Does my domestic health insurance work outside the US? Sixty percent of travelers say no or not sure, survey finds

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May 25, 2015, 07:00 ET

WARWICK, R.I., May 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A surprising number of Americans are unclear whether their health insurance works outside the US, according to a new InsureMyTrip survey. Over twenty-five percent polled were not sure whether their domestic health insurance plan would cover any doctor or hospital visits while traveling outside the country.

Thirty-nine percent said their domestic health insurance would provide coverage, while thirty-four percent believed their insurance plan would offer no coverage.

Survey question:
Does your domestic health insurance provider cover you when traveling out of the country?

Survey results:
Yes: 39.1%
No: 34.4%
Not Sure: 26.6%

Depending on your domestic healthcare provider, specific plan and area of travel, medical coverage can vary widely:

"In Network" coverage from some providers and plans in certain areas overseas
Limited coverage for other providers, regardless of where you are traveling
No coverage at all

Coverage gaps and deficiencies can be addressed with the purchase of travel insurance. Travelers should also be aware of the following:

Deductibles: the amount a patient must pay for covered services before insurance will kick in
Co-insurance: the amount a patient is responsible of a covered healthcare service
Co-payments: a set amount owed for a covered healthcare service

A word about Medicare

Medicare does not cover medical care for travelers outside the US. There are supplemental plans such as Medicare Advantage and Medigap that can provide limited additional coverage, for more details visit Medicare.gov.

Emergency medical evacuations

According to the US State Department, very few domestic health insurance companies will pay for a medical evacuation back to the United States, which can easily cost up to $100,000, or even more, depending on the condition and location of patient.

More: Travel insurance plans with medical evacuation coverage

Travel insurance options

It is important for travelers to know about any limitations of domestic health insurance policies while out of the country. In most cases, there are gaps in coverage. Some gaps are significant. Travel insurance is recommended because it can act as supplemental or primary coverage.

Most travel insurance providers offer two different types of insurance plans that provide emergency medical coverage outside the US:

Comprehensive travel insurance --- offers the most protection for travelers. It provides a variety of benefits including trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical evacuation, emergency medical coverage, 24/7 emergency assistance, and baggage protection.

Example: For a $5,000 two week vacation to Aruba, a comprehensive travel insurance plan will cost a couple in their 50s around $200. This includes a $50,000 medical limit, $250,000 for medical evacuation in addition to trip cancellation coverage.

Travel medical insurance --- provides emergency medical coverage, 24/7 emergency assistance, and emergency medical evacuation coverage. Trip cancellation is typically not included.

Example: For the same trip to Aruba, a travel medical insurance plan will cost a couple in their 50s around $80. This includes a $50,000 medical limit with a $250 deductible and $500,000 medical evacuation.

How it helps

Both comprehensive and travel medical insurance plans are a valued supplement while traveling overseas, offsetting possible coverage gaps evident in some domestic health insurance plans including:

Emergency medical care: when a traveler requires a doctor or hospital visit when traveling abroad.

Emergency evacuation: when a traveler requires transportation to another medical facility or back home for further care.

24/7 emergency assistance: when a traveler needs help with a medical-or-safety-related issue, needs to find a doctor or hospital, or requires translation services.

Some travel insurance policies also cover pre-existing medical conditions. To learn more, visit the learn section on InsureMyTrip.

Travel smart

In addition to seeking proper medical protection, travelers can also reduce health risks by learning about destination-specific medical concerns, including required vaccinations. The US State Department is a helpful resource.

About InsureMyTrip:

InsureMyTrip is an online company that compares travel insurance products from the most trusted providers in the industry.

InsureMyTrip's powerful unbiased comparison engine and thousands of reviews enable travelers to quote and buy the right travel insurance plan. The site is supported by award winning customer service and travel insurance agents licensed in all 50 states.

Featured by Consumer Reports, and listed as a helpful website by the US Federal Consumer Information Center.

InsureMyTrip travel insurance experts are featured in national publications including Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, and Travel + Leisure.

Methodology:

The e-mail survey was sent to those identified as US travelers who either researched or purchased travel insurance within the past 18 months. The survey was conducted from December 11- December 25 2014 and generated 800 completed responses.

SOURCE InsureMyTrip