Travel Medical Insurance: The Reason Why Not Many People are Buying It

Travel Medical Insurance: The Reason Why Not Many People are Buying It

These days, there is insurance for absolutely everything. Your life, your car, your home, your health, you name it. The underlying theme here is: if there is a chance you can lose it, make sure it is protected. Now if you think about it, going on a trip to a foreign country entails a number of health risks – eating unknown foods, traveling unknown paths, you can never be sure of what you might encounter. So why is it that more people don’t purchase travel medical insurance?

Travel medical insurance is its own category – separate from Trip Insurance. Trip travel insurance protects your financial investments in a trip. This may include situations like lost baggage, trip cancellations/delays, and other unforeseen losses. Travel medical insurance protects your health and wellness throughout the trip, and can cover a range of services depending on the type of insurance plan selected. It can include coverage for medical emergency costs, emergency evacuation, or treatment for any new illness contracted during your travels. Think of it as health insurance when you travel overseas, as your domestic insurance does not cover medical costs when you receive medical care outside of your home country.

>> Not Many People Know About Travel Medical Insurance

The matter of the fact is that not many people know about travel medical insurance. It’s rather common to think that if a situation arises in a foreign country, you will be treated at a medical facility similar to when you are at home. The costs might slip your mind, but you assume they won’t be too much. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and a sure-shot way to slap a hefty medical bill on top of all the traveling costs you are accruing. Insurance will cover for medical mishaps that may happen, and protect you by lowering your out-of-pocket expenses. The last thing you want to worry about while on vacation is more bills!

>> Domestic Health Insurance or Medicare Will Cover Overseas – Really?

Another common misconception about travel insurance is assuming your domestic health insurance or Medicare will cover you. This is not the case, as medical facilities in other countries do not have access to your insurance plans back home. A foreign healthcare facility has no ties to your personal medical insurance, and therefore cannot bill a hospital or clinic back home for a treatment that did not come from that facility.

>> Believe Nothing is Going to Happen to their Health

Many travelers feel that they take the precautions they need, have all the emergency supplies available, and that they will be protected with their own resources but in reality, thinking that nothing is going to happen to you leaves a whole lot of risk on the table. While traveling, you could drink contaminated water, you could find yourself in the middle of a natural disaster, even a small slip on a rock can turn into a medical emergency. It’s safe to say that anything could happen and leaving your safety in fate’s hands is never a viable solution.

Travel insurance might be expensive, but not investing in insurance and running into emergency situations where medical treatment is necessary will end up putting a greater hole in your wallet. While visiting a foreign country can be fun and exciting, it can also land you in unpredictable situations and not making sure that you are protected can be a big mistake. Get a quote and learn more about international travel medical insurance in order to find a plan that best fits your needs.

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Travel Insurance: Why US Citizens Need it the Most

Travel Insurance: Why US Citizens Need it the Most

While planning a trip abroad can be extremely exciting, it is also important to keep in mind that there are potential risks associated with visiting a foreign country, especially for US citizens. Anything such as accidental injuries, illnesses, theft, unexpected changes in travel plans, or even large scale catastrophes can easily spoil your travel plans and being in a foreign country amongst an already stressful situation is likely to make things significantly more difficult to navigate. For this reason, purchasing an international travel insurance policy is crucial in order to protect yourself from financial burden that may result from any unexpected discrepancies during your travels abroad.

What are the Potential Risks for US Citizens Traveling Abroad and How Can Travel Insurance Help?

Travel insurance is something that should be at the top of anyone’s packing list, but it is especially crucial for US citizens traveling abroad for the following reasons:

>> Most domestic health care plans, such as Medicare, will not cover you outside of the US. This means that while traveling outside of the United States, you will not have any form of medical coverage protecting you from the unexpected. In this case, it is important that you seek supplemental coverage in the form of a travel medical insurance plan in order to protect you from any financial burden due to any unexpected illnesses or injuries during your travels. For more information on why international travel insurance is especially necessary for US citizens above the age of 65, go to American Senior Citizens Traveling Abroad.

>> Healthcare outside of the US may be lower quality and works differently than what you may be used to. Purchasing a comprehensive travel medical insurance policy will reduce your out of pocket expenses should you need to visit a doctor or hospital while abroad. In addition to coverage for expenses, navigating a foreign healthcare system in the event of an emergency can be very difficult, in which case your travel insurance company can also assist in communicating with the doctor’s office or hospital to ensure you receive adequate coverage as well as help you with the claims process after the fact.

>> US citizens are more vulnerable and can easily fall victim to theft or foul play while visiting a foreign country. The US dollar and US passport are highly sought after by thieves in foreign countries due to the high value that they hold and because US citizens are likely to be traveling with these items, they automatically become targets. Having a trip insurance policy can assist you with passport and currency replacement in case of theft, or in more extreme cases, it can assist you or your family with issues pertaining to kidnapping and ransom.

>> Should a natural disaster or large-scale catastrophe occur while you are traveling abroad, you might need to be evacuated to safety. If such an event occurs during your travels, the medical and refuge facilities could soon be overwhelmed, or should you get injured or contract a severe illness and are unable to receive adequate treatment at your current location and need to be transported elsewhere, emergency or medical evacuation could be necessary. Evacuation is known to be extremely expensive however, and without an international travel insurance policy with adequate coverage for such an event, you will be forced pay out of pocket for these costs.

5 Most Important Benefits to Look for When Shopping for a Travel Insurance Policy

While there are many different travel insurance policies that offer a large variety of coverage options, the top 5 benefits to make sure you are covered for when planning your upcoming trip abroad are as follows:

>> Medical Coverage.
>> Theft, Kidnap, and Ransom.
>> Trip Cancellation.
>> Loss of Baggage.
>> Emergency Evacuation.

Because US citizens face higher risks when traveling outside of their home countries, the Department of State highly recommends that you purchase a travel medical insurance policy in preparation for your international trip. For more information on why travel insurance is imperative for US citizens traveling abroad, visit International Travel Insurance for US Citizens and Residents.

To find a plan that best fits your travel needs, you can compare policies and get quotes at international travel insurance.

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J2 Visa Health Insurance: Health Insurance Requirements for All J2 Visa Holders

J2 Visa Health Insurance: Health Insurance Requirements for All J2 Visa Holders

A J-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to spouses and dependents of J-1 visa holders. Spouses of J-1 exchange visitors and their children who are unmarried and under the age of 21 are eligible for a J-2 visitor visa. J-2 visitors can enter and stay in the US only while the J-1 exchange visitor is participating in his/her exchange program and has valid J-1 visa status.

In order to apply for a J-2 visa, the spouse and dependents must obtain approval from the J-1 visitor’s sponsor to join him/her during his/her exchange program. Some J-1 exchange categories and visitor exchange programs do not permit J-2 visas, but those that do permit J-2 visas allow visa holders to work in the US by obtaining an Employment Authorization Document (EAD card).

Like J-1 exchange visitors, J-2 visa holders are required to have medical insurance during their stay in the USA.

J2 Visa Health Insurance Requirements

The J-2 insurance requirements are the same as J-1 visa health insurance requirements.

Beginning May 15, 2015, medical insurance coverage for J1 and J2 visa insurance must meet the following minimum benefits:

>> Medical coverage of at least $100,000 per illness or accident, meaning that the J-1 visa holder’s medical insurance policy must have a policy maximum of at least $100,000 in the event of a medical problem.
>> Repatriation, or return of mortal remains, coverage of at least $25,000. If the J-1 or J-2 visa holder dies in the US, repatriation benefits cover the costs of transporting his/her mortal remains back to his/her home country.
>> Medical evacuation coverage of at least $50,000 to return the exchange visitor back to his/her home country.
>> Deductible amount no more than $500 per accident or illness.

Medical insurance policies that meet the above listed benefit requirements must be underwritten by an insurance carrier that possesses the following features:

>> A.M. Best rating of A- or above
>> McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor’s Claims paying Ability rating of A- or above
>> Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above
>> Fitch Ratings, Inc. rating of A- or above
>> Moody’s Investor Services rating of A3 or above

These new requirements differ from the old mostly in coverage amounts, which have been increased. The new requirements only apply to J-1 and J-2 visa holders whose travel to the USA starts May 15 or later. J-1 visa holders whose exchange visitor programs began prior to May 15 do not need to purchase a new health insurance policy that meets the changed J-1 and J-2 visa insurance requirements.

VisitorsCoverage offers exchange visitor insurance plans that meet the J-1 and J-2 visa insurance requirements set by the Department of State.

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Sports Team Group Insurance: Protect Your Team Competing Abroad

Sports Team Group Insurance: Protect Your Team Competing Abroad

Any athlete knows it’s risky to play without a helmet, padding, or other protective gear, but competing without insurance may be even riskier. More and more athletes are traveling overseas for sports camps, clinics, competitions, and tournaments, unaware that their domestic insurance does not provide international coverage. Sports injuries are not uncommon, and uninsured athletes may find themselves paying high healthcare costs as a result of an unexpected injury.

As an organizer or manager of a league, clinic, or camp, you are responsible for the safety and well being of your players, which means ensuring that they get the best travel medical protection.

Sports team insurance is a simple solution for insuring the whole team and reducing liability for sports injuries and other emergency medical expenses that occur abroad. Designed for athletic groups such as amateur, intramural, intercollegiate, and club teams, sports team insurance can be customized for any sport. Purchasing a group insurance policy for athletic teams not only ensures that all players and coaches are covered, but is also a less expensive alternative to buying individual policies for each player.

Football, soccer, ice hockey, skiing, and gymnastics are just a few of the sports that athletic team insurance covers. Typical travel insurance plans – even those designed for groups – may not cover illnesses or injuries caused by certain activities such as sports. This means that a broken arm caused by a football accident may leave the policy holder paying out of pocket for a medical bill costing potentially thousands of dollars.

Even if the likelihood of one of your team members becoming injured isn’t high, sports team insurance covers more than just sports injuries. Trip protection costs such as lost or stolen baggage, flight delays, and trip interruption expenses are covered by sports team insurance, and players are also reimbursed for covered medical expenses that are not sports-related. Sports insurance for teams is the best way to get extensive coverage for all of your sports travel needs.

You wouldn’t put your team in the game without their protective gear, so why let your players compete without sports team insurance? Sports team group insurance provides essential travel medical and sports protection that lets your team travel risk-free.

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Food and Travel: Healthy Eating Tips for Your Next Trip

Food and Travel: Healthy Eating Tips for Your Next Trip

Trying the local cuisine can be one of the most exciting parts about traveling to a foreign country. However, it is important to be careful of what you eat. The way food is prepared or what ingredients it contains may be different in USA than in other countries, putting unknowing travelers – especially senior travelers – at risk of falling ill or feeling a lack of energy. Opt for healthy food and know your food options before you order while traveling in America, so that an attempt to experience the culture doesn’t leave you sick. These healthy eating travel tips will help you make the best food choices during your trip.

Smart Snacks

Avoid relying on unhealthy foods to satisfy your hunger by bringing your own snacks. Pack healthy snacks for traveling like fruits, vegetables, granola, nuts, and yogurt to stay full and energized on long plane or car rides.What (not) to drink and eat

Healthy Drinks

People with heart conditions, diabetes, and other medical conditions should avoid soft drinks, caffeine, and alcoholic beverages, and others should limit their intake of these drinks. Sugary beverages can cause fatigue and headaches, so instead, drink plenty of water, and choose real fruit juices, sports drinks, and electrolyte water over soda and other caffeinated beverages.

Vegetarian Eating

Vegetarian food options are often packed with nutritious vegetables, soy products, beans, or nuts, all of which are good-for-you energy sources. When flying, opt for vegetarian meals offered by many major airlines. At the airport, look for vegetarian options that contain fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts to keep you focused during your travels. If you’re traveling long distances by car in the US, look for these vegetarian fast food options:

>> Burger King has a veggie burger on its menu.
>> Chipotle has a variety of vegetarian choices like burritos and burrito bowls.
>> Taco Bell can make most of its menu options vegetarian. Just ask to substitute potatoes or beans for the meat.
>> Starbucks has many vegetarian breakfast and lunch options like parfaits, bagels, muffins, and sandwiches.
>> Subway and Quizno’s have plenty of vegetarian sandwiches. Create your own meat-free sandwich packed with vegetables and hummus.

Grilled Foods

Many fast food joints and restaurants have both grilled or sautéed and fried selections. Avoid consuming too many fried foods like French fries and fried foods. Not only are they bad for your heart and cholesterol, but they will also make you feel tired, heavy, and bloated. On long plane and car rides when you need plenty of energy, grilled options are much better.

Important Questions

If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, ask restaurants about the cooking oils and ingredients used. Never assume that a familiar menu option is prepared the same way as it is in your home country. To be safe, it is best to ask about any dietary concerns such as these:

>> Does the meal contain eggs, milk, nut, or gluten ingredients?
>> Which types of oils are used to cook the meal?
>> Are both vegetarian foods and non-veg foods prepared in or served on the same fryers, grills, and dishes?

Foods to Avoid with Certain Health Concerns

If you have a specific health concern, pay particular attention to these foods to avoid while traveling.

>> Foods to avoid with diabetes – Foods with high amounts of sugar, sodium, fat, and refined starches such as candy, fruit juices, syrup, French fries, and white bread.
>> Foods to avoid with heart disease – Foods with saturated fats, trans fats, salt, sugar, and cholesterol such as high-fat dairy products, soft drinks, chips, and fried foods.
>> Foods to avoid with high blood pressure – Foods with high amounts of sodium, salt, and sugar such as canned soup, French fries, coffee, and alcohol.
>> Foods to avoid with high cholesterol – Foods with high amounts of saturated fats and trans fats such as oils, egg yolks, and milk products.

Despite taking extra precautions to eat healthy while traveling, allergies or illnesses can arise at any time. For this reason in conjunction with the high cost of healthcare in America, it is highly recommended that you protect yourself with a travel medical insurance plan.

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Managing Your Trip While Traveling with Kids

Managing Your Trip While Traveling with Kids

Don’t let your worries about flying with kids or toddlers keep you from planning a family vacation. Traveling with kids can be a challenge, but there are simple ways to make your trip less stressful. These travel tips will help make your trip an experience you and your little ones can enjoy together.

Preparing for Your Trip

Preparation is key when traveling with children. Avoid complications at the airport by making the proper arrangements ahead of time. Have a travel plan prepared so that you and your children can travel interruption-free.

>> Book the right seats. Choose airplane seats next to each other so you can supervise your kids throughout the flight. Opt for bulkhead seats or bassinet seats for infants.
>> Choose a child-friendly flight. If possible, book a nonstop flight to avoid the hassle of making a connecting flight with children in tow. Also, try to avoid red-eye flights. Your fellow passengers will not appreciate a fussy infant or toddler on an overnight flight.
>> Contact the hotel. When booking a hotel, call ahead to make sure that a crib, extra bed, stroller, or other necessities for your children will be available.
>> Pack appropriately. Make sure that anything that may not be available at your destination are in your luggage, including clothing, toys, diapers, formulas, and any other necessities. If your child is packing his own bag, check that no prohibited airport items are inside.

Arriving at the Airport

The airport can be a hectic place, especially when traveling with children. Before leaving for the airport, make sure that you have everything you need and that you give yourself plenty of time to check-in, get through security, and walk to your gate.

>> Bring proper documentation. Make sure that your child’s documentation is up-to-date. For example, passports for minors under 16 in the US are only valid for 5 years. Check that your child’s passport will not have expired at the time of travel.
>> Be early. Keep in mind the long check-in lines and security check lines at many major airports. It is stressful enough being late traveling alone; being late with young travelers is even more of a hassle.
>> Ask about early boarding. Many airlines offer early boarding for passengers traveling with children. Take advantage of this, so you and your family can utilize the extra time to get situated comfortably on the plane.
>> Stay together. Airports are huge, and the last thing you want is to separate from your children. Consider using a baby carrier or harness for babies and small children.

Boarding the Plane

Prepare for a long flight with children by keeping them comfortable and occupied. Proper seating arrangements, snacks, and toys will make for a child-friendly and stress-free flight.

>> Consider child safety. Depending on your child’s age and weight, ask flight attendants for an aircraft-approved child safety seat or airplane child safety harness, or bring your own.
>> Prepare for air pressure changes. Prevent ear pain in small children by bringing chewing gum or gummy worms for them to chew as the plane ascends or descends.
>> Pack snacks or meals. Please picky eaters by packing your children’s favorite foods or meals. Even if the airline provides an inflight meal, it is best to avoid potential allergies or sicknesses.
>> Bring toys and gadgets. Keep children entertained on long flights by bringing along their favorite toys, games, electronics, and headphones. Quiet and safe toys are good options, and tablets loaded with their favorite games and movies will keep them busy.

Traveling by Car

Make long drives and road trips with kids fun by packing toys, snacks, and pillows, and taking breaks for playtime along the journey. Most importantly, don’t forget child car safety.

>> Buckle up. Bring proper car seats or safety harnesses. Certain countries and states have specific child safety seat laws, so do your research beforehand.
>> Pack the necessities. Bring plenty of snacks, water, and toys or games to keep kids entertained during long car rides. In the case of potential carsickness or motion sickness, purchase medicine before the trip.
>> Encourage naps. Bring pillows and blankets for long car rides, so that kids can get comfortable and easily take a nap on the way to your destination.
>> Let them play. Plan stops along the way for children to burn off some energy. Bring a ball or jump rope, or stop at nearby parks and playgrounds.

There are always risks involved with international travel, so taking extra safety precautions, especially with young children, is essential. Having travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself against any unforeseen illnesses or injuries, so choose the right travel medical insurance plan for you and your family.

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Visitor Health Insurance for travellers with Diabetes as a pre-existing condition

Visitor Health Insurance for travellers with Diabetes as a pre-existing condition

Diabetes commonly referred by doctors with the medical terminology Diabetes Mellitus is a disease where the person has high blood sugar level either due to body’s inability to produce adequate insulin or the body cells do not respond to insulin properly. Initial symptoms include frequent urination, increase in thirst and hunger.

In 2013 it was estimated that around 382 million people in the world had diabetes.

There are 3 types of Diabetes:

>> Type 1 Diabetes: This type of Diabetes affects approximately 10% of the population. In this type, body does not produce insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes have to take insulin injections for the rest of their life.
>> Type 2 Diabetes: In this type body does not produce enough insulin. This type affects 90% of the population.
>> Gestational Diabetes: This affects the females during their pregnancy.

Patients with Diabetes have high risk of heart diseases and hence they need to ensure the blood pressure and cholesterol levels are monitored and maintained. Diabetes is primarily self- managed disease. This include usage of supplies like a test strips, meters and insulin.

People with diabetes who are traveling abroad are often concerned about coverage for diabetes as it is treated as a pre- existing condition. In the US, it was earlier virtually impossible to get health insurance for diabetes but after the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, the availability for health insurance has been made easier and affordable for individuals with existing ailments. However the Affordable care act is only applicable to domestic health insurance covering US citizens and US residents, it does not impact travellers who are visiting the US. It is therefore all the more important to know the coverage offered by Visitor insurance for travellers with Diabetes visiting the USA.

Travelers should be aware that visitor insurance plans will not provide any coverage for preventive care, or for regular treatment for an existing ailment. For example in the care of a diabetes patient, visitor insurance will not pay for insulin that a traveller is already using before he or she started this travel.

Here are few of the comprehensive visitor insurance plans along with details of their coverage for a pre-existing condition such as diabetes:

>> Atlas America: If you are younger than 70, you may be covered for an acute onset of a pre-existing condition. Atlas Travel provides a limited benefit up to the medical coverage maximum lifetime for eligible medical expenses. This also includes a $25,000 lifetime maximum for emergency medical evacuation. An acute onset of a preexisting condition is a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence of a pre-existing condition which occurs spontaneously and without advance warning either in the form of physician recommendations or symptoms. Treatment must be obtained within 24 hours of the sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence.

>> Patriot America Plus: This plan covers the acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to age 70 for Non US citizens. The benefit for this is URC which is Usual, Reasonable and Customary charges for that geographical area. For pre-existing condition emergency medical evacuation, this plan covers up to $25,000 medical maximum.

>> Patriot Green: For US citizens the sudden and unexpected recurrence of the pre-existing condition medical is covered for Usual, reasonable and customary charges up to age 65 with primary health plan, is covered for $20,000 up to age 65 without primary health plan and people above 65 with or without primary health plan are covered up to $2500 lifetime maximum.

>> Liaison Continent: Waiver of pre-existing conditions for US citizens up to $25,000 for up to age 70 and for people above 70 up to $5000. Acute onset of pre-existing condition for Non US under age 70 is up to $45,000. There is however no coverage benefits for those above 70 years.

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