Insurance for foreign travel

[Passepartout]

Yay!! The cardiologist just visited and said that I will be discharged on Monday! Boy, am I READY!

 

[WinniWoman]

Yay!! The cardiologist just visited and said that I will be discharged on Monday! Boy, am I READY!

Great news! good luck on the trip back, Jim!

 

[Glynda]

Well, FINALLY I see light down the tunnel. They came and got me one swallow into a cuppa. We went down to the cardiac catheter lab. I had gone over all this with the doc. I was prepped, shaved, annointed with BetaDyne. By and by a German Woman introduced herself and the whole place hummed to life. They entered my right arm to check for plaques in the left heart. Some sort of snafu later & another catheter was inserted in my groin.

Long story short, I think they have ruled out any cardiac involvement in the original shortness of breath issue. Not saying I didn't need a pacemaker, I probably did. One of life's mysteries we can't know.

We have not heard as of this time about travel plans, but have talked to the responsible insurance claims rep. When asked if I could be released and spend a night in my wife's hotel room, the answer was that my rescue nurse would take custody of me AT THE HOSPITAL and not leave my side until we are either home or at a medical facility near there.

That's very good news!

 

[Glynda]

Yay!! The cardiologist just visited and said that I will be discharged on Monday! Boy, am I READY!

It gets better and better as I read on!

 

[1Kflyerguy]

Glad to hear your on the mend and getting better.

I have always relied on my primary health insurance while traveling, and maybe a basic travel policy. My policy with work does cover us worldwide, but i don't think it included any evacuation coverage or other stuff you may need while traveling. I am definitely going to check the benefits and check into specific travel policy!

 

[Passepartout]

Now, we are down to the waiting, waiting, waiting. It's the end of the day on Saturday. The hospital is pretty quiet as only emergency patients are admitted. I hardly expect a call until at best Monday, but surmise that as soon as flight info can be put together and a rescue nurse recruited, it will go quickly.

A little more about this place. It was originally a church, the Prince Bishop's palace. Then a convent, and it was surrounded by vinyards. The second largest in Germany. One wing is all wine cellars, and this high-end wine supports the nursing home, assisted living and memory care wings. It was here that the X-Ray was invented, and they use the name Roetgen as a verb. You go get a Roetgen.

Sorry I can't post a few photos, but maybe later. It's quite a place. At the oldest building on the beautiful, leafy grounds there are statues in niches. One is of a medieval doctor holding a human heart, and pointing to the cardiac arteries. This is where new, aspiring doctors come to begin learning anatomy.

Jim

 

[northwoodsgal]

Jim,

I'm glad to see you're getting discharged and on the mend.

Your post prompted me to look in to travel insurance for our upcoming trip to South Africa. We have never purchased travel insurance before and I didn't realize that if you don't purchase it almost immediately after making the first purchase for a trip, most plans will exclude pre-existing conditions. It is imperative to look into to this right away! Below is part of chat conversation I had with an InsureMyTrip.com rep last night. He came up with only 2 policies that would cover pre-existing conditions at this point in our trip. I'm early in my research so it may get better.


(Me) If I have an existing medical condition, such as diabetes, and it has been under control, it is considered a pre-existing medical condition?

(Rep)A Pre-Existing Condition is any treatment, diagnostic tests or exams, any recommendations for diagnostic test or exams, or any adjustments in medication up or down within the pre-existing condition period stated (depending on the company, 60 - 180 days prior to the effective date).

(Me) So, if I were to suddenly go in to diabetic shock, it would not be covered?

(Rep) If there have been any changes to your diabetes, in the past 60-180 days, such as a change in your medication, or a change in your treatment, or new tests done, then it would be excluded from coverage.

(Me) It's good medicine to get my A1C tested every 6 months. So a routine test would exclude me from coverage?

(Rep) Possibly. Most Comprehensive Plans will offer a waiver of pre-existing conditions if you meet the following conditions: You purchase the policy within 10 - 21 days of making your first trip payment; insure ALL prepaid non-refundable expenses prior to your departure date; and be medically fit to travel the day you purchase the policy. If you have the waiver, they cannot deny a claim just because it is related to a pre-existing condition.


The second thing I learned is their definition of medical repatriation is different than what I had thought. What I had thought was medical evacuation (a flight back to the U.S.) is really medical repatriation.


(Me) Let's assume something happens and my husband is treated at a hospital in South Africa. We want to return to the USA but he will require a nurse escort. He isn't returning out of medical necessity, more that we want to return home and continue treatment here. Is this considered medical evacuation?

(Rep) Emergency medical evacuation will only take place in the event the treating hospital cannot adequately treat you for your condition. Typically you will be transported to the nearest appropriate facility. If it is determined that you need to seek further care back home or to recover there these companies can arrange for that as well. It is known as a medical repatriation.

(Me) Is medical repatriation included in these policies?

(Rep) It is. Here is what the GeoBlue plan states:

If it is Medically Necessary that Your transportation needs to be medically supervised a qualified medical attendant will escort You. Additionally, if We and/or Our designee determine a mode of transport other than economy class seating on a commercial aircraft is required, We or Our designee will arrange accordingly and such will be covered by Us. That wording is straight from there policy

 

[Passepartout]

Yep. We cannot stress strongly enough that you buy travel health insurance THE SAME DAY that you put a deposit on a trip. It just is not worth trying to argue if a condition is pre existing, or when you paid for insurance. Not having coverage for a pre existing condition is very nearly not having insurance at all. If you file a claim, they will ask in every way possible if you had any test or suggestion about your condition.

Jim

 

[philemer]

Yep. We cannot stress strongly enough that you buy travel health insurance THE SAME DAY that you put a deposit on a trip. It just is not worth trying to argue if a condition is pre existing, or when you paid for insurance. Not having coverage for a pre existing condition is very nearly not having insurance at all. If you file a claim, they will ask in every way possible if you had any test or suggestion about your condition.

Jim

Hey Jim,
Good to hear that this loooong journey will be ending soon.

One thing that has always confused me is the "deposit" language. It makes sense if you make a deposit for a cruise. But what about non-cruise trips? I don't make deposits for anything. I usually use miles to book airfare & hotels/condos and then pay for a rental car with my cr. card. Anyone asked the insurance co. reps about this situation?

 

[Blues]

One thing that has always confused me is the "deposit" language. It makes sense if you make a deposit for a cruise. But what about non-cruise trips? I don't make deposits for anything. I usually use miles to book airfare & hotels/condos and then pay for a rental car with my cr. card. Anyone asked the insurance co. reps about this situation?

It's difficult to pin down exactly what it means. But I've always assumed that you need to buy travel insurance as soon as the first payment for anything associated with the trip leaves your hands. Of course, you may not know the total amount to insure for at that point; but I've always just estimated. E.g., if I'm purchasing a plane ticket, I'll buy travel insurance, and estimate the amount I'll need for the rest of the trip -- lodging, additional transportation, etc.

Note though (and this has been emphasized to me by an agent), you only need to buy enough insurance for the non-refundable amounts spent. For example, if you reserve hotels, but don't pre-pay (normal case, you'll pay at checkout), then at most you'll need to add the first-night deposit that most hotels charge. Not the amount for the entire stay. Similarly for rental cars, trains, etc. If you haven't (and don't need to) pre-pay, then you don't need to add that into the trip amount for insurance purposes.

So, in fact they really do mean deposits. If you don't need to pay until later, and won't be charged if you cancel, then you don't need to insure for it.

 

[philemer]

A reasonable way to approach the issue.

 

[Passepartout]

Note though (and this has been emphasized to me by an agent), you only need to buy enough insurance for the non-refundable amounts spent. For example, if you reserve hotels, but don't pre-pay (normal case, you'll pay at checkout), then at most you'll need to add the first-night deposit that most hotels charge. Not the amount for the entire stay. Similarly for rental cars, trains, etc. If you haven't (and don't need to) pre-pay, then you don't need to add that into the trip amount for insurance purposes.

So, in fact they really do mean deposits. If you don't need to pay until later, and won't be charged if you cancel, then you don't need to insure for it.

This is correct. You just need to insure the non-refundable cost, but in order to make the medical benefit have the best value, insurance must be purchased almost immediately upon making a deposit on the travel. Total cost can be estimated and modified up until departure, but the all-important waiver for pre-existing conditions stays locked in by the original insurance purchase. FWIW we insured this river cruise/pre & post stay & air for $14,000. The premium was $720, for both of us.

 

[VacationForever]

We buy annual GeoBlue Trekker Choice for multi-trips which covers $250K for Medical and Accident, $500K for medical evacuation outside of the US. It covers all pre-existing conditions. Their condition is that you must have primary health insurance in the US.

https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/products/multi-trip/trekker-5-overview.cfm

We select this plan because our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card provides trip insurance and we really want a high value coverage for medical and evacuation.

They have a network of doctors worldwide which direct bills GeoBlue.

 

[beejaybeeohio]

Jim, I am so grateful you pm'd me! My heart goes out to you and Paula and all you've been through. Tomorrow should be the day you leave the hospital and head home to Idaho. Fred & I wish and pray that all remains well for you both and safe travels.
Barb

 

[easyrider]

Good Luck getting home. May you have an uneventful trip back.

Bill

 

[Passepartout]

Jim, I am so grateful you pm'd me! My heart goes out to you and Paula and all you've been through. Tomorrow should be the day you leave the hospital and head home to Idaho. Fred & I wish and pray that all remains well for you both and safe travels.
Barb

Thanks. It means a lot to us. We got the first call about 11 local from a doc with the insurance asking how medically necessary WE feel having someone else accompanying or if We can handle normal in flight stuff (bathroom, etc) outselves, and authorizing me going to the hotel Paula 's been at until a car comes for us.

So, it starts. Discharge should be in just over an hour.

Jim

 

[Glynda]

Thanks. It means a lot to us. We got the first call about 11 local from a doc with the insurance asking how medically necessary WE feel having someone else accompanying or if We can handle normal in flight stuff (bathroom, etc) outselves, and authorizing me going to the hotel Paula 's been at until a car comes for us.

So, it starts. Discharge should be in just over an hour.

Jim

Safe travels Jim and Paula!

 

[myoakley]

I add my prayers for a safe return.

 

[x3 skier]

Safe travels

Cheers

 

[CalGalTraveler]

It's difficult to pin down exactly what it means. But I've always assumed that you need to buy travel insurance as soon as the first payment for anything associated with the trip leaves your hands. Of course, you may not know the total amount to insure for at that point; but I've always just estimated. E.g., if I'm purchasing a plane ticket, I'll buy travel insurance, and estimate the amount I'll need for the rest of the trip -- lodging, additional transportation, etc.

Note though (and this has been emphasized to me by an agent), you only need to buy enough insurance for the non-refundable amounts spent. For example, if you reserve hotels, but don't pre-pay (normal case, you'll pay at checkout), then at most you'll need to add the first-night deposit that most hotels charge. Not the amount for the entire stay. Similarly for rental cars, trains, etc. If you haven't (and don't need to) pre-pay, then you don't need to add that into the trip amount for insurance purposes.

So, in fact they really do mean deposits. If you don't need to pay until later, and won't be charged if you cancel, then you don't need to insure for it.

This is a very helpful thread.

I am most interested in the Medical repatriation and evacuation coverage. So if my non-refundable amount is minimal because I am paying only taxes with airfare/hotel points and TS exchange fees, then I can only list those but still get the $250k+ of medical coverage?

Is there any way to get coverage of lost Airfare or TS points?


P.S. Glad you are on the mend. Safe travels home.

 

[philemer]

Fly safe, Jim & Paula. So. Idaho is supposed to be ~106 F by tomorrow. Thank God for A/C.

 

[Passepartout]

We are getting frustrated. We were told I'd be discharged at 1 pm. A German doc called and asked if I REALLY thought I needed a nurse for assistance on the plane (ever try to put 2 people in an airplane bathroom?) Then after several hours, and no calls, we call them, and they say they are waiting on paperwork. But wait, how did we get called it they didn't have papers?. Oh, they DO have it and someone is working on flights, (48-72 hours) but we haven't heard from them. My gut feeling is that they get you so frustrated that you buy your own seats and flights and they can refuse to pay because you go against medical advice.

Jim.... Still sweating in Germany.

 

[Steve Fatula]

We are getting frustrated. We were told I'd be discharged at 1 pm. A German doc called and asked if I REALLY thought I needed a nurse for assistance on the plane (ever try to put 2 people in an airplane bathroom?) Then after several hours, and no calls, we call them, and they say they are waiting on paperwork. But wait, how did we get called it they didn't have papers?. Oh, they DO have it and someone is working on flights, (48-72 hours) but we haven't heard from them. My gut feeling is that they get you so frustrated that you buy your own seats and flights and they can refuse to pay because you go against medical advice.

Jim.... Still sweating in Germany.

Tell them you will need a nurse due to all the calls and all the stress of leaving. I can't imagine how a nurse could possibly help on a plane bathroom. Well, don't let them pressure you, answer as you feel is necessary. Take care, and, hope to hear from you soon from back home! I for one am glad you posted all of this, it's all good to know and we wish you well.

 

[Passepartout]

Tell them you will need a nurse due to all the calls and all the stress of leaving. I can't imagine how a nurse could possibly help on a plane bathroom. Well, don't let them pressure you, answer as you feel is necessary. Take care, and, hope to hear from you soon from back home! I for one am glad you posted all of this, it's all good to know and we wish you well.

Thanks Steve. I thought it might give them some relief if just Paula and I travel without O2, because TSA wants 48 hours notice if you have it, so the nurse may be a requirement. We don't even know where to get it and we are close to 100 mi. from Frankfurt. All we hear from ins is 'save receipts'. We have lots of non medical expenses. Paula's hotel, meals, transport to FRA. We hope we don't get home to a 100,000€ medical bill. This is an education. I don't know how people, less well traveled, and not being a lawyer, as Paula is, would do under expensive and stressful pressure like a medical emergency.

Anyway, FWIW, I feel much better than I did coming. A pacemaker will do that for ya.

Jim

 

[Steve Fatula]

Thanks Steve. I thought it might give them some relief if just Paula and I travel without O2, because TSA wants 48 hours notice if you have it, so the nurse may be a requirement. We don't even know where to get it and we are close to 100 mi. from Frankfurt. All we hear from ins is 'save receipts'. We have lots of non medical expenses. Paula's hotel, meals, transport to FRA. We hope we don't get home to a 100,000€ medical bill. This is an education. I don't know how people, less well traveled, and not being a lawyer, as Paula is, would do under expensive and stressful pressure like a medical emergency.

Anyway, FWIW, I feel much better than I did coming. A pacemaker will do that for ya.

Jim

I can tell you how DW would do if it were me, total and complete panic and chaos. She would say yes to anything they asked.