Planning a trip or vacation? Make sure you are prepared in case of an accident or unexpected illness. Being prepared will help you to avoid stress and costly mistakes.
Here are some travel tips for you and your family members:
Before you leave:
- Make sure you take your insurance ID cards with you! Put the company contact information in your contacts.
- Call your health insurance company to learn more about your plan’s coverage when away from home or out of the country.
- Make sure Release of Information authorizations are on file for all family members 18 and older, so that you or other designated representatives can call on another’s behalf.
- If traveling outside the U.S., verify international coverage with your insurance carrier. Medicare does not provide coverage for foreign travel outside of the U.S. or its territories.
- Travel medical insurance is not very expensive (varies based on age and benefits) and can cover significant costs for a serious illness or accident, including flights home or to centers of excellence.
- If you have Medicare, travel medical insurance is highly recommended. Most Medicare Supplement plans offer 80% coverage up to $50,000 after a $250 deductible.
- If traveling on a group trip or studying abroad, review the travel insurance package and find out how it works with your own coverage. Don’t rely on your credit card travel insurance coverage.
If something happens:
- Call your insurance company as soon as possible to notify them of any emergency care or treatment if it is not near your home.
- Make sure the hospital and/or medical provider has your insurance information on file.
- Be prepared to pay the doctor/facility at the time of service and make sure to get an itemized bill to submit to insurance. Request the itemized bill, even if it is in a foreign language.
- When you return home, review all of the provider bills very closely before paying. Often providers will just bill before submitting claims to your insurance company.
If you have questions:
Feel free to contact us at 888-511-0128, ext. 104 or email [email protected] if you need help or if you need more information on how Healthcare Pathfinder can help you and your family. We are a fee-for-service professional healthcare advice, advocacy, and management firm. We do not sell insurance or share commissions.
Visit us at: www.healthcarepathfinder.com
We can help you plan for your trip, advocate for care or coverage needs if someone gets sick or has an accident, and manage your medical bills and claims while you recover. BE AWARE PREPARED AND PROACTIVE!