Avoid Big Medical Bills When Traveling Abroad
What you need to know about travel medical insurance
Nearly 1 in 4 Americans have experienced a health problem when traveling internationally, according to a 2022 survey conducted by Harris Poll and GeoBlue, an international health insurance company. But most insurance providers, including Medicare, offer limited to no medical coverage outside the U.S., which means you could get stuck with a big bill if you need medical care while you travel.
And even if your provider does cover you, insurance can still prove to be problematic. “If you’re at a hospital in a foreign country, the time difference means you may not get help from your domestic health insurer when you need it, which could create a delay in receiving care or obtaining verification of your coverage,” says Don Van Scyoc, GeoBlue’s vice president of individual sales.
One solution is to buy a travel medical insurance policy. This type of insurance—offered by providers such as Generali Global Assistance, GeoBlue, and International Medical Group—can cost less than $100 per trip and typically provides coverage for a range of emergencies, from broken bones to heart attacks, some of which may require evacuation by air transportation to the necessary healthcare facility.
Take these steps when considering a travel medical insurance plan.
Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the July 2024 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
