Key Points
- Travel medical insurance helps cover medical expenses if you get sick or injured while on a trip.
- Many U.S. health plans provide little or no coverage outside the United States.
- Medical evacuation coverage can be especially important if you are traveling somewhere with limited access to quality medical care.
A medical emergency can be costly, and your regular health insurance may not cover treatment outside the United States. Travel medical insurance can help protect your health and finances when you’re traveling, both domestically and abroad.
What Is Travel Medical Insurance?
Travel medical insurance is a type of coverage designed to help pay for eligible medical expenses if you become ill or injured while traveling.
Unlike trip cancellation insurance, which protects the financial investment you make in a trip, travel medical insurance focuses on healthcare-related costs that arise during your travels.
Depending on the policy, your coverage may include:
- Doctor visits
- Emergency dental treatment
- Emergency medical treatment
- Emergency transportation
- Hospital stays
- Medical evacuation
- Prescription medication
- X-rays
Some policies may also make direct payments to hospitals, which can reduce the need for you to pay large expenses up front and seek reimbursement later.
Travel Medical Insurance at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What does travel medical insurance cover? | Covered medical expenses related to illness or injury during a trip, subject to policy terms, limits, and exclusions |
| Does it cover trip cancellation? | No, trip cancellation coverage is a separate benefit, though some comprehensive travel insurance plans include both |
| Is medical evacuation included? | Some policies include it, while others offer it as an optional benefit |
| When should you buy coverage? | Within a few weeks of making your first trip deposit, so you don’t miss the purchase window required for a pre-existing condition waiver, if available |
| When should you consider travel medical insurance? | When traveling out of the country, especially if your existing health insurance provides limited or no coverage abroad. You may also consider a plan with emergency evacuation coverage when planning adventure travel in the U.S. |
Why Travel Medical Insurance Matters
Your regular health insurance plan may provide limited to no coverage outside of the U.S. Before leaving the country, you should give your provider a call to understand your coverage for emergency medical care abroad.
Medicare and Medicaid also do not generally pay for medical care outside the United States.
Without adequate coverage, you could be responsible for paying medical bills on your own. Travel medical insurance can provide financial protection, up to your policy limit, for an unexpected illness or injury.
What Travel Medical Insurance Typically Covers
Coverage varies by policy, so it’s important to read your plan documents carefully. In general, travel medical insurance may cover:
Emergency Medical Care
If you experience an illness or injury during your trip, travel medical insurance can help pay for covered emergency medical treatment and hospitalization costs.
Emergency Transportation
Some policies include transportation benefits when you need to be moved to an appropriate medical facility for treatment.
Medical Evacuation
Medical evacuation coverage can help pay for transportation to a facility capable of providing the care you need. We recommend this coverage when you are visiting areas with limited healthcare resources, or higher-risk or remote destinations.
Assistance Services
Many travel insurance providers offer 24-hour assistance services that can help you locate medical providers, coordinate care, and access support during an emergency.
Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?
Travel medical insurance typically doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions unless you qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver. This waiver is offered by many plans, as long as you buy your policy within a specific period. The eligibility window varies by insurer, but it is often in the range of 14 to 21 days after making your first trip deposit.
What Is a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver?
A pre-existing condition waiver allows eligible medical claims related to a pre-existing condition to be covered under your policy.
Without a waiver, your travel insurance plan may exclude coverage for medical issues you had during the look-back period noted in your policy.
How Do You Qualify for a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver?
Requirements vary by insurer, but you typically need to:
- Buy your policy within the required timeframe after your first trip deposit
- Be medically able to travel when you purchase the policy
Stand-Alone Travel Medical Insurance vs. Comprehensive Travel Insurance
If you’re only interested in medical coverage for your trip, you can buy a stand-alone travel medical insurance policy. For more benefits, look at comprehensive travel insurance plans.
Stand-Alone Travel Medical Insurance
A stand-alone travel medical insurance plan focuses on medical benefits while you’re traveling.
These policies generally cover:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Emergency dental treatment
- Hospitalization related to a covered illness or injury
Comprehensive Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance combines travel medical coverage with other benefits.
Depending on the policy, coverage may include:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Trip cancellation
- Trip interruption
- Travel delays
- Lost, stolen, or delayed baggage
- Travel assistance services
If you want protection for both medical emergencies and travel disruptions, a comprehensive travel insurance plan generally offers broader coverage than a stand-alone medical policy.
Quick Comparison: Stand-Alone vs. Comprehensive Travel Insurance
| Coverage | Stand-Alone Travel Medical Insurance | Comprehensive Travel Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medical evacuation | May be included | Often included |
| Trip cancellation coverage | ✗ | ✓ |
| Trip interruption coverage | ✗ | ✓ |
| Baggage coverage | ✗ | ✓ |
| Travel delay coverage | ✗ | ✓ |
Primary vs. Secondary Travel Medical Coverage
Another important factor when choosing a policy is whether it provides primary or secondary medical coverage.
What Is Primary Travel Medical Coverage?
Primary travel medical insurance pays covered medical expenses before any other health insurance you may have.
Benefits of primary coverage may include:
- Simpler claims process
- Faster reimbursement
- No need to file with another insurer first
What Is Secondary Travel Medical Coverage?
Secondary travel medical insurance pays after any other available health insurance has processed your claim.
This could look like:
- Filing a claim with your regular health insurance and waiting until it is approved or denied
- Then filing a claim with your travel insurance provider to cover eligible remaining expenses
Primary vs. Secondary Coverage at a Glance
| Coverage Type | How Claims Are Paid |
|---|---|
| Primary coverage | Travel insurance pays first |
| Secondary coverage | File a health insurance claim first, then travel insurance may cover eligible remaining expenses |
What to Look for When Choosing a Travel Medical Policy
Limits and exclusions vary by plan. Before purchasing coverage, consider whether the policy covers:
- The countries you plan to visit
- The full length of your trip
- Emergency medical care, up to the limit you want
- Medical transportation or evacuation, up to the limit you want
- Pre-existing medical conditions, with a waiver
- Adventure activities you’re planning
- Emergency assistance services available 24/7
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between Travel Medical Insurance and Travel Insurance?
Travel medical insurance primarily covers emergency medical expenses that arise from unexpected illness or injury during a trip. Comprehensive travel insurance may combine medical coverage with other benefits such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage protection, and travel delay coverage.
Will My U.S. Health Insurance Cover Me Overseas?
This will depend on your health insurance provider and plan, so it’s best to give them a call to understand your coverage abroad. Medicare and Medicaid generally do not cover medical care outside the United States.
Does Travel Medical Insurance Cover Emergency Medical Evacuation?
Many travel medical insurance policies include medical evacuation coverage or offer it as an optional benefit. Coverage details, limits, and conditions vary by policy.
What Should I Check Before Buying Travel Medical Insurance?
Review whether the policy covers your destinations, trip length, emergency medical treatment, evacuation services, pre-existing conditions, and planned adventure activities. You should also check exclusions, coverage limits, and the availability of 24-hour assistance services.
Can I Buy Travel Medical Insurance for a Short Trip?
Yes. Many travel medical insurance policies are designed for short-term travel and can provide coverage for a single trip, whether you are traveling for a few days or several weeks.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article serves as a general overview of benefits and should only be used for informational purposes. Refer to your individual certificate of insurance for specific coverages, exclusions and benefits. When in doubt, please contact one of our licensed agents for additional assistance.
