Traveling Outside U.S.? Consider Overseas Medical Policy

If you are planning a timeshare vacation outside the U.S., you should consider purchasing overseas medical insurance. Not all U.S. medical insurance policies include coverage outside the U.S. Those that do often provide more limited coverage than what you're used to at home. You also need to consider the fact that policy holders generally pay for overseas medical expenses out-of-pocket then submit the bills to their insurance carrier for reimbursement which, unfortunately, often doesn't meet expectations. If you're over 65, you should be aware that Medicare will not cover medical expenses outside the U.S., and Medicare Supplement Plans C-J provide only limited foreign travel benefits. If you don't carry supplemental insurance or have only Medicare Supplement plan A or B, you should definitely purchase overseas medical insurance before you leave the country. Here are a few pointers on purchasing overseas medical insurance:

• Get a policy that provides primary, not secondary, medical coverage. Primary insurance will pay your bills even if you have other insurance. Usually primary policies will also pay the hospital or doctor upfront so you don't have to use your travelling cash.
• Look for a policy that covers a reasonable number and type of emergencies, including dental coverage, evacuation and repatriation expenses. Most overseas insurance policies offer reasonably-priced bundles that include medical/dental services and emergency transportation.
• Get a policy that covers existing medical conditions. Disputes over existing conditions is a frequent complaint of overseas travelers.
• When submitting a claim outside the U.S., follow the carrier's procedures precisely. Remember that pre-authorization is usually required for all but emergency procedures. Policies may specify which doctors or hospitals are authorized to provide treatment. With emergency procedures, you may have to notify the carrier within a set period of time in order to be covered. Coverage may be denied if claim procedures are not properly followed.
• If you plan to purchase other travel insurance, notably trip-interruption or trip cancellation insurance, look for cost-effective bundled packages. Buy only as much insurance as you need and opt for bare bones policies over those with all the bells and whistles.

Several online companies offer cost-effective insurance bundles for travelers, including:

• 1TravelInsurance.com
• InsureMyTrip.com
• QuoteWright.com
• QuoteTravelInsurance.com
• TotalTravelInsurance.com