During my travels across the US and the world, I have never bought trip insurance or travel medical insurance. Fortunately, I've never experienced a loss that would have been covered by insurance or by a credit card benefit, such as lost luggage. However, as I transition to Medicare with a Medigap G plan next year, I see that my AARP Medigap Plan G includes 'Foreign Travel Emergency' coverage. They say:
"Foreign Travel Medical Emergency Care – UnitedHealthcare will pay benefits, to the extent not covered by Medicare, for 80% of the billed charges for Medicare Eligible Expenses for hospital, physician and medical care received in a foreign country due to a Medical Emergency, if such care would have been covered by Medicare if provided in the United States."
and they define a medical emergency reasonably as:
"Medical Emergency – The sudden and unexpected onset of symptoms, Sickness, Injury or a condition that would be deemed, under appropriate United States medical standards, to carry substantial risk of serious medical complication or permanent damage to you if care or services are withheld."
One aspect that may not be addressed is emergency evacuation from a remote location. It's worth noting that I am open to receiving initial treatment from a foreign doctor or hospital in case of an emergency, such as a broken bone, until I can safely return home.
Additionally, it's worth noting that the benefit has a lifetime limit of $50,000. However, should I exhaust this limit, I could potentially restart the benefit with a different Medigap insurance provider by taking advantage of California's Birthday Rule, which allows for a switch without underwriting.
So, has this 'Foreign Travel Emergency' benefit worked for you?
"Foreign Travel Medical Emergency Care – UnitedHealthcare will pay benefits, to the extent not covered by Medicare, for 80% of the billed charges for Medicare Eligible Expenses for hospital, physician and medical care received in a foreign country due to a Medical Emergency, if such care would have been covered by Medicare if provided in the United States."
and they define a medical emergency reasonably as:
"Medical Emergency – The sudden and unexpected onset of symptoms, Sickness, Injury or a condition that would be deemed, under appropriate United States medical standards, to carry substantial risk of serious medical complication or permanent damage to you if care or services are withheld."
One aspect that may not be addressed is emergency evacuation from a remote location. It's worth noting that I am open to receiving initial treatment from a foreign doctor or hospital in case of an emergency, such as a broken bone, until I can safely return home.
Additionally, it's worth noting that the benefit has a lifetime limit of $50,000. However, should I exhaust this limit, I could potentially restart the benefit with a different Medigap insurance provider by taking advantage of California's Birthday Rule, which allows for a switch without underwriting.
So, has this 'Foreign Travel Emergency' benefit worked for you?