Always be sure to carry your insurance policy identification card as well as a claim submission form. Most health insurance companies will pay “customary and reasonable” hospital costs, but very few will cover the cost of an evacuation to a more appropriate care facility if where you are admitted cannot ensure proper treatment or a repatriation back home which can easily cost more than $10,000 USD depending on your location and condition. This is where having a travel assistance plan like Global Travel Plus is an essential for when you encounter a medical emergency while traveling.

What to ask your insurance provider before you travel abroad:
•    Does my insurance policy provide coverage for returning me home for treatment if I become seriously ill or injured?
•    Does my insurance policy have any exclusions for adventure sports/high risk activities such as scuba diving, parasailing, mountain climbing, etc.?
•    Do you require pre-authorization or second opinion before emergency medical treatment can be provided?
•    Do you guarantee medical payments abroad?
•    Will you pay foreign hospitals and doctors directly?

NOTE: If you are a Medicare member, you are NOT covered while traveling abroad. You may want to contact the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) or a travel agency about a private Medicare supplement plan that includes foreign medical care coverage.