Short-Term Travel Insurance (also known as Visitors Insurance) provides health insurance and peace of
mind while you’re away from home. Your regular health insurance may or may not cover you for
emergencies when traveling. Even if it does, coverage is usually limited to life-threatening situations or
ones that cannot wait, such as a broken leg.
Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, unexpected illnesses, injuries and accidents can
result in large bills. If you plan on traveling to or from the U.S., purchasing travel medical insurance
makes a lot of sense. If you are a senior, it’s extremely important; Medicare does not provide coverage
outside the U.S. Head over to our Senior Travel Insurance page for more information.

Things to be aware of:

• Travel medical insurance covers medical care for non-emergency situations, such as an ear infection,
  flu, or a persistent cough, but does not cover preventive care.
• Some policies limit or exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• Injuries from recreational activities, such as bicycle or horseback riding, are covered, but most travel policies exclude adventure sports or competing in organized sport events.
• Many travel insurance carriers provide 24/7 customer support, including translators.

Additionally, some policies cover the cost upfront if you need care; others require you to pay for care and file
for reimbursement. Visitors to the U.S. should consider buying insurance from U.S.-based carriers. It is
likely to be recognized and honored by more hospitals and doctors in the U.S.

Meeting VISA and Entry Requirements

Many countries started requiring visitors to show they have travel medical insurance upon arrival even
before the COVID-19 pandemic. So, carrying evidence you have travel insurance may be as important as
carrying your passport upon arrival.

If you are visiting Europe for up to 90 days, odds are you need a Schengen Visa, which requires proof of
travel medical insurance that meets their specified coverage requirements before being admitted.
Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers 26 countries in Europe. There are no border
controls within the Schengen Zone. However, proof of Schengen-adequate insurance is necessary.

What Affects the Cost of Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance costs are based on:

• Length of the trip: Costs are based on the number of days.
• Your age: Like other medical insurance coverage, the price is higher for people who are older.
• Amount of coverage: The total amount covered and choice of deductible affect the cost.
• Medical conditions covered: Policies that cover pre-existing conditions cost more.
• Cost of local health care: Health-care costs at your destination can drive up the price.
• Cost of the trip: Pricing for policies with trip protection coverage is also based on trip cost.
• Destination: Healthcare costs vary widely in different parts of the world. For example, coverage within the U.S. typically costs more than coverage elsewhere.

We are proud to feature GeoBlue travel medical insurance for U.S. residents traveling outside the U.S.
These plans are accepted in over 180 countries. Yes, these plans meet the Schengen Visa requirements.
Feel free to click here to price and purchase coverage.

For visitors to the U.S. (inbound) or including parts of the U.S. in their itinerary, we usually recommend
Safe Travels USA from Trawick International.
https://portal.trawickinternational.com/quote/product/119?agent=9696

A+ Plus Insurance Service also offers travel insurance from other carriers that could be better for elderly,
visitors to the U.S., and other groups. Contact us to help determine which plan best fits your needs and
your budget.

Admitted coverage versus non-admitted coverage

There are big differences in your rights when you buy travel health insurance. Some plans are licensed
and regulated in the U.S., while others are issued by companies outside the U.S. Plans that are U.S.
licensed and approved are called “admitted insurance” and afford the strongest consumer protections.
At RightPlan, we do sell some non-admitted policies, but from carriers we worked with for a long
time.

Admitted health insurance advantages include:

1. Consumer Protection U.S. insurance laws are strict to protect consumers. Policy language must be
fair and meet the plan English definition. Policy wording, plan definitions, exclusions, claims
turnaround times, formal appeals process must meet regulatory guidelines.
2. Global Provider Networks What good is insurance if you can’t find a doctor you trust? The best
plans give you access to the best providers who are able to bill the insurance company directly. In
addition, providers are selected based on their medical credentials, language proficiency and more.
ALWAYS ask the insurer what their credentialing process entails.
3. Richer Benefits Admitted benefits tend to be broader and deeper with fewer surprises at time of
claim.
4. The table below illustrates major differences between and admitted policy and a popular non
admitted policy.

Coverage Considerations	Sample Provisions Admitted Policy	Sample Provisions Non-Admitted Policy
Conforms to U.S. health insurance laws	Yes	No
Pre-Existing conditions covered to policy limit*	Yes	No
Terrorism covered with no excluded countries	Yes	No
Pre-certification not required for hospitalization	Yes	No
Cashless access to profiled physicians and hospitals in 180 countries	Yes	No