International travel medical insurance and travel protection (2024)

FAQs

Does my health insurance cover me when I travel internationally? ›

Generally, most domestic health insurance policies are not accepted abroad, so there is a benefit to purchasing travel medical insurance as a supplement to your health insurance coverage. The travel medical coverage is only valid while you're traveling.

Carry your insurance card and a claim form if your policy covers you outside the United States. Medicare does not cover medical care when you travel the United States.

Travel protection provides a more basic form of coverage for tourists. It tends to be significantly cheaper but usually only covers trip cancellations. On the other hand, travel insurance offers more comprehensive coverage, often including medical emergency evacuation, baggage delays and flight cancellations.

The nearest US embassy or consulate can help travelers locate medical services and notify your friends, family, or employer of an emergency. They are available for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, overseas and in Washington, DC (888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444).

International health insurance is designed to provide a comprehensive level of health care to those relocating from their home country for a sustained period of time, whereas travel insurance provides cover for emergency treatment while you are in another country for a shorter space of time.

Special care if you become ill or injured while traveling

Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a list of local healthcare providers and medical facilities. If your illness is serious, consular officers can help you find medical assistance. If you want, they can inform your family and friends.

If you intend on traveling outside of the U.S. it's a good idea to purchase some form of travel medical insurance, even if you're in good health.

The staff at U.S. consulates throughout the world can help traveling Americans locate health care providers and facilities, contact family members in the U.S., and assist with the wire transfer of funds from the U.S. Even if your insurance company will cover part of the charges of your medical care abroad, you will ...

What does travel insurance not cover? ›

Medical Tourism, Medical Exclusions

Don't look to travel insurance for help with the hospital bills or aftercare. Medical tourism is a common exclusion. Elective procedures, mental health care, routine physicals and exams and physical exams are also usually not covered by travel medical insurance.

In most situations, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the U.S. The term “outside the U.S.” means anywhere other than the 50 states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Travel insurance can be useful, but it's not always necessary. The key to knowing if you need travel insurance is figuring out your specific risks for any given vacation, then deciding if you can buy coverage that adequately protects you from any financial losses and pitfalls that might occur.

There are two main types of travel insurance: trip protection plans and travel medical plans. Trip protection protects U.S. residents while traveling within the United States and abroad and is important if you don't want to lose the money you paid for your trip if you must cancel, interrupt, or delay your trip.

Special care if you become ill or injured while traveling

Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a list of local healthcare providers and medical facilities. If your illness is serious, consular officers can help you find medical assistance. If you want, they can inform your family and friends.

A comprehensive travel policy with at least $50,000 in medical coverage is recommended when traveling to Europe or any country where you don't have health insurance. Travel medical insurance will cover expenses related to an unexpected injury or illness.

Medicare does not pay for medical services you receive outside the United States.