By Steve Dinnen
My longtime friend Rick is a global explorer. He’ll go to Botswana one month, Egypt the next, then take some time off before a month-long trek through Pakistan. Wherever he goes, he packs light, wears sensible shoes and makes sure his medical insurance is up to date and in force.
Medicare works fine for most folks in the United States. But it is strictly for domestic use, and benefits it offers do not travel, with Rick or anyone else. Private insurance for those not using Medicare or Medicaid isn’t an easy option, either. In instances where it does come into play, it’s only for emergencies and life-threatening situations.
However, with Americans taking more than 100 million international trips every year, insurance companies have figured out a solution. These are short-term policies, meant to pay health care expenses you might incur by way of an accident or illness in a foreign country. They typically offer a tier of coverage plans that cover not only medical expenses but trip interruptions, lost baggage and even bail money should legal problems arise.
But back to medical coverage: We looked at two of many available plans to see examples of what the market looks like.
The first is a year-long policy from Axa, which offers three levels of coverage, with corresponding prices and benefit options. At the Explorer level ($293), you’ll get $15,000 of coverage for medical expenses, or $100,000 for evacuation should that become necessary. Explorer Annual Plus ($470) allows for $25,000 for medical care and $150,000 for evacuation, while Explorers Annual Max ($740), qualifies for $50,000 for medical expenses and $250,000 for evacuation. You can add on sports coverage (for ski slopes, mainly) for an extra $55.
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection does not have an annual plan, preferring single-trip coverage for periods of up to 60 days. Their three-level plans cost $458, $537 or $555 (all for individuals). Medical expenses are covered at $50,000, $75,000 or $150,000 and have evacuation plans worth up to $1 million.
All these insurers operate on a reimbursement basis. So you pay for your care, save your receipts, and then apply for reimbursement once you return home. Some plans require you to first call to find a medical care provider they work with. They all have hotlines that are staffed 24-7.
The upside of getting sick abroad
Medical care in a foreign land costs money, but it’s probably way cheaper than what you’ll pay in the United States.
The United States has the world’s most expensive health care. Americans spend around $14,000 annually, about twice as much as the average in Switzerland, the next costliest country. Fortunately for travelers, routine medical care in many countries is relatively cheap. A trip to the doctor’s office in Berlin typically runs $30-$50. In Madrid, it’s $60-$110. Paris is a pretty affordable $35.
I’ve had occasions to consult physicians in Toronto and Sydney, Australia. Both were visits to clinics and neither cost more than $90. I had a huge pain in my lower leg upon exiting a flight to London and, fearing deep vein thrombosis, sought out a clinic that arranged for an ultrasound. Same-day service cost me $110 (and I was fine). That same procedure in Des Moines runs between $115 and $293.
You can find physicians and clinics easily enough with online searches. Your hotel can make a recommendation, and U.S. embassies have lists of health care providers.
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