Make sure you have travel insurance

[Liao]

2 hours ago, phoenix_dream said:

In coverage as well.  For GeoBlue, my husband (a few years younger than me) has I think it was $1,000,000 of a certain type of coverage - mine the most is $100,000.  I may be off on the numbers a bit as I don't recall them exactly, but the difference in coverage is huge.  I understand why, but still....

I use GeoBlue as well. They have very good coverage and at a amazing reasonable cost for health insurance only.  Never had to use them, but based on info from many rating sources, they are highly reliable.  The peace of mind is well worth it.

[catspaw1]

What's the normal annual policy cost? Does it exceed 6.5% of trip costs? That's what one policy costs me per trip. This is our fifth trip this year but only 2 international cruises & I only insure international trips. The rest were domestic trips- two driving. But if I could get a policy with the same coverage for the year, I would do it. The yearly policies I looked at before, did not have the same coverage as the big box store. We are going to the Galapagos next year so a high evacuation coverage, if needed, will need to be a high level as that evacuation could be very costly. When we lived in Venezuela about 20 years ago, doctors & hospitals wanted payment upfront even in an emergency situation. One of our mangers sustained a gunshot wound & the hospital would not operate until they had the money upfront.  If he didn't pay immediately,  he would have died. So I want as  high coverage levels as possible- 5K isn't going to do it.

[billc23]

9 hours ago, bjahil47 said:

My husband also had a health issue on Beyond concerning his eye.  They took good care of him in medical.  They made an appointment at a retina specialist for the next day in Cartagena, had a car ready for him and provided a translator.  He did need a laser procedure and luckily he was given a letter that he was fit to sail.  If he had needed surgery for a detached retina we would have flown home.  Luckily we have medical evacuation insurance that would get us home for free.  It’s piece of mind.  

Which insurance company offers medical evacuation that will get you home? The ones that I have looked at say they will get you to the nearest facility that can treat your problem. They transport only if medically necessary. 

[cruisinsusin]

6 minutes ago, billc23 said:

Which insurance company offers medical evacuation that will get you home? The ones that I have looked at say they will get you to the nearest facility that can treat your problem. They transport only if medically necessary. 

As long as you are hospitalized and stable for transport, medjet will get you to your preferred facility, not just the closest.

[billc23]

1 hour ago, catspaw1 said:

What's the normal annual policy cost? Does it exceed 6.5% of trip costs? That's what one policy costs me per trip. This is our fifth trip this year but only 2 international cruises & I only insure international trips. The rest were domestic trips- two driving. But if I could get a policy with the same coverage for the year, I would do it. The yearly policies I looked at before, did not have the same coverage as the big box store. We are going to the Galapagos next year so a high evacuation coverage, if needed, will need to be a high level as that evacuation could be very costly. When we lived in Venezuela about 20 years ago, doctors & hospitals wanted payment upfront even in an emergency situation. One of our mangers sustained a gunshot wound & the hospital would not operate until they had the money upfront.  If he didn't pay immediately,  he would have died. So I want as  high coverage levels as possible- 5K isn't going to do it.

Geoblue cost $278/year for $1,000,000 coverage with $100 deductible if under 70 years old. Add in Medjet and you will have great medical coverage. 

[catspaw1]

Thanks but what specific coverage- Evac? Medical? Trip interruption? Trip delays? I'll have to compare it to my Zurich cover more with cover more to find out more. Thanks for sharing.

[billc23]

1 minute ago, cruisinsusin said:

As long as you are hospitalized and stable for transport, medjet will get you to your preferred facility, not just the closest.

Exactly! That is what I have been saying. Many who have insurance with medical evacuation insurance should read the fine print to be sure they are getting what they want. Medjet is not insurance, it is a membership. The cost is very reasonable. The other benefit is once back in the US one's usual medical insurance takes over the payments. It is also of use when traveling in the US.

[billc23]

4 minutes ago, catspaw1 said:

Thanks but what specific coverage- Evac? Medical? Trip interruption? Trip delays? I'll have to compare it to my Zurich cover more with cover more to find out more. Thanks for sharing.

See my posts #34 and #37. Then google Geoblue to see their specific coverage. 

[bjahil47]

42 minutes ago, billc23 said:

Which insurance company offers medical evacuation that will get you home? The ones that I have looked at say they will get you to the nearest facility that can treat your problem. They transport only if medically necessary. 

We have a Skymed multi year plan. They will get you to your home hospital if you have a critical illness or injury.  And will transport your companions and get your vehicle home.  

[billc23]

2 minutes ago, bjahil47 said:

We have a Skymed multi year plan. They will get you to your home hospital if you have a critical illness or injury.  And will transport your companions and get your vehicle home.  

That is why I asked: Which insurance company offers medical evacuation that will get you home? Skymed is similar to Medjet in concept and one may be better for an individuals situation. I think Medjet has broader coverage for international travel. I paid under $1000 for 5 year Medjet plan for me and my spouse. 

 

Most insurance company medical evacuation coverage relies on medical necessity as the criteria for transport. Who determines the need for transport? The treating physician/hospital... I see this as a conflict of interest. The insurance company has to pay a large cost for medical transport whereas the services listed above have their own fleet of air ambulances and staff. Very different cost model and very different coverage.

 

Caveat Emptor. 

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, billc23 said:

Geoblue cost $278/year for $1,000,000 coverage with $100 deductible if under 70 years old. Add in Medjet and you will have great medical coverage. 

 

 If you are over 70 they only provide up to $100,000 coverage with the $100 deductible. 

 

[catspaw1]

here's the coverage for an upcoming trip we booked with the big box store insurance. trip cancellation 100% of cost, Trip interruption 150% of costs, trip delay 2G, missed connection $1500, bag delay $200, ER medical exp $200,000, ER dental exp $1,000, ER evacuation & repatriation $200,000 & common carrier AD & D $50,000.

 

Premium for 23 days, covering cruise cost only, was $222.

 

So how does that compare with GeoBlue everyone? One of us- me -under 70 & my DH 72.

[canderson]

6 minutes ago, catspaw1 said:

here's the coverage for an upcoming trip we booked with the big box store insurance. trip cancellation 100% of cost, Trip interruption 150% of costs, trip delay 2G, missed connection $1500, bag delay $200, ER medical exp $200,000, ER dental exp $1,000, ER evacuation & repatriation $200,000 & common carrier AD & D $50,000.

 

Premium for 23 days, covering cruise cost only, was $222.

 

So how does that compare with GeoBlue everyone? One of us- me -under 70 & my DH 72.

As some have noted, you really want to look carefully at the Ts and Cs of evacuation.  Some policies will only do so if there's no way you can get what they deem to be adequate treatment where you are.  Others will send you home (or wherever) for treatment as requested.

[catspaw1]

good point & I'm not sure how this company does that.

 

Sounds like a good plan to have skymed also. I don't worry as much in first world countries but do worry about third world countries. We were in Laos Cambodia & Burma years ago & was told never to get health care in those countries but get on a plane to Bangkok or Singapore.

 

I do have health insurance while abroad from my retiree benefits & will check with them also.

[bandp407]

I just phoned Geo Blue to compare to our big box insurance. The coverage is less & does NOT cover treatment in the US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. Many Caribbean cruises as we know stop there. The quote was $ 483 . My husband is 81 & I am 71. There is a$100 deductible. 
I believe we are safest sticking with CoverMore. 
100% Trip cancellation. Medical $200,000, Dental $1000, emergency med Evac $ 1,000,000, plus plus…. Also does include pre existing. The cost is either the 5% or 6.5% as catspaw1has noted. 

[billc23]

2 minutes ago, catspaw1 said:

good point & I'm not sure how this company does that.

Important to find out. You may be surprised at what the actual T&C states. If you are interested in international coverage primarily, then Medjet is much cheaper than Skymed. Using the Medjet transport will often minimize the amount of medical coverage you will need when traveling internationally. My retiree benefits also cover medical when abroad but they have a lifetime max. 

 

My Galapagos trip insurance, cruise only from the big box store, was quoted at over $3000. If I became ill and needed hospitalization I would be transported to Ecuador for treatment. 

[catspaw1]

I did get this insurance for our celebrity Galapagos cruise for next year also. I also have my chase sapphire reserve card - not sure of their evac coverage.

 

I believe my retiree benefits have no cap on international coverage but would need to verify, everything is about reducing coverage these days!

[billc23]

2 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 If you are over 70 they only provide up to $100,000 coverage with the $100 deductible. 

 

Yes. My Medicare supplement pays 80% up to $50,000. I will sometimes buy a single trip policy only insuring $500 per person to get superior medical coverage.

 

 

Edited September 9 by billc23

[billc23]

20 minutes ago, catspaw1 said:

I did get this insurance for our celebrity Galapagos cruise for next year also. I also have my chase sapphire reserve card - not sure of their evac coverage.

 

I believe my retiree benefits have no cap on international coverage but would need to verify, everything is about reducing coverage these days!

Medigap plan benefits are set by CMS:

 

Some offer emergency care outside the U.S. - 

80% of emergency care costs during the first 60 days of each trip, after an annual deductible of $250, up to a maximum lifetime benefit of $50,000.

 

Retired State and Federal government employees, and others, may have a richer plan.

 

[billc23]

1 hour ago, bandp407 said:

The coverage is less & does NOT cover treatment in the US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico.

Medicare does. I do not insure my Caribbean vacations separate from the coverage provided by Medjet and my credit card. I would be paying for coverage I already have.

[catspaw1]

I did get this insurance for our celebrity Galapagos cruise for next year also. I also have my chase sapphire reserve card - not sure of their evac coverage.

 

I believe my retiree benefits have no cap on international coverage but would need to verify.

 

I do have government retiree benefits so that's usual much better health coverage. My secondary insurance is not with a medigap coverage.

[catspaw1]

Bill is correct- Medicare covers in all US states & territories. Puerto Rico is a territory so is covered. 

[wrk2cruise]

2 hours ago, bandp407 said:

I just phoned Geo Blue to compare to our big box insurance. The coverage is less & does NOT cover treatment in the US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. Many Caribbean cruises as we know stop there. The quote was $ 483 . My husband is 81 & I am 71. There is a$100 deductible. 
I believe we are safest sticking with CoverMore. 
100% Trip cancellation. Medical $200,000, Dental $1000, emergency med Evac $ 1,000,000, plus plus…. Also does include pre existing. The cost is either the 5% or 6.5% as catspaw1has noted. 

 

Geo Blue is medical/evac coverage only and is also an annual policy so I think you are comparing Apples/Oranges.  Glad you checked it out and are comfortable with your current coverage. 

 

If you are looking for Trip Cancellation/Interruption coverage Geo Blue alone is not the answer.

[bandp407]

16 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

Geo Blue is medical/evac coverage only and is also an annual policy so I think you are comparing Apples/Oranges.  Glad you checked it out and are comfortable with your current coverage. 

 

If you are looking for Trip Cancellation/Interruption coverage Geo Blue alone is not the answer.

Thank you for your feedback. I am aware that Medicare & our supplement will cover PR and the US Virgins & that Geo Blue is medical / evac internationally. Part of the problem is the trip cancellation factor. While one of our credit cards will cover a large amount( for us) of trip cancellation, it does not include any pre existing conditions. For us that is somewhat risky. Also, the card that I use for my big box purchases, offers zero trip cancellation. 
 

Insurance is always complicated & can be quite risky with all the fine print!!

[MamaFej]

Insurance is a strange product. As long as you are an honest person, you pay your premiums with the sincere hope that it's a waste of money.