An annual travel medical insurance policy gives you the freedom to come and go as you please, and not worry if you need medical care. Take as many trips as you like. However, the length of each trip may be limited to a set number of days.

Annual travel insurance coverage is an ideal solution for:

• People who travel outside the U.S. two or more times a year
• Those from foreign countries who live in the U.S. but venture home periodically.
• Those with dual citizenship living in the U.S. for a longer period who may not be able to get regular American health insurance
• Medical coverage for expat Americans living abroad.

Long-term travel medical plans (typically annual plans that can be renewed) vary greatly so it is important to study the details before purchasing. Most plans offer similar kinds of coverage as single trip international medical insurance. Along with medical coverage, these also cover for medical evacuation and repatriation. The advantage is that the same policy can cover you for multiple separate trips throughout the year. Here are some things to look for, besides deductible and coverage amounts:

• Are pre-existing conditions covered? Some do cover them; others do not or exclude a particular condition.
• What about pregnancy or maternity coverage? Some annual travel policies either exclude maternity care or have a waiting period, such as after the first year.
• Do you need vision and dental coverage? Those are options on some plans.
• What about preventive care? Travel medical policies typically do not cover preventive care. However, plans designed for expats do!
• Are countries excluded? Many policies will not cover travelers to countries for which the State Department or Centers for Decease Control (CDC) have issued travel advisories.

Including the U.S. in Coverage

An annual travel medical policy for someone living in the U.S. generally excludes coverage here. However, for expats and people who are essentially “world citizens” traveling regularly, including coverage for visits to the U.S. is important.

You need to include the U.S. in your insurance coverage if you are:

• Traveling to the U.S. or have a layover in it
• An expat who plans on visiting home each year

Note: Special rules apply to Puerto Rico and some other U.S. territories. Please ask about it.