Before you go on a long vacation, it’s always a good idea to make sure you have travel insurance coverage in case of a medical emergency, more so if you happen to have been diagnosed with severe medical conditions. Some people may assume their existing healthcare policy covers these, but that’s not always the case. Here’s what you need to know about medical travel insurance and pre-existing health conditions.
What is Medical Travel Insurance Coverage?
Medical travel insurance covers certain medical costs in case you are injured or become ill while traveling. In some places, it’s called “holiday insurance.” This coverage varies among insurance carriers, so it’s important to know what your travel insurance coverage specifies. This type of policy typically considers your pre-existing health conditions.
How Do You Define Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?
In the insurance world, “pre-existing medical conditions” means health conditions you have been diagnosed with before enrolling in a healthcare insurance policy. A standard healthcare policy covers not all pre-existing medical conditions, but a medical travel plan may cover conditions as severe as cancer. Travel insurance coverage of a pre-existing condition often comes with a few extra costs, although certain conditions may be covered for free.
Which Medical Conditions Might Incur Additional Costs?
Some travel insurance carriers may cover all medical conditions, as it comes down to how the policy is written. Here are some of the most common conditions covered under a travel insurance plan:
- Allergies
- Anxiety and Depression
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Heart Conditions
- HIV
- High Blood Pressure
- Mental Health Issues
If you have a serious health condition, it’s possible you’ll need a special plan for its coverage while traveling.
How Should You Declare Your Pre-Existing Medical Conditions?
When you go to an insurer’s website to pull a quote for travel insurance, you’ll be asked to fill out a form that enquires about your current overall health. You’ll need to disclose all your pre-existing conditions, including anything that requires professional medical attention. The insurer will use your answers to determine if you need any extra special coverage and guide you further.
What’s Typically Not Covered by Medical Travel Insurance?
Your medical travel insurance plan may not cover certain medical conditions. Here are some situations when you might not be approved for a travel insurance claim:
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Waiting for lab tests or treatment for symptoms you’ve been experiencing before enrolling in a travel insurance plan for a condition that has that has not yet been diagnosed.
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Traveling against a physician’s recommendation not to travel.
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Suffering from a terminal condition in which the prognosis is under six months from your return date.
If your doctor has warned you not to travel, your coverage can be denied if you travel anyway. You also won’t be covered if your condition has been explicitly listed on the policy as an exclusion.
Key Tips for Traveling with Pre-Existing Conditions:
- Carefully review your travel insurance policy to be certain of what it covers.
- Visit your doctor before scheduling your trip to get a medical health check update.
- Make sure to ask about any vaccinations you may need for traveling abroad.
- Find out about hospitals near the area you are visiting.
What Happens if My Medical Condition Changes After I Get My Insurance?
If you experience any changes in your medical conditions, it’s important to report them to your healthcare insurer right away. There’s a chance your insurer will extend your travel insurance coverage. Please note that failure to disclose this information could limit your coverage.
Call our insurance experts of Family Financial Insurance Group to learn more about taking the right steps to ensure you have the coverage you need. Contact us today to learn more!