Emergency Medical can reimburse the costs to treat a medical emergency during a trip.
Emergency Medical insurance covers the cost of treating an unexpected illness or injury that occurs while traveling. Covered expenses under the Emergency Medical benefit typically include ambulance services, hospital and doctor bills, emergency dental services, and x-rays or lab costs.
There are two types of Emergency Medical coverage: Primary and Secondary. Primary coverage will pay a claim first, regardless of any other health insurance a traveler may have. Secondary coverage will pay a claim after a traveler has filed with their primary health insurance provider.
Travelers are required to pay for medical care out-of-pocket, and then file a claim for reimbursement when they return home. In certain situations, a provider may pre-authorize payment of medical bills under the Emergency Medical benefit, but it is not guaranteed.
If a traveler has health insurance do they need Emergency Medical travel insurance?
For domestic travelers with primary health insurance, Emergency Medical insurance may not be necessary. However, depending on their health insurance and deductible, a travel insurance policy may provide supplemental medical coverage.
For those traveling internationally or travelers who are outside of their policy’s coverage area, travel insurance can provide coverage for an unforeseen illness or injury. This can include going to the hospital for a serious illness, broken bone, or Covid-19.
Travel insurance policies offer both primary and secondary medical coverage. Primary coverage can offer reimbursement without another form of insurance. Even if a traveler has traditional health insurance, they do not need to contact that provider to file a claim. Secondary coverage requires a person to file a claim with their primary health insurance if applicable. The coverage is the same, but Secondary Coverage adds an extra step to the claim’s process.
How much medical trip insurance do travelers need?
The amount of medical coverage travelers should purchase typically depends on their individual trip details.
For those traveling internationally, Squaremouth recommends a minimum of $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and at least $100,000 in Medical Evacuation. For travelers going on a cruise or traveling to a remote destination, Squaremouth recommends $100,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $250,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage. We recommend these amounts due to the potential for high medical costs while traveling.
Travelers should note that some destinations require medical coverage in order to gain entry. These coverage amounts vary by country, typically ranging from $25,000 to $35,000. Visit our destination page to learn more about travel insurance requirements for different countries.
What is covered by travel medical insurance?
Travel medical insurance policies generally include coverage for a variety of medical emergencies that may occur during a trip. Typically, these policies will include the Emergency Medical benefit to cover the costs of treatment while traveling, and the Medical Evacuation benefit in the event of an emergency that requires an immediate evacuation.
