Medical Insurance for Overseas Trip for My Mother
Jul 19th, 2006, 08:33 AM
#1
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Medical Insurance for Overseas Trip for My Mother
Can anyone help me with medical insurance for a 10-day trip to Paris/London? My mother is 67 years old and a bit concerned about going out of the country without medical coverage. I have looked online and found coverage for anywhere from $50-100 but was wondering if a Fodorite might have a company to recommend from experience.
As always, thank you.
As always, thank you.
Jul 19th, 2006, 08:42 AM
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Can you clarify please...Are you saying that your mom does not have medical coverage now? I would be more concerned about that.
If she does have coverage now are you saying that they exclude any reimbursement for travel outside of the US?
If she does have coverage now are you saying that they exclude any reimbursement for travel outside of the US?
Jul 19th, 2006, 08:45 AM
#3
Use insuremytrip.com to compare the various travel insurance companies policies and coverage. Pick the one that best suits her needs.
saps - Most Americans over age 65 are on Medicare and it doesn't cover out of the country.
saps - Most Americans over age 65 are on Medicare and it doesn't cover out of the country.
Jul 19th, 2006, 08:51 AM
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TravelGuard-very reasonable rates, and quick with follow-up for reimbursement-I got sick overseas in the last year, and had to pay out of my own pocket, but what my own medical coverage did not cover, TravelGuard did-and of course, they also cover lost/misplaced baggage, trip interruption/delays, etc.
www.travelguard.com
www.travelguard.com
Jul 19th, 2006, 08:51 AM
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Dejais: You might want to look into TravelGuard.com (I think that's the website, if not do a Google search). They offer quite a few different policies, I'm sure medical is covered on several of them. We've used TravelGuard for our past several trips as my parents are getting older and we're more concerned with being reimbursed if we had to cancel or change our trip plans due to an illness on their part. Thankfully we've never had to use our insurance policies but to us it is a "piece of mind" thing. Hope this helps.
Jul 19th, 2006, 08:51 AM
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Ditto on the recommendation to check out www.insuremytrip.com - I have found it to be the best plce to get comparative info.
And while it is true that Medicare does not provide any coverage outside the US, if your mother is enrolled in one of the Medicare alternatives (usually an HMO) they sometimes do - this was the case with my Mom. Check with the plan and if they do provide coverage outside the US, find out what procedures need to be followed (e.g., phone number to call for notification/ authorization, as toll free 800 numbers for the US will not work from Europe) and get it in writing (at least an email).
And while it is true that Medicare does not provide any coverage outside the US, if your mother is enrolled in one of the Medicare alternatives (usually an HMO) they sometimes do - this was the case with my Mom. Check with the plan and if they do provide coverage outside the US, find out what procedures need to be followed (e.g., phone number to call for notification/ authorization, as toll free 800 numbers for the US will not work from Europe) and get it in writing (at least an email).
Jul 19th, 2006, 11:19 AM
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Thank you all. Yes, she is a senior citizen whose medical coverage does not cover outside the US. I was not that concerned but she is. She is in good health but worries just in case....
I kind of understand since my girlfriend's mom and her boyfriend (80 and 87 yrs) just went to Budapest. The first day he slipped and fell and broke his hip. He was in the hospital and then had to be transported back to the US on a "medical" plane. Quite expensive. Luckily, he had coverage.
Thank you for your replies.
I kind of understand since my girlfriend's mom and her boyfriend (80 and 87 yrs) just went to Budapest. The first day he slipped and fell and broke his hip. He was in the hospital and then had to be transported back to the US on a "medical" plane. Quite expensive. Luckily, he had coverage.
Thank you for your replies.
Jul 19th, 2006, 12:41 PM
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I've bought CSA for several, but not all of my trips over the years. They too have a good reputation but fortunately I have never had to use any of their services.
I just bought a policy for my next trip, and compared Travel Guard and CSA (1-800-348-9505) and they were both very similiar, with CSA being a few dollars less, with few extra benefits - but basically they were both the same.
The main thing is to buy the insurance as soon as she pays any non-refundable expenses for her trip, airfare, apartment deposit, tour deposit, etc.. in order to be covered for pre-existing medical conditions. That includes anything that she may have been to the doctor for within the last six months, or any new prescriptions or prescription changes. Their deadline can vary from 15 days after the deposit - to within 24 hours of the time that the last non-refundable trip payment is made.
By getting the insurance immediately after making the first payment, she will be covered the next day for trip cancellation, and will get back all of the non-refundable monies - if her reason for cancelling is for one of their valid causes. The minute she leaves her house to start the trip, the rest of the policy kicks in - trip interuption, medical evacuation if necessary, baggage loss etc..
The only requirement is that she must have been able to travel on the day that she bought the policy - even if it is six months in advance CSA said that if got a letter now from my doctor, I could file it and in case I needed it later, I would already have it. Made sense to me.
I would check with your friend's parents - obviously whatever policy they had, took care of them. A personal recommedation is worth a million $$$.
HMO's, no matter what your age is, may cover emergency treatment, but as you know, that is usually a one shot, "life threatening" illness, no follow up appointments.
These policies cover tours as well as independant travel, and are priced according to the total non-refundable trip prepaid expenses.
I checked with insuremytrip.com, on the telephone too, but the they did not sell the CSA policy that I wanted - they had others which were more expensive with features that I didn't want. They seemed to be pushing Travel Guard, which is a very good company.
I telephoned Travel Guard and CSA, as prefer dealing with that dying breed - 'human beings', whenever possible, and got the information myself. I compared them and then bought it directly from CSA. There was a $22.00 difference, which was not a contributing factor in my decision to buy CSA.
The price for the Travel Guard was the same through the company itself,or through insuremytrip.
This is all very fresh in my mind because I just went through it two weeks ago and I get really, really involved when doing things like this ;-)
saps ... better check with your own insurance company or HMO before leaving your area, state, or the country.
Nina
I just bought a policy for my next trip, and compared Travel Guard and CSA (1-800-348-9505) and they were both very similiar, with CSA being a few dollars less, with few extra benefits - but basically they were both the same.
The main thing is to buy the insurance as soon as she pays any non-refundable expenses for her trip, airfare, apartment deposit, tour deposit, etc.. in order to be covered for pre-existing medical conditions. That includes anything that she may have been to the doctor for within the last six months, or any new prescriptions or prescription changes. Their deadline can vary from 15 days after the deposit - to within 24 hours of the time that the last non-refundable trip payment is made.
By getting the insurance immediately after making the first payment, she will be covered the next day for trip cancellation, and will get back all of the non-refundable monies - if her reason for cancelling is for one of their valid causes. The minute she leaves her house to start the trip, the rest of the policy kicks in - trip interuption, medical evacuation if necessary, baggage loss etc..
The only requirement is that she must have been able to travel on the day that she bought the policy - even if it is six months in advance CSA said that if got a letter now from my doctor, I could file it and in case I needed it later, I would already have it. Made sense to me.
I would check with your friend's parents - obviously whatever policy they had, took care of them. A personal recommedation is worth a million $$$.
HMO's, no matter what your age is, may cover emergency treatment, but as you know, that is usually a one shot, "life threatening" illness, no follow up appointments.
These policies cover tours as well as independant travel, and are priced according to the total non-refundable trip prepaid expenses.
I checked with insuremytrip.com, on the telephone too, but the they did not sell the CSA policy that I wanted - they had others which were more expensive with features that I didn't want. They seemed to be pushing Travel Guard, which is a very good company.
I telephoned Travel Guard and CSA, as prefer dealing with that dying breed - 'human beings', whenever possible, and got the information myself. I compared them and then bought it directly from CSA. There was a $22.00 difference, which was not a contributing factor in my decision to buy CSA.
The price for the Travel Guard was the same through the company itself,or through insuremytrip.
This is all very fresh in my mind because I just went through it two weeks ago and I get really, really involved when doing things like this ;-)
saps ... better check with your own insurance company or HMO before leaving your area, state, or the country.
Nina
Jul 19th, 2006, 01:50 PM
#11
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Even for a 32-year old, if you've paid for an airline ticket and prepaid for hotels, meals and tours - your have made an investment. Even 32-year olds can slip, fall, get sick or whatever while away or before leaving home. Trip insurance, as all insurance, isn't necessary designed in favor or the consumer, if thankfully you don't need it, but if you do, you're glad to have it.
Jul 19th, 2006, 03:53 PM
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Earlier this month, my 80 year old neighbor made the final payment on a very very expensive trip. The payment was due three months before her departure date in October.
Suddenly she started getting some symptoms that may or may not be serious. She is scheduled for an MRI this week.
Point being, if she is unable to take her scheduled tour, she will get back all of her money, under the trip cancellation clause, because she purchased travel insurance as soon as she made her initial non-refundable payment.
Hopefully she will be fine and take her trip as planned. We are keeping our fingers crossed.
Nina
Suddenly she started getting some symptoms that may or may not be serious. She is scheduled for an MRI this week.
Point being, if she is unable to take her scheduled tour, she will get back all of her money, under the trip cancellation clause, because she purchased travel insurance as soon as she made her initial non-refundable payment.
Hopefully she will be fine and take her trip as planned. We are keeping our fingers crossed.
Nina
Jul 19th, 2006, 04:48 PM
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I've been buying insurance from Travel Guard for the last few trips we took. We've got reasons why trip interruption may become necessary. I'm not keen on Travel Guard's med. evac. policy as they fly you to the closest medical facility only. You can't request to be flown home.
Jul 19th, 2006, 05:03 PM
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Dejais, I would second the suggestion to find out the insurance company that your girlfriends mothers friend was covered with as it sounds as though his travel insurance company took good care of him. Having been in the insurance industry for a long time I am always personally interested in other peoples experiences when the bottom line is "they have a claim". That is when you truly find out what you have paid for.
Jul 19th, 2006, 05:12 PM
#15
I think you first have to decide what it is you want to cover.
We were recently in Prague and Budapest. I had heard that upon entering the Czech Republic they are spot-checking to make sure visitors have Emergency Medical and Repatriation insurance.
I spoke with the Consul here in Miami and he said that he wasn't sure if they were checking but it is a rule in all European countries (never heard of that).
I wasn't interested in trip insurance. All I wanted was Emergency Medical and Repatriation insurance.
I bought it from Travelex for about $90US for 2 weeks.
As it turns out there are extra benefits that almost came into play. My wife's suitcase was lost and their coverage is much better than what the airline pays. The suitcase was found after 2 days.
We were recently in Prague and Budapest. I had heard that upon entering the Czech Republic they are spot-checking to make sure visitors have Emergency Medical and Repatriation insurance.
I spoke with the Consul here in Miami and he said that he wasn't sure if they were checking but it is a rule in all European countries (never heard of that).
I wasn't interested in trip insurance. All I wanted was Emergency Medical and Repatriation insurance.
I bought it from Travelex for about $90US for 2 weeks.
As it turns out there are extra benefits that almost came into play. My wife's suitcase was lost and their coverage is much better than what the airline pays. The suitcase was found after 2 days.
Jul 19th, 2006, 05:48 PM
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Hi! Dejais, I think I qualify from experience; I have been going to GReece as an independent traveler since 1999, when I qualified for Medicare, and have always taken out "just in case" insurance, through Insure My Trip. They give you a list of policies to choose from -- and if you choose a policy that is Medical Only (NOT trip insurance) it's quite quite reasonable for v. good coverage... like $10K for immediate med exp, for transfer to another hosp if nec and if you need an escort to bring you home (i.e., if a kid on a scooter hits you and you're in a full body cast), it pays for a relative to come to the foreign country & to bring you home.
What is mixing oranges & apples is "Trip inS" vs "Med insurance." Trip insurance is if you have paid in advance for an expensive tour/cruise/whatever, and you get sick & can't go, or get sick the first day and have to leave the tour/cruise. That is QUITE costly. But if all your mom's got invested is her plane ticket, then Med ins. is the cry. FOr just 10 days, it oughtn't to be more than $25-30.
Under Insure my trip, they e-mail the policy (but it runs on for 20 pp via e-mail); you can insist they send a printed copy via reg. mail, if she's not leaving tomorrow or next day.
I repeat, InsureMyTrip.com is your best bet -- it offers TravelGuard as well as other policies, so you have a wide choice... in a table format where it's easy to compare coverage cost & features.
What is mixing oranges & apples is "Trip inS" vs "Med insurance." Trip insurance is if you have paid in advance for an expensive tour/cruise/whatever, and you get sick & can't go, or get sick the first day and have to leave the tour/cruise. That is QUITE costly. But if all your mom's got invested is her plane ticket, then Med ins. is the cry. FOr just 10 days, it oughtn't to be more than $25-30.
Under Insure my trip, they e-mail the policy (but it runs on for 20 pp via e-mail); you can insist they send a printed copy via reg. mail, if she's not leaving tomorrow or next day.
I repeat, InsureMyTrip.com is your best bet -- it offers TravelGuard as well as other policies, so you have a wide choice... in a table format where it's easy to compare coverage cost & features.
Jul 19th, 2006, 06:26 PM
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You all have been so great! Thank you for the helpful info. Yes, mom is just looking for medical coverage however, I thinkt he one she decided also covers some trip interruption coverage and baggage coverage as well. It ran her about $50 for ten days.
As for my friend's parents. He broke his hip which was bad enough but when they transported him by ambulance to the airport for the med-evac, the plane was not working properly so they had to transport him back to the hospital and then try again another day. I believe this happened not once but TWICE! Imagine how much THAT would have cost him had he not had insurance!
So again, I would tell anyone not covered outside the ocuntry to definitely think about coverage. Better safe than sorry. I give Mom a definite high five on this one.
As for my friend's parents. He broke his hip which was bad enough but when they transported him by ambulance to the airport for the med-evac, the plane was not working properly so they had to transport him back to the hospital and then try again another day. I believe this happened not once but TWICE! Imagine how much THAT would have cost him had he not had insurance!
So again, I would tell anyone not covered outside the ocuntry to definitely think about coverage. Better safe than sorry. I give Mom a definite high five on this one.
Jul 19th, 2006, 06:39 PM
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I sell health Insurance, wow a shameless plug here http://www.allhealthandlifeinsurance.com
Anyhow a good company like United Health Care/Golden Rule gives you 50,000 dollars coverage out of the country. So check your policy's you have already before you buy extra.
65 and older you can no longer get insurance unless you are on a group poilcy.
Medicare is different so you would have to find an outside source for that, specifically for travel. American express has some stuff to.
Anyhow a good company like United Health Care/Golden Rule gives you 50,000 dollars coverage out of the country. So check your policy's you have already before you buy extra.
65 and older you can no longer get insurance unless you are on a group poilcy.
Medicare is different so you would have to find an outside source for that, specifically for travel. American express has some stuff to.
