Cruise Insurance Poll

[tuggers]

momofmeg,

 

You'll notice that no where in there did I ever say that I was not insured. I was just giving an opinion on why or why not to get it.

[Lou33]

OK, I'm not totally against insurance. One time we got insurance when my mother's health was questionable. I just think it is a good idea that people check if they are already covered for health insurance. If they are, do they still need to buy insurance for non-catestrophic events, like last minute cancellations or lost luggage?

 

My health insurance through my employer covers me outside the US (yes, including air evacuation). I have had several other professional jobs over the years, and each time, I was also covered outside the US. My wife has had several professional jobs, and each time she was covered outside the US. Just about everyone I know is covered outside the US. Medicare is one notable exception, and there are probably others.

 

Maybe a better poll would be "How many people bother to check if they already have health insurance?" The insurance companies, and maybe the travel agents, hope that you don't.

[Sky Sweet]

OK, I'm not totally against insurance. One time we got insurance when my mother's health was questionable. I just think it is a good idea that people check if they are already covered for health insurance. If they are, do they still need to buy insurance for non-catestrophic events, like last minute cancellations or lost luggage?

 

My health insurance through my employer covers me outside the US (yes, including air evacuation). I have had several other professional jobs over the years, and each time, I was also covered outside the US. My wife has had several professional jobs, and each time she was covered outside the US. Just about everyone I know is covered outside the US. Medicare is one notable exception, and there are probably others.

 

Maybe a better poll would be "How many people bother to check if they already have health insurance?" The insurance companies, and maybe the travel agents, hope that you don't.

 

Hi Lou33 :)

 

Your point about checking to see if you are already covered for emergency health care world wide is a very good one. It reminds me of the time when I bought insurance from Avis for a car rental and then realized my personal auto policy covers rental cars when I don't have access to my own car.

[FinelyCruising]

tuggers...I took it to mean the cost of the trip as well, but even though...some are enjoying fixed incomes and cannot take that risk let alone explore the costs of the insurance to cover that risk, there is a story for everyone I think....

 

But for the keeping of this topic on track, no matter what, there are more conditions that many of us don't consider which are being discussed here that can create potentially irreversible economic exposure, an absolute benefit from this topic.

 

So I may say good for all of us, this food for thought is good, and from me to you all, let's all hope that no one ever has to experience a medical airlift from a cruise ship, insured or not. ;)

[canderson]

It depends upon the policy. My health insurance policy provides world wide emergency care, but not all do. I know that Medicare does not provide coverage outside the country and most Medicare Supplementary Insurance plans only provide benefits if Medicare does.

 

Had promised myself I would not post here again, but could not let this bit of misinformation pass -- it may be very important to someone reading it.

 

ONLY those participating in the basic A and B programs will have no coverage under Medicare. Those who are participating in other plans will indeed be covered.

 

SS: Please review supplement plans under supplements C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J. ALL of these include coverage for "Foreign Travel Emergency" care.

[canderson]

Well, you got the Medicare correct, it does not cover you outside of the U.S In fact will not cover you on any cruise ship, even if the ship is in U.S. waters

 

 

Phil

The following definition for being "in" the United States comes directly from www.medicare.gov:

 

(The “United States” means the 50 states, the District of Columbia,

Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands,

American Samoa, and for services that you received while on board a

ship, the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the United States.)

[FinelyCruising]

I think I may need to print this thread for future reference, which isn't that far off...and I hope I make it that far.... ;)

 

I thought we had to be outside of US waters to be able to have the casino open....so while I get the language presented for medicare, I am not sure if the requirement is fixed via a distance from the coastline (or something along that line)....and can the cruisline meet some unrecognized fine print if the need be....

 

It's never simple....:o

[MBMiner]

Are you referring to liability insurance for your autos or just collision insurance?

 

Are you referring to liability insurance for your home or just fire insurance?

 

Are your referring to major medical and hospital insurance or just routine doctor visits?

 

I am curious because I would also be willing to take the risk of not having insurance on tangible items, but potential liability issues and unexpected major medical expenses are beyond my comfort level. In fact, we recently raised the insurance deductibles on our home and auto policies to save money on premiums, and bought a substantial umbrella liability policy with the money we saved.

 

I was referring to my overall policy on all types of insurance, i.e, don't insure against a loss for which you can afford to assume the risk. I follow that practice in all my coverages. Obviously I can't afford the risk of losing all my assets, so I carry heavy liability coverage on my vehicles and houses. On the other hand, I do not insure my vehicles including cars and motorcycles for any type of collision or comprehensive. I do insure my residences against loss, but request the maximum deductible which, in the case of Florida hurricane coverage is 5% of the insured value. I would accept a much higher medical deductible if it was available. Obviously I never buy extended warranties or cruise travel insurance. I once knew a very wealthy man who carried no medical insurance, as he felt he could afford any medical expense that arose. The whole point being, insure against the big losses and self-insure for the smaller ones you can afford to assume yourself.

Bruce

[CaliforniaDreamin]

and investigate on your own and/or get professional advice on this subject.

[CaliforniaDreamin]

insurance and investigate and/or obtain professional advice. Make sure you know what you have and what you need to have for your situation.

[cruising with marti]

The following definition for being "in" the United States comes directly from www.medicare.gov:

 

 

(The “United States” means the 50 states, the District of Columbia,

Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands,

American Samoa, and for services that you received while on board a

 

ship, the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the United States.)

 

 

 

Well, what the goverment says and the reality of thier policies, are two different things.

 

My wife has, on two different cruises had the privilege of two infirmary visits. The 1st visit was on the last night of a Tran Atlantic ending in Baltimore, we were well with in Chesapeake bay. the 2nd was just last May, when again a visit to the infirmary was called for. This visit was well within U.S. Territorial waters of the coast of Alaska.

 

In both cases Medicare turned down our claim. Also, both Marti's supplemental Insurance and our cruise line Insurance (which I always buy)required that we submit our claim to Medicare first

 

After the rejection by Medicare, her supplemental and the cruise line Insurance kicked in and reimbursed us for most of the charges

 

Also, the cruise line (Celebrity) will not process any claims of any kind, the charges go right onto your shipboard account.

 

 

 

 

Phil

[Sky Sweet]

Thank you, CAnderson, for informing me about Supplemental Medicare polices that are available directly through Medicare. I was referring to Private Medicare Supplemental Insurance/Medigap that is provided by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. That was based on information provided to me by Blue Cross/Blue Shield when I checked with them to see if I was covered outside the United States. At that time, they told me that I was covered but people on Medicare who have their Medicare Supplemental Insurance/Medigap policies are not.

 

Since I am only in my fifties, it will be a few years before I have to worry about Medicare Supplementary Insurance/Medigap, but I will save this information for future reference.

[cruisePRN]

In over 2 dozen cruises I've never bought travel insurance. What I've saved would probably pay for most medical care or a cancellation should that scenario present itself.

[cruising with marti]

In over 2 dozen cruises I've never bought travel insurance. What I've saved would probably pay for most medical care or a cancellation should that scenario present itself.

 

Wow, if my math is right 24 times $120.00 (on average) would equal $2480.00, you must take very inexpensive cruises and any medical emergency would be relatively minor:) :)

 

Phil

[cruising with marti]

Oh, and I forgot to add, cruise insurance is like auto, home, and health insurance, if you never have to use it, it is money down the proverbial crapper, but Karyn I bet you have auto, home and medical insurance:)

 

 

Phil

[Sky Sweet]

I was referring to my overall policy on all types of insurance, i.e, don't insure against a loss for which you can afford to assume the risk. I follow that practice in all my coverages. Obviously I can't afford the risk of losing all my assets, so I carry heavy liability coverage on my vehicles and houses. On the other hand, I do not insure my vehicles including cars and motorcycles for any type of collision or comprehensive. I do insure my residences against loss, but request the maximum deductible which, in the case of Florida hurricane coverage is 5% of the insured value. I would accept a much higher medical deductible if it was available. Obviously I never buy extended warranties or cruise travel insurance. I once knew a very wealthy man who carried no medical insurance, as he felt he could afford any medical expense that arose. The whole point being, insure against the big losses and self-insure for the smaller ones you can afford to assume yourself.

Bruce

 

Hi Bruce :)

 

I agree with your overall philosophy about insurance. What is your opinion about long term care insurance since you might pay expensive premiums for years and never need it, but if you don't have it you risk the possibility of paying a fortune in nursing home bills.

[ocngypz]

Check the fine print in your heath insurance policies from work. Many of those who will provide foreign coverage, will cover the medical at the NEAREST approved facility. They do not provide transportation to the hospital of your choice (more than likely in your home town) nor will they provide transportation home. They also do not provide assistance for spouse or significant other.

 

I escorted a group of seniors on an exotic western Caribbean cruise. Two were hospitalized in Costa Rica. One had travel insurance (primary coverage).

The other did purchase travel insurance. Both had Medi A and B.

 

When the pax with travel insurance was stabilized she was flown home accompanied by a Medi-tech. Her daughter had been flown from TX by the insurer to join her mother in Costa Rica.

 

The second pax was not as fortunate.. and she was the younger of the two.

Her children had to combine their assets along with their mother's.

 

I deal with travel insurance claims everyday. And have been doing so for years. I also have to deal with those folks who thought travel insurance was a waste of money and didn't purchase.... or purchased a secondary plan from the internet not understanding the policy limitations they purchased. "Can't you do something"they cry. Snowstorms, mechanical failures, roommate cancelling, housefires, hurricanes, tornados, car accidents, job loss.....the list goes on.

 

Funny, one complaint I've never had is from people who do purchase the correct insurance for their needs!

[canderson]

Well, what the goverment says and the reality of thier policies, are two different things.

As described, both of the incidents should have been covered. Receipts from the infirmary along with your statement and itinerary for the cruise should have been sufficient. Reading them their own text can be helpful. In extreme cases, there are actually lawyers who devote their careers to dealing with these nincompoops who handle claims.

 

If you don't like the answer you get the first time, call back! It's a bit like Celebrity's shore based customer support.:p A few years back, we had a substantial situation on an NCL cruise that required a jet ambulance return to Miami. Paid for the entire mess on American Express and submitted the bills to Medicare and got them paid. Took three rounds with them, but they finally coughed up per their own rules.

 

Anyway, the point of the initial post was to point out that many people may have coverage that they've either forgotten or never realized they had. This can cause problems when attempting to submit claims elsewhere, even after the fact. Further, as there are so many "3rd party" trip insurance plans out there with some very different coverage, it's worth looking at the combination of existing supplemental coverage along with those plans to see which 3rd party policy will complement the Medicare best/sufficiently without unnecessary coverage/expense.

[Sky Sweet]

Check the fine print in your heath insurance policies from work. Many of those who will provide foreign coverage, will cover the medical at the NEAREST approved facility. They do not provide transportation to the hospital of your choice (more than likely in your home town) nor will they provide transportation home. They also do not provide assistance for spouse or significant other.

 

I escorted a group of seniors on an exotic western Caribbean cruise. Two were hospitalized in Costa Rica. One had travel insurance (primary coverage).

The other did purchase travel insurance. Both had Medi A and B.

 

When the pax with travel insurance was stabilized she was flown home accompanied by a Medi-tech. Her daughter had been flown from TX by the insurer to join her mother in Costa Rica.

 

The second pax was not as fortunate.. and she was the younger of the two.

Her children had to combine their assets along with their mother's.

 

I deal with travel insurance claims everyday. And have been doing so for years. I also have to deal with those folks who thought travel insurance was a waste of money and didn't purchase.... or purchased a secondary plan from the internet not understanding the policy limitations they purchased. "Can't you do something"they cry. Snowstorms, mechanical failures, roommate cancelling, housefires, hurricanes, tornados, car accidents, job loss.....the list goes on.

 

Funny, one complaint I've never had is from people who do purchase the correct insurance for their needs!

 

Thank you, Ocngypz, for sharing your professional experiences on this topic. When I spoke to a representative from Blue Cross about my coverage outside the United States, she told me that if the emergency medical expenses were more than $2,500, which isn't very much, the claim would be subject to review before it is paid.

[canderson]

Thank you, CAnderson, for informing me about Supplemental Medicare polices that are available directly through Medicare. I was referring to Private Medicare Supplemental Insurance/Medigap that is provided by Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

The supplemental plans I mentioned ARE private/medigap plans. The standardization of the lettering (C through J) is dictated by the government in order to standardize understanding of the benefits, but these are private plans.

 

That was based on information provided to me by Blue Cross/Blue Shield when I checked with them to see if I was covered outside the United States. At that time, they told me that I was covered but people on Medicare who have their Medicare Supplemental Insurance/Medigap policies are not.

There's something very, very wrong here. All companies offering C~J supplemental plans are expected to handle emergency services in foreign countries as part of those supplements.

 

I'm not sure which state you're in, but I'm very surprised that your local Blue Cross gave you a bum steer.

[palolake]

We've always bought travel insurance. It's a small price to pay for peace of mind. It also pays for lost luggage, getting you to the first port if you miss the sailing because of bad weather, etc.

[MBMiner]

Hi Bruce :)

 

I agree with your overall philosophy about insurance. What is your opinion about long term care insurance since you might pay expensive premiums for years and never need it, but if you don't have it you risk the possibility of paying a fortune in nursing home bills.

 

I feel the same way about long term care insurance and don't carry it myself. Insurance experts and financial advisors recommend that if you have sufficient assets to provided for this contingency, you should self-insure and not carry this expensive coverage. Also, if you have few assets you don't need it either. I agree it depends on one's approach to risk. Some people feel they have to insure for every possible loss, others can accept the risk of major loss. With our sky high cost of hurricane coverage in Florida, I've even thought of going without that, but haven't taken that step yet even though I have about a $14,000 deductible. Whatever one feels comfortable with financially and how well it allows you to sleep at night. This approach has certainly saved me many tens of thousands of dollars over the years.

Bruce

[ocngypz]

READ the fine print in your health insurer's policy. I just read my mother's.

 

It's Empire State Blue Cross.

 

$250 deductible and $50,000 in maximum life time coverage, not per incidence. And that ONLY covers emergency medical treatment for the patient. And it only covers expenses BC would cover if treatment was in the US.

[dagadget]

Lucy, this is the misinformation that I addressed. The poster in question indicated that the only potential loss from not obtaining travel insurance is the cost of the trip itself, which is not accurate. I agree that she had every right to express her opinion, but when she supported that opinion with erroneous information, she should have realized that someone would notice. As you know, I am not the only poster who noticed her error and commented on it.

 

 

Additional information is always a good thing even if some consider it picking. I did not see any of the responses as picking I just saw someone with more experience and information passing it along and helping the rest of us. In Our case I got the insurance as my wife is type II Diabetic and has in the past had episodes where she ended up on a ambulance. Something like that at sea would pose a problem. She is better at managing it now but you can never be to carefull. Keep on giving out information I for one will never consider that picking :) Keep up the information I am sure someone besides me appreciates it.

[joeyanddavid]

Wilma convinced me................