When deciding and planning to take a trip outside of the United States, whether on pleasure or business, it is prudent to take time to consider and plan for how you would handle unexpected medical needs while traveling in another country. Unexpected medical needs while traveling internationally can range from life-threatening emergencies to the contraction of a non-life-threatening illness that disrupts your pleasure or business plans.
Large companies usually provide some type of global medical insurance coverage for their employees that must travel to other countries on behalf of company business. However, getting seriously ill or having a major accident is not something people tend to think about when traveling overseas on pleasure. But just like large companies do for their employees, it is prudent to consider the possible medical scenarios in which you could find yourself in another country and make plans to handle these situations if they occur. This is especially good advice for older Americans, people with children, or those that have chronic medical conditions. And remember, the young, healthy and active traveler could be in a situation where a major, life-threatening accident can occur – precisely because they are young, healthy and active!
When thinking about medical situations overseas, it is useful to think in terms of the services you might not otherwise need in the United States. For example, simply purchasing the equivalent of private indemnity medical insurance to cover a portion of your medical expenses while traveling in another country might leave you in a tough spot if you should actually have to visit a foreign doctor or hospital. What if the doctor or hospital demanded payment up front (and could legally do so in his or her country)?
This is an example of thinking through medical scenarios and services. The service you need from an international medical insurance company in this example is a list of doctors, clinics or hospitals in the countries you are visiting that will take your insurance first in lieu of payment. Other services you might need are 24 hours, 7 days a week customer support to help you find doctors that work with your insurance or to find doctors that speak English fluently. What if you required medical evacuation back to the United States? Is this covered or are you going to have to cover this large expense out of pocket?
In summary, when planning a trip overseas first think of the medical scenarios you and your family could find yourselves in. Next, think about the medical services – not just medical insurance – that you and your family might need as a result. Knowing you can take care of yourself or your family overseas when a medical emergency arises will help to give you more peace of mind to enjoy your trip.
Tags: global medical insurance, global medical services, international medical insurance, international medical services, private indemnity medical insurance