Travel Medical Insurance

[JudyJB]

I know I posted on this several months ago, but I can't find it.

Does anyone have a recommendation for travel insurance? I am not so concerned about recouping my costs, but I want to make sure I have adequate medical insurance in case I get sick while I am in the UK. Am leaving in a couple of weeks, so I need to get moving on this item. And I almost have my 2017 taxes done, also. Need to get moving and do stuff earlier!!!

Thanks

[BirdbyBird]

I am interested in what responses and research provides. When Liz and I traveled a couple of years ago, one of the men had a medical emergency and was taken to the ER. Tests were run and treatment provided. He returned to us that evening and was okay. When he inquired about the bill, they handed him one but they pretty much told him to check with his insurance company and pay what he wanted. They have universal health care over there. They were not worried about who could pay but rather what services and care were needed. The gentleman was a retired CIA personnel and even he was impressed with how the system worked.

I do have the Good Sam Emergency Medical service which would provide support to get me back home if I should fall ill, etc. I purchased it after witnessing what the service provided CArol and her sweet Maggie when she got so ill on the way to Alaska.

[Queen]

I looked into the same thing recently, several people on a travel site recommended World Nomads. https://www.worldnomads.com

I have no personal experience with them but the general consensus from the ones who had was very positive.

[havingfunnow]

Oh, Tina, I am so pleased to hear that the universal health system is still chugging along! I've always had such good experiences with it -- when I was sick while traveling, when a friend was injured, when my son needed a pediatrician -- but people often scoff when I tell them how good it is. "That was a long time ago," they say. "It's probably different now." Hearing a recent first-hand observation makes me so happy!

[JudyJB]

OK, here is what I have learned and what I decided to do!

First, I went onto Rick Steves' website and read about travel insurance: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/ ... -insurance. Then I did some price comparisons using the items in the little box on the right, but they were all expensive and set up for people who were purchasing group tours and cruises. I have been making my own plans and really do not have that much invested so far, other than my airfare and a few hotels that required deposits--no more than $2,500 at this point. Mostly, I am concerned about medical problems abroad, like breaking a hip or being in a car accident, etc.

Next, I called United Healthcare. I have a Medicare C plan through them. It is an "F" plan, which is the most expensive, but DOES have $50,000 worth of lifetime medical expenses incurred abroad. Only problem is that you have to pay first and get reimbursed later. Also, it does not cover things like medical evacuation back to the U.S. if say you broke a hip or had a major accident.

So, I did more searching on the little box on the Rick Steves' page and contacted InsureMyTrip at https://www.insuremytrip.com/. They compare and sell insurance from many companies, so they can do a super job of comparison and getting you exactly what you want. I still wasn't finding what I wanted so I called them and explained my situation. An extremely nice lady found me a medical only policy that gave me an extra $50,000 of coverage and a million $$ of medical evacuation coverage for only $85. It also had some dental, lost & delayed luggage, and travel delay coverage.

-- I will still have to pay first and get reimbursed later, but it is highly unlikely that anyone will hold me hostage in the UK until I pay my bill. (Unlike Mexico and some S. American or other places.)
-- It is VERY important to buy travel insurance within 15 days of putting your first deposit on something. For me that was way back last September, but I have been lazy. If you do that, they will waive any pre-existing condition policies. So buy your insurance as soon as you buy the airline ticket or put a deposit on anything.
-- My United Healthcare policy is still primary and the new policy will cover only after I submit to them first. But in a really serious situation having that extra 50,000 will really be nice.

Anyway, it was really nice to talk to someone who could explain what all the coverage really meant, so I really recommend these people.

[Cudedog]

I also have the United Healthcare "F" plan. Haven't had to use it (thank God I am fairly healthy) but it gives better coverage at a much lower monthly premium than the dozen or so other companies I researched at the time I retired. True, it is their most expensive plan, but one major illness or hospital stay would cost far more than the total annual premium.

Good to know that it also includes coverage in foreign countries. I'm not planning a trip abroad, but I didn't know this. Thanks for mentioning it, Judy.

Have a great trip!

Anne

[Colliemom]

I too, carry the Good Sam Medical Emergency Insurance that Tina mentioned. Good security blanketvforvthosecof us travelling alone. They sure did a great job handling CArol’s situation that one time.

[Cudedog]

I too, carry the Good Sam Medical Emergency Insurance that Tina mentioned. Good security blanketvforvthosecof us travelling alone. They sure did a great job handling CArol’s situation that one time.

Wow. Thanks, Sue (and Tina!). I just looked into this insurance, and what it covers. I think it is well worth it. I'm going to sign up.

Anne

[Colliemom]

I think it's a good idea to have it. We all have medical insurance, but only for the exact medical issues that we have, not for taking care of our rigs, pets, contacting family and such far away from home and if necessary getting them to us, or getting us and our rigs back home etc. Hopefully I will never have to use it, but I like the "security blanket" feeling of having it.

[snowball]

I keep thinking I will sign up for the good sam's emergency one keep forgetting I know I wish we had had it when Larry got bad...I should look into it ...about what does it run or is it on of those that is different depending upon
all sorts of stuff
sheila

[Bethers]

I keep thinking I will sign up for the good sam's emergency one keep forgetting I know I wish we had had it when Larry got bad...I should look into it ...about what does it run or is it on of those that is different depending upon
all sorts of stuff
sheila

https://www.goodsamtravelassist.com/findaplan/

[snowball]

Thanks Beth
appreciate it
sheila

[JudyJB]

It doesn't seem to cover any medical care, but the drive your vehicle back home coverage would be worth it alone. I would just hate to have to call on my sons or a friend if I were injured and needed my RV brought back home and could not drive it myself. I also like that they would bring someone to help care for you.

However, I am a little concerned that they would take you to a nearby hospital instead of home because that would be a lot cheaper for them. I wonder who decides this. The medical travel insurance I purchased for my trip to the UK will pay up to $50,000 for medical evacuation back home, which means a special plane if I could not ride in a regular plane for example, if I were in a large cast.

[Bethers]

I've been thinking about joining FMCA... And here's one benefit:
FMCAssist

FMCA’s Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance plan protects you 24/7, anytime you are 100 miles or more from home — with worldwide coverage. If you are a full-timer, you are always considered 100 miles from home. Comparable plans can cost $105 annually; it’s yours FREE as a member.

[avalen]

Begn, travel assist is not free, they dinged my credit card $70 and i had to call them on that!