Is Medical Travel Insurance a Scam?

[Pinkjgray]

I contacted my medical insurance provider, and they informed me that supplemental medical insurance isn’t necessary because they would cover any illness or accident.

Has anyone else received similar information?

 

[Marrila]

Where are you planning to travel?
Only within the US or elsewhere?

And just to add, travel insurance from a reputable company is not a scam.

 

[lanejudy]

It really all depends on 1) your medical policy and 2) where you are traveling.

My medical coverage is good anywhere in the US and has in-network providers in all 50 states. Some insurance plans don't have that.

I do use travel medical if traveling out of the country.

 

[Pinkjgray]

I contacted my medical insurance provider to inquire about coverage outside of the U.S. They informed that members do not have to buy an additional medical insurance and sent me a copy of policy. It states the following:

Worldwide Coverage
You take your health coverage with you when you are abroad. Through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core Program, you have access to doctors and hospitals around the world.

 

[Pinkjgray]

Where are you planning to travel?
Only within the US or elsewhere?

And just to add, travel insurance from a reputable company is not a scam.

Which travel insurance companies are reputable? I’ve yet to find good reviews about travelers being reimbursed or these companies covering medical expenses incurred while abroad. In fact, one traveler was stuck with a $26,000 bill.

 

[Sykes]

It varies depending on your insurance provider. I'd venture to say that most (but not all) commercial medical insurance policies in the US provide coverage when traveling, including when traveling outside of the US. Most of those policies also require paying out of pocket for any care and then requesting reimbursement, though, so it can be a pretty substantial outlay and in some cases travel medical insurance can help with that.

Having said that, there are a LOT of Americans who don't have coverage outside of the US. Most people on Medicare, Medicaid, and other medical coverage sponsored by the US Government don't have coverage when traveling abroad so they may need travel medical insurance if they want to be covered when traveling outside the US.

 

[wdp]

Which travel insurance companies are reputable? I’ve yet to find good reviews about travelers being reimbursed or these companies covering medical expenses incurred while abroad. In fact, one traveler was stuck with a $26,000 bill.

We've had excellent experiences with GeoBlue (which is a Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate) for international travel. We've only had one (small) claim but they made it very easy and paid promptly. Their prices vary significantly based on the travelers' ages.

 

[starry_solo]

If you travel to Europe or parts of Asia, their medical costs are much more reasonable than the US. It is pay as you go and submit for reimbursement later.

Most people do travel insurance for medical EVACUATION.

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

Whenever I cruise I buy travel insurance. I compare policies and prices through a website that provides a variety of quotes. Not sure if we’re allowed to say it here but it’s easy to find by googling insure trip.

It is well worth the investment in the case of being stuck in a ship’s infirmary or getting evacuated via helicopter.

 

[Lewisc]

I contacted my medical insurance provider, and they informed me that supplemental medical insurance isn’t necessary because they would cover any illness or accident.

Has anyone else received similar information?

IT IS NOT a SCAM but it's not necessary for some.
Many are insured by a plan which uses a network. Some networks are regional. Go out of your area and you might have coverage issues. You might have large out of network deductibles. You might only have coverage under limited emergency provisions.

Many plans limit international coverage.

 

[lanejudy]

Which travel insurance companies are reputable? I’ve yet to find good reviews about travelers being reimbursed or these companies covering medical expenses incurred while abroad. In fact, one traveler was stuck with a $26,000 bill.

Keep in mind that most people who purchase a product and have no issues with that product never post a review. By it's very nature, "reviews" are a magnet for negative experiences. When was the last time you posted a good review of a product or service?

Specific to medical bills while traveling, most travel insurances (and some personal medical insurance) require the individual to pay upfront, obtain appropriate documentation of the situation, and then submit for reimbursement once home. Depending on the type of coverage and max amount of that coverage, it is possible someone didn't have the appropriate coverage to be reimbursed or fully-reimbursed. A very large expense is medical evacuation, and many policies don't actually include a high enough limit to fully cover that expense.

You can easily find legitimate travel insurance (medical and/or all inclusive) by Googling for "trip insurance comparison sites" -- the top 2 or 3 sites are very good. This topic comes up periodically on the Budget forum and the Cruise Line forum, and probably in some others.


ETA: and look at that -- DISboards automatically put in a link so you don't even need to Google!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Which travel insurance companies are reputable? I’ve yet to find good reviews about travelers being reimbursed or these companies covering medical expenses incurred while abroad. In fact, one traveler was stuck with a $26,000 bill.

You'd have to give more context than that for informed answers.

Almost all the time I read articles or people talking about being left with bills abroad end up being one of two things:

1) Didn't purchase medical insurance for international travel and never checked to see if their own insurance would cover it and most health insurance plans in the U.S. do not cover international travel.

2) Didn't purchase insurance that would cover what they are wanting it to cover.

We use our Chase Sapphire Reserve CC for normal travel insurance (both domestic and international) and then for international travel purchase an additional separate medical insurance through GeoBlue at I believe $1 million because our health insurance does not cover international travel.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I contacted my medical insurance provider to inquire about coverage outside of the U.S. They informed that members do not have to buy an additional medical insurance and sent me a copy of policy. It states the following:

Worldwide Coverage
You take your health coverage with you when you are abroad. Through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core Program, you have access to doctors and hospitals around the world.

You should be looking into what it covers you and the steps you need to take in order for it to be covered specific to your individual Global Core program.

In addition for the Global Core Program they tell you "Before you travel, contact your Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) company for coverage details. Coverage outside the United States may be different." Stating you may not need to purchase additional coverage does not mean everything is still covered and covered at an amount that you would feel comfortable with. So look over the policy they sent you so you know if you're covered to your comfort level. And I stress comfort level because your own personal health history impacts this.

In addition depending on which program within the Global Core one you have you may be required to pay up front and submit a claim, depending on the program it could be you always have to pay up front and get reimbursed or it could be if you didn't arrange care through Global Core themselves or it could be outpatient care, etc. I saw all of those depending on the brochure I looked at for various companies that were enrolled in the Global Core program so take a look at what your policy states.

 

[Disneydawg74]

I contacted my medical insurance provider to inquire about coverage outside of the U.S. They informed that members do not have to buy an additional medical insurance and sent me a copy of policy. It states the following:

Worldwide Coverage
You take your health coverage with you when you are abroad. Through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core Program, you have access to doctors and hospitals around the world.

You may be surprised at how few physicians are in BC/BS network in various locales outside the U.S. Don’t make the assumption that your ability to find a physician or hospital is at all similar to what you have experienced in the US. As others have said, this doesn’t necessarily include medical evacuation or emergency services.