Travel insurance for medical

[insureman]

In my opinion if someone can afford a Disney cruise you should also budget the cost of medical and medical evacuation insurance. Don't depend on Credit Card perks (which can change at a moments notice) or coverage advice on any forum. As some have posted there are travel insurance comparison websites that also have phone numbers to speak to a licensed insurance agent that would allow you to make an informed decision.

 

[MillauFr]

In my opinion if someone can afford a Disney cruise you should also budget the cost of medical and medical evacuation insurance. Don't depend on Credit Card perks (which can change at a moments notice) or coverage advice on any forum. As some have posted there are travel insurance comparison websites that also have phone numbers to speak to a licensed insurance agent that would allow you to make an informed decision.

The insurance provided by Chase is far superior to many travel insurance policies and it is free

 

[insureman]

The insurance provided by Chase is far superior to many travel insurance policies and it is free

I just looked at the Chase Sapphire travel benefits pdf and I couldn't find anything for medical evacuation or medical coverage except for accidental injuries. Unless it's a different card you're talking about.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I just looked at the Chase Sapphire travel benefits pdf and I couldn't find anything for medical evacuation or medical coverage except for accidental injuries. Unless it's a different card you're talking about.

Chase Sapphire Reserve has the medical evacuation. Chase Sapphire Preferred does not.

Chase Sapphire Reserve has the medical and dental coverage discussed previously on this thread (the $2,500). The Chase Sapphire Preferred does not.

Both carry travel accident insurance (in case of death or dismemberment) but in differing limits (Reserve double what Preferred offers).

 

[randumb0]

The insurance provided by Chase is far superior to many travel insurance policies and it is free

The medical coverage is minimal

 

[Mango7100]

Chase Sapphire Reserve has the medical evacuation. Chase Sapphire Preferred does not.

Chase Sapphire Reserve has the medical and dental coverage discussed previously on this thread (the $2,500). The Chase Sapphire Preferred does not.

Both carry travel accident insurance (in case of death or dismemberment) but in differing limits (Reserve double what Preferred offers).

2500 is it for medical? That will not go very far at all if you are in an ER.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

2500 is it for medical? That will not go very far at all if you are in an ER.

Yup and exactly why I made this prior comment that I'm sure got lost in the thread

As we've been discussing though it doesn't actually provide much at all for medical expenses. A measly $2,500 ain't going to get you anything in terms of a hospital stay. The helicopter to get you there probably will be covered by the evac expenses but not the actual medical stuff. The Chase card is not medical health insurance so in general most are still going to need something that bridges the gap.

Another poster before me mentioned the limit (which I verified as well).

"- The Emergency Medical/Dental Coverage provides reimbursement for Emergency Treatment if You become sick
or accidentally injured while traveling on a Covered Trip up to two thousand five hundred ($2,500.00) dollars and is subject to a fifty ($50.00) dollar Deductible. If You are hospitalized as a result of a covered accident or sickness during Your Covered Trip, and Your attending Physician determines that You should recover in a hotel immediately after Your release from the Hospital before returning home, You may be eligible for an additional benefit of seventy–five ($75.00) dollars per day for up to a maximum of five (5) days towards the cost of a hotel room."

_________________________________________________________
I think the low amount is really intended for minor or low cost things like medications that are probably more common, maybe an emergency dental work that can help you til you get back home like if they had to put a crown or something on (and I'm not saying the $2,500 would cover those examples entirely more just saying IMO that's more of what it'd be useful for).

 

[insureman]

Chase Sapphire Reserve has the medical evacuation. Chase Sapphire Preferred does not.

Chase Sapphire Reserve has the medical and dental coverage discussed previously on this thread (the $2,500). The Chase Sapphire Preferred does not.

Both carry travel accident insurance (in case of death or dismemberment) but in differing limits (Reserve double what Preferred offers).

$2500 in medical is too low also the $100 K for medical evacuation is not enough for a family emergency where multiple people need to be evacuated. The policies I usually get are up to $1 million for medical evac and at least $500 K for medical insurance.

 

[Kwami]

Sure, the Chase insurance is "free" after spending $550 every year (or $625, if you have a second user). I guess you get some of that refunded if you charge travel to your card, but to say that the insurance is "free" isn't honest. You paid for it with your annual membership fee. And, as noted, it's not really adequate medical insurance.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

$2500 in medical is too low also the $100 K for medical evacuation is not enough for a family emergency where multiple people need to be evacuated. The policies I usually get are up to $1 million for medical evac and at least $500 K for medical insurance.

I'm repeating myself here because I've said it multiple times already that the $2,500 is too low to rely on the card itself. You just asked the question of the PP and so I answered. The Chase card does give you the benefits the PP mentioned but it will depend on which card you have.

 

[Hegemon]

Exactly. The Chase Sapphire Reserve has the more comprehensive trip protections. Were you looking at the Preferred?

Regarding the medical/dental, I agree that the $2500 benefit is minimal. Even if your heath insurance has global coverage, I suspect it would be out-of-network, which would make a big emergency very expensive. Given that, I think the Reserve card plus GeoBlue would be ideal.

We went with Tin Leg insurance for one trip when we were worried that the CSR would not cover a cruise during COVID. They seemed like a good company at a good price if CSR+GeoBlue isn't an option.

 

[MillauFr]

$2500 in medical is too low also the $100 K for medical evacuation is not enough for a family emergency where multiple people need to be evacuated. The policies I usually get are up to $1 million for medical evac and at least $500 K for medical insurance.

You can't buy a policy that will pay more than $100k for medical evacuation.

 

[auntlynne]

Here’s an example of my policy limits for an annual plan from USAA. For a 60+ yo in my state: (Policy was <$90):



Since this is not cruise insurance, it might explain the lower cost. But I specifically bought it to cover a medical emergency while I was cruising.

Verify rules for Pre-existing conditions.

 

[insureman]

You can't buy a policy that will pay more than $100k for medical evacuation.

.Definitely not true. My latest policy info

 

[Mango7100]

You can't buy a policy that will pay more than $100k for medical evacuation.

That is absolutely not true, and I have no idea where you got that information. Our insurance policy for our trip this summer is 500,000 for medical evacuation per insured traveler (which is important as a parent traveling with a kid). We use a well know travel insurance company.

 

[vital]

I know this is an older thread, but I feel I need to clarify some things for y'all. For reference, I am a travel nurse and worked in the ER at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St Thomas, USVI, for a year (7 months in 2021 and 5 months in 2022). I saw many, many people who came from cruise ships. Not a single one was brought by the Coast Guard. They were all on the ship in either the regular ward or in the ship's ICU and were transported by EMS from the pier. They were there for all sorts of reasons from head injury, septic appendix, broken hips, food boluses, CVA, MI and other things. We either treated them and released them back to the ship, treated them and released them to a hotel because the ship wouldn't take them back even with medical clearance or transferred them back to the US on a fixed wing. No helicopters do medical flights in the USVI besides the CG. The ONLY CG pt we received was someone who was stuck on some rocks during a tropical storm and even he came by EMS from the airport where the CG landed to drop him off. Even pts who come from Myrah Keating on St John come by EMS boat to Red Hook, then to Schneider by ground EMS.

For the pt's who needed to be flown to the US we used several different companies. Before we called them, the pt had to be accepted at a hospital. We used Miami, San Juan or Ft Lauderdale the most. We had a couple of special cases where the pt was able to be flown closer to home. If the pt didn't have insurance coverage then he/she stayed with us until either enough cash money was obtained or they recovered enough to go home on a commercial flight. These fixed wing companies don't play with their money. Period. The same for the locals who need to be flown to a higher level of care.
Most locals pay yearly to be in a "network" with one of the flight companies. Oh, and you (we) are at the mercy of the flight company. If the weather is bad or there are more serious pt's ahead of you that need to be flown then you wait. You WILL get bumped if you are triaged by the company to a lesser category than someone who just came in. We also had crews time out and no other crews available.

For those who are curious, if you are discharged to a hotel, there are liason's for the cruise companies who will help you find lodging, get meds, rides, etc. You are not just dumped out on the street.

There are only 8 ICU beds in the hospital so limited care can be given. No Interventional Radiology such as a cardiac cath lab. An interventional cardiologist used to come a few days a month, but not sure if she does that anymore. There are a couple of general surgeons who also do trauma, an orthopedic surgeon, OB/GYN, cardiologist and internal med docs. Just like any other hospital, I've seen good and bad things happen there.

I tell people ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS purchase as much medical evacuation insurance as you can afford.

Oh yeah, one couple on their honeymoon had to max out their credit cards to pay for the ship (not disney) medical bill before they could get off the ship. Y'all would be amazed at some of the crap I've seen pulled by cruise ship physicians! I'll stop here. If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.

 

[tvguy]

I know this is an older thread, but I feel I need to clarify some things for y'all. For reference, I am a travel nurse and worked in the ER at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St Thomas, USVI, for a year (7 months in 2021 and 5 months in 2022). I saw many, many people who came from cruise ships. Not a single one was brought by the Coast Guard. They were all on the ship in either the regular ward or in the ship's ICU and were transported by EMS from the pier. They were there for all sorts of reasons from head injury, septic appendix, broken hips, food boluses, CVA, MI and other things. We either treated them and released them back to the ship, treated them and released them to a hotel because the ship wouldn't take them back even with medical clearance or transferred them back to the US on a fixed wing. No helicopters do medical flights in the USVI besides the CG. The ONLY CG pt we received was someone who was stuck on some rocks during a tropical storm and even he came by EMS from the airport where the CG landed to drop him off. Even pts who come from Myrah Keating on St John come by EMS boat to Red Hook, then to Schneider by ground EMS.

For the pt's who needed to be flown to the US we used several different companies. Before we called them, the pt had to be accepted at a hospital. We used Miami, San Juan or Ft Lauderdale the most. We had a couple of special cases where the pt was able to be flown closer to home. If the pt didn't have insurance coverage then he/she stayed with us until either enough cash money was obtained or they recovered enough to go home on a commercial flight. These fixed wing companies don't play with their money. Period. The same for the locals who need to be flown to a higher level of care.
Most locals pay yearly to be in a "network" with one of the flight companies. Oh, and you (we) are at the mercy of the flight company. If the weather is bad or there are more serious pt's ahead of you that need to be flown then you wait. You WILL get bumped if you are triaged by the company to a lesser category than someone who just came in. We also had crews time out and no other crews available.

For those who are curious, if you are discharged to a hotel, there are liason's for the cruise companies who will help you find lodging, get meds, rides, etc. You are not just dumped out on the street.

There are only 8 ICU beds in the hospital so limited care can be given. No Interventional Radiology such as a cardiac cath lab. An interventional cardiologist used to come a few days a month, but not sure if she does that anymore. There are a couple of general surgeons who also do trauma, an orthopedic surgeon, OB/GYN, cardiologist and internal med docs. Just like any other hospital, I've seen good and bad things happen there.

I tell people ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS purchase as much medical evacuation insurance as you can afford.

Oh yeah, one couple on their honeymoon had to max out their credit cards to pay for the ship (not disney) medical bill before they could get off the ship. Y'all would be amazed at some of the crap I've seen pulled by cruise ship physicians! I'll stop here. If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.

Thanks for the informative reply. I would again underscore that everyone review your insurance to know what you already are covered for. That way you know what coverage you need to buy, and not waste money on double coverage. I'm still on the fence on medical evacuation as a concern, but ONLY because my company group insurance covered it. I knew in retirement that Medicare would NOT cover it. But what I discovered in retirement is that there are Medicare supplements that WILL cover medical evacuation. I guess that makes sense since I expect retirees of that age group would be more likely to need that coverage.

 

[lscrivan18]

I know this is an older thread, but I feel I need to clarify some things for y'all. For reference, I am a travel nurse and worked in the ER at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St Thomas, USVI, for a year (7 months in 2021 and 5 months in 2022). I saw many, many people who came from cruise ships. Not a single one was brought by the Coast Guard. They were all on the ship in either the regular ward or in the ship's ICU and were transported by EMS from the pier. They were there for all sorts of reasons from head injury, septic appendix, broken hips, food boluses, CVA, MI and other things. We either treated them and released them back to the ship, treated them and released them to a hotel because the ship wouldn't take them back even with medical clearance or transferred them back to the US on a fixed wing. No helicopters do medical flights in the USVI besides the CG. The ONLY CG pt we received was someone who was stuck on some rocks during a tropical storm and even he came by EMS from the airport where the CG landed to drop him off. Even pts who come from Myrah Keating on St John come by EMS boat to Red Hook, then to Schneider by ground EMS.

For the pt's who needed to be flown to the US we used several different companies. Before we called them, the pt had to be accepted at a hospital. We used Miami, San Juan or Ft Lauderdale the most. We had a couple of special cases where the pt was able to be flown closer to home. If the pt didn't have insurance coverage then he/she stayed with us until either enough cash money was obtained or they recovered enough to go home on a commercial flight. These fixed wing companies don't play with their money. Period. The same for the locals who need to be flown to a higher level of care.
Most locals pay yearly to be in a "network" with one of the flight companies. Oh, and you (we) are at the mercy of the flight company. If the weather is bad or there are more serious pt's ahead of you that need to be flown then you wait. You WILL get bumped if you are triaged by the company to a lesser category than someone who just came in. We also had crews time out and no other crews available.

For those who are curious, if you are discharged to a hotel, there are liason's for the cruise companies who will help you find lodging, get meds, rides, etc. You are not just dumped out on the street.

There are only 8 ICU beds in the hospital so limited care can be given. No Interventional Radiology such as a cardiac cath lab. An interventional cardiologist used to come a few days a month, but not sure if she does that anymore. There are a couple of general surgeons who also do trauma, an orthopedic surgeon, OB/GYN, cardiologist and internal med docs. Just like any other hospital, I've seen good and bad things happen there.

I tell people ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS purchase as much medical evacuation insurance as you can afford.

Oh yeah, one couple on their honeymoon had to max out their credit cards to pay for the ship (not disney) medical bill before they could get off the ship. Y'all would be amazed at some of the crap I've seen pulled by cruise ship physicians! I'll stop here. If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.

I want to say thank you and I appreciate the time you took to share this excellent information.