| So you want to leave the homeland for a while, | | | | Should you require medical attention while abroad, |
| see the sights, take the pictures, or perhaps, do | | | | most insurance companies provide support in the |
| some business. You've packed the swimming | | | | form of emergency hotlines. They will advise you |
| trunks, the extra layers, the hiking boots, the sun | | | | on the best hospitals in the area, as well as the |
| screen, but the question remains: is your medical | | | | ins and outs of the local systems. It is strongly |
| insurance traveling with you? What happens if you | | | | advised that, if possible, you consult your provider |
| get to Brazil like you always wanted to, and then, | | | | before seeking medical attention in a foreign land. |
| in a freak spilled mojito accident, you break your | | | | Also, insurance providers warn that most third |
| ankle? What if the escargot from that charming | | | | world countries' hospital systems require payment |
| Parisian restaurant reacts badly with your | | | | upfront for services rendered. This fee would be |
| American digestive system, and you are suddenly | | | | reimbursed by the plan. |
| in the throes of the worst food poisoning you've | | | | The most pressing concern is the case of an |
| experienced in your life? It is no small matter; | | | | emergency medical evacuation from a foreign |
| according to the US Center for Disease Control | | | | country back to the US. Evacuations are |
| and Prevention, one half of US travelers heading | | | | necessary when a very serious medical condition |
| to another country will experience some sort of | | | | arises, and the traveler/patient must be |
| health problem while abroad. | | | | transported back to the care of his/her primary |
| Ever since the Michael Moore film, "Sicko," came | | | | care physician or a home-based expert. This can |
| out, we all know that many other countries (well, | | | | cost upwards of $10,000 as it is a coordinated |
| specifically France, Canada, and Cuba) provide | | | | effort between several hospitals and at least one |
| affordable, sometimes free, healthcare to their | | | | airline. Most travel insurance plans provide the |
| citizens, but how does it work for us, Americans, | | | | option for specific coverage for this contingency. |
| abroad? Well, the truth is, unless you make special | | | | Another aspect to consider when traveling |
| preparations, the outlook is not good. According to | | | | abroad, is the cost of sudden cancellations, or |
| "most US insurance companies, HMOs, PPOs or | | | | changes in travel plans as a result of medical or |
| Medicare [plans] do not provide adequate medical | | | | other emergencies. In an era when airline |
| insurance." There may be exceptions, and you | | | | companies are logging record numbers of lost |
| should look into the fine print of your plan, but | | | | luggage, this aspect of travelers insurance |
| every major US health insurance providers | | | | provides reimbursement for the purchase of |
| suggests getting some form of traveler's | | | | clothes and other necessities. In this sense, you |
| insurance. Unfortunately, there is no foreign | | | | could come out a winner: imagine an 'emergency' |
| country that provides free health care for | | | | shopping trip at the fabulous designer stores of |
| travelers. | | | | Milan. |
| Travel insurance plans provide three types of | | | | So, whether you are planning a road trip to |
| coverage: for medical care when abroad, the cost | | | | Canada, or a fourteen day hike in Machu Pichu, |
| of emergency medical evacuation, and | | | | pack some warm socks, swim trunks, and your |
| reimbursement for sudden trip cancellations and | | | | new friend, Mr. Traveler's Insurance. |
| lost luggage. | | | | |