Coming down with the flu in London might put a glitch in your vacation, but it won`t ruin it. After a day or two recovering in your hotel room, perhaps taking an inexpensive medicine prescribed by a doctor who speaks the same language, and you`ll be good as new.
But what if you`re struck down by a more serious illness in a country where you don`t speak the language or even recognize the alphabet? What if your illness requires professional care, and the hospital demands cash before accepting you as a patient? What if you must be moved to a more sophisticated facility?
The solution to all these problems: a traveler`s medical insurance policy.
Many travelers assume that their health insurance covers medical emergencies abroad, and to a certain extent they`re right. Most health care providers reimburse policy holders for a portion-often 80 percent-of emergency expenses incurred outside the country. The key word here is ”reimburse.” The policy holder must first pay all expenses, then file a claim with the home provider, and, finally, await repayment.
But an increasingly large number of medical facilities abroad want to be paid in cash before providing emergency service. Since most don`t accept credit cards as payment, the traveler must use traveler`s checks intended for daily expenses. If the emergency is a serious one, the medical expenses may exceed the traveler`s ability to pay.
Medical travel policies not only alleviate cash payment problems, but provide other valuable services. Most will locate English-speaking doctors anywhere in the world, replace lost medical and eyeglass prescriptions, monitor your progress while ill, and, when necessary, transport you to another facility. All offer easy-to-access service: to receive help, the traveler simply dials a number available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Here`s a brief look at the four best-known organizations offering travel medical assistance.
– TravMed provides up to $100,000 coverage while you`re abroad (with a $25 per-sickness deductible), including direct payments to doctors, hospitals and dentists for emergency treatment. If necessary, they`ll bring a family member to your side or arrange emergency evacuation. TravMed will help you locate an English-speaking doctor who is versed in the kind of care you need, and will thereafter monitor your progress. In the event of death, bodily remains will be returned to the United States.
Coverage is $3 a day for those to age 70, and $5 a day for those 71-80. There is a minimum requirement of seven days and a limit of 70 days` coverage for each trip. Contact: TravMed, Box 10623, Baltimore, Md. 21285-0623;
800-732-5309.
– Travel Assistance International pays up to $15,000 in medical expenses directly to the overseas health provider (there`s a $75 per-trip deductible). If necessary, they`ll arrange to move you to a better facility or bring you home in an air ambulance. Other services include replacement of lost or stolen medication, arranging for a family member to visit if you`re hospitalized for more than 10 consecutive days, locating interpreters and lawyers in emergencies, and help with finding lost luggage.
Coverage ranges from $40/individual ($60/family) for up to eight days of travel, to $150/individual ($295/family) for an entire year (90 days maximum per trip). Contact: Travel Assistance International, Suite 400, 1133 15th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005; 800-821-2828.
– The basic coverage of International SOS Assistance doesn`t reimburse for medical expenses, although it guarantees up to $1,000 for hospital admittance (you must reimburse them within 45 days).
If emergency evacuation to another facility is necessary, SOS pays all transportation costs. They`ll refer you to English-speaking doctors and lawyers and, if you`re traveling with minor children and end up in the hospital, they`ll pay to send your children home. They`ll also provide interpreters. Additional medical coverage for up to $10,000 of expenses can be purchased.
Basic SOS membership is $35/individual for up to 14 days of coverage; for medical coverage, add $19. Other plans and rates are available. Contact:
International SOS Assistance, Box 11568, Philadelphia, Pa. 19116;
800-523-8930.
– IAMAT (International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers)
is a non-profit organization involved in research in the medical aspects of travel. IAMAT members receive a passport-size directory listing English- and French-speaking doctors in more than 500 cities in the world; all have received at least some training in the U.S. or Britain, charge reasonable fees and, if necessary, will make house/hotel visits. Members also receive up-to-date pamphlets on such topics as worldwide immunization requirements and protection against malaria.
Membership is free, although donations-listed as tax-deductible by the U.S. Treasury Department-are appreciated. Contact: IAMAT, 417 Center St., Lewiston, N.Y. 14092; 716-754-4883.
