Traveling abroad should be about exploring new locations and having fun, not worrying about unexpected health complications. So, it makes sense to be fully prepared for emergencies. However, you may think that your domestic health insurance plan is enough to keep you protected abroad and give you access to medical facilities. Well, this is not the case, as more often than not, your domestic insurance will not be enough. Thus, if you are planning to travel abroad soon and want to ensure your safety, keep reading to know why your regular health insurance may not cover you on your trip.
Geographical Restrictions
Most health insurance plans have a geographical range, meaning that you cannot use their coverage outside your country. This can lead to all sorts of sticky situations where you find that your insurance plan is invalid when you are in dire need of medical help. This is why you can never truly rely on your regular insurance abroad. The insurance advisors from Now Health International explain on their website that you should invest in international health insurance plans if you want to travel abroad. Not having international health insurance can burn a hole in your pocket. Even worse, you may not be able to leave some countries without paying your dues. So, to avoid such situations, opt for more comprehensive insurance policies.
Medicare
If you are a senior citizen, that means you probably depend on Medicare to cover your healthcare needs. Well, I have some bad news for you; Medicare does not cover international health expenses. So, if you ever find yourself in need of medical care abroad, you will have to pay out of your own pocket, which can be pretty expensive. Therefore, you may need to invest in international health insurance plans. This is especially the case if you suffer from chronic conditions that require constant monitoring and treatment.
Laws in Your Area
Sometimes, countries may require you to purchase an international health insurance policy to even cross their borders. The logic behind this is that they want to ensure that you are not going to over-encumber their medical facilities and resources. So, the priority is always for their citizens and foreigners who have comprehensive insurance policies. This means that your domestic insurance may stop you from entering the country, and if it does not by some miracle, it will surely prevent you from gaining unrestricted access to all the medical facilities in your destination.
Evacuation Expenses
Evacuation expenses refer to the expenses of transferring patients to the nearest hospital or even their home country in case of health emergencies. In the rare case that your regular health insurance gives some kind of safety net abroad, it will certainly not cover evacuation expenses because they can amount to $100000. So, if you suddenly suffer from a stroke or a heart attack on a cruise ship and need to be transported to a hospital, you will need to have international health insurance unless you want to pay that huge sum at your own expense.
Expats
Sometimes, your trip may turn into an indefinite stay. In this case, your U.S. health insurance policy will not cover your medical needs. Because you will be staying abroad for a long time, you need a more flexible plan. As opposed to domestic insurance policies, international health insurance helps you avoid long lines and give you complete freedom to choose your healthcare provider. Better yet, it can guarantee that you will find a doctor who speaks English, so you can forget about language barriers.
You Need More Coverage If You Have a Preexisting Condition
In case you suffer from chronic illnesses like hypertension or epilepsy, you will need a better safety net when abroad. Even if your domestic policy gives you minimal coverage outside your country, it will not cover the cost of your ongoing treatment. Because you will need immediate access to medical facilities if the worst comes to the worst, then you need to be aware of the restrictions of your domestic insurance. While your standard insurance might be enough, you can get extra coverage from an international insurance policy, as some insurers now give you comprehensive protection even if you suffer from preexisting conditions.
When traveling abroad, make sure that you are fully protected. Unfortunately, your regular health insurance is not enough. This can be a result of geographical restrictions or the stipulated laws in other countries. Also, your domestic policy will not cover preexisting conditions or evacuation expenses. So, invest in international health insurance; better safe than sorry!
