What are my choices for getting health insurance while in England and France?
With two children, I feel uneasy about not having coverage for almost three weeks

Melissa

My son got sick in England and then we traveled to Paris before I realized he was not being just a cranky 13 year old. When we got back to England we took him to a hospital. They sent him over to the Children's Hospital. There was a wait, but no charge! (He had a virus only--thankfully!) Also, cehck you health insurance. They might cover emergencies abroad. And if you charge your trip to AMEX, they might provide coverage also.

are you sure you don't have coverage through your plan?? Double check your book (we get one every "year&quot. Or call and find out what is covered.

If your health insurance doesn't cover you while abroad, you would be wise to arrange travel insurance for you and your family.

While in England (not sure about France) the NHS will provide emergency care only. For anything else you would have go private, for which you pay, just like in the US. Most likely you would pay for treatment up front by credit card, then claim from your health insurance when you return home.

Travel insurance will often include cover for medevac back to the US if you are too ill to fly back by scheduled airline.

This was in the late 80's, and things may have changed since then, but I took seriously ill in Paris and went in an ambulance to the hospital. My DH had to pay the ambulance before they would transport me, but once at the hospital, we were not charged anything. My DH tried to give them all of our contact information, etc. but they didn't seem the least bot interested I guess. I was there for a couple of hours, but then luckily walked away after a few shots... I had gone into antiphylactic (sp) shock quite unexpectedly from a food allergy! I discovered I cannot eat carrots. Very scary! But I lived to tell about it.

Anyway, we only had to pay for the ambulance. I don't remember how much that was.

DS has blue cross and I know that he is covered when he is in Bangkok. You might check your current health coverage.

debmc58, you'll find there's a wait in emergency rooms in the Children's hospitals in the US too. The standard wait in our local hospital is about three hours on a good night, and much longer on a weekend.

I checked with Aetna and they told me that they only cover life threatening emergencies.

Where can I get information on purchasing health plans?

melissa

Travel guard do decent insurance, as do europe assistance. I reccommend that you don't travel without health insurance.

Carolena

Go to insuremytrip.com, where you'll find a very useful comparison chart for various kinds and prices of coverage.

I agree with the suggestion about Travel Guard. I've found their rates to be pretty good for the coverage they offer including medical evacuation. Plus their customer service is really good.

www.insuremytrip.com was great. thanks for the info. Travelgueard is in there.

Just to put your mind at rest and dismiss any fears you have about the UK (can't speak for France) -

As an employee of the UK's National Health Service (NHS), I can tell you that should you need treatment whilst in the UK then you should visit any A&E department for emergencies or your hotel will direct you to a local GP (General Practitioner) for more minor problems. The GP will possibly charge a consultancy fee and will definately charge a private prescription fee for any medication. Alternatively, Pharmacists have a lot of respect in the UK and will provide excellent free advice over the counter.

Should you need immediate attention for a life threatening condition (e.g. heart attack or road accident) - what will NEVER happen is that you would be refused treatment should you require an ambulance. If you dial 999 (the UK equivalent to the US 911), your condition will be assessed and an ambulance will be dispatched according to need rather than any other consideration (and that includes being a foreigner). Any payment will be dealt with later.

I just called american express. If you charge your trip to them, for a small fee you can add on mediacal insurance (which includes evacuation and repatriation). Also your american express includes travel accident insurance. Other credit cards that you charge your trip to may also provide that service. Call your credit card company before you spend hundreds of dollars.

Finally getting around to looking into health insurance.
Do I need to buy trip insurance or just health insurance?

Thanks
melissa

Go the insuremytrip.com web site for an excellent comparative chart of various policies and companies. If you'll be renting a car, choose one that offers rental insurance--more comprehensive and less expensive than what the car agencies charge in most cases.

Melissa. For our trip to Europe we took out worldwide medical insurance through American Express Assurance Company. Our joint policy was approximately $120 for the two of us(for 1 year). It could be less but we upped our coverage to $100,000 each. There is no deductable and the policy is good for one year and for trips that are more than 150 miles from home.

However, you must be an Amex card holder to apply for this insurance.

As far as the CDW is concerned for our rental car, we waived it because it is covered under our Amex card. We also will be waiving the liability insurance because it is covered under our umbrella insurance. This, however, should be verified with your insurer before you decline the liability insurance.

Melissa, I know you were planning on using Just Airports as your car service. Did you receive a confirmation within 24 hours as stated on their website? Thanks.

If I can answer any questions, just let me know.

One more thing, we also took out trip insurance, but that only covers us if we cancel our trip, not get sick while on the trip.

Knock wood, we will all be healthy and happy! Safe Travels!

Just read debmc58's post. You do not have to book your trip through Amex to purchase the coverage. You just have to be an Amex cardholder.

You need insurance to cover the following

a) Being medically evacuated back to the US - this may be as little as getting a new flight ticket or as much as hiring a whole aircraft plus doctor & nurse

b) Having to spend a long time in a UK/French hospital - to cover things like family members visiting you & family members staying in Europe

c) You die, you need to be transported home for the funeral

Hi STW, I have a question as I had a brochure from AMEX ragarding their medical insurance but accidently threw it away. Am I correct that their medical insurance only covers one for the first 30 days of the trip, or am I remembering incorrectly. Thanks!