Insurance Explained
Most backpacker travel insurance policies contain a clause relating to failed examinations This is a very important matter for students to consider