NHS insurance coverage in the US

[Redone]

Looked through the NHS sight and cannot find any information on any coverage at all for UK residents traveling to the US.

Is any coverage offered or should travel health insurancne be purchased and if so can you recommend any agencies? Thanks

 

[wayneg]

These are the only countries outside UK with reciprocal healthcare agreements, USA is not one of them
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Health...e/NonEEAcountries/Pages/Non-EEAcountries.aspx

You must take out you own worldwide travel insurance which covers everthing including healthcare.
After being with Insure & go for about 5 years I changed to Marks & Spencer last year after they let me down, they refused to pay out my claim (and everyone elses) for ash cloud problems.
http://money.marksandspencer.com/insurance/travel-insurance/overview/

There is a guide here but don't take the cheapest, make sure the policy you buy covers everything you want. http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-travel-insurance

Annual insurance is often as cheap as buying a fixed period policy.

 

[Kath2003]

Yeah, no NHS in the USA

Get good medical cover (think $1,000,000 minimum). The prices are insane. I've only ever been unfortunate enough to need some antibiotics when I was out there once but even that (15 minute doctor's appointment, a week's worth of antibiotics) racked up almost £200 of medical fees

Be prepared for them to ask for how you will be paying before they ask what's wrong with you

 

[Disneymadhouse]

Yep, back in 1994 we went on hols with a young cousin who was prone to ear infections. Before we went his mum went to the GP and asked for some anti biotics as she just new that what with the flight and swimming he was bound to get an ear infection! The GP wouldn't give any as he didn't have an infection at that exact time even when his mum explained!
Sure enough, 2 or 3 days in he got a sore ear.
Even back then it was $60 to see the doctor and another $40 for medication, which she had to pay and then claim back when we got home (minus the excess of course!)

Insurance is a must!!

Claire

 

[disneyholic family]

if you can get it, i suggest getting medivac as well..
sounds like overkill, but we never go anywhere in the world without it, including to the US..

medivac covers a medical plane to take you back home...

in other words, if you're in such serious condition that the only way to get you home is by medical plane (a special plane with a doctor and nurse), the insurance covers it..

without the insurance, the cost would be over $100,000.....

if you're that ill, you really do want to be back home..

i have a cousin who had a stroke while on business in china....thank god for the medivac insurance that got him back home...

i don't know if you can get medivac insurance in the UK, but if you can, i would... it adds to the cost of the insurance, but for us, the peace of mind is worth it...

 

[wayneg]

i don't know if you can get medivac insurance in the UK, but if you can, i would... it adds to the cost of the insurance, but for us, the peace of mind is worth it...

Just had a very quick look, doesn't seem to be a lot about it, maybe its not a standard thing here in UK. I had not heard of it.

 

[Claire L]

Just had a very quick look, doesn't seem to be a lot about it, maybe its not a standard thing here in UK. I had not heard of it.

Medivac is, I believe, a usual part of UK policies

Claire

 

[wayneg]

Medivac is, I believe, a usual part of UK policies

Claire

That will be why I don't see it being offered as a stand alone policy then.

 

[disneyholic family]

Medivac is, I believe, a usual part of UK policies

Claire

that's GREAT!!! it's not standard in US travel insurance....you have to ask for it and pay extra.....

hopefully, you'll never need it, but it's good to know you're covered if the need arises!!

 

[Goofyish]

Looked through the NHS sight and cannot find any information on any coverage at all for UK residents traveling to the US.

Is any coverage offered or should travel health insurancne be purchased and if so can you recommend any agencies? Thanks

Whenever you travel outside the UK (even if the country you are travelling to has a reciprocal healthcare agreement) you should take out additional travel insurance

As others have said, you will be expected to pay for most minor medical expenses there and then in the US (even a doctors visits and a simple prescription can run into hundreds of $$!), and have proof that major expenses are covered by your insurance.

I use Direct Travel Insurance. Their standard policy covers up to $10Million for medical emergency, repatriation and associated expenses.

 

[paulh]

would get an annual as even if you go on a trip to Blackpool for the weekend your still covered
Paul

 

[Tony Toon]

I am an M&S Premium Club member and annual travel insurance is included for DH and myself. Came up trumps last easter when we hit problems getting home as a result of the volcanic ash cloud. DS had a throat infection last July when were in the USA. $200 to see a Doc and get a prescription for an antibiotic, again reimbursed by insurance. Always buy an annual policy for he and DD too (both too old to be included in M&S now )

Mrs TT

 

[Red-Snapper]

"Medivac" or repatriation cover will be included in UK policies.... but ....

its not an automatic right i.e they would need a good (medical or financial) reason to allow it. For instance - better (or cheaper) treatment available in the UK
or
say you arent going to get any better e.g paralysis and cant fly on a normal flight home.

They almost certainly wont pay for the flight if the reason is only you/your family would prefer if you were in a UK hospital and your condition is such that you will be up and about in a reasonable amount of time.

For instance the M&S policy (AXA) referred to in an earlier post contains the words "if medically necessary" which can obviously be followed rather strictly by your Insurance company if they wish....

 

[pigby]

would get an annual as even if you go on a trip to Blackpool for the weekend your still covered
Paul

We were so glad we did when we went to Windsor last year - my DD's new iPhone was stolen and I was able to claim back on my travel insurance.

We go to California in a week and I've just had to pay an extra £100 on my annual policy as DH just diagnosed with heart failure - now concerned about riding some of the coasters - we could have not taken out the extra cover and he would still be covered for everything else but knowing the cost of medical expenses in the US didn't want to risk it.

 

[MarkLyndaJakeChloe]

I would strongly recommend travel insurance when travelling to the States!!

Whilst on holiday to WDW in August 2009, our daughter broke her baby finger in the pool at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I took her to the medical centre just off the 192. Finger was x-rayed and splint fitted. Doctor recommended that she see a specialist at Celebration Hospital within a day or two.

An appointment was made to see him a couple of days later. Following further x-rays and examination he said the finger required an operation to re-shape and fit metal needles!

We decided to find a second opinion by phoning home to our GP and even spoke to the insurance company's nurse. All seemed to think that an operation was unnecessary. However the deciding factor was from the nurse who recommended we get it done, though I think she was worried that if she didn't go through with it the finger may be permanently deformed, thus we may claim against them for not paying for it.

We had had to pay all the bills with the credit card and claim it all back upon our return!! Total cost £2500!!

When we returned to Belfast we had to arrange for needles to be removed. Consultant at hospital told me that the operation was totally unnecessary, so I was not too happy that we had to put our daughter through this operation!!