Health Care Options While Traveling Abroad
When you travel abroad, you need some kind of health care insurance. This can take a number of different forms and will depend on your situation and travel plans.
These are some options I’ve explored in the past that can be mixed and matched to meet your own needs. Note: These are options available to US residents. Your own country may have other options. Also, I am not an expert. This information is from my own experience and research. Please consult an expert if you have questions.
US-based Health Insurance
If you will not be traveling outside of the US for the majority of the year, you will still need to be covered under a US based/approved medical plan. This is due to the current mandates set by the federal government requiring minimum levels of coverage.
The two most common places to get this type of insurance is through your employer or through the Marketplace. If you end up traveling significantly, you could perhaps get a lower level of insurance and combine it with a better travel plan. But keep in mind, for most plans you can only change your coverage once a year. So be sure you are adequately covered for the months you are not traveling as well.
Before you do travel, contact your provider and double check what their rules for coverage are. So might offer minimal coverage while abroad. Also, make sure that you are covered to the levels of the mandate as it would be a pain to have to deal with it if you were not.
Travel Insurance
I consider travel insurance a necessity if you are traveling for any time and will not have coverage abroad through another source. So, for instance, when my dad and I went to Italy for only a week, we both got travel insurance just in case.
Travel insurance doesn’t usually cover things like going to the doctor unless it’s an emergency. It’s more focused on catastrophic events (emergency health care, natural disasters, etc.) So, if something major happens it’s a little less to worry about.
Travel insurance is usually only a couple of dollars a day and you can find a variety of options. The Department of State has a list of recommended providers that you can check out.
International Health Insurance
If you are traveling abroad for an extended period of time, it may make sense to get international health insurance. This provides coverage that somewhat mirrors your usual coverage in the US. Plans tend to be within individual countries or across borders as outlined by the plan provider.
For instance, if you have to go to the doctor because you get a cold, chances are this type of plan would cover it. The point is to provide a more everyday level of care while abroad instead of only catastrophic levels.
When looking at this type of plan, be sure to fully read exactly what type of care is covered. Also check where the coverage can be used (geographically) and what any of the fine print is.
You can check the Department of State website for recommended providers.
Prescriptions
Prescriptions usually fall under you usual medical coverage, however there can be extenuating factors while traveling. If you have prescriptions that you take on a regular basis, you need to let your doctor know about your plans. Your prescription may not be available abroad and it could be difficult to ship it.
Your doctor will be able to set up a plan for how you will receive refills (perhaps filling a 3-month instead of a 1-month supply). Since you need a doctor’s evaluation to get an extension on refills, you may need to move up your annual exam as well.
Your health insurance company can also be helpful in determining what is covered and when. They may be able to set up a mail order service if you can get trusted mail service abroad.
