We are traveling to Europe in July. Our flights are on award tickets, all our hotels can be cancelled without penalty, we have nothing that is non refundable.
We need to insure for preexisting conditions since I have high blood pressure. When looking at insuremytip what do i put for trip cost? As of now I have paid nothing that can’t be recouped. I want a policy that will cover us if we have a medical problem since we are both 70. Please help me figure this out!
Maybe just look at a medical expense policy since basic Medicare won't cover you outside the US. Geo-Blue has some options that are pretty reasonable and cover medical-related costs since you don't have much to lose in terms of your travel costs. You can find more details at the GeoBlueTravelInsurance.com website. That's the route I've taken when traveling with award tickets and cancellable hotels.
Thank you.
Minor correction ... If you have original Medicare with a Medigap (also called Supplement) policy, you are covered outside the USA with a $250 deductible. If you have an Advantage plan, check with your insurer ... maybe you're covered?
We do have medicare with an Aetna supplement. I was under the impression that since our primary medicare did not include payment outside the US, then the supplement would also not pay. is this not the case?
@jlouky,
The best thing to do is to call the number on your supplement card. There are many different plans. The only way to know for sure is to check with your insurance provider.
Even if you have medical coverage, you still may want to purchase medical evacuation insurance.
I put in zero for my trip cost. In my situation, my accommodations have a good cancellation policy and I can absorb the amount of the airline tickets, if needed. I want to insure those expenses I feel that I cannot absorb, which are medical emergencies. Currently I have a good medical plan that will cover me while traveling. But even then, I buy a plan that has a high medical evacuation & repatriation policy which also includes emergency medical.
AARP/United Healthcare's Medigap Plan G provides coverage outside the US. There's a lifetime cap of $50,000. We also obtain a yearly Medjet membership to cover emergency medical evacuation home if we choose.
To clarify, some Medicare supplement plans and some Medicare advantage plans. My plan F has $50,000 lifetime international coverage. It reimburses costs; no direct billing out of the US. You need to check your policy for coverage and restrictions. Medicare A and B will not cover you outside of the US.
Besides medical, you want evacuation. Medjet will get you home instead of to the nearest facility. Look at their website; there are two plans.
Buy Medjet.
Gail, did you get coverage for preexisting conditions? If so, how? That is my biggest concern right now. Had I bought the insurance when I paid the taxes on my award tickets, I would not be in this mess. Live and learn.
I have used GeoBlue for medical insurance on several previous trips. They have an option that covers preexisting conditions.
Thanks, I am leaning toward Geo blue or Medjet. Need to check on Medigap to see if I am at least covered for 50,000.
I'm going to add one tidbit about evacuation coverage. We used to buy MedJet but they only offer simple coverage for people up to 70. Once you hit 70, they require an additional application as well as a note from your doctor, which really bugged me.
I've switched to AirMed. No such age limitation and they have an incredible network of their own air ambulances and life support stuff. I hope I never need the policy but I like the service they offer.
We buy an annual policy for the two of us. It's about $350 for the entire year - for both of us. https://www.airmed.com
The other thing we buy is a bit of medical coverage through Divers Alert Network. https://dan.org
I don't insure any trip cost with them - I buy 50K of medical bills. I like Divers Alert Network because they just pick up their phone and answer my questions. It's secondary coverage - after your own medical care if they cover anything - but they do direct pay the first $1000, which is very helpful and is worth a lot (just not in the US:)
I just bought a policy from DAN for a month-long Germany trip. It was $120 for both of us.
Valerie, I had no problems buying an annual Medjet policy last year when I was 71. I just did a dummy application. The age restriction starts at 74. Then you have to call. I don't know how the process from there.
Thanks, Horsewoofie, that was my typo. It is indeed 74. Thanks for catching that!
Has anyone used Geoblue for a medical problem while in Europe? I think that’s where we are leaning and just wondering if anyone has experience with them when needed.
jlouky, did you ever contact your Medicare Supplement provider to determine what coverage you already had?
Yes, our Meidare supplement covers 80% after deductible up to 50,000 lifetime benefit. After talking with them we found out they will pay nothing up front. We have to pay out of pocket and submit bills to them when we return to the states.
I am looking to add to that in case of catastrophic or medical evacuation.
Geoblue pays directly to medical provider, so no waiting to be reimbursed.
I was just wondering if anyone had experience with them.
