What Health Insurance for Travel Do You Need?

Health insurance for travel can help cover unexpected medical costs abroad when your regular health insurance does not provide adequate international coverage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that international travelers check existing health insurance and consider additional travel health insurance and medical evacuation coverage before departure.

Does Regular Health Insurance Cover International Travel?

Regular health insurance may not provide comprehensive coverage during international travel. Coverage depends on the insurer, policy terms, destination, and type of medical care required.

The CDC advises travelers to confirm what medical services are covered overseas before departure. Travelers may need to pay healthcare providers upfront, depending on the policy and destination.

Coverage Type	What May Be Covered	Important Consideration
Regular health insurance	Some emergency treatment abroad	International coverage varies by policy
Travel health insurance	Medical treatment and emergencies during a trip	Check exclusions and coverage limits
Medical evacuation insurance	Emergency transportation to appropriate medical care	May be separate or included in travel coverage
Travel disruption insurance	Cancellation or interruption costs	Does not necessarily cover medical treatment

What Does Travel Health Insurance Cover?

Travel health insurance typically covers eligible medical expenses arising during an overseas trip, subject to policy terms and exclusions. Travel health coverage can vary significantly between insurers and plans.

Common areas of travel insurance and health coverage can include

• Emergency medical treatment
• Hospitalization and inpatient care
• Emergency dental treatment
• Ambulance services
• Prescription medication related to covered treatment
• Medical evacuation or repatriation
• 24-hour medical assistance

When Is Health Insurance for Traveling Abroad Especially Important?

Health insurance for traveling abroad can be particularly important for travelers visiting countries with expensive healthcare or limited access to medical facilities. Travelers with medical conditions, adventure activities, or longer trips should pay particular attention to coverage.

Before purchasing health insurance to travel, check:

• Whether pre-existing conditions are covered
• Whether planned activities are covered
• Whether emergency evacuation is included
• The maximum medical benefit
• Policy exclusions and deductibles
• Whether hospitals can bill the insurer directly
• Whether coverage applies to every destination on the itinerary

Travelers should also consider the length of the trip. Pacific Prime’s travel insurance information distinguishes short trips from longer stays where short-term health insurance may provide more comprehensive medical protection.

Does Travel Insurance Include Medical Evacuation?

Some travel insurance policies include medical evacuation, while others require separate medical evacuation coverage. Medical evacuation can become important when suitable treatment is unavailable locally or when a traveler needs transportation to another facility.

The U.S. Department of State notes that medical evacuation by air ambulance can cost between USD 20,000 and USD 200,000, depending on the traveler’s location and medical condition. Travelers visiting remote destinations should therefore check whether emergency evacuation is included in health insurance during international travel.

The CDC also recommends considering medical evacuation insurance when traveling to remote areas or destinations where appropriate medical care may be difficult to access.

How Should You Choose Health Insurance for Travel?

Travelers should choose health insurance based on the destination, trip length, planned activities, medical needs, and level of international protection required. A short holiday may require different coverage from an extended overseas stay or multi-country trip.

Pacific Prime compares travel and international health insurance from multiple providers, including:

• Allianz: Pacific Prime offers Allianz insurance plans, including travel insurance, with Allianz providing personal and commercial insurance solutions.
• Bupa: Bupa offers global health insurance for people living or working abroad as well as travel insurance covering risks such as cancellations, lost property, and emergency medical treatment.
• Cigna: Cigna provides international health insurance for globally mobile individuals, with flexible coverage options and access to healthcare services internationally.

When comparing health insurance for traveling abroad, travelers should look beyond the premium and consider medical benefit limits, deductibles, exclusions, geographical coverage, emergency assistance, and the duration of cover.

How Much Does Short-Term Health Insurance Cost?

The cost of short-term health insurance depends on the plan and the level of coverage selected. Travelers should consider more than the monthly premium when comparing policies.

Typical costs can include:

• Premium: The amount paid for insurance coverage.
• Deductible: The amount paid toward covered healthcare before the insurer contributes.
• Coinsurance: The percentage of covered costs shared after the deductible.
• Copay: A fixed amount paid for certain healthcare services.

Travelers should compare these costs alongside coverage limits, exclusions, healthcare benefits, and the duration of protection.

Conclusion

Health insurance for travel should match the length, purpose, and medical needs of your trip. Travel insurance can provide emergency medical coverage alongside protection for travel-related risks, while short-term health insurance can provide more comprehensive healthcare protection for longer temporary stays.

Planning an international trip? Pacific Prime UK can help you compare travel insurance and short-term health insurance options based on your destination, trip length, and coverage needs. Get the right plan for you at Pacific Prime.

Frequently Asked Questions