When making travel plans to the United States, preparing for new sights and unknown adventures is part of the fun. Don’t let an unknown health emergency interrupt your vacation. For those unplanned emergencies, there is visitors insurance. While travel insurance needs for every person can differ, they can be especially challenging for senior citizens.
What is Visitors Insurance?
Visitors insurance is a health or medical insurance policy that is short term and designed to cover medical expenses such as illness or injury that occur while traveling in another country. Many plans will cover doctor’s visits and hospitalizations. They may also cover surgery, lab work, prescription medication and other eligible expenses. It is also possible to purchase travel insurance that will cover dental expenses, as well as other travel expenses such as lost luggage, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, death and dismemberment benefits in case of accidental death or terrorist attack. The length of the policy can range from a few days to sometimes up to three years.
Many senior citizens may believe that a pre existing health condition may prevent them from being able to purchase health Insurance. In fact, many insurance companies do offer plans for people with pre existing conditions, but some may require a certain waiting period referred to as a “look back period.” This waiting period can be anywhere from six months to three years.
Types of Policies
Most insurance companies offer two types of plans: A limited or fixed coverage plan, or a comprehensive coverage plan.
Limited or Fixed coverage plan
Benefits are paid according to a fixed schedule.
The premium is lower.
You must pay a deductible, but it is limited and usually paid per illness or injury.
There are no preferred provider networks (PPO) and rates cannot be negotiated.
Higher out of pocket expenses.
Comprehensive Coverage
Better benefits/better coverage.
The premium is higher.
Wider Range of deductibles offered.
Benefits are paid by the policy period or annually.
Offers a preferred provider network (PPO).
Lower out of pocket expenses.
How Much Do These Policies Usually Cost?
There is a wide range of policies with many different types of coverage. The average fixed coverage policy ranges from around $64.00 to $90.00 for $100,000 worth of coverage. The comprehensive policy prices run from $117.00 to $215.00 for $100,000 worth of coverage.
How to Stay Healthy While Traveling
In addition to purchasing a visitors insurance policy, there are some additional things that you can do to try to stay as healthy as possible while traveling:
When Flying:
Drink plenty of water.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Avoid eating a heavy meal.
Get plenty of rest.
Try to get up and walk around every couple of hours on the airplane to avoid deep vein thrombosis or clots forming in your veins.
Once you’ve landed:
Try to gradually adjust to the new time zone.
Take along a list of current prescription medications that you are taking, as well as a list of medications to which you are allergic.
If you feel tired, listen to your body and rest.
Bring a list of contact numbers in case of an emergency.
While taking good care of yourself is good preventative medicine, even the most careful travelers can have medical emergencies. When those unpreventable emergencies occur, it is important to know that you planned well by purchasing visitors insurance.
Author Resource:
Kane Michaels is a freelance writer providing articles for American Visitors Insurance, a company that provides http://www.nriol.com/services/insurance visitors insurance, including http://www.nriol.com/services/insurance visitor medical insurance to individuals traveling to the USA.
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