True Story:
Jim and his wife Mary (names have been changed) go on a yearly trip to visit family in Canada. While on this trip a few years ago, Mary woke up with pain in her right side of her stomach. She ate breakfast and went about her day. As the day progressed, the pain intensified which resulted in a trip to an emergency room. It turned out that Mary needed surgery for a ruptured appendix. Knowing that they had health insurance, the couple didn’t worry about the expense until she was ready to be released. The hospital insisted that she pay her bill before she left the hospital. The bill was over $10,000 so they told them that they had insurance. This didn’t matter to the hospital. They wanted the bill paid and wouldn’t submit bills to the insurance company which can happen when you in a different country. They called home to get money wired, put some of the bill on credit cards, and did what they could to get the bill paid. They were able to get some of the bill reimbursed from their health insurance company, but in many cases, this doesn’t happen.
When the clients told me this story, it showed me that when people travel outside of the country for business, school, or pleasure, they aren’t covered if something was to happen medically.
The solution – Travel Medical Insurance
You are able to purchase a plan that will protect you while you are in another country. You can purchase the plan for just the days that you are there. In the above case, this couple now purchases a travel plan each year they go to Canada. They purchase the plan for the week they plan to be gone. Fortunately, no other emergencies have happened, but they feel better knowing they are protected.
Here’s a few other situations that people would want to look at Travel Medical Insurance:
- Vacation – Holiday
- Visitor – Immigrant
- Student
- Employer – Business travel
- Mission Trip
- Government Services
If you are a student that will be gone to another country for more than one year, International Travel Medical Insurance is an option.
If you will be traveling, take a look at getting a quote here:
https://www.hccmis.com/atlas-travel-insurance-quote/?referid=26615
Getting Travel Medical Insurance can be the difference between a vacation/trip ruined by illness/injury versus a trip with access to quality care and financial help. At Balanced Care, we are always on the lookout for stories and situations to help you with the unexpected.
Terri Trepanier is the owner of Balanced Care Health and Supplemental Insurance and a licensed insurance consultant and broker with Associated Brokers. Licensed in both Maine and NH, her specialty is working with small businesses, individuals, and families with their health and life insurance needs. She is certified to offer health plans both on and off the exchange and is contracted with every health insurance company that offers plans in both New Hampshire and Maine. Her other passion is assisting Medicare beneficiaries with their Medicare Supplemental, Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans, and Medicare Advantage plans. Terri has seen firsthand the importance of insurance products and how they help families. Her goal with Balanced Care is to “Insure Security and Peace of Mind One Family at a Time”.