Finding travel insurance with pre-existing conditions may actually be less of a headache than it sounds. Thanks to relatively flexible terms and the short-term nature of most travel insurance, it may actually be easier to find affordable travel insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage than regular health insurance in a home country. There are several factors that should be considered when choosing this type of travel health insurance, including the exact definition of a pre-existing condition, the limitations of the plan, and the timing of the booking.
Travel insurance plans often have a more flexible definition of a pre-existing condition than regular health care plans. Usually, any condition that has not changed recently or is controlled with medication is not considered a pre-existing condition. This means that people with permanent problems, such as asthma or chronic injuries, may not need to seek special travel insurance with coverage of pre-existing conditions if they can prove that their condition has been under control for a while. time.
In most cases, a serious illness or injury in recent years that may recur, a change in diagnosis or medications, or the symptoms of an impending medical condition may require a person to find a specialized insurance package. Some programs also consider a person with a pre-existing condition if they have recently undergone medical treatment, tests, or consultations, even if there is currently no health problem. With some plans, the time limits can be much shorter, meaning a person who hasn’t had a medical problem in the past six months can be considered free from pre-existing conditions.
Many insurance companies offer travel insurance plans that offer limited or unlimited coverage. Limited coverage may not include any help with medical expenses resulting from a pre-existing condition, such as a flare-up of a recent injury. In some cases, the exclusion of pre-existing conditions is canceled for emergency situations, such as medical evacuation or the return of remains in the event of death. Unlimited plans usually include coverage for pre-existing conditions, but should be carefully scrutinized for any exclusions.
One loophole that many insurance policies build into pre-existing coverage exclusions is a waiver that can be applied by purchasing insurance within a few days or weeks of booking a trip. To meet the requirements for this type of waiver, the insurance package must be purchased at approximately the same time a travel deposit is made or the first travel payment is made. Different companies have different time limits for a pre-existing condition waiver, so be sure to check the specific time limits.
The downside to unlimited travel insurance with pre-existing conditions is that it tends to be more expensive, as the risk of illness or injury can be greater. On the other hand, traveler’s insurance is often inexpensive overall, as it usually only covers a few days or weeks of travel. Many travel experts recommend purchasing traveler health coverage even for those with pre-existing conditions, in order to avoid the potentially tragic possibility of being stranded without coverage in a foreign area.
Author: Joshua Newman
