| So you want to leave the homeland for a while, see | | | | hotlines. They will advise you on the best hospitals in |
| the sights, take the pictures, or perhaps, do some | | | | the area, as well as the ins and outs of the local |
| business. You've packed the swimming trunks, the | | | | systems. It is strongly advised that, if possible, you |
| extra layers, the hiking boots, the sun screen, but | | | | consult your provider before seeking medical |
| the question remains: is your medical insurance | | | | attention in a foreign land. Also, insurance providers |
| traveling with you? What happens if you get to Brazil | | | | warn that most third world countries' hospital |
| like you always wanted to, and then, in a freak spilled | | | | systems require payment upfront for services |
| mojito accident, you break your ankle? What if the | | | | rendered. This fee would be reimbursed by the plan. |
| escargot from that charming Parisian restaurant | | | | The most pressing concern is the case of an |
| reacts badly with your American digestive system, | | | | emergency medical evacuation from a foreign |
| and you are suddenly in the throes of the worst | | | | country back to the US. Evacuations are necessary |
| food poisoning you've experienced in your life? It is | | | | when a very serious medical condition arises, and the |
| no small matter; according to the US Center for | | | | traveler/patient must be transported back to the |
| Disease Control and Prevention, one half of US | | | | care of his/her primary care physician or a |
| travelers heading to another country will experience | | | | home-based expert. This can cost upwards of |
| some sort of health problem while abroad. Ever since | | | | $10,000 as it is a coordinated effort between several |
| the Michael Moore film, "Sicko," came out, we all | | | | hospitals and at least one airline. Most travel insurance |
| know that many other countries (well, specifically | | | | plans provide the option for specific coverage for this |
| France, Canada, and Cuba) provide affordable, | | | | contingency. Another aspect to consider when |
| sometimes free, healthcare to their citizens, but how | | | | traveling abroad, is the cost of sudden cancellations, |
| does it work for us, Americans, abroad? Well, the | | | | or changes in travel plans as a result of medical or |
| truth is, unless you make special preparations, the | | | | other emergencies. In an era when airline companies |
| outlook is not good. According to "most US insurance | | | | are logging record numbers of lost luggage, this |
| companies, HMOs, PPOs or Medicare [plans] do not | | | | aspect of travelers insurance provides reimbursement |
| provide adequate medical insurance." There may be | | | | for the purchase of clothes and other necessities. In |
| exceptions, and you should look into the fine print of | | | | this sense, you could come out a winner: imagine an |
| your plan, but every major US health insurance | | | | 'emergency' shopping trip at the fabulous designer |
| providers suggests getting some form of traveler's | | | | stores of Milan. So, whether you are planning a road |
| insurance. Unfortunately, there is no foreign country | | | | trip to Canada, or a fourteen day hike in Machu Pichu, |
| that provides free health care for travelers. Travel | | | | pack some warm socks, swim trunks, and your new |
| insurance plans provide three types of coverage: for | | | | friend, Mr. Traveler's Insurance. |
| medical care when abroad, the cost of emergency | | | | Pucher Insurance: Providers of health insurance, travel |
| medical evacuation, and reimbursement for sudden | | | | medical insurance and group travel insurance for |
| trip cancellations and lost luggage. Should you require | | | | Canadians traveling abroad and visitors medical |
| medical attention while abroad, most insurance | | | | insurance for non-Canadians who visit Canada. |
| companies provide support in the form of emergency | | | | |