tanz_2007

Hoping to get some feedback on supplemental health insurance [above and beyond our existing health insurance] for a Tanzania trip in October 2007. It is a Kili Trek & 5 day Safari.

The US representative for our outfitter sent an email saying "Be prepared during your Oct. 1 pre-trek briefing to provide proof of health/medical evacuation coverage."

Since [30 days out from departure] this is the first we've heard about supplemental insurance I'd like feedback on whether this is standard. We are not looking for trip insurance.

Does everyone going to East Africa buy supplemental health insurance? Where's the best place to get it?

Thanks!

Louise

I am sure you will get a ton of responses to your question and it has also been discussed previously on this forum. You have health insurance so look into getting www.medjetassistance.com. For a family it is $350 a year. You will be brought back to the U.S. if necessary.

jenack

I imagine you called your insurance company, but I will toss it out there anyway just to be safe. I have an Oxford freedom plan which allows me to use the network or go out of the network and still be covered, but a call to the benefits department revealed that I am not covered outside the country for anything except emergency room, for which I have a $100 co-pay; if I get admitted I am not covered. And I am certainly not covered for evacuation, etc. I ended up buying an Access America plan and joined flying Doctors; but that is because I needed trip cancellation insurance, which you said you don't need. Just make sure you have a clear understanding of what your insurance company covers you for; preferably in writing.

hills27

Flying doctors will get you from the East African bush to Nairobi. It's dirt cheap and the only option, so it's silly not to get it.

Medjet will get you back from Nairobi to the US.

I just returned from South Africa. My health insurance covered me there, but I bought Medjet because my existing insurance would not cover transport to the US and Medjet was highly recommended by NBC's travel editor. If something awful happened, I didn't want to end up stuck in a South African hospital for weeks. I ended up buying an annual membership, but you can also buy short term insurance for the length of your trip.

sandi

Go to www.insuremytrip.com and you will find all kinds of trip insurance. Comprehensive will cover cancellation/interruption as well as flight/baggage delay, baggage loss, medical/dental, medical evacuation. Or you can purchase Medical/medical evacuation only, or you can purchase Medjet on a per trip basis.

One of these should fit your individual need, but read all drop-down menus to know what is/isn't covered. There is an 800# you can call if you have to speak to a human.

If you do not have proof of medical/medical evacuation you may not be permitted to climb or even safari.

Flying Doctor's is only in-country and the only service that could get you from the bush to a hospital. From there your insurance will pick-up any expenses or answer questions regarding care or evacuation.

Go do it!