Travel Medical Insurance from Gateway Insurance Plans

Millions of tourists travel oversees every year. Traveling abroad can be exciting and educational, but for some, the experience can turn into a disaster if a medical emergency or health issue arises. Health care treatment abroad is often extremely expensive and many foreign countries do not accept U.S. health insurance. Depending upon the area you are visiting and the policies of that country, you may be denied health care if you are unable to provide valid travel medical insurance or cash payment. Basic medical expenses, hospital rates and evacuation back to the United States can all add up to thousands of dollars.

What is Travel Medical Insurance?

Travel Medical Insurance will protect you in the event of an injury or illness. It will pay for your medical bills abroad and even pay for you to be evacuated back to the U.S. if necessary. The cost of an international travel insurance policy is quite low compared to the protection it provides. Since most insurance carriers (including the Social Security Medicare Program) do not cover medical costs outside the U.S. it is vital to purchase a travel medical insurance plan before going abroad.

Who Needs Travel Health Insurance Coverage?

Anyone who travels abroad needs visitors health insurance coverage. Whether you are a student studying abroad, a family going overseas on vacation, a business traveler, or a long-term backpacker, if you are going to a foreign country you need to purchase insurance. You may choose between short-term and long-term policies depending on the duration of your stay abroad. Not all plans provide coverage for adventurous travelers, however, so if you intend to go bungee jumping or take part in other risky activities, you will need to be certain your policy will cover them.

Is Travel Health Insurance the Same as Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is not the same thing as travel medical insurance. Travel insurance covers the trip itself. If you need to cancel your trip at the last minute, your policy will reimburse your costs. It will pay for you to replace lost or stolen luggage. Your plan will often pay for you to make alternate travel arrangements if you become separated from your tour group or need to come home sooner than you had planned. What travel insurance will not do is pay for any health care you need while you are abroad. You need a separate travel health insurance policy for medical treatment and emergency assistance coverage.