TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2015
Going overseas on vacation can be a great adventure. You've spent months making plans, 
shopping for the right clothes, getting passports and checking your health insurance incase of emergency. Oops! You forgot to check your health insurance.
How do you know what is considered an emergency? Insurance companies use "Prudent Layperson Standard"to determine what qualifies as an emergency. If a reasonable person thinks the condition might lead to death or permanent damage, it is a covered emergency, regardless of the diagnosis.
Say for example, you experience chest pain and go to the emergency room thinking you might be having a heart attack (which is exactly what you should do) you will be covered even if it turns out to be nothing more than indigestion.
Hospitals and doctors abroad cannot bill your insurance company so most likely you will have to pay upfront for your medical care. When you return home, you can file a claim and submit your receipts. Your expenses may be covered the same way as if you were at home including deductibles and co-pays.
Pinkeye, poison ivy, mild cases of the flu, and other maladies that don't put life or limb in serious danger are rarely covered abroad. And even if an initial symptom qualifies as an emergency, you'll probably have to pay for follow-up care overseas.
Many U.S. consulates have lists of local doctors, although the State Department makes a point of saying that it doesn't endorse them or guarantee the quality of service. Embassies and consulates can also facilitate medical evacuations and, if you need money to pay a hospital, help arrange for cash to be wired from home.
Don't expect countries with free health care, like Canada, to pick up your tab: Coverage is intended for citizens only.
A temporary travel health insurance policy can provide this type of coverage for a relatively small cost . Some credit cards even provide travel insurance that could help.
As always, we are here for you. Call us before your vacation, later may be too late.
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