If you’re planning on traveling out of the country, you’ll want to look into short-term healthcare coverage. International health insurance plans are usually the best way to get this kind of coverage.
Traveling abroad without coverage is risky, and medical care can be quite expensive if you end up needing it. Your health plan from your home country will not cover you, so you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket for emergencies if you decide to opt out of purchasing travel insurance.
Travel insurance plans can cover a variety of emergencies, from minor injuries to treatment for pre-existing medical conditions. You’ll want to make sure to do plenty of research so your insurance policy covers everything you might need.
Before you head out on your journey, take some time to compare international health insurance plans so you can experience the world with peace of mind.
What Is an International Medical Insurance Plan?
International health insurance is protection for travelers and expats who plan on spending an extended amount of time outside of their country of residence — either for leisure or for work purposes.
At Insured Nomads, our Global Health Insurance plan covers everything you need for your trip abroad, from emergency care to preventative and chronic care. Here are the benefits you’ll receive if you opt into this insurance plan.
Inpatient Care
An “inpatient” is someone who has to be admitted into the hospital for at least one night, but possibly longer. So, inpatient care simply refers to the act of caring for a patient who has to be admitted for medical observation and treatment.
When you get medical coverage from your international travel insurance company, inpatient care is included, with some exclusions.
Examples of inpatient care covered under your policy include a hospital stay due to childbirth, complicated surgeries such as organ transplants, and chemotherapy treatments. If you’re a U.S. citizen who’s traveling while pregnant, it’s a good idea to look into this coverage so you’ll have access to health care providers during your stay in a foreign country. Childbirth can be quite expensive, and even more so if there are complications, which makes health insurance coverage crucial.
Having help covering medical expenses like chemotherapy or childbirth can save you a lot of money in the long run. Every traveler should be able to get the care they need while vacationing or working outside of their home country.
Outpatient Care
An “outpatient” is someone whose care does not require them to stay overnight in a hospital. Patients who receive outpatient care will be consulted, treated, and discharged on the same day.
Some examples of outpatient care that are covered by travel medical insurance include a consultation with a physician, a trip to urgent care or an emergency room, lab work and blood tests, and treatments that can be obtained outside of a hospital setting (e.g. over-the-counter medication found at drug stores).
If you’re feeling under the weather or have minor health concerns, these types of visits will be covered under your Global Health Insurance plan.
Mental Health Treatment
Travelers with travel health insurance can gain access to mental health professionals through both inpatient and outpatient care. Their doctor will be able to connect them with a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist who fits their needs.
Insured Nomads also offers support for those struggling to overcome substance abuse. Your insurance plan will help cover the costs of obtaining the assistance you need. Traveling alone can be overwhelming for those in addiction recovery, which can often lead to relapse, so it’s a good idea to choose a plan that provides this kind of support.
Miscellaneous Assistance
There are a variety of other medical issues that might come up while you’re on your trip, and we have coverage for those things as well. Some additional medical expenses that insurance covers include the following:
- An ambulance
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Vaccinations
- Preventative screenings
- Prescription drugs
- Vision coverage
Travel can be unpredictable, and Insured Nomads wants to make sure you’re prepared for anything that could come your way. As an extra layer of protection, you’ll also receive an INC membership when you purchase a Global Health Insurance Plan or a regular travel insurance plan.
What Is an INC Membership?
Every expatriate or hobby traveler who opts into a Global Health Insurance Plan will also receive an INC membership at no extra cost to them. This membership gives you access to non-policy benefits that cover you even if you don’t file a claim for a covered instance. It’s particularly useful for people who just want a little bit of extra protection for themselves and their trip.
Benefits include urgent travel updates (for instance, on emergency situations or virus outbreaks), country-specific information, and telemedicine services in the language you feel most comfortable communicating in.
You’ll also get access to special perks and comfortable accommodations throughout your trip, which we’ll discuss below.
Travel Comforts
With our INC membership, you’ll have access to things like a secure VPN (virtual private network) to protect your devices from public networks. Connecting to public WiFi in airports can put your sensitive information at risk, so a VPN encrypts your personal data and secures your connection against people who might be looking to steal your information.
You’ll also be able to relax in the airport lounge and enjoy the comforts it has to offer while you’re waiting to board. This is perfect for you if you’re someone who likes to arrive early for your flight or who often has to take connecting flights. Airport lounges are often very accommodating, including amenities such as luxury food options, free spa treatments, and even a place to shower and sleep.
Make Connections
Your INC membership also allows you to easily connect with people in the local community. If you’re traveling alone, this is a great way to make new friends, stay informed about the country you’re visiting, and immerse yourself in your journey. With this membership, you’ll have help creating meaningful connections and learning more about the local history as you explore.
Important Information
If there’s anything you need to know while on your trip that could directly impact your health and wellness, we’ll make sure to notify you right away. This could mean health alerts sent out by the country you’re visiting, updates on the requirements surrounding vaccinations, or updates specific to people who are more susceptible to sickness.
It’s hard to keep up with everything that’s important, so we make sure travelers don’t have to.
Mental Health Counseling
Physical health benefits aren’t the only coverage you’ll get from your travel insurance provider. During an international trip, you’ll also have access to telemedicine services across a variety of languages, counseling with a therapist who has experience handling your unique needs, and guidance on how to perform a mental health assessment.
Traveling can take a major toll on a person’s mental health, so we help make sure you’re looking out for yours.
Emergency Situations
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to relocate due to a natural disaster, political threat, or other unexpected crisis, your insurance benefits will provide you with emergency evacuation and relocation coverage.
You’ll also receive support for medical emergencies if they should arise and a panic button that you can activate any day at any time. (You’ll need the mobile app for this.) Emergencies happen, and this plan ensures you’ll have all the coverage you need in case one happens to you.
How Much Does Global Health Insurance Cost?
The cost of global health coverage varies depending on your situation. Let’s say you are a 25-year-old traveling from the US to Canada and opting to pay a $500 deductible in the event of an emergency.
For a Global Health Insurance Preferred plan, you’ll pay around $443 per month. For a Global Health Insurance Preferred Plus Plan in the same situation, you’ll pay around $469 per month.
If you want to get an idea of how much you might pay before you apply, fill out our convenient quote form for an estimate.
Delayed, Interrupted, or Canceled Trips
Your international health insurance plan can only help cover medical expenses and provide access to mental health services. If you want protection from other issues that could arise on your trip — such as lost or stolen luggage, trip delay, trip interruption, or trip cancellation — you’ll need to purchase regular travel insurance for that.
Travel Insurance
A standard travel insurance plan through Insured Nomads will cover a variety of situations, including the theft or damage of your personal property. Here are some things you can have covered under your travel insurance plan:
- Personal property. If you are a victim of theft while traveling abroad, or the airline misplaces or damages your luggage, you can be reimbursed for that.
- Transportation. Things like emergency evacuation and repatriation for natural disasters or medical emergencies are covered as well, along with ambulance transport to your local ER or urgent care.
- Medical protection. If you purchase travel insurance through us, you’ll receive COVID-19 coverage, emergency dental coverage, 24/7 access to emergency medical care, and more.
Although standard travel medical insurance does include some medical benefits as listed above, it has different levels of coverage than your Global Health Insurance Plan.
Trip Delay Insurance
With this coverage, you’ll be protected if your trip is put on hold due to circumstances outside of your control. For instance, if the delay ends up causing you to wait so long that you need to purchase a meal at the airport, you can be reimbursed for that.
If the delay results in you missing your trip altogether, you can be reimbursed for the upfront costs associated with your trip. You can also access trip delay coverage under your INC membership that comes with your Global Health Insurance plan.
Trip Interruption Insurance
Trip interruption insurance applies when you are already at your destination and have to leave unexpectedly for a reason that you cannot control — for instance, dangerous weather conditions in the country you’re visiting. If you need to be evacuated for your safety due to a natural disaster, emergency evacuation is covered under your plan as well. You can also be reimbursed for costs such as airfare and hotel nights you didn’t get to use yet. Included in the World Explorer Guardian policies, get yours today.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip cancellation insurance applies when your trip is canceled before you even make it to the airport. If you have to cancel your trip due to a covered reason like a medical emergency, you can be reimbursed for costs you had to pay upfront. This can include airfare, living accommodations, and any fun experiences that had to be paid for and booked ahead of time, such as cooking classes, skydiving, or surf lessons.
Travel can be very unpredictable, and Global Health Insurance isn’t going to cover it all. It’s worth it to have as many layers of protection as possible, especially if you plan to be away from home for a long time, have a medical condition, or are a senior citizen. Included in the World Explorer Guardian policies, get yours today.
Why Insured Nomads?
When you purchase an international health insurance plan through Insured Nomads, you’ll receive a variety of perks for an affordable price. Plans are good for up to one year, but they can be renewed when necessary.
We make it easy to get the protection you need for your journey without the hassle. It’s just four simple steps:
- Fill out the quick quote form.
- Tell us about yourself and your passport.
- Answer a few questions about your health.
- Get your quote.
Not only do we make it easy to apply, but we also offer a ton of benefits that allow people to receive the care they need no matter where in the world they are. So, whether it’s chemotherapy, childbirth, or something else that you need assistance with, you can enjoy your time abroad without stress. Apply today for more information.
About Insured Nomads
Insured Nomads is the first to take an integrated traveltech, fintech and insurtech solution to the world for remote workers, globally distributed teams, expats, and travelers. Their purpose is to make travel as safe and smart as staying at home. They do this by providing health insurance with exceptional medical benefits in tandem with wellbeing, safety, security, and advanced tech-enabled solutions for ease of payment for healthcare, emergency response and evacuation. Insured Nomads is available through affinity relationships, direct, embedded and through select brokers and partners for groups and individuals.
Information on integration, collaboration and partnership contact Brett Estep: brett@insurednomads.com
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Sources:
How to Minimize the Risk of Relapse When You Travel | Hired Power
Complementary Medicines Overview | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Care: What’s the Difference? | Regis College
Inpatient vs. Outpatient: Different Types of Patient Care | St. George’s University
The Airport Lounge Scene: What You Get and How To Get in | The New York Times
