Emergency Medical Insurance Question

Countries are different so perhaps looking on the UK consulate website would provide what information you're looking for. What I mean by different is: when a travel partner was hospitalized in Switzerland in 2017, payment for the ambulance was due at the time of service they took a credit-card, the bill was only 250 dollars. The hospital required either payment before departure or a "promise letter to pay from our insurance company" which was Medicare. I didn't even know how to get a letter from our government so the bill was paid prior to checking out. A several-day hospital stay was only 13 thousand dollars, which included all medications etc. they also took a debit card. The bank was contacted to allow the over-the daily-limit charge. After arrival home Medicare covered the cost and the money was reimbursed in less than 30 days. Many years ago in the 1990's on a diving vacation to the south pacific we contacted the insurance company for a promise letter for air-evacuation/getting the bends prior to leaving the USA, received it and never needed it.

Good luck to you and hopefully all of the hoops you are jumping through will all be for nothing. J

joanne1108, were you covered under a Medicare advantage plan? Normal Medicare doesnt cover anything overseas, medicare overseas

You need to look at the details of any policy, while you may have great coverage, there may be things that Medicare does not cover, maybe the purchased policy will. I would think that the medical portion of the policy, as a secondary, would be relatively cheap. Having a backup for little cost is only prudent. One benefit though, medical costs in Europe, even if you pay out of pocket, are a fraction of those here in the US, and some emergency services are not billed out.

You do need evacuation, lots of expenses that would not be covered there.

As for Trip insurance, this usually costs the most, based on cost of the trip. If it is an organized tour where you put up a large nonrefundable amount, fine, if independent, lots of refundable costs, then you really need to figure out the amount you will actually be out, you don't get reimbursed for hotels rooms that are cancellable, any credits you take from airlines reduce your reimbursement, etc. Insure only what is at risk. My trip, as an independent traveler, might cost $10-12K for a month, but my exposure may only be a $1000.

Either the OP went back and edited his post, or people simply aren't taking the time to read what he posted.

He clearly states he has a Medicare Advantage plan that covers services received outside the US, but his concern is for the possibility of a "cash upfront" cost while waiting for insurance reimbursement.

My suggestion, simply make sure you have a credit card with a pretty good limit on it as a back up. I don't think the UK will require payment prior to treatment the way it can happen in some countries. Look at the coverage you already have on credit cards for medical evacuation.

My personal solution to this issue is to have my Medicare Advantage coverage for urgent and emergency care and a Medjet policy for medical evacuation. Based on an approved repayment guarantee, Medjet will provide access for up to $60,000 to take care of any immediate medical needs.

In England emergency treatment is provided free to all visitors in an hospital's Accident & Emergency Department as an outpatient, including any necessary ambulance to get there. However, should admittance to the hospital be required as an inpatient, in general payment will be required at some stage (there are some exceptions but I'm trying to keep this simple). Paperwork is provided for patients to reclaim the costs from their insurers. Avoiding upfront payments is possible if the insurance documentation is judged sufficient to assure payments will be settled in full through the insurers.

Note that an outstanding bill of £500 or more after 2 months is reported to the immigration authorities.

As far as I know in England you should be billed at some point but this will probably be long after your discharge. You may not ever even receive a bill. Our hospitals are not really set up for billing although I think they are trying to get better at charging people who don’t qualify for NHS care.

FWIW, in Salzburg at the ER we paid a small amount upfront and then received a small bill a few months later.

As noted above, you really, really need to look into medevac insurance - not just to the nearest hospital, to your home hospital! And as also noted, if you're feeling brave just make sure you have a credit card with a nice high limit and press your luck.

Two popular sites for travel insurance are Squaremouth and Insuremytrip, they will help explain how it works and how it interfaces with your existing insuracen.

I have twice had to avail myself of the NHS in England.

The first time was in a hospital emergency room when I sliced my finger open.

I was treated and sent on my way. No charge.

The second time was a doctors visit for a prescription. Again, no charge.

I spoke to the people at the clinic where I saw the doctor and they said the UK has universal health care so even if a visitor needs medical help, it will probably be free.

Of course, if you need surgery or some special treatment, you might be charged but it will cost nowhere near what it costs in the US.

I have a medicare supplement plan that has international coverage but I also have an addition health plan that covers more.

Most importantly, I have a Medjet Assist policy that will get me to a hospital of my choice if I need serious medical care and the local doctor gives his or her okay for me to travel.

My wife needed to see a GP in Scotland about a lingering cold that turned into an ear infection. Got two weeks of antibiotics right in the doctor's office. Charge was 60 GBP all in. Paid cash; will submit to our travel insurance company. Easy. I'd think the OP would do something similar but with their Medicare Advantage company.