Medical/health insurance is paramount in any travel insurance policy. Travel medical insurance is made mandatory by many countries. Statistics prove its necessity. This article on travel medical insurance informs you regarding:

• What is travel medical insurance policy?
• What is the coverage of a typical travel medical insurance policy?
• What form part of optional cover in travel medical insurance policy?

Medical/health insurance is paramount in any travel insurance policy. Travel medical insurance is made mandatory by many countries. Statistics prove its necessity. According to the 'U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention' around half of US citizens traveling abroad fall sick or have an ailment or meet with an accident. Evacuation cost is huge if an air ambulance is required and goes way beyond $50,000. The basics of any insurance policy are the same. You pay the premium and follow instructions of the company by reporting and documenting (bills) your medical expenses. After evaluation the company pays the hospital or doctor directly if they have any liaison with them. If not so they reimburse you after you have paid the bills.

Medical Expenses Cover

Obtaining travel medical insurance to cover hospitals and doctors' bills is a way to be safe. Travel Insurance companies pay the compensation, if costs exceed that paid by your government or domestic health insurance plan is covered. Additional expenses like travel cost for a family member or friend to be at your bedside, vehicle services, other expenses and extending the cover in case of necessity are added benefits. The various items covered under this are

• Emergency treatment of illness or injury as outpatient
• Surgery or dental treatment following an accident
• Rehabilitative treatment
• Prescription medication
• Treatment, services and supplies routinely provided
• Durable medical equipment
• Physician charges for treatment/surgery
• Hospitalization in Semi-private room
• Nursing services
• Diagnostic and laboratory testing
• X-rays
• Chemotherapy and radiation
• Surgery and related care (Anesthetics )
• Second surgical opinion
• Transplants of organs are limited and covered only within designated transplant facilities.

Medical Evacuation And Repatriation

This is the most costly element in many medical expenses policy if it involves an air ambulance when there is dire necessity. The cover is:

• Ground ambulance and emergency return home by regular flight or air ambulance
• Paramedical services
• Return of deceased or repatriation of remains is also covered.

Optional Cover In Travel Medical Insurance

These covers are optional but maybe included in the travel medical cover if you take a long term renewable policy with them.

Maternity

• Normal delivery and Caesarean section delivery.
• Pre and Post-natal care
• Baby care and treatment of newborn for first limited number of days

Children

In case of a family travel insurance children are covered by their parents/legal guardians policy.

• New born children may be added by notifying the insurance agency about the birth.
• Children up to 18 years are covered by some policies

Pre-existing Conditions

These already existing illnesses have to be notified and proper documentation provided to the insurance company.

• Some insurance companies specify a time limit of 120 days, wherein the given pre-existing condition has not occurred, to give cover/compensation.
• Other specification includes a change in prescription as a clause for compensation and cover.

Mental/Nervous Ailments

Inpatient and outpatient care by a licensed psychiatrist needed for this cover.

Wellness Cover In Case of Long Term Travel

This is for males and females over a particular age specified by policy.

• Routine physical examination which includes a mammogram test for women
• Obstetrician/ gynecologist examination (each test must be separated by 12 months)

Complementary Medicine

Some policies also cover complementary medicinal cost. They provide a list of therapies they cover like Acupuncture, Aroma Therapy, Herbal Therapy, Magnetic Therapy, Massage Therapy, Vitamin Therapy etc.

Recreational Adventure Sports/SCUBA Coverage

This covers illness or injury during participation in a sport or diving. Additional rules laid down by authoritative bodies govern the amount of cover .

Continue to: Choose Your Medical Travel Based On Few Other Factors

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