Travellers Health Insurance Provides Protection on the Go

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Travel )



Why You Need Travellers Health Insurance

Most of the time, you are probably in good shape. Occasionally though, you do get sick once or get into mishaps even in the comfort of your own home. The likelihood of getting sick or meeting an accident is tripled once you leave your doorstep, and even more so when you leave the country.

Most Americans have only minimal health insurance coverage, usually under health maintenance organizations or HMOs. This is because indemnity type plans, where you can consult any doctor or hospital under the sun for minimal fees, charge very expensive premiums and are therefore out of reach for most Americans. If you're under an HMO type of coverage, you can only use hospitals or see doctors that are listed in your plan's network. Even though the nature of the consultation was urgent, you would most probably need to prepay a fraction or even all of the non-covered amount, then request your health insurance provider for the reimbursement.

And since HMOs can't cover even for the health care you receive from a local non-networked facility, you will definitely expect the same situation when you're out of the country and needed medical help.

Features of Travellers Health Insurance

There are various local health insurance companies who also offer travellers health insurance, or sometimes known as backpacker insurance. These health insurance are of short-term nature, usually for about two months, and are available only on emergency basis. Coverage amount can range from one to two hundred dollars a month. Some companies also offer family packages with special discounted premiums.

Besides medical care coverage, some packages also carry a term-life or disability type of insurance coverage that can be as high as half a million dollars, provided that the death or disability was accidental in nature.

Cheaper Alternatives to a Standard Health Insurance Plan

If you find the premium for travellers health insurance a little too steep, you will be pleased to know that there are cheaper alternatives available.

You can join an internationally accredited travellers club called the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers or IAMAT. This is a non-profit organization which provides information to travellers regarding the health conditions of particular countries. It can also assist you in finding qualified medical care in the country you are visiting. For free membership, you get a card and a directory of English-speaking physicians who have agreed to charge reasonable set fees to members. In lieu of membership fees, you can make donations.

For a low annual fee, you can also sign up with other associations who can give various services such as travel escort, return of leased vehicles, and referrals to other agencies who can offer you great health insurance deals at reasonable prices.


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