Why You Need Travel Medical Insurance While Touring the U.S.
Insurance Concept. Word on Folder Register of Card Index. Selective Focus.
America is a premier tourist destination for people from all over the world. There is so much to see and experience that tourists flock to the country every single day. However, while getting swept up in the excitement of visiting the States, some tourists forget one crucial thing: travel medical insurance.
If you plan on visiting the U.S., you must buy medical insurance and ensure your policy is valid in America. Travel medical insurance may be around 8% of your trip budget, so it will not come cheap.
But, if you are injured or become ill while in the country, this policy could save your life.
What to Know About U.S. Healthcare
Before you travel to the U.S., it is important to understand how the healthcare system in the country works in case you need to go to the hospital or get surgery.
Firstly, America does not have universal healthcare. This means the government does not offer health benefits to tourists or visitors. If something happens while you are in the country and you get hurt, you must pay for medical care.
Medical treatment in the U.S. is also incredibly expensive. Being admitted to a hospital can cost you thousands of dollars, far more than what you may be able to afford. You must pay for everything out-of-pocket if you have no travel medical insurance.
Common Medical Emergencies While Traveling
When you land in the U.S., the last you are likely to think about is injuries or illness. However, just the fact that you are in a strange place increases the risk that you may become injured or fall ill.
For example, you may be hiking in the Rockies for the first time and take a fall, or you could be on your way to an event or show and end up in a car accident. These incidents could all lead to injuries like broken bones, whiplash, or traumatic brain injuries.
You may want to try the food from a lesser-known place and become ill. Foodborne illnesses can cause dehydration and high fever, which could lead to more severe complications. If this happens during your trip, chances are you will have to be hospitalized.
You may experience a flare-up during your trip if you have a chronic condition. Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and heart disease can all cause severe symptoms at the worst times. Plus, the stress of traveling can make these symptoms even worse to the point where you need medical intervention.
If you decide to visit the U.S. in the winter, you may fall ill with the flu or COVID-19. While these illnesses do not always cause severe symptoms, you may need medical treatment to prevent complications.
What Is Travel Medical Insurance?
Now that you know why you need travel medical insurance, let’s examine what exactly this insurance entails.
When visiting the U.S., you can choose between fixed and comprehensive insurance. Fixed insurance typically covers fewer incidents, injuries, and illnesses but is the cheaper option. Comprehensive plans offer more coverage but are more expensive.
Fixed Insurance
Fixed insurance policies have overall limits and specific limits for different medical expenses. You must pay a deductible for each incident (injury or illness). After that, the fixed insurance will cover the rest of the expenses.
If you opt for a fixed insurance policy, you will most likely not have coverage if your trip is canceled or delayed. You can get medical care from any healthcare institution or doctor, but the plan will only cover the overall limit.
Comprehensive Insurance
With comprehensive insurance, there is no cap on different medical emergencies. However, covered medical expenses do have a maximum amount that will be paid out.
You will also pay a deductible and an amount for coinsurance. When this is paid, the plan will cover the rest of the medical expenses.
You may also be able to get benefits if your trip is canceled or delayed, but this will mean paying more for the policy.
What Does Travel Medical Insurance Not Cover?
Travel medical insurance typically does not cover cosmetic or elective surgery. These policies will not pay out if you are injured while under the influence of alcohol. The same goes for attempted suicide or self-inflicted injuries.
What Happens If You Are Injured or Become Ill?
Unfortunately, no amount of travel medical insurance can prevent an accident or illness. If you are injured or become sick during your visit, you need to take steps to ensure you get medical treatment quickly.
The first step is to assess the severity of your condition or injury. If you feel well enough to get to a hospital, do so. If you cannot move because of your illness or injury, ask someone to call emergency services.
An ambulance can be costly, so if you do not need emergency care, consider visiting an urgent care center.
Let your travel medical insurance provider know what happened as soon as possible. They can guide you through the claims process and help you find the right medical facilities.
Always keep the documentation you get from the hospital or doctor, as this will streamline the claims process.
When to Get Legal Advice
Sometimes, injury or illness requires more than medical attention. You may need legal advice depending on how you were injured or became ill.
For example, if someone else’s negligence injured you, you may have reason to file a personal injury claim. You can also file a personal injury claim if you unknowingly bought a defective product that caused you harm.
Chances are that you are unfamiliar with the U.S. legal system, so you should get legal advice from a personal injury lawyer. You may be able to get a free consultation so you can discuss the details of your case.
During this consultation, the lawyer will assess whether you have a strong enough case to win. A lawyer can also help you understand your rights as a tourist and walk you through the legal process.
Being Prepared Is Always Best
No one plans for accidents and injuries on vacation or a trip, but they do happen. If you are well-prepared by taking out travel medical insurance and educating yourself on when to get legal advice, you can hopefully still enjoy your travels even if something happens.
Sources
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/travel-medical-insurance/
https://health.mit.edu/my-mit/internationals/healthcare-united-states
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/insurance-for-visitors/
https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/travel-insurance/health-insurance-for-visitors-to-usa/
