Travelers with pre-existing medical conditions may feel like they have more to worry about while traveling, from precautions and prescriptions to diet and documents. Although it is true that most visitors insurance does not offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, it's still important to have medical coverage while traveling outside of your home country. More options are now available for limited pre-existing condition coverage for travel insurance.
In the travel medical insurance industry, a pre-existing condition is defined as any medical condition that existed before purchasing a travel medical insurance policy. Some examples of common pre-existing conditions are diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems and cancer.
Related Article: How to Pick the Right Visitor Insurance Plan for Parents Visiting the USA
You may wonder, "If visitors insurance does not cover my pre-existing condition, why should I purchase an insurance plan?" The following five reasons can explain:
1. Life Happens
You always need to be prepared for the unexpected. Illness and injury can happen at any time, especially when you are in an unfamiliar environment, and you'll want to have visitors insurance to avoid massive medical bills as a result. Even the cost of a simple doctor visit can be extremely expensive without travel medical insurance.
2. Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions
Those with pre-existing conditions may be at a higher risk for other health issues. A new sickness or issue that arises as a result of a pre-existing condition may be covered by some insurance plans. In addition, some visitors insurance plans offer coverage for acute onset of a pre-existing condition, which is defined as an unwarned, sudden and spontaneous recurrence of a pre-existing medical condition.
3. Mishaps During Travel
Adjusting to a new environment can be difficult for anyone, especially those with pre-existing health conditions. While traveling, you are experiencing new culture, climate and cuisine, and any number of things could cause a sudden illness which may require a doctor visit or hospitalization.
4. Emergency Medical Evacuation
Illnesses that may be toughed through by some, such as food poisoning or the flu, may cause serious complications for people with pre-existing conditions. It is important to have visitors insurance coverage not only for doctor visits or hospitalization, but also for emergency medical evacuation in the event of an accident in a remote location or a life-threatening emergency.
5. Repatriation and Burial Arrangements
In the unfortunate event of a death abroad, some visitors insurance covers repatriation, or return of mortal remains, so that the body may be returned to the traveler's home country. Without insurance, this service can cost up to $15,000. Some visitors insurance may cover a burial abroad, but few plans will cover funeral costs.
In addition to the benefits above, visitors insurance can also offer myriad other benefits that may help you on your trip such as emergency evacuation coverage, 24-hour emergency assistance and trip coverage that may help you to better prepare for travel- or health-related risks.
Buying visitors insurance does not guarantee complete coverage. This goes for acute onset of pre-existing coverage as well. Even if your plan covers acute onset of pre-existing conditions, the insurance company will only reimburse you per the policy terms, so be sure to read the policy details carefully.
Certain plans, such as UsVisit-Pro, are better suited for travelers with pre-existing conditions.