In the current world where interaction with other countries has enhanced through globalization, travels outside the domestic country has become easy and attractive. Whether for business, leisure or to explore other destinations millions of people travel across borders annually. However, there are often unannounced accidents: with all the joy of meeting new cultures, finally, tasting overseas cuisine, and traveling through completely different terrains, there is one hidden risk. This is where international travel medical insurance ** steps in to protect travellers against any eventualities.
They are particularly risky when one travels without sufficient medical insurance, it is like staking a rope over a chasm. Though we wish for uneventful travel, life often happens and people get into accidents, get sick, or experience other health problems whether during travel or at the worst time possible. Some countries, particularly the developed ones, such as the U.S., have extremely high prices for medical services and products and this can spell doom for any traveller who has not taken medical insurance with him. For this reason, learning and getting adequate international travel medical insurance should be high on any traveller’s list.
What is I.T.M.I.?
International travel medical insurance is an essential temporary, insurance service, created special to cover medical expense soon after someone travels to another country. It has to be different from your normal health insurance that many times does not offer sufficient coverage on cases of medical events in a foreign country. Suppose you’re hiking, for example, in the Himalayas or sightseeing in the enormous and lively cities of Japan, and, unexpectedly, you need a doctor’s help. If your home insurance does not provide cross-border coverage, the costs can go through the roof — not only your physical discomfort but also your pocket will suffer.
For any international travel medical insurance policy, the principal foundation is its medical emergency coverage. Common policies are for hospitalization, physician’s visit, medications and in limited cases, evacuations from the place. Nonetheless, it is advisable to glance at the small letters. Not all policies are the same thing. Some may offer regional services only while others offer global services at their best.
Moreover, international travel medical insurance may consist of non-healthcare benefits such as cancellation of the trip, loss of baggage coverage, or accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D). But the major focus here is medical — making sure that you are shielded from shockingly high medical bills while in another country.
This is the reason WHY International Travel Medical Insurance is NECESSARY.
You may be thinking, “Why cannot I depend on my prime health insurance for traveling internationally?” In fact, most domestic health plans include no coverage abroad, or only a very limited one. Even if they do, travel to other countries becomes stressful when coping with the health care delivery system becomes a nightmare and medical practitioners may demand payment before rendering their services an experience that many travellers said trapped them in a fix at the worst moment.
Consider this: You are in Kenya for a safari, and you get sick. The closest quality medical facility is hundreds of miles away and the only way to get there is by airlift which is very expensive. Without insurance, ideally the price of that evacuation could be ranging from tens of thousands of US dollars. Or perhaps, you’re in France on an artistic tour, getting the feel of French art and culture when boom you break a leg. Foreign hospitals, though they could be very good ones, are likely not to accept your domestic health insurance. One day, lo and behold, the costs that are now falling on you are a whale of a lot higher in the out-of-pocket department.
In some countries such as the United States, the costs of health are ridiculous at times. A basic hospitalization can cost thousands of dollars and in complicated cases medical bills for surgery or other lengthy treatments can provide a clean sweep of all the finances. International travel medical insurance comes in handy to cater for these expenses and give you the time you need to recover without a relapse of the trauma of facing a financial meltdown.
Types of Coverage
It would be useful to take a closer look at the general types of coverage of the international travel medical insurance. The broad categories include:
1. Emergency Medical Expenses: This includes expenses in ailments that may occur unexpectedly or accidents during travel. He defined it as a list of the hospitalisations, visits to doctors, prescribed medications, surgeries and other essential medical interventions.
2. Emergency Medical Evacuation: Most definitely the most important part of the travel insurance perhaps. In a situation where you reside in a backward region or are in a country with rudimentary health facilities, this coverage guarantees that you are either medevac or transported to the closest appropriate medical centre at times, in another country. Medical evacuations remain one of the costliest covers, though, with the right insurance, you will be sorted.
3. Repatriation of Remains: While not a very cheerful subject it is necessary to mention the prices that the services of returning a dead travel body to its home country may cost. This coverage pays for these expenses and guarantees that a relative can be taken home with decency.
4. Trip Interruption: Although not limited to medical expense, this is one of the easily accessible plans which save the day if you are forced to terminate your journey due to medical complication. It pays back you for the amount of the trip not used and in addition it pays for transportation back home.
5. Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D): Some policy includes AD&D, they compensate for if a body part or the whole body is lost during a trip. It is not among the most vital but is important for those travellers who indulge in risky business such as scuba diving or mountain climbing.
The Process of Choosing a Plan
Finding the right international travel medical insurance is definitely not easy. Therefore, traveling demands a lot of attention because it depends on your destination, how long you’ll spend on it and your medical history. Policies can vary widely, from basic to comprehensive, and knowing which one is right for you means assessing the following:
– Destination-Specific Coverage: Certain policies contain restrictions as to certain countries or territories. Hence, for if you are planning to travel to areas that you are aware you will be exposed to health risks or areas in the world where you might not easily access a medical facility, ensure that your policy covers that country or region.
– Duration of Coverage: Short traveling may suffice for minimum insurance, but if you are planning for a backpacking through Europe or having a time of more than a few weeks in South East Asia, you should look for a policy that will offer you an extended coverage which can attract up to a year and more.
– Pre-Existing Conditions: There are limits to the policies as they don’t include pre-existing medical conditions. If the person has a preexisting condition or some ongoing medical condition that requires attention, then it’s important that this plan incorporates this. Otherwise, any treatment connected with the disease will not be covered in the insurance policy.
– Policy Limits: Realize what amount of money is offered under your policy. It will range from offering policyholders a maximum of $100,000 to providing coverage in the millions of dollars. The more elevated the limit, the more you are protected for large medical conditions.
Common Misconceptions
Unfortunately, many people commit this error of herd mentality are relying on their credit card travel insurance. Many fancy credit cards offer travel insurance and these coverage plans are usually quite weak, and they can be lacking basic medical or even medical evacuation options. Besides, these policies can only be valid to some of the cardholders and might demand that the trip be made through that card alone. Instead of depending on the travel privileges associated with credit cards, it is always advisable to have a separate travel medical insurance policy.
There are many myths make you think that insurance is not necessary, for example the cliché ‘I’m young and healthy – I don’t need it’. It is also important to state that the lack of health issues might be characteristic of the young people; however, everybody can have an accident or a disease. People who travel for adventure purpose for instance when skiing, hiking or scuba diving are prone to injuries hence it’s good to check whether your insurance covers for these risky activities.
Final Thoughts
Traveling without international travel medical insurance is speculation. While you would spend some less cash now, you might spend all your fortune when you are unlucky to be involved in an accident or suffer from a critical illness in another country. As a result of paying a fairly reasonable premium, travel medical insurance helps to feel calm and be ready for the unexpected.
There are so many places to go out there in the world.
Before venturing out for your next travel make sure you have researched. Choose the best policy for yourself and your destination, focus on medical insurance in particular. When you have the desired insurance policy then you can be sure that wherever you go you will be ready to face any eventuality.