Travel Medical Insurance, a Closer Look

Have you ever wondered exactly why a Travellimit it to 5,000. What does this mean? "When
Medical Insurance policy might be beneficial to you?hospitalized for more than 36 hours due to a covered
There are benefits which every Travel Medicalillness or injury and covered children under 18 years
Insurance plan should have. Some of these benefitswill be left unattended as a result, the plan will cover
will be missing from some of the cheapest plans butthe transportation cost for the children to return
we are going to look at the better travel medicalhome."
insurance plans. Most of us have to save for quite aPolitical Evacuation up to $50,000. Some plans limit it
while for our vacation and don't really want it ruinedto 10,000 others don't cover this at all. What is a
because we saved a few dollars on Travel Medicalpolitical evacuation? "If after your arrival at your
Insurance?destination the U.S. government issues a travel
All Travel Medical Insurance plans should allow you towarning for your destination country, the plan will
select the Deductible you want, these deductiblescoordinate your alternate departure arrangements
usually range from $0 to $2,500. The lower thefrom that country and cover the associated costs."
deductible the higher the premium is the general rule.Benefit Period up to 6 months. What exactly is this?
You should pick the deductible you are most"If a covered illness or injury requires continuing
comfortable with. Keep in mind that a deductible oftreatment after the Policy expires, the 6 month
$0 versus $250 should result in a $10 or $11 dollarbenefit period may provide continued coverage so
higher premium  for 2 people on a 2 week trip.that there has been 6 months of continuous
Personally I usually go with the $0 deductible as it willcoverage for the injury or illness." Some plans do not
cost less than a dollar a day. When selecting yourhave this benefit.
Policy Maximum be sure to look at the policyIncidental Home Country Coverage for when you
brochure to see how the maximum will effect certainreturn to your home country for incidental visits up
benefits. Also keep in mind that the higher theto cumulative 2 weeks but not if you return solely
maximum the higher the premium. Normally thefor treatment for an injury or illness incurred while
maximums go from $50,000 to $2,000,000. Usually Itraveling.
like to select the $0 deductible with a policyEnd of Trip Home Country Coverage up to a
maximum of $500,000 to $1,000,000. The reason ismaximum of 2 months may be purchased for every
that if something does happen on my trip I want my5 months of continuous coverage.
travel medical insurance company to handle anyCommon Carrier AD&D will pay $50,000 with a
payments necessary. Remember too that many ofmaximum per family usually 250,000. Some plans pay
the benefits are based on the policy maximum so itless for children under 18. 
should be high enough to handle anything which mightSports & Activities will pay up to Policy
happen. In my opinion these are the best options forMaximum for basic, non-contact sports. Exactly what
the price.is covered will vary from company to company.
All of the Travel Medical Insurance companies I haveADS&D pays $25,000 for loss of life or loss of 2
seen have a network of  Preferred Providermembers and 50% for loss of 1 member. Some plans
Organizations (PPO). If an illness or injury does occurwill pay less for children under 18 and for Insureds
remember it is always best to coordinate anyover 69.
treatment with the insurance provider, especially inTerrorism up to $50,000 lifetime maximum. Other
the U.S. Using these PPO providers will usually result incompanies will pay URC up to Policy Maximum.
lower co-pays if any are required. When travelingNormally it covers eligible medical claims. This is only
overseas find out ahead of time who the providerscovered in most cases if an advisory is issued by the
are in the countries you will be visiting. The insuranceUS Government and the insured unreasonably fails or
provider should have a list of the PPO Networkrefuses to leave the country. Some plans do not
on-line. Always use them if possible.cover, again be sure to read the brochure.
Now let's take a closer look at the benefits you canIdentity Theft will pay up to $500. The theft of
expect with a good Travel Medical Insurance plan.identity must occur during the period of coverage
Let's base our inspection of the benefits on theand be reported within 6 months of the termination
Patriot Travel Medical Insurance plan from IMG. We'llof the coverage. Read the brochure for more details.
use a trip for 2 people in their mid 30's with a $0Natural Disaster up to $100 per day for 5 days. Some
deductible and a policy maximum of $500,000. Theplans do not cover except as part of the Trip
premium for this plan is just under $51 dollars for anInterruption benefit. Read the brochure for details. 
international trip and excludes coverage in the U.S.Trip Interruption up to $5,000. This is pretty normal.
and Canada. Considering all the benefits with this planOn some plans this will pay when it is caused by
I think that everyone will agree that this is a goodnatural disaster.
plan to have.Lost Luggage up to $50 with a $250 maximum. Some
There is a Coinsurance clause which has no co-pay ifplans only specify the $250 limit.
treatment is received outside the U.S. and Canada. IfIndemnity will pay $100 per night of a required stay
the treatment is received within the U.S. and Canadain a hospital (U.S. citizens). The purpose of this is to
plan will pay from 80% to 100% of the first 5,000 ofoffset the costs of basic necessities not provided by
eligible expenses. The percentage depends ofsome hospitals. Some plans will pay $150.
whether or not the treatment was received by aSudden Recurrence of Pre-Existing Condition up to
provider within the PPO Network (90%) or outside$15,000 (U.S. citizens). Some plans will pay up to
of the PPO Network (80%).$20,000 but only $2,500 if 65+.
*URC = usual, reasonable and customary chargesAll Travel Medical Insurance plans have additional
Hospital Room and Board expenses are paid up toOptions available to add to your plan as well as other
the Policy Maximum. Some other plans will penalizecost-free benefits. These are the options available
you if the Hospital is not Pre-Certified.for IMG's Patriot Travel Medical Insurance plan.
Intensive Care URC paid up to Policy Maximum.Options available include: Adventure Sports rider,
Medical Expenses up to Policy Maximum. Some plansEnhanced AD&D rider, Citizenship Return rider.
will specify amounts for specific items like PhysicalBe sure to read the brochure for the details of the
Therapy, just read the Benefits carefully.optional riders.
Outpatient Medical expenses URC up to PolicyCost-free benefits included: Online access to a
Maximum.service, MyIMG, that allows you to access
Local Ambulance up to Policy Maximum. With otherinformation and manage your account. The type of
plans it might be URC and some will set a limit, forinformation might include benefit explanation, provider
example 5,000 maximum.location, request an ID card, start a pre-certification,
Prescription Drugs up to Policy Maximum. Other plansget certification documents and maybe even
might not specifically say it covers prescription drugsrecommend a provider/facility.
but will include them in other eligible medical expenses,Pharmacy Discounts for participating pharmacies in
again read the brochure.the U.S.
Emergency Room accident up to Policy Maximum,IMG also has a special department, Akesco Care
again some plans don't mention this separately.Management (ACM), for your use in coordinating care
Emergency Illness with In-Patient admission up toand provide medical management services. The staff
Policy Maximum, some plans don't separate this.consists of qualified Doctors and nurses who are
Emergency Illness without in-Patient admission up toexperts at assessing the need for services. There
Policy Maximum with additional deductible of $250.are multi-lingual personnel available for you to talk to.
This could be different with other plans.Well that wraps up our discussion of Travel Medical
Dental, acute onset of pain limited to $100 whereasInsurance Benefits. Sorry it was so long but I really
injury due to an accident will go to the Policydidn't want to leave out anything crucial. I do want
Maximum. Other plans might have a monetary limit.you to remember that every plan is at least a little
Emergency Evacuation up to $500,000 independentdifferent than every other plan. That's why you need
of the Policy Maximum. Some policies will be less orto always read the brochures that should be available
might depend on the Policy Maximum.when you are online shopping for a good Travel
Emergency Reunion up to $50,000. Some plans willMedical Insurance plan.
set a much lower limit. What is this? "WhenAlso remember that there are many different types
Emergency Medical Evacuation or Repatriation isof Travel Medical Insurance plans available, sometimes
ordered and the attending Physician recommendswithin the same insurance company. The reason is
that a family member travel with You or be with youthat an insurance company will design different plans
after the evacuation, the plan will arrange and pay,for different circumstances when possible. So you
up to some predefined amount, for a round tripneed to write down what your special requirements
economy-class transportation, lodging and meal costsare when you begin to shop, but that is for another
for one individual or family member of Your choice,article.
from Your Home Country, to be at Your side whileYou can find out how to get your travel insurance
You are hospitalized.". This definition will vary fromon-line at or contact the agent there using their
plan to plan.contact form.
Return of Mortal Remains up to $50,000. Some plansThank you for your time and hope you read more of
could be less. my articles in the future.
Return of Minor Children up to 50,000. Some plans