Travel health coverage can protect travelers of any age from the financial consequences of a sudden illness or injury. For those over 65, though, this kind of insurance may be even more important. Seniors are more likely to need medical care while traveling, and there are some special considerations for those covered by Medicare.
Before a Trip: Tips on Travel Insurance
Before investing in a separate travel health insurance policy, travelers should review their homeowner's policies and current health insurance plans. These policies may already offer some coverage for the potential misfortunes of travel. It’s important for seniors to remember that Medicare does not pay the cost of hospital or physician services obtained outside of the United States, and the U.S. government will not pay for a medical evacuation.
With that said, seniors who have a Medicare supplement plan — a private health insurance policy designed to cover some of the costs that Medicare does not pay — that plan may cover some services obtained abroad. Again, read the policy's fine print before traveling. Most of these policies require the subscriber to pay for medical services up front and apply for reimbursement after returning from the trip. So it’s also important to have plenty of funds on hand in the form of traveler’s checks or an emergency credit card.
If additional coverage is needed, weigh the cost of a travel insurance policy against the amount invested in the trip. A very general rule of thumb is to spend no more than 10 percent of the cost of the trip on travel insurance.
Health and Safety Tips
Travelers are always encouraged to read up on the culture, climate and customs of the places they will be visiting. This information is easily found in bookstores, libraries and travel magazines, online at myriad websites or through travel agencies and tourist bureaus. For foreign travel, the U.S. State Department has excellent resources, including Consular Information Sheets on every country in the world. These are available by phone at (202) 647-5225 or on the internet at travel.state.gov/.
Seniors should make copies of their travel health insurance policy, passports and a detailed travel itinerary, as well as their credit card, traveler’s check and airline ticket numbers. Bring a copy of this information on the trip and leave a copy with a trusted friend or relative back home.
In addition to the health insurance company's contact information, older travelers are advised to bring information on embassy contacts for the countries they plan to visit. Embassy or consulate personnel can help American travelers get medical help and legal services if needed. Contacts for embassies or consulates for virtually every foreign country are listed on the State Department’s website mentioned above.
In addition, those who purchase a "deluxe" or comprehensive travel insurance policy may be able to get help with these services from the insurer's customer service department.
Where to Buy Travel Health Insurance
Many different types of companies- travel agents, credit card and financial companies, and even travel insurance specialists- sell travel policies, so it's important for seniors to do their homework. Check out the related article, Choosing the Right Health Insurance Company, for additional general tips.
- Look for a reputable company that is financially sound and able pay the claims if a medical emergency does occur.
- Make sure the company has offices or agents in the area being visited, especially if it’s overseas. If a local office is not available, the insurance company should at least offer a toll-free customer service number that is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- The U.S. State Department offers a list of some companies offering short-term health and emergency assistance policies in its flyer “Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad.” The flyer is available by calling (202) 647-5225 or via the internet at http://travel.state.gov.
Beyond Travel Insurance: Additional Health Precautions for Seniors
An older person who takes medicine regularly should pack a more-than-adequate supply in the original containers. Bring copies of the prescriptions, especially for any narcotic pain medications or other controlled substances. The travel health insurance carrier may be able to help find the generic names of medications, which could help if the drugs have different names outside of the United States. Also tuck a list of prescriptions, dosages and how often they’re taken in a wallet or carry-on bag.
Those who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses are encouraged to take an extra pair along.
Pack these extra medicines and eyeglasses in carry-on luggage, in case checked bags are lost. Seniors may also want to pack a backup supply in their checked luggage for extra reinforcement. A comprehensive travel insurance policy should include reimbursement for lost luggage if anything happens to either set of bags.
Older travelers who have allergies or reactions to certain medications, foods or insect bites, or other unique medical problems should consider wearing a "medical alert" bracelet or pendant. Several companies offer these bracelets with a service that can provide more information to a treating physician through a toll-free phone number. One can also find a more generic bracelet or pendant at various drugstores that will simply alert any medical professional of an existing condition like allergies, heart disease or high blood pressure.
A senior traveler may also wish to carry a letter from his or her physician explaining desired treatment should he or she become ill.
While it may seem like seniors wanting to travel have a lot to think about in advance, most of these tips are easy to follow. And preparing up front can help ensure that a dream vacation away from home doesn’t turn into a nightmare. With a little preparation, older travelers can visit other states or faraway lands with great peace of mind.
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