Handling an injury on a solo cruise

[new_cruiser]

On 6/20/2019 at 3:32 PM, Steeler Nation At Sea said:

That said, I was reviewing my plan the other day and was considering increasing the medical limit as it seems low by American standards. I hate to be the rube that asks this question, but, as a point of reference, would you mind sharing your hospital bill grand total?

 

No problem, I'd meant to include that. I'm on the Costa Rica trip now so I don't have the exact number, but it was around $11,000. This is a very good hospital in Costa Rica for pre-surgery tests, surgery & 3 nights in the hospital.

 

9 hours ago, bones774 said:

Can some people educate me on Medicare advantage plan? AM I correct in thinking Medicare does not cover outside the state's. I'm not familiar with Medicare yet.

Thanks

 

Medicare parts A, B & D don't cover outside the US (other than some exceptions for an emergency in the US where the closest care is in Canada).

 

Some Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans cover international emergency medical care. Mine does and paid the whole bill except for a $500 co-pays (same co-pays as if they had provided the care).

 

"Medicare and You", which you can download from www.medicare.gov , is a good place to start researching your Medicare coverage options, but I think you have to look into each plan to check about international coverage. It wasn't even in the coverage summary for my plan. I verified it by checking online & calling the plan's customer service line.

[rkacruiser]

22 hours ago, new_cruiser said:

"Medicare and You", which you can download from www.medicare.gov , is a good place to start researching your Medicare coverage options, but I think you have to look into each plan to check about international coverage. It wasn't even in the coverage summary for my plan.

 

Good advice for both international travel as well as what is covered domestically.  Just this year, I have discovered that my Medicare Advantage plan covers visits to a specialist that I had been told some years ago that the specialty was not covered.

[emmak8]

Thank you so much, New_Cruiser , for sharing your experience. You had quite an adventure and glad to know you are on the mend. 

I broke my hip disembarking in Southampton. Surgery, hospital stay until "fit to fly" took 11 days. I cruise now more than ever.

My sincerest suggestion is to follow all physical therapy. And keep moving.

[crusinpsychRN]

My experience was a broken leg after jumping off a director's chair while making of my brother. When the cast came off I figured I'd be able to use my leg and walk just fine but no, had to have a cane or a crutch for a few weeks. Never made fun of my brother again.

[crusinpsychRN]

On 4/18/2020 at 7:50 PM, crusinpsychRN said:

My experience was a broken leg after jumping off a director's chair while making of my brother. When the cast came off I figured I'd be able to use my leg and walk just fine but no, had to have a cane or a crutch for a few weeks. Never made fun of my brother again.

 

...while making fun of my brother. Forgot the fun part...

[crusinpsychRN]

Good reminder M'care not good for out of country. Need trip insurance.

[rkacruiser]

1 hour ago, crusinpsychRN said:

Good reminder M'care not good for out of country. Need trip insurance.

 

A good reminder.  I have found there is a difference in companies that sell travel insurance as to how "easy" or "not" it is to file claims.  

 

On two of my most recent cruises, I have two medical claims to file with a company that was different from one that I used in the past.  Filing with that company was simple.  With this new, to me, company, not so simple.