I will preface this by saying that I'm good about buying travel insurance for organized trips - cruises, group travel, hiking trips, etc. I don't usually buy it when I piece-meal a trip together myself. That will be changing. However, I would like to have some idea of how the coverage might work.

Short story is a family member was injured overseas on a graduation trip. No trip insurance. Treatment requires surgery, estimated at $30k overseas. Hospital charges $3000/night. Thankfully, the doctors gave clearance to fly home and treat injury here.

But, assuming there was travel insurance, how does it work? I'm assuming you would have to pay OOP and apply for reimbursement...? My health insurance through my employer says I do have some coverage internationally, but to "call for more details". Anyone have experience getting their primary health insurance to cover overseas emergency treatment? I'm assuming it would also be a self-pay and be reimbursed scenario.

The only other story I've heard about an international injury/hospital stay was from an acquaintance whose family member was nearly killed on a zip line in Costa Rica. Zip line company was completely at fault, but the family was discouraged from pursuing anything. Hospital required payment in full before they would discharge the person so they could come back to the states. Family members had to pool their money/credit cards to pay the hospital bill, which was tens of thousands of dollars.

I also recognize the cause for the injury changes how insurance might cover and pay for treatment (that's the case here as well). I just would like a little bit of insight into how this works, in the event it ever happens to our family again. This situation made us realize we really take it for granted that travel will be injury-free, and we really don't know much about what to do.

Any stories/experiences anyone cares to share?

Sorry to hear this, but glad they're well enough to travel home!!

Luckily no experience dealing with it, but companies like Faye have 24/7 support. Once you get ill or injured you would reach out to file a claim and they'd provide direction on how to proceed in line with the policy.

You're correct that you'd typically pay out of pocket and then keep receipts, records, etc. and file for reimbursement. Sometimes major hospitalizations and I think definitely emergency evacuations are paid directly.

Most general policies exclude coverage for extreme sports (I believe Ziplining is considered recreational) like bunjee jumping or sky diving but you can add that on as an additional coverage.

Hope they make it home safely!

I've had clients who have been hospitalized while traveling. One was in Mexico, one was in Alaska.

Both times they paid nothing out of pocket. They contacted the insurance company and $$$ was wired to the hospitals. They also took care of hotel and flights home for the Alaska one.

I do tell my clients to expect to pay out of pocket up front, especially for smaller things. But typically I find for major things the insurance company takes care of it.

Medical only travel insurance can be very inexpensive. Just this past week I sold 3 medical/on trip policies only to Texagers. The cheapest one was only $33 (could have been $19 but went for higher coverage). None were over $100. I won't leave the country without it.

It is hit or miss if some US companies provide coverage when out of the country. If it does, it is usually minimal and it is pay OOO and possibly get reimbursed for some.

Medical only would be a good option. We are about to take another trip, and we were looking at plans last night. Because it's travel+medical, they are like $150 per person. However, we don't really need the travel portion.

I may reach out to you if my BF hasn't already purchased something. But definitely good to know going forward.

Edit: We've corresponded before. Just sent you an email!

TXTransplant said:

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Medical only would be a good option. We are about to take another trip, and we were looking at plans last night. Because it's travel+medical, they are like $150 per person. However, we don't really need the travel portion.

I may reach out to you if my BF hasn't already purchased something. But definitely good to know going forward.

Edit: We've corresponded before. Just sent you an email!

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And I should clarify, it is really "Medical/On Trip" as it does include some coverage for delayed flights, lost baggage, etc. It is truly not medical only. But it doesn't include any cancellation protection.

I got your email!

Thanks everyone for all the info! I think the stories are really interesting, so I hope people keep posting.

JMac is getting us a medical only policy (which is fine for this trip) for $76 total. We were looking at about $150 per person when we priced one on our own through Allianz. I believe that did cover trip expenses, too, but why pay for something you don't need?

For the medical only policies, do they cover medical evac?

We booked with Kyle (Kreg17) and had coverage through Faye and made sure, for us, that medical evac and political unrest / natural disaster evac was included.

Obviously you appetite for those coverages may be highly dependent on destination and activities. Our trip was to Patagonia and the remoteness and availability of care factored greatly into the level of coverage we purchased.

And Kyle, I owe you a trip report and a formal recommendation. I know there are several agents who post here but Kyle put together a fantastic trip for us to Chile this past spring. Great job and folks should absolutely consider him for travel planning needs although he posts here with great advice and tips as well. Appreciate you Kyle!

My situation is reverse because I was an American living overseas as a foreign entity employee, traveling to the USA.

The one time I had to see a doctor in Sunnyvale, CA, I don't recall paying anything out of pocket. I gave the medical place (I think it was an ER because it was after hours) my company's insurance information and they did all the rest. Our corporate travel agent (AMEX) did a good job of making sure that information was readily available on our itinerary.

I definitely didn't have to file a claim afterwards and I don't recall ever seeing a bill. I think the doctor gave me some medication and I got the rest of a prescription from their on-site pharmacy.

As I've mentioned on here before, I've always gotten the Travel insurance for my family once I started traveling to the USA after becoming an Australian employee. Many of my trips to the USA were business so I was covered on my corporate policy.

Last year when I went to Germany, Saudi Arabia and Dubai, I got a travel policy (probably from Allianz) but... The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia forced you to purchase a local medical policy for something like $70 or so to cover your time in The Kingdom. You had to do this before they would issue your tourist visa.

Also, when I was traveling out of Australia, I recall that there were policy options that covered different countries. Obviously there was one "Cadillac" policy that covered everywhere. But there were some cheaper ones that only covered countries that Australia had reciprocal agreements with (a Commonweatlh situation that wouldn't apply to Americans - because we don't reciprocate with anybody - and I'm OK with that - LOL).

The policy I just got does cover medical evacuation. Some policies also cover repatriation of remains (I have a policy for a different trip where that is included).

TxTransplant - Yours does include it, it is lumped in the screenshot I sent you with Medical (first line item, up to $1m). I think other policies its listed out differently which is why it has a "-" on the phone.


For those wondering - here are the 2 policies I typically sell:



Tx Transplant - here is a screenshot from your policy so it is included.

Good to know!

Highly recommend Medjet Assist membership also. Private jets with Nurses and Doctors will pick you up and fly you home.

I also have a subscription with Global Rescue which is a medical / security evac service in case of emergency. So not specifically medical insurance which is also a good idea to have.

For the medjet and global rescue plans, what do those run?

When I worked for a global corp years ago we of course had similar for those of us who traveled to the far reaches. And then we had George, a retired boppy (amongst other experience) who really would answer the phone 24/7 and resolve your problems.

I need a George.

aggiejumper said:

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Highly recommend Medjet Assist membership also. Private jets with Nurses and Doctors will pick you up and fly you home.

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Can't imagine how expensive that is.

It's not. Family membership is around $350 for a year.

aggiejumper said:

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It's not. Family membership is around $350 for a year.

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Well, that's shocking then. Clearly, no one paying in is actually having to use the service which is good, because that won't even cover the fuel.

YouBet said:

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aggiejumper said:

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It's not. Family membership is around $350 for a year.

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Well, that's shocking then. Clearly, no one paying in is actually having to use the service which is good, because that won't even cover the fuel.

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Shocked me as well. Definitely going to be adding this type of service to the quiver. But there are limitations and exclusions one should consider and I would think the more exotic, remote, dangerous the locale you are visiting is, the more restrictive and expensive it becomes.

Per a quick look at Gok+:

That confirms my statement then which was frankly obvious.

Affirmative.

It's a worst case scenario get you home plan.

It has to be extremely rarely used but it's cheap for that quarter million dollar flight home if needed.

There are other companies that cover more on a trip by trip basis and include ransom insurance and the like but they are much more expensive. One would use that for an exotic hunting trip in the mountains of Tajikistan. They require satellite phone and other items to qualify.

Hypothetical question:

If someone were to travel oversees for an elective medical procedure (Turkey) what type of insurance would you recommend or is even available?

Faithful Ag said:

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Hypothetical question:

If someone were to travel oversees for an elective medical procedure (Turkey) what type of insurance would you recommend or is even available?

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Honestly this is something I have wondered about and would need to ask the insurance company. They would might not cover something like this. I'm sure there are stipulations. They are closed today and probably tomorrow for the holiday.

Edited - posted below what I found on the policies I sell.

If you could find out I would be very interested….and would want to get a policy in place this week for early June! Thanks


And actually I would still like to get a policy in place anyway. Will you post your contact details or website? Thanks.

Are you thinking you want an insurance to cover an elected surgery overseas?

https://www.americanvisitorinsurance.com/visitor-medical-insurance-coverage-benefits/does-us-visitor-insurance-cover-surgery-costs.asp

Faithful Ag said:

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Hypothetical question:

If someone were to travel oversees for an elective medical procedure (Turkey) what type of insurance would you recommend or is even available?

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Hair transplants would not be covered.

Faithful Ag said:

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If you could find out I would be very interested….and would want to get a policy in place this week for early June! Thanks


And actually I would still like to get a policy in place anyway. Will you post your contact details or website? Thanks.

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My email is in my profile (click my name). I don't like to put my email on the forum as it causes more spam. Thanks!

Elective Surgeries not covered under the policies I typically sell.

Elective Treatment And Procedures means any medical treatment or surgical procedure that is not medically
necessary including any service, treatment, or supplies that are deemed by the federal, or a state or local government authority, or by Us to be research or experimental or that is not recognized as a generally accepted medical practice.


The following exclusions apply to the Medical Expense benefits.
We will not pay for any loss or expense caused due to, arising or resulting from:
1. routine physical examinations or routine dental care;
2. traveling for the purpose or intent of securing medical treatment or advice;
3. Elective Treatment and Procedures;
4. Normal pregnancy (except Complications of Pregnancy) or childbirth, except as specifically covered under Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption or elective abortion;
5. a Mental, Nervous or Psychological Condition or Disorder unless Hospitalized or Partially Hospitalized while the policy is in effect;
6. Your participation in Adventure or Extreme Activities, riding or driving in any races, or participation in speed or endurance competition or events, except as a spectator.
7. Your participation in an organized athletic or sporting competition, contest, or stunt under contract in exchange for an agreed-upon salary or compensation. This does not include athletes participating in exchange for a scholarship or tuition.

#6 may include activities people don't always think are considered such. Would be good to see their detail for people that like to push limits. And then they may need to consider what the outfitter is providing. For instance, heli-skiing was offered at places we stayed in Chile (not the right season even if I was able, willing), but I could see that being excluded but a policy may be provided by the outfitter.

Back-country skiing? Man, I would think covered but who knows. If you ignored a warning you could be hosed.

Sorry to venture beyond the original question, just hate seeing people assume something then wind up in a pickle.

Appreciate you looking out for the posters above. Good stuff.

flown-the-coop said:

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#6 may include activities people don't always think are considered such. Would be good to see their detail for people that like to push limits. And then they may need to consider what the outfitter is providing. For instance, heli-skiing was offered at places we stayed in Chile (not the right season even if I was able, willing), but I could see that being excluded but a policy may be provided by the outfitter.

Back-country skiing? Man, I would think covered but who knows. If you ignored a warning you could be hosed.

Sorry to venture beyond the original question, just hate seeing people assume something then wind up in a pickle.

Appreciate you looking out for the posters above. Good stuff.

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If I know clients are doing extreme stuff, I ask as we can add coverage for some activities.

From the policy I typicall sell:


Adventure or Extreme Activities means B.A.S.E. jumping, bull riding, running of the bulls, free diving, bungee jumping, hot air ballooning, parachuting, skydiving, cliff diving, fly-by-wire, paragliding, hang gliding, heli-skiing, helisnowboarding, wingsuit flying, rock climbing without equipment, bodily contact sports, Mountain Climbing over 9,000 feet (2,700 meters), motor sport or motor racing, multi-sport endurance competitions, parkour, scuba diving if the depth exceeds 131 feet (40 meters) and any activity materially similar to the above.

Hot air ballooning may get more people. I do love it being lumped in with free soloing and wing suit flying.

Though I have no desire for either, my risk tolerance is slightly different t amongst those, particularly having just watched "The Dark Wizard", a hell of a watch for anyone who has not seen it.

I know from personal experience that you can buy supplemental insurance policies to cover things that could go wrong during elective cosmetic procedures. The dr who did my surgery gave me information about it. This would be in the event your primary health insurance refuses to cover it if you have complications. I did my surgery in the US.

Looks from another previous post that you can get it for procedures outside the US as well.

TXTransplant said:

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I know from personal experience that you can buy supplemental insurance policies to cover things that could go wrong during elective cosmetic procedures. The dr who did my surgery gave me information about it. This would be in the event your primary health insurance refuses to cover it if you have complications. I did my surgery in the US.

Looks from another previous post that you can get it for procedures outside the US as well.

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When I googled earlier I did see a company that offered it. Just none of the policies that I typically sell offer it (unless its an add on I don't know about).

Yeah, it's a very specific thing that is unrelated to travel. I just wanted to share that it does exist.