An overseas trip can be an exciting adventure. But what if you need medical treatment? Even in the safest countries, there’s always at least a slight risk of illness or injury. Will your Iowa health insurance cover international travel, or should you apply for some extra medical coverage? It depends on your current health plan and what care you’re most likely to need.
Overseas Coverage
Many but not all insurance plans cover necessary medical treatment in foreign countries. You’ll need to bring your insurer’s claim form and card. With a few exceptions, standard Medicare doesn’t provide health care outside of the United States. Certain Medicare supplemental plans add overseas coverage, and you can also obtain separate insurance for this purpose.
Treatment Restrictions
Your insurer might restrict overseas medical care, such as only covering emergency treatment. Some Iowans qualify for non-emergency care if they visit specific health providers that their insurance companies have approved. You’ll probably need to seek treatment in the country you visit; standard medical plans rarely cover medical evacuations.
Additional Coverage
If you discover that your existing plan doesn’t offer adequate international coverage, several solutions exist. You could acquire travel health insurance, medical evacuation insurance, or a supplemental Medicare policy. Another option is to switch to a completely different medical plan that covers more types of treatment when you travel abroad.
Brown-Hurst Insurance Agency Inc. can help you choose a policy with suitable international coverage. Our independent agency also offers Medicare supplemental and travel insurance plans from an assortment of trusted insurers. We have offices in Union, Eldora, and Marshalltown, Iowa. To find the right health coverage for your next overseas trip, please call 641-939-3404 to reach Brown-Hurst Insurance Agency Inc.
